Researcher Development Administrator

Job Description

In this busy and varied role, you will be responsible for a broad range of tasks supporting all aspects of the Researcher Development Team?s work. You will support all aspects of the administration of our programmes, workshops and events, including scheduling, booking rooms, managing bookings and attendance, responding to queries, participant feedback, liaising with external and internal trainers and providers, and liaising with colleagues in other departments that provide training.  You will provide general administrative support for the team, including purchasing, managing payments and financial administration, arranging meetings, taking minutes, and maintaining databases and websites.

You will have a varied workload, ensuring efficiency, effectiveness, and high levels of customer service across all of these broad range of activities. You will be responsible for accurate and timely record keeping, using learning management systems, events organisation, and a broad range of other administrative activity. The role will involve significant contact with researchers, academics, and professional staff across Queen Mary and externally, and so requires the ability to develop positive working relationships with a broad range of staff.

As the work of the Researcher Development Team and the Queen Mary Academy develops, new responsibilities will fall into the remit of the team, and so the ability to be flexible as the portfolio of work evolves is crucial.

Main duties and responsibilities

Workshops and events

• Schedule the workshops, events and other provision comprising the Researcher Development Programme over the academic year in accordance with timings, dependencies and deadlines.
• Provide high quality administrative support for all aspects of the Researcher Development Programme, including participant bookings, attendance, room bookings/ setting up online learning spaces, and communicating regularly and promptly with participants, tutors and collaborating partners.
• Responding to queries in a professional and timely manner with excellent customer service.

Data management and analysis

• Collection and collation of participant feedback.
• Accurate record keeping, including set up, updating, maintenance and reporting of records using our Learning Management System, databases and spreadsheets for course scheduling, booking, attendance and evaluation. 
• Analysis of data and production of reports on Researcher Development activities. 

Communications

• Administration of communications, publicity and promotional materials for Researcher Development activities.
• Administration and maintenance of mailing lists of researchers. 
• Assist in the preparation and collation of written documents (including statistics and data) for circulation eg as reports, newsletters or emails.
• Maintenance of effective and up-to-date webpages using our content management system (T4).
• Creating content for the team?s social media channels.

General administration

• Providing secretariat support for the Concordat Implementation Group and other groups and committees as required, including servicing meetings, producing high quality minutes, and chasing follow up actions. 
• Finance administration, including purchasing, setting up suppliers and processing finance records using Agresso.
• Monitor and manage all relevant email accounts/ inboxes (and where appropriate other platforms), responding to or forwarding queries in a timely and consistent way to address the ongoing review and enhancement of all matters relating to effective administration and management.
• Actively participate in relevant University networks, developing awareness of the institutional context and ensuring up to date knowledge of policies, processes and systems. 

Provide support to colleagues across the Academy as required, including providing cover for busy periods, annual leave and sickness absence across the administrative team. 

Undergraduate degree or equivalent work experience in an administrative role

• Experience of day-to-day administration of courses and events (e.g. managing bookings, participant communication, recording attendance, feedback, etc)
• Experience of scheduling and timetabling an annual programme of activities, such as courses and events
• Experience in a customer-focused environment, dealing with queries efficiently and professionally 
• Experience of ensuring efficient operating processes
• Experience of finance administration (ideally using Agresso)
• Experience of supporting committees and servicing meetings
• Experience in the higher education sector, with an interest in Researcher Development

• Excellent organisational skills with the ability to manage a range of responsibilities and prioritise their workload
• Excellent communication skills, both written and verbal
• Strong interpersonal skills with the ability to engage and build relationships with a wide range of people at all levels of seniority
• Excellent attention to detail, ensuring accurate work and information in a fast-paced environment, including spreadsheet maintenance
• Ability to produce clear reports and present data accurately and in an easily understood format
• Ability to work independently and resolve most issues/ queries and unforeseen problems, providing advice on specialized but established procedures
• Ability to work as part of a team, providing a supportive environment for colleagues 
• Demonstrates a collaborative and proactive attitude and a willingness to undertake new areas of work
• Able to produce written materials for a range of different audiences, including minutes, reports, web and social media content
• Ability to use content management systems to maintain websites/ virtual learning environments/ other platforms
• High level of proficiency in Microsoft Office applications, particularly Excel, Teams, Outlook, Word and PowerPoint
• Committed and motivated to their professional development with a willingness to undertake training to develop the role
• Understanding of, and commitment to, equality, diversity and inclusion
• The ability to meet UK ?right to work? requirements.