Position Details

School of Engineering

Location: University of Birmingham, Edgbaston, Birmingham UK

Full time starting salary is normally in the range £32,296 to £34,866 with potential progression once in post to £39,105

Grade: 6

Full Time, Permanent

Closing date: 25th November 2024

Travel may be required for this role

Background

The School of Engineering combines the disciplines of civil, mechanical, and electrical engineering, with practical learning and experimental research facilities. Technical Services manages the School’s estate and provides multi-disciplinary technical support for teaching and research.

Role summary

The Assistant Technical Manager has a critical role, contributing to the creation of a world-class academic environment. The post is primarily based in the Civil Engineering Laboratories where the holder is responsible for the day-to-day safe operation of the building and facilities. This is a hands-on management role where the post holder will use their technical knowledge and skills to lead a small team of technicians by example to deliver support for teaching and research. Working in close collaboration with the School of Engineering Technical Services Management Team, the Assistant Technical Manager acts as a local point of contact for all users of the labs, and supports the delivery of Technical Service operations in line with the School, College and University strategy.

Main Duties

• Supports the School in its capability and quality ambitions through operational oversight of the Civil Engineering Labs, ensuring the safety of all users.
• Manages a small team of technicians to support a wide range of School operational activities, including the facilitation of events, technical logistics, compliance, hazardous material handling and provision of flexible support for teaching and research.
• In collaboration with the Technical Services Management Team, manages a complex schedule of work with competing deadlines in teaching, research and maintenance.
• Holds and in-depth knowledge of equipment, designing safe operating procedures, responding to queries, advising on use, delivering training, addressing issues, and elevating as appropriate.
• Liaises with the Technical Services Management Team, staff and students to anticipate and understand their needs, providing advice and guidance.
• Provides support for the Technical Manager (Operations) in ensuring the safety of building operation, e.g. through induction, fire safety, first aid cover, security and provision of training for users.
• Acts as a local contact for the Technical Services Management Team in any maintenance, refurbishment, tracking and reporting on progress and planning to minimise impact on operations.
• Monitors and reports on the statutory compliance of the building and technical facilities, e.g. LEV, pressure systems, lifting equipment, water quality.
• Maintains appropriate registers of staff allocation to work, equipment, maintenance, training and users.
• Manages equipment and materials throughout the lifecycle, from procurement, through installation and maintenance to disposal.
• In collaboration with academic leads and the Technical Services Management Team, develops and implements improvement programmes for the facilities and operation of the lab.
• Manages a small team of technicians, providing inclusive leadership to instil a culture of proactive and collaborative support.
• Develops goals that are shared by the team, acting as a champion for a positive and inclusive team culture.
• Supports the Technical Services Management Team in the recruitment process.
• Monitors staff performance, development and wellbeing, seeking opportunities to align individual direction with potential future operational need.
• Disseminates tasks to the team to achieve priorities, using flexible cross discipline support appropriately.
• Leads by example, training and mentoring others, creating opportunities for sharing of knowledge across the team.
• Represents the School and acts as a champion for best practice in health and safety, retaining oversight of health and safety in the building.
• Supports the Technical Services Management Team, Health and Safety Committee and Senior Leadership Team on all matters relating to Health and Safety, disseminating, and feeding back information.
• Advises and supports users and visitors in the safe use of the facilities, ensuring planned experimental activities prioritise safety in design and management.
• Maintains a position of authority in the building, ensuring safe working practices are followed by all users.
• Produces and advises on safety documents in line with procedural systems.
• Conducts, facilitates, and assists, as appropriate, in inspections and reviews from H&S bodies.
• Supports the Technical Services Management Team to maintain security and safety of the facilities.
• Contributes to and implements actions arising in the health and safety action plan, tracking progress and reporting on outcomes.
• Disseminates information and updates to users regarding health and safety.
• Promotes equality and values diversity, acting as a role model and fostering an inclusive working culture.
• Supports the University’s sustainability agenda through resource efficient working.
• Any other duties commensurate with the grade.

Required Knowledge, Skills, Qualifications, Experience

• Educated to Degree level in a relevant engineering (e.g. civil or mechanical) subject or equivalent technical qualification. Where no equivalent qualification is held, significant relevant technical experience and expertise will be required.
• Experience of managing or supervising others is essential. A management or leadership qualification e.g. ILM (Institute of Leadership and Management) is desirable.
• Hold a professional qualification in health and safety e.g. IOSH (The Institution of Occupational Safety and Health) or NEBOSH (National Examination Board in Occupational Safety and Health) or experience of managing health and safety in a laboratory or workshop and a willingness to learn.
• Proficient in a range of technical skills, and willingness to train and expand knowledge and experience.
• Knowledge and understanding of relevant health and safety regulations and experience of applying these to the working environment is essential.
• Ability to understand and interpret a range of requirements, applying a creative approach to problem solving, proposing solutions and creating a package of supporting technical tasks to achieve targets within given deadlines.
• Excellent communication skills, with the ability to adapt, engage and relay information to staff at all levels in the organisation, students and visitors.
• Excellent time management skills to handle broad workload through action and delegation, contributing to multiple projects with competing targets.
• Excellent people skills with the ability to motivate others to support a positive culture with an ethos of proactive support.
• Evidence of literacy and numeracy.
• Knowledge of the protected characteristics of the Equality Act 2010, and how to actively ensure in day-to-day activity in own area that those with protected characteristics are treated equally and fairly.

Role context

The role of Assistant Technical Manager is a vital branch within the School of Engineering Technical Services Team. Leadership and direction are provided by the School’s central Technical Services Management Team where the Assistant Technical Manager reports to the Technical Manager (Operations). The role will operate the labs through a small team of technicians and embedded apprentices for the purpose of supporting teaching and research. The Assistant Technical Manager will liaise with academics, students, members of professional services departments across the University, and School Leaders to operate the Lab safely and for the benefit of all.

Core competencies/transferable skills

Working at this level you will be able to develop and successfully demonstrate the core competencies/transferable skills outlined in each of the areas shown below. As appropriate for the level, our Birmingham Professionals will take ownership for getting things done. You will be expected to be flexible as required in supporting your department and the wider University.

Informal enquiries to Andrew Dunn, email: a.p.dunn@bham.ac.uk

View our staff values and behaviours here

We believe there is no such thing as a 'typical' member of University of Birmingham staff and that diversity in its many forms is a strength that underpins the exchange of ideas, innovation and debate at the heart of University life. We are committed to proactively addressing the barriers experienced by some groups in our community and are proud to hold Athena SWAN, Race Equality Charter and Disability Confident accreditations. We have an Equality Diversity and Inclusion Centre that focuses on continuously improving the University as a fair and inclusive place to work where everyone has the opportunity to succeed. We are also committed to sustainability, which is a key part of our strategy. You can find out more about our work to create a fairer university for everyone on our website .