Development and Support Manager (XN06)

Job responsibilities

The Development and Support Manager will play a crucial role in the development and delivery of NIHR Development and Support Programmes.

The purpose of the Development and Support Manager post is to:

Manage part of the portfolio of work delivered bv the development and support team including leadership and mentoring provisions

Provide day-to-day programme management including programme recruitment, reporting, communications and liaison with suppliers that support both the leadership development and mentoring programmes of work

Hold responsibility for stakeholder communications both within the NIHR Academy and across the wider organisation in relation to the suite of learning and development programmes and provisions

Supporting the development of the Development and Support programmes offer to encompass a wider target population with consideration of specialist needs

Provide data and reports to evaluate the effectiveness and return on investment of the development and support programmes and make suggestions for further improvement and enhancement

Provide ad hoc support for the delivery of other Development and Support programmes and provisions

Lead in the development of the agenda of relevant steering groups and contract management meetings and provide secretariat support

Support the development and delivery of the portfolio of development and support programmes delivered by the team to support key stakeholder groups and special interest groups.

The post holder is required to work flexibly across the organisation; the portfolio of work is likely to vary over time as will the balance of administrative and development duties.

The post holder is largely expected to work on their own, using their own initiative guided by the broad principles and NIHR Academy policies supported by the Development & Support Manager and Senior Team.

Development and Support Activities

Work closely with the Senior Development and Support Manager to ensure appropriate growth and development of Development and Support Programmes

Work on development and support activities using own initiative in line with NIHR Academy policies and procedures

Work closely with the Development and Support Officer to effectively deliver the programmes of work

Work with the Communications team to support eligible NIHR Academy Members to access Development and Support programmes

Provide support to Development and Support programmes and look for opportunities to promote the leadership development and mentorship programmes within existing development and support programme channels

Work with workforce leads cross NIHR and other stakeholders including the Department of Health and Social Care

Work closely with the finance team to manage the programme budget and provide regular financial reporting

General Programme Activities

Be responsible for programme recruitment and maintaining relationships with existing programme participants

Manage and review the recruitment process ensuring it is appropriate and remains fit for purpose

Organising programme training opportunities

Support contract management of external suppliers and subject matter experts

Report on the success and impact of the programmes through written papers and presentations to the appropriate stakeholder groups

Write reports and working papers as required to provide updates on the programmes

Identify opportunities for growth and development of the programmes to better serve the NIHR community

Develop and communicate standard operating procedures for the programmes and associated activities

Manage the cycle and timing of programme activities

Develop materials to support Development and Support programmes - e.g. onboarding documentation, communications to promote the programme, standard operating procedures

Identify training needs and plan appropriate support/intervention for internal and external stakeholders

Manage contracts and stakeholders associated with the development and support programmes

Review Development and Support training materials and content and provide feedback to the provider where necessary

Communications

Work closely with the communications team to develop and implement communications plans to promote development and support programmes and attract relevant target audiences

Communicate regularly with stakeholders to maintain relationships and ensure their satisfaction with the programme

Communicate with award holders, both those who are joining Development and Support programmes and those within the community who may wish to join in the future

Identify opportunities to communicate and network with a wider range of NIHR stakeholders to grow the potential mentor pool

Communicate verbally and in writing with staff and stakeholders at all levels in a confident and professional manner

Communicate with a range of people nationally at all levels of seniority both internal and external to the NIHR Academy in line with DHSC policies

Develop and nurture strong nationally-based networks and positive and collaborative working relationships within NIHR, HEIs, NHS Trusts and other health-related organisations, particularly at the level of senior research leaders/sponsors to benefit the NIHR Academy programmes.

General

Be aware of best practice and trends in leadership development and mentoring to be able to inform and advise colleagues as required and influence the development of the development and support programmes

Undertaking any ad hoc initiatives as required by the NIHR Academy Executive Board members.

Experience

Essential

• Experience in the delivery of personal and professional development programmes including leadership development, mentoring and coaching initiatives
• Experience in personal and professional development programme evaluation and how to identify return on investment
• Experience of working with suppliers, contract management, monitoring and evaluation
• Strong interpersonal skills, including the ability to communicate effectively as an advocate for health and social care services research and development
• An interest in health and social care research
• Effective inter-personal skills, able to liaise with stakeholders
• Experience and a willingness of working across discipline boundaries
• Experience of complex programme and project management
• Understanding of procurement and contract management best practice
• Well-developed presentation skills and report writing, able to convey complex information
• Experience of working on complex, wide-ranging, time-critical projects and effectively managing the associated workload

Desirable

• Experience of developing and delivering in house personal and professional development programmes
• Experience of working with or within a healthcare, research or education environment

Skills & Behaviours

Essential

• Ability to work as part of a team, build and maintain good working relationships
• Deliver work on time and proactively respond to new demands and changing priorities
• Effective influencing skills with the ability to deal tactfully with colleagues, senior academics, NIHR leaders, members of the public and various stakeholders
• Identify opportunities and approaches to achieve goals and make improvements
• Ability to plan and organise a range of new and ongoing activities
• Work effectively and collaboratively as part of a team
• Prioritisation of tasks
• Manage own time effectively
• Take personal responsibility
• Give clear information both verbally and in written communications

Desirable

• Ability to reprioritise tasks and take initiative

Qualifications

Essential

• Educated to degree/ graduate diploma level or equivalent experience, preferably in the learning and development field

Desirable

• CIPD Level 5 or above
• ILM Level 3 or above in coaching and mentoring

Additional Requirements

Essential

• Good oral and written communication skills
• Experience of drafting reports, papers and presentations
• Confident and comfortable talking and presenting to others
• Ability to assimilate information, quickly and effectively applying knowledge to new problems
• Good working knowledge of word processing, databases, spreadsheets and Google suite
• Confidence in working with new technology and platforms
• Experience in developing and implementing standard operating processes
• Ability to work accurately with attention to detail
• Willingness to travel in UK, including occasional overnight absence