Strategic Funding and Impact Co-ordinator

The Pirbright Institute delivers world-leading research to understand, predict, detect, and respond to viral disease outbreaks. We study viruses of livestock that are endemic and exotic to the UK, including zoonotic viruses, by using the most advanced tools and technologies to understand host-pathogen interactions in animals and arthropod vectors. Our major strength in understanding the immune systems of livestock provides a platform to control current diseases and respond to emerging threats.

Our Institute is made up of a dynamic and vibrant community of staff covering a diverse set of chosen fields, backgrounds, and experience. We all play a crucial role in furthering the Institute’s aspirations, advancing the frontiers of science and knowledge through our excellent scientific research, knowledge sharing and contribution; with a real focus in improving the world in which we live. Our outlook is always balanced by our strong sense of purpose, values and behaviours and an unwavering commitment to a ‘one Institute’ approach.

Organisation, position and purpose

Embedded within the Research and Innovation department, this one-year fixed-term role has been created to provide focused project management support during the maternity leave of the current Impact Manager. While not a direct replacement, the post builds on recent progress in embedding impact processes and is designed to support and enhance the coordination, monitoring, and reporting of the Institute’s strategic investments - particularly our Institute Strategic Programme (ISP) grants and National Bioscience Research Infrastructure (NBRI) funding, from BBSCR.

The role will help ensure the effective delivery of these programmes by developing streamlined reporting frameworks, improving the use of existing data, and supporting internal oversight and external reporting. It will also contribute to preparations for key reviews such as the Mid-Term Review (MTR).

Working closely with stakeholders across all areas of the Institute, including Programme Leads, Science Technology Platform Leaders, and teams such as Finance, IT, Communications, Risk and Assurance, and others within Research and Innovation, the postholder will serve as a vital link between strategic delivery and operational support.

A key aspect of the role will be to gather insights and evidence to support the monitoring of progress, delivery, and impact, as well as to contribute to the effective communication of success stories.

This position offers an excellent opportunity for a skilled project coordinator with an interest in research and innovation to play a meaningful role in supporting high-profile initiatives central to the Institute’s strategic priorities.

Main duties and responsibilities:

Project Management & Coordination

• Monitor the delivery and progress of strategic funding investments (e.g., ISPs, NBRIs), including performance tracking, risk identification, mitigation strategies, and opportunity scoping.
• Act as a central point of coordination to alleviate administrative and oversight workload from named PIs (Principal Investigators) and strategic leads.

Reporting & Framework Development

Develop and implement reporting templates and a monitoring framework to support effective, regular internal reporting and annual reporting to BBSRC.

Drive continual process improvement by enhancing the use of existing data sources to streamline reporting workflows.

Analytics & Impact Monitoring

• Support ongoing monitoring of impact activities using frameworks established by the current Impact Manager.
• Collaborate with colleagues (e.g., Library Services) to gather and analyse data on research outputs, outcomes, and impacts (e.g., via Researchfish).
• Design dashboards and metrics to enhance real-time performance tracking aligned with the Institute’s KPIs.

Stakeholder Engagement

• Liaise with a wide range of stakeholders, including ISP and NBRI leads, department heads (e.g., Science Technology Platforms, Estates Management Services, IT, Finance), and Communications.
• Build and maintain effective working relationships to gather insights and ensure smooth information flow.

Communications & Success Storytelling

• Provide data and insights to support Communications colleagues in identifying and promoting research success stories.
• Help develop a pipeline of content by working with subject matter experts and coordinating information gathering to showcase the impact of strategic investments both internally and externally.

Essential/Desirable requirements

Essential

• Strong communication skills – both written and verbal – with the ability to convey complex information clearly and succinctly.
• Proven experience in project management or coordination, ideally within a research, funding, or strategic investment environment.
• Excellent relationship-building skills and the ability to work across multidisciplinary teams.
• Highly organised, with the ability to manage competing priorities and work independently.
• Strong analytical skills – able to collate, synthesise, and present data in a meaningful way.

Desirable

• Familiarity with research impact frameworks and reporting systems, such as Researchfish.
• Experience of working within a research institute or a similar science-led or higher education organisation.
• Understanding of scientific research and the UKRI funding landscape.

Due to the nature of the work carried out by Pirbright, all successful applicants will be required to go through a comprehensive screening process including reference and qualification checks, financial and security clearances.

What we offer

• Generous Group Personal Pension Scheme and life cover (subject to age and earnings)
• 25 days annual leave per annum, pro rata, plus 10.5 public and privilege days
• Buy and sell annual leave
• Option to carry over up to two weeks annual leave
• Pirbright gym with subsidised membership
• Pirbright social club
• Pirbright Lifestyle Hub (employee discount site)
• Cycle to work
• Subsidised staff restaurant
• Childcare allowance
• Free onsite parking
• Electric Car charging facilities

Due to the high volume of applications, we receive, if you have not heard from us within one month from closing date of the vacancy, then please contact us on jobs@pirbright.ac.uk for an update.