Operations Manager, Future Medicines Institute (FMI)

The Future Medicines Institute (FMI) is a new industry-led research hub for Life and Health Sciences in Northern Ireland, hosted by Queen’s University Belfast (QUB). A consortium of companies, along with both QUB and Ulster University, have developed a model to create this new translational research unit. The FMI will drive collaboration, cluster development and engagement, enhancing research and development opportunities for commercial and academic partners.

Reporting to the Institute Director, the Operations Manager will provide specialist project management expertise and administrative oversight to ensure successful delivery of the Institute’s outputs: including budgetary management, reporting to the funders, people management, development of funding, and overall monitoring of a portfolio of workstreams. You will work closely with the Institute Director and all stakeholders to manage the implementation of the FMI strategy and develop structures and processes to ensure that it meets its core objectives. You will also work closely with key internal and external stakeholders including key personnel in the relevant advisory roles in developing new industry partnerships and research opportunities. The Operations Manager will be a key point of contact for funding agencies, and responsible for developing and maintaining excellent relationships with the other partner institutions.

About the person:

The successful candidate must have, and your application should clearly demonstrate that you meet the following essential criteria:

• Honours Degree and/or postgraduate or professional qualification in a scientific, technical or business subject area OR significant relevant experience as outlined.
• Recognised Project Management qualification.
• Substantial, relevant experience in the management of large projects within a business or academic environment including:
  • Experience of working with funding bodies or government agencies.
  • Experience of developing and implementing project management processes and procedures.
  • Experience in preparation of board level papers and presentations.
  • Experience in management of and reporting on KPIs and project deliverables.
  • Experience of networking and building collaborative relationships with a wide range of internal and external stakeholders, including industry, government departments and agencies, and business and public bodies, to deliver, influence and impact organisational strategy.

To be successful at shortlisting stage, please ensure you clearly evidence in your application how you meet the essential and, where applicable, desirable criteria listed in the Candidate Information on our website.

This post is available until 31 December 2029. Fixed term contract posts are available for the stated period in the first instance but in particular circumstances may be renewed or made permanent subject to availability of funding.

What we offer:

Beyond a competitive salary, the University offers an attractive benefits package including a holiday entitlement of up to 8.4 weeks a year, pension schemes and development opportunities. We support staff wellbeing with flexible working options, work-life balance initiatives and support for physical and mental health. You can find more detail on all of this and more at on our website.

Queen's University is committed to promoting equality of opportunity to all. We subscribe to Equality Charter Marks such as the Diversity Charter Mark NI and Athena Swan and have established staff networks such as iRise (Black, Asian, Minority Ethnic and International Staff Network) and PRISM (LGBTQ+) which help us progress equality.