Senior Manager - Leverhulme Centre for Algorithmic Life

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Job Description - Senior Manager - Leverhulme Centre for Algorithmic Life ()

Job Description

Senior Manager - Leverhulme Centre for Algorithmic Life ( Job Number: )

Department of Geography

Open-Ended/Permanent - Part Time

Working Arrangements : TBC

Closing Date Closing Date : 24-Aug-2025, 3:59:00 PM

Disclosure and Barring Service Requirement : Not Applicable.

The University

At Durham University we are proud of our people. A globally outstanding centre of educational excellence, a collegiate community of extraordinary people, a unique and historic setting - Durham is a university like no other.

We believe that inspiring our people to do outstanding things at Durham enables Durham people to do outstanding things professionally and personally.

Across the University we have a huge variety of roles and career opportunities, which together make us a large and successful community, which is a key hub of activity within our region and nationally.

We would be thrilled if you would consider joining our thriving University. Further information about the University can be found here .

Find out more about the benefits of working at the University and what it is like to live and work in the Durham area on our Why Join Us? - Information Page .

The Centre and Role
The Leverhulme Centre for Algorithmic Life is dedicated to the interdisciplinary study of technology and society. The Centre's research pursues one of the most urgent questions for contemporary societies: how do we wish to live with and alongside algorithmic technologies? The Centre is funded by a £10 million grant from the Leverhulme Trust , and includes researchers from across the social sciences, sciences, and humanities. Based in Mill Hill Lane in Durham City, UK, the Centre has partners in York, Edinburgh, Amsterdam, and Duke Universities.

The Senior Manager will be a key member of the Centre's Executive, working closely with the Centre Director and Associate Directors to shape and deliver the Centre's strategic objectives. They will also work with key academic staff in Durham, liaise with the Centre's collaborating partners and international network, and manage the work of the Centre's administrative assistant and communications officer.

They will be responsible for overseeing research development, as well as developing and coordinating the Centre's external relationships in academic, commercial, funding, and policy sectors. The research development aspects of the role will include: coordinating with partner institutions on delivery of research programmes; identifying research funding opportunities and supporting early career researchers in grant applications; working with the Directors on strategic planning; conducting reviews and evaluations; supporting researchers on project planning and delivery; and contributing to the development and promotion of associated training programmes. The postholder will also direct the Centre's external relations activities, including by: developing mutually beneficial national and international partnerships with academic, commercial, policy, and voluntary sector partners to develop research and collaboration opportunities and influence wider policy and funding agendas; working with the Directors to develop an engagement strategy and overseeing its delivery; providing expert advice and support to our researchers; and developing events, activities and relevant training. The programme management aspects of the role include: planning, management and monitoring of budgets; liaising with the Leverhulme Trust on progress and development; managing the work of the Centre administrative assistant; implementing the Centre's strategy for knowledge exchange.

The Senior Manager will work with the Directors of the Leverhulme Centre for Algorithmic Life and key strategic partners to develop and implement a strategy and plan of activity for cross-sector engagement and development of research opportunities. Other key working relationships will include the Centre Management Group, International Advisory and Challenge Board, key colleagues in Research and Innovation Services, as well as the other Leverhulme funded Research Centres.

This role is based in the Leverhulme Centre for Algorithmic Life in Mill Hill Lane, Durham City. There is some flexibility for hybrid-working, but a regular presence on site is necessary for staff supervision, meetings and operational matters. Some travel within the UK and internationally is likely including occasional overnight stays. The post is offered as a permanent, 0.8 FTE post.

Working at Durham

A competitive salary is only one part of the many fantastic benefits you will receive if you join the University: you will also receive access to the following fantastic benefits:

• 30 Days annual leave per year in addition to 8 public holidays and 4 customary days per year - a total of 42 days per year.
• The University closes between Christmas and New Year - please include or delete if not applicable.
• We offer a generous pension scheme, As a new member of staff you will be automatically enrolled into this University Superannuation Scheme (USS).
• No matter how you travel to work, we have you covered. We have parking across campus, a cycle to work scheme which helps you to buy a bike and discount with local bus and train companies.
• There is a genuine commitment to developing our colleagues professionally and personally. There is a comprehensive range of development courses, apprenticeships and access to qualifications and routes to develop your career in the University. All staff have dedicated annual time to concentrate on their personal development opportunities.
• Lots of support for health and wellbeing including discounted membership for our state of the art sport and gym facilities and access to a 24-7 Employee Assistance Programme.
• On site nursery is available plus access to holiday camps for children aged 5-16.
• Family friendly policies, including maternity and adoption leave, which are among the most generous in the higher education sector (and likely above and beyond many employers).
• The opportunity to take part in staff volunteering activities to make a difference in the local community
• Discounts are available via our benefits portal including; money off at supermarkets, high street retailers, IT products such as Apple, the cinema and days out at various attractions.
• A salary sacrifice scheme is also available to help you take advantage of tax savings on benefits.
• If you are moving to Durham, you may be eligible for help with removal costs and we have a dedicated team who can help you with the practicalities such as house hunting and schools. If you need a visa, we cover most visa costs and offer an interest free loan scheme to pay for dependant visas.

Discover more about our total rewards and benefits package here .

Durham University is committed to equality, diversity and inclusion

Our collective aim is to create an open and inclusive environment where everyone can reach their full potential and we believe our staff should reflect the diversity of the global community in which we work. As a University equality, diversity, and inclusion (EDI) are a key part of the University's Strategy and a central part of everything we do. We also live by our values and our Staff Code of Conduct. At Durham we actively work towards providing an environment where our staff and students can study, work and live in a community which is supportive and inclusive. It's important to us that all of our colleagues are aligned to both our values and commitment to EDI.

We welcome and encourage applications from members of groups who are under-represented in our work force including people with disabilities, women and black, Asian and minority ethnic communities. If you have taken time out of your career, and you feel it relevant, let us know about it in your application. If you are a candidate with a disability, we are committed to ensuring fair treatment throughout the recruitment process. We will make adjustments to support the interview process wherever it is reasonable to do so and, where successful, reasonable adjustments will be made to support people within their role.

What you need to demonstrate when you apply/Person Specification

When you apply it is important that you let us know what skills/experience you have from a similar role and/or what skills/experience you have which would make you right for this role. Further information about the role and responsibilities is at the end of this job description. Where a criteria has an asterisk next to it, it may be given additional weighting when your application is considered.

Your application should cover the following criteria:

Qualifications/Experience
1. Educated to degree level (or equivalent experience).
2. Professional practitioner with specialist knowledge and expertise to influence service delivery . click apply for full job details