About The Job. Department of Automatic Control and Systems Engineering Faculty of Engineering Department Technical Manager Pursue the extraordinary
Overview About the Faculty The Faculty of Engineering is one of the biggest and best engineering faculties in the UK and strives for excellence in its teaching as well as its world-class research. In independent assessments of our research excellence 93% of our academic staff were assessed as world leading or internationally excellent. The Faculty has an annual turnover of 105m and over 900 staff. Our recent successes have resulted in 154m of investment in to our buildings, including 81m in to our flagship Diamond Building for multidisciplinary engineering education due to open in September 2015 (www.sheffield.ac.uk/efm/currentprojects/thediamond). Our expertise is extensive our seven academic departments and two interdisciplinary programme areas cover all the engineering disciplines. They are leaders in their fields and outstanding contributors to the development of new knowledge, linking their research to the teaching of the engineers of the future and developing the skills of existing engineers. Our seven academic departments are Automatic Control and Systems Engineering, Chemical and Biological Engineering, Civil and Structural Engineering, Computer Science, Electronic and Electrical Engineering, Materials Science and Engineering and Mechanical Engineering. We have already experienced great success as a faculty, and we intend to continue that success both in terms of further growth and continued excellence. Our vision is to compete to be the best engineering faculty in the UK, and to be amongst the best in the world. We will aim to work across the full spectrum of engineering activity, from fundamental science to professional practice, and we will contribute fully to ensuring a sustainable future both locally and globally. For further details about the Faculty see our website www.sheffield.ac.uk/faculty/engineering. About the Department Automatic Control and Systems Engineering (ACSE) is one of the largest departments devoted to the subject in Europe, with 28 academic staff, 43 research staff, 29 professional and support staff and nearly 400 taught and research students. We provide a research-led and student centred learning experience that provides all students with the opportunity to realise their full potential during their degree and throughout their lives as engineers who will shape, and make a positive impact on the world we live in. We use the most up-to-date equipment and technologies and our facilities include dedicated state-of-the-art computer, natural robotics, control and power systems laboratories, as well as
undergraduate teaching laboratories in our new state-of-the-art engineering building, The Diamond. We are a world-leading research department, as evidenced by the results of the 2014 Research Excellence Framework (REF2014) exercise - out of 62 UK institutions specialising in multi-disciplinary and inter-disciplinary engineering, the Department was ranked: 1st for quality of research publications, with 98.5% of our publications assessed as either world leading (41%) or internationally excellent in terms of their originality, significance and rigour; 3rd for overall research quality with 96% of our research being assessed as world-leading (44%) or internationally excellent. We have a vibrant culture which supports collaborative research, and a strong programme of training and development for our researchers, from postgraduate research students through to our research leaders. Our high quality physical infrastructure facilitates excellent research, spanning all aspects of Systems and Control Engineering. The research in ACSE is organized into three research groups: Complex Systems and Signal Processing; Intelligent Systems, Decision and Control; and Autonomous Systems and Robotics. The Department hosts the Centre for Signal Processing and Complex Systems and the Rolls-Royce University Technology Centre in Control and Systems Engineering. In addition, we play an active role in other University research centres and institutes including Sheffield Robotics, the Institute for In Silico Medicine, the Centre for Stem Cell Biology, the Advanced Manufacturing Research Centre and the Centre for Assistive Technology and Connected Healthcare. We have close links with a range of industrial organisations, including Rolls-Royce, Jaguar Land Rover, TWI Ltd, Vestas and Tata Steel. We also work with organisations within the energy sector, and healthcare organisations. For further information, please visit: www.shef.ac.uk/acse Job Role The Departmental Technical Manager (DTM) will have overall responsibility for day-to-day technical management and problem resolution as well as for long-term strategic resource planning for ACSE. The post-holder will be responsible for technical staffing, equipment and facilities across a diverse range of laboratories and workshops in multiple locations.
Leading a team of technical staff, the DTM will deliver a complete technical support service to ensure that all laboratory and workshop infrastructure and equipment are managed efficiently and effectively to meet the needs of users. Working with their team and other departmental managers, the DTM will plan for and enable the continued development of existing technical skills and knowledge, and where needed ensure the introduction of new skills to meet current and future business needs. The DTM may also be required to provide a broad range of technical support in their own area of expertise. The DTM will be supported by a number of technical specialists and team leaders, who, reporting to the DTM, will supervise flexible teams of technicians. The DTM will ensure that their management team and associated staff comply with University policy and practice in all areas, including procurement and HR. Working collaboratively with the Departmental Safety Officer (DSO) and Departmental Administration Manager (DAM), the DTM will also be key in ensuring that safety procedures and safety training are in place for staff and students; that the correct security and access systems and procedures are in place, and that department buildings and services are maintained and upgraded as required. Reporting to the Head of Department, the DTM will ensure that departmental staff are kept informed of developments in all areas of technical operations. Working with the DAM, the DTM will also provide detailed input into the annual Planning Round to ensure that future staffing and equipment needs are met. Job Description Main Duties and Responsibilities Provide technical leadership and broad technical expertise. Actively manage technical resources, infrastructure, equipment, materials, consumables and running costs to accommodate the growth plans of the Department and Faculty in the short-term (6-24 months) and to plan resources for the future (5-10 years plans). Take overall responsibility for the management and development of all departmental technical staff, including staff numbers, training, performance and career development to ensure that staff have the skills and motivation to carry out their activities to a high standard and to ensure continual improvement of service delivery quality. Set high standards and embed quality of service and professionalism in the technical support function within the Department, work collaboratively and lead the technical team to support
and develop a culture of service excellence and flexibility in delivering a high quality student experience and world-leading research. Manage health, welfare and safety in the Department s laboratories, workshops, workrooms and office spaces, ensuring a safe working environment for staff, students, and visitors and ensuring changes to Health and Safety (H&S) regulations and national legislation are reflected and incorporated into Faculty and Department policies and procedures. Take responsibility for the planning and maintenance of the departmental physical infrastructure, including the buildings, fittings, furniture, equipment and signage to underpin the Department s operations and strategy, liaising with Estates and Facilities Management and the Faculty Estates Coordinator as appropriate. Oversee the management and operation of all departmentally owned space including laboratories, offices and associated facilities which support teaching and research activities. This will include the management of security systems, policy and access procedures and will involve liaison with other building users within shared spaces. Liaise with the Technical Operations Manager of the Faculty s teaching facility, and other DTMs, in order to coordinate and develop teaching across the Faculty. Act as the Departmental representative and contact for Minor Works, Maintenance and Capital Projects. Where appropriate, ensure H&S compliance and quality of work of contractors and other non-university on-site workers, coordinate work schedules against departmental priorities, organise relocation of staff and equipment during maintenance work to ensure minimal disruption to departmental business. Manage equipment service contracts, maintain the University Asset register for the Department, and ensure compliance with equipment and chemical disposal policy and regulations. Take responsibility for the management of budgets where required. Work with the DAM and Financial Manager to implement and develop small research facilities and associated business processes such as equipment booking, usage reporting and invoicing. Undertake costing of contract and third stream activities to ensure compliance with financial and funding regulations. Liaise with key contacts across all the University s professional services (such as Estates and Facilities Management, CiCS, Health and Safety, Campus Services, Finance and Human Resources) as appropriate to deliver a full technical support service and infrastructure. Be the first point of contact for major incidents, and maintain out-of-hours availability.
Work closely with, and be a member of the Faculty s Departmental Technical Managers Group. This will involve regular liaison and collaboration with other Technical Managers to ensure coordinated action, sharing of technical skills and good practice. Liaise with University and Faculty committees and working groups, including the Faculty Executive Board, to represent the technical service. Be a member of the Departmental Senior Management Group (Executive Committee) providing specialist advice on technical matters. Support the Head of Department and members of the Executive Committee in the development and delivery of the Department s strategy and in the delivery of an effective technical service. Provide detailed input into the annual Planning Round to ensure that technical resources continue to meet the needs of the Faculty in terms of structure, skills and quality of service. This includes understanding and anticipating the needs of the Department, maintaining and developing existing skills and level of service provision; ensuring skills remain fit for purpose regarding compliance with current and future objectives, internal and external regulations or codes of practice, and preparing and presenting robust business cases for staffing, resourcing and other forms of investment through reports and presentations. Provide clear communication to relevant stakeholders regarding, planning, strategy, training, and staffing along with day-to-day updates, for example, lab closures and building works. As a member of the Departmental Executive Group, liaise with and provide professional, technical and managerial advice to the DAM, Head of Department and other members of the Department and Faculty senior team as necessary. Play a key role in the Faculty s business continuity and major incident planning and implementation. Support departmental outreach activities to promote the brand, image and reputation of the University. Work in partnership with the FoE's Technical Training Manager to ensure the Technical Training Programme meets Departmental and Faculty needs. Any other duties, commensurate with the grade of the post, within the department or across the Faculty of Engineering.
Person Specification Applicants should provide evidence in their applications that they meet the following criteria. We will use a range of selection methods to measure candidates abilities in these areas including reviewing your on-line application, seeking references, inviting shortlisted candidates to interview and other forms of assessment action relevant to the post. Criteria Essential Desirable Qualifications and experience 1. Good honours degree in engineering or a related technical area (or have equivalent experience). 2. Comprehensive knowledge and understanding of Health and Safety regulations. 3. Experience of managing technical facilities, staff and operations in a complex environment. 4. Experience of working in a Higher Education role. 5. Broad ranging relevant technical expertise, including up to date in-depth knowledge of the Department s specialist areas. 6. Technical Professional Registration or the willingness to work towards it. Management skills 7. Excellent people management skills with a successful track record of leading, managing, adapting and motivating teams in order to meet current and future needs. 8. Experience of reviewing individual and team progress and performance against objectives with ability to motivate high performance in others. Communication skills 9. Excellent communication skills, both written and oral, communicating with and engaging staff at all levels in the organisation. 10. Ability to negotiate, mediate and deal effectively with sensitive or difficult issues. Team working 11. Proven track record in building and developing a team, aligning the day-to-day direction of the team with the organisation s operational needs and strategic vision. 12. Experience of working collaboratively as part of a wider team to deliver operational or strategic goals.
13. 14. Problem solving and decision making Ability to devise solutions and develop creative approaches to problem solving. Ability to analyse and deal with problems with an appreciation of longer-term implications and taking account of all stakeholders. Project management 15. Experience of planning and delivering multiple projects with defined targets and deadlines in the context of a complex organisation with diverse needs. Personal effectiveness 16. Experience of maintaining a network of contacts and liaising and influencing effectively (up to senior levels) across areas relevant to own work. 17. Ability to manage a broad ranging workload with challenging and competing deadlines and to deliver to agreed timescales. 18. Strong customer service skills and ethos. 19. Commitment to own continuous personal development and training. 20. Ability to work flexibly and adapt your skills and approach for different environments. Further Information This post is open ended. This post is full-time: This role has been identified as a full-time post, but we are committed to exploring flexible working opportunities with our staff which benefit both the individual and the University (See www.sheffield.ac.uk/hr/guidance/flexible/arrangements). Therefore, we would consider flexible delivery of the role subject to meeting the business needs of the post. If you wish to explore flexible working opportunities in relation to this post, we encourage you to call or email the departmental contact listed below. Reward and Recognition The Deal Terms and conditions of employment: Will be those for Grade 8 staff.
Salary for this grade: 38,511-45,954 per annum. through sustained exceptional contribution. Potential to progress to 51,702 per annum The Deal is the pay, rewards and many benefits you earn for being a valued member of our University and by being ambitious and performing at your best. If you join the University you will have access to The Deal and your own personalised pay, reward and benefits portal where you can access a comprehensive selection of benefits and offers to suit your changing lifestyle needs, for example childcare vouchers, Cycle to Work initiative, shopping discounts along with access to extensive development and training options over a third of staff work in Investors in People (IiP) To find our more visit www.sheffield.ac.uk/hr/thedeal/benefits Through The Deal we are committed to making the University a remarkable place to work and we support this through a number of sector leading initiatives such as Juice and Sheffield Leader. Our innovative Health and Wellbeing programme, Juice, promotes happiness and wellbeing through a broad range of inclusive activities (www.shef.ac.uk/juice) Our leadership development has been designed to ensure that our leaders have the knowledge, skills and behaviours needed by the University (www.sheffield.ac.uk/hr/sld/sheffieldleader ). We are also proud of our award-winning equality and diversity action which enhances working life for all. 91% of staff tell us they are treated with fairness and respect (staff survey 2014) www.shef.ac.uk/hr/equality In our staff survey (2014) 94% of staff said they were proud to work for the University and 87 % of our staff would recommend Sheffield University as an excellent place to work. To find out more about what it s like to work here have a look at our webpages, www.sheffield.ac.uk/staff/survey and www.sheffield.ac.uk/jobs/staffbenefits. Closing date: 11 June 2015 Informal enquiries: For informal enquiries about this job and the recruiting department, contact: Professor Daniel Coca on acse-hod@sheffield.ac.uk or on 0114 222 5134. For administration queries and details on the application process, contact the lead recruiter: Rebecca Fieldsend on r.fieldsend@sheffield.ac.uk
For all online application system queries and support, visit: www.sheffield.ac.uk/jobs/applying Selection-Next Step Following the closing date, we will contact you by email to let you know whether or not you have been shortlisted to participate in the next stage of the selection process. Please note that due to the large number of applications that we receive, it may take up to two working weeks following the closing date before the recruiting department will be able to contact you. It is anticipated that interviews and other selection action will be held on Thursday 2 nd July. Full details will be provided to invited candidates. The University of Sheffield is committed to achieving excellence through inclusion. The University of Sheffield is proud to be a Two Ticks employer www.sheffield.ac.uk/hr/equality/support/twoticks The University has achieved the Athena SWAN award for Women in Science, Engineering and Medicine The Department has achieved the Athena SWAN Bronze award for Women in Science, Engineering and Medicine Pursue the extraordinary