DMEx Project Coordinator (Research Project Management)

Location: Oxford Road, Manchester; based at the Royce Institute with hybrid working, typically two days onsite. Applicants must have the right to work in the UK; the role is not eligible for Skilled Worker visa sponsorship. Candidates must have sole UK nationality due to potential security clearance requirements.

Company

hirify.global's Defence Materials Centre of Excellence brings together researchers, engineers, and professional services experts to advance innovation in defence materials through a Dstl-funded national research centre.

What you will do

• Track high-volume research activity and monitor project progress with internal and external stakeholders.
• Support project review meetings by presenting financial information, progress against plans, and associated risks.
• Set up project files, monitor reporting requirements, support formal acceptance, and coordinate project changes.
• Manage information flow between the PMO Operations team, DMEx partners, University teams, and external collaborators.
• Coordinate resource planning, centre recruitment, project events, meetings, communications, and reporting activities.

Requirements

• Excellent organisational skills, with the ability to prioritise and manage conflicting priorities.
• Strong interpersonal and communication skills, including the ability to build rapport and influence diverse stakeholders.
• Ability to work independently with well-developed initiative and minimal supervision.
• Strong numeracy skills, understanding of budgeting, and confidence interpreting and presenting financial information.
• Degree-level education or equivalent substantial relevant experience, with English and Maths at GCSE standard or equivalent.

Nice to have

• Knowledge of the University's organisation, governance, and strategic objectives.
• Experience maintaining web-based shared spaces and using research administration or financial systems such as Pure and Oracle.
• Experience supporting research projects, servicing committees, taking minutes, coordinating papers, and progressing action points.

Culture & Benefits

• Supportive, fast-paced, and collaborative working environment.
• Market-leading pension scheme.
• Employee health and wellbeing services, including an Employee Assistance Programme.
• Generous annual leave entitlement, bank holidays, and additional paid closure over Christmas.
• Local and national discounts at major retailers.

Hiring process

• Submit a supporting statement addressing the essential and desirable criteria.
• Applications are scored against the stated criteria, followed by shortlisting and interviews.
• Successful candidates may be required to complete BPSS and potentially Security Clearance.