Job description

The   NIHR Maudsley Biomedical Research Centre (BRC) is seeking an enthusiastic, proactive Administrator to assist both the Centre Manager and Training Manager in taking forwards the BRC’s strategic priorities for the next 5 years.

The successful applicant will provide comprehensive and professional administrative and operational support for a range of activity across the BRC, including assisting with recruitment (students and staff), servicing meetings, finance processes and day-to-day administration.  Other work will include assisting with the organisation of events, marketing, updating content on the Maudsley BRC website and maintaining accurate records pertaining to the BRC’s various Academic Career Development programmes.

Based at Denmark Hill campus, this role would suit a person who is committed to supporting the work of the BRC, who enjoys working with a variety of stakeholders, including students and staff to find solutions and make positive change. A willingness to 'get stuck in' and to support a culture of continuous improvement is essential.

This is a great opportunity for someone who is interested in gaining more experience in administration and who has a genuine interest in the work of the NIHR Maudsley Biomedical Research Centre.

This is a full-time post and will be offered on a fixed term contract until 30th November 2027.

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

Equality of opportunity is College policy.

The NIHR Maudsley Biomedical Research Centre (BRC) is a partnership between South London and Maudsley NHS Foundation Trust - a leading mental health trust with a long tradition in joining clinical and academic excellence, and the Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology & Neuroscience, King's College London - the largest collection of researchers in Europe investigating mental disorders. It is also part of the King's Health Partners Academic Health Sciences Centre.

We are researching new tests, treatments and theories in mental health, neurology, and dementia. Our aim is to accelerate the translation of the latest scientific discoveries into first-in-man clinical trials and other well designed studies.  The findings from these studies can then be developed and implemented to produce new tests and treatments for people with mental and neurological disorders.  Our research priorities are focused around novel treatments, precision medicine, translational informatics and mental-physical health.

Academic Career Development is a key element of the work of the BRC, providing funding opportunities to develop the next generation of clinical and non-clinical researchers in translational mental health

This post will be offered on a fixed term contract for 5 years

This post is Full Time.

Key responsibilities

o    Assist with student and staff recruitment, including PhD studentships and other academic career development opportunities; responding to queries, completion of recruitment paperwork; providing administrative support for shortlisting and interviews, including welcoming candidates and the administration of tests. 

o    Maintain local electronic records pertaining to students, staff and projects, such as recruitment data, student finance records, project status and progression data.    

o    Process expense claims, set up student stipend payment requests, arrange journal transfers and maintain accurate financial records. 

o    Service meetings and committees, including scheduling; managing meeting invitations; preparation of meeting documentation; taking accurate meeting notes and writing minutes. 

o    Resolve issues with departmental resources by liaising with colleagues throughout the College such as IT or AV services, Facilities and Estates, HR, Finance and academic departments. 

o    Undertake stock control, purchasing, and replenishing of routine consumables and office supplies within a defined limit, liaising with third party suppliers as needed. 

o    Provide logistical support for events, including booking rooms and catering, liaison with third parties, sourcing student ambassadors, managing event attendance, and triaging event snagging 

o    Contribute to the BRC’s central professional services team, contributing to planning and delivering professional support to students and staff 

o    Participate in projects in support of the general management of the BRC as requested e.g. collating management information and statistical data, taking part in business processes review or planning groups. 

o    Participate in departmental, campus, and college-wide fora as appropriate, and to cover for colleagues as required, both within their own areas and across the Centre. 

o    Develop excellent working relationships with key internal and external stakeholders 

o    Any other duties as may be required from time to time. 

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.       Educated to A-Level or equivalent. 

2.       Excellent communication skills, including excellent use of English both in formal documents, email communications and writing for the web. 

3.       Excellent IT skills with good working knowledge of Outlook, Excel, Word and PowerPoint.   

4.       Excellent numerical and data management skills with exceptional attention to detail. 

5.       Experience of administration, preferably in a Higher Education setting or similar environment. 

6.       Experience of working in a student or customer facing environment with ability to communicate effectively at all levels. 

7.       Experience of servicing meetings and committees. 

8.       Ability to work independently and pro-actively, escalating to higher authority where appropriate. 

9.       Ability to work flexibly, balancing competing priorities under pressure of deadlines and workload whilst maintaining outstanding quality in outputs. 

10.    Ability to contribute effectively as part of a team. 

11.    Ability to problem solve and provide effective solutions. 

Desirable criteria

1.       First degree or equivalent experience. 

2.       Experience of data management and producing statistical reports.