Job Description

The Research Talent Support Officer has a crucial role to play in helping a busy team deliver its key objectives. Working closely with senior staff, your proactive and professional approach will contribute to the delivery of King’s postgraduate research student (PGR) strategy and equality, diversity & inclusion (EDI) action plan, as well as the smooth running of the department and other priority projects. For example, you will project manage elements of the PGR strategy action plan and arrange meetings for working groups, as well as liaising with both senior internal colleagues and external stakeholders. Developing an effective working relationship with the Director of Research Talent and the Deans for Doctoral Studies will be vital. You will also provide general administrative and facilities support to the Research Talent department and EA support as necessary. 

The Research Talent department comprises two Centres: the Centre for Doctoral Studies (CDS) and the Centre for Research Staff Development. These Centres support the PGR and research staff experience at King’s respectively. The CDS, led by the Director of Research Talent, has a line of sight across all PGR activity in the university, working closely with the academic Deans for Doctoral Studies (Prof Rebecca Oakey and Prof Peter Heather). The CDS plays a central role in King’s delivering on its PGR Strategy, which outlines the university’s aspirations for its postgraduate research community and ongoing work to improve the PGR student experience. The CDS has also facilitated the development of a PGR EDI action plan, working with numerous partners – the roleholder will help ensure delivery of the plan. 

The ideal candidate will be an experienced administrator who is able to manage challenging situations and confidential matters with professionalism and discretion at all times. Efficient and effective management of projects and meetings is crucial, as is a flexible and positive approach.

This post will be offered on an indefinite contract

This is a full-time post - 100% full time equivalent

Key responsibilities

• Manage discrete projects, for example, maintaining an action log for the implementation of the PGR Strategy.
• Provide administrative and project management support, for example, for programmes within King’s portfolio of Doctoral Training Centres and Partnerships and the public engagement small grant scheme.
• Advise and contribute to forward planning, for example, drafting documents and support information.
• Manage meetings and events to the highest professional standards, especially where senior guests are involved.
• Arrange bookings, catering and AV, for example, for regular executive and team meetings, as well as for meetings with external visitors.
• Service meetings, as required, including preparing meeting materials and taking minutes.
• Liaise with appropriate services to maintain and supply departmental facilities, e.g. photocopiers/printers, kitchen, stationery.
• Assist the Director with requisitions, budgeting and financial reporting.
• Provide EA support to the Director of Research Talent and Deans for Doctoral Studies – especially meeting arrangements, travel/visa/accommodation and other administrative duties as required.
• Act as a point of contact for Research Talent, forwarding enquiries to relevant staff members and, when necessary, responding to enquiries on behalf of the Director.
• Establish and maintain effective working relationships with colleagues at all levels across Research Talent, and other parts of the university, including research students and staff.
• Manage general office administrative processes.

The above list of responsibilities may not be exhaustive, and the post holder will be required to undertake such tasks and responsibilities as may reasonably be expected within the scope and grading of the post.

Skills, knowledge, and experience

Essential criteria

1.       First degree or equivalent experience

2.       Excellent IT skills, including Windows, Office

3.       Experience of working with, or ability to learn, online systems and databases

4.       Excellent oral and written communication skills incl minute-taking

5.       Excellent organisational and time management skills

6.       Project management skills

7.       Substantial administrative experience in an office environment

8.       Work independently, proactively and flexibly, using own judgement and initiative when appropriate

9.       Accuracy and attention to detail

10.   Contribute effectively as part of a team, with a ‘hands on’ approach to working

11.   Build and maintain excellent relationships with individuals at all levels, within and outside the organisation

12.   Tact and discretion

Desirable criteria

1.       Familiarity with Higher Education administration

2.       Experience of committee servicing

3.       Experience of event management

4.       Self confidence to communicate clearly and assertively, verbally and in writing

The selection process will include a panel interview and an assessment.

Interviews will be held on 4/9 Feb.

Contact Dr Nigel Eady (nigel.eady@kcl.ac.uk) for an informal conversation about the role.

Research Talent

Research Talent is a department within the directorate of Research Management & Innovation. Research Talent comprises two Centres: the Centre for Doctoral Studies and the Centre for Research Staff Development.

About the Centre for Doctoral Studies

https://www.kcl.ac.uk/study/doctoral-studies/index.aspx

The Centre’s mission is equipping research students to excel. The Centre’s four priority areas are: support, funding, training and community.

About the Centre for Research Staff Development

  https://www.kcl.ac.uk/research/support/professional-development/centre-for-research-staff-development.aspx 

The Centre for Research Staff Development provides support for research staff to achieve their potential, before, during and after their time at King’s, with active engagement from the most senior staff in the university. Research staff at King’s are postdoctoral staff, research assistants and technicians, in fact all those other than PhD students who are engaged in research and who do not yet have an independent, permanent academic or managerial position.