NEWS

Position Filled

About us:

Glass Futures is a not-for-profit research and technology organisation, carrying out collaborative, cutting edge research in glass manufacturing and sustainability, made possible by a significant private and public sector investment of over £50m+ over the coming years.

About our opportunities:

An unrivalled career opportunity has become available for the position of Project Manager lead, to assume responsibility for key R&D projects to deliver new technologies that will play a vital part in helping to decarbonise the global glass manufacturing sector.  The role will provide unique opportunities to work for leading global manufacturers and internationally recognised brands, on project based at commercial glass plants and at St Helens when the new Global Centre of Excellence facility opens in 2023.

You will have a once in a lifetime opportunity to work alongside leading global experts across the glass and digital technologies sectors, also providing you with the opportunity to help work alongside the Senior Management team to develop and embed new Project Management tools and systems within Glass Futures.

Industry and project management experience is critical for this role due to the varied scope of responsibilities, and we are keen to meet with people who have experience of delivering R&D projects in an industrial environment.

The position is one of people leadership, supporting and guiding project managers in achieving their personal and collective objectives, assuming mentorship and coaching whilst delivering to stakeholders both internally and externally.

The role will also involve working closely with the Funding Bids Development team and so experience of preparing successful R&D grant funding applications would be extremely desirable.

It’s essential that you’re motivated by Science, Technology, Engineering or Maths and have the ability to provide practical support within an industrial environment.  Glass or ceramics sector experience is advantageous for this role due to the nature of the business and projects; however, we are also eager to hear from exceptional alternative industry experienced candidates with demonstrable transferable skills.

Given the project-based nature of the work you may be expected to spend short periods of time away from home and are also expected to cover occasional shift work, with the possibly of the role transferring to permanent shifts in mid-2023 subject to negotiation.

About you:

We are looking for experienced project managers who have delivered multiple grant-funded R&D projects in industry and have the following attributes:

• MSc/ PhD in areas related to Materials Science (Glass/ Ceramics), Chemical Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Thermal Engineering, Process Control, and other Energy Sciences is highly desirable.
• Experience of managing integrated teams of multi-disciplined individuals
• Experience of leading a diverse range of highly skilled project managers and supporting them to achieve their goals
• Experience of independently leading multiple fast paced projects and integrated programs
• Knowledge and expertise in setting up the Project Management process from conception
• Competent in use of a range of project management tools, including Gantt charts, Risk Management and IP Management
• Adept at preparing and managing budgets and resource plans, of more than £100K
• Experience at preparing applications for R&D funding
• Glass manufacturing experience is very desirable.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills, with adaptability for peers, stakeholder, and international communications
• The ability to operate at a senior level and support the framework for internal growth
• A proactive person with a drive to succeed and achieve goals independent of direct daily management
• Be comfortable interacting with external stakeholders and partners
• Excellent presentation skills with demonstratable networking and relationship building experience.
• Demonstratable influencing and negotiation skills.
• Strong attention to detail.
• Innovative thinker with an ability to identify, assess and propose problem solutions.
• Has a great awareness, understanding and respect for health and safety, preferably with a supporting vocational qualification, e.g. IOSH.
• Flexibility in working hours to collaborate internationally, and willingness to travel overseas for short term, fixed periods.

Core Responsibilities

• Leading a team of skilled project managers in multiple R&D projects
• Management of other partners, stakeholders and funding agencies
• Responsibility for developing and communicating project objectives, reviewing project proposals and plans.
• Identify and determine project responsibilities, phases, and elements
•  Ensure the growth and development of a team of project managers
• Determine project specifications, considering performance standards and stakeholder requirements and expectations.
• Responsibility for large, integrated project management and budget responsibility; control the project plan, schedule and costs.
• Data analysis and report writing, including written, oral, actual and virtual communication and demonstration.
• Ability to recommend actions and determine outputs, summarising information, and trends, specifically down selecting and developing high potential ideas for collaborative projects.
• Close liaison with the glass fraternity team in disseminating project specific findings and recommendations.

The Particular’s:

Salary: Range between £42,500 – 46,500 dependent upon specific role and experience
Hours: Full time with flexible working considerations – (Shift work expected during various times in the year)
Location: Hybrid working inc. Home – Travel expected during periods of work – Primarily based in St Helens from 2023 onwards.  

Next Steps:

Please get in touch at careers@glass-futures.org to discover more about these exciting roles and for the unique opportunity to be a part of future innovation and change.