View Vacancy -- Estates Administrator - RCaH 1832

Research Complex at Harwell is a world-class, science-led national resource with a mission to enable and add value to outstanding new science from co-location with the UK’s large-scale facilities at the Rutherford Appleton Laboratory (RAL) site. Many major advances in science take place at the boundaries between the traditional disciplines, and increasingly utilise advanced technologies available at centralised facilities.  The Research Complex provides an environment that brings together leading physical and life sciences researchers alongside some of the UK’s leading research facilities.

Research Complex houses a number of long, medium and short-term research groups in life and physical sciences who benefit from the proximity of the major facilities and the synergy generated by the multidisciplinary environment.  We support a wide spectrum of research, from:

Multidisciplinary approaches to study the molecular mechanism of membrane proteins from pathogenic bacteria, providing understanding to help in the fight against anti-microbial resistance.

to

The UK Catalysis hub, which focuses on cutting edge multidisciplinary catalytic science including homogeneous, heterogeneous, bio, and engineering catalysis. Fundamental research into catalytic processes and development of new catalysis, will support the capture of CO2, new pharmaceutical processes, water purification, new materials to reduce energy consumption and many other impacts.

The Research Complex is a UKRI and Diamond Light Source (DLS) funded joint initiative, and is run by The Medical Research Council (MRC) on behalf of the stakeholders. 

UK Research and Innovation brings together nine partners to create an independent organisation with a strong voice for research and innovation, more information can be found at www.ukri.org

Overall purpose:

This role is part of the User Office and Facilities Team who provide first point of contact, and ongoing support to users, to enable and deliver the internationally competitive science being undertaken at the Research Complex at Harwell (RCaH). It provides high level, day-to-day support, ensuring that the support needed by RCaH users is delivered.

The role is responsible for liaising with Estates Services, ensuring that Research Complex offices, laboratories, wider infrastructure, and facilities are maintained. The role holder will lead our engagement with partners across Research Complex and the wider STFC campus to provide an environment that enables our users to deliver the highest quality science. 

Main duties / key responsibilities:

• Undertaking general facilities management. Inspecting the building and facilities, reporting issues, and coordinating planned and preventative maintenance as well as emergency repairs undertaken by Estates Services. 
• Ensuring that all building, facilities (excluding scientific and laboratory equipment) and office maintenance and repairs are carried out in accordance with Research Complex Health and Safety Policy. 
• Supervision of external maintenance contractors working at Research Complex. 
• Provide the first point of contact with Estates Services, using the fault logging service to report maintenance requests. Monitoring the response to requests and monitoring the service levels provided, providing reports of service level provision to management.  
• Working closely with our team of scientists and technicians to ensure that planned building work has minimum impact on the science being undertaken at Research Complex. Also, supporting technicians in the installation of new scientific equipment, laboratory improvements and other works, liaising with Estates and ensuring access, permissions and permits are in place.
• Manage and review service level agreements and contracts for building service (e.g cleaning, waste management, building maintenance), monitoring the levels of service provided, negotiating renewal of contracts, and escalating as appropriate to senior staff.
• Working closely with our User Office and Technician teams in managing the allocation of office, storage, and laboratory space for users. This will include monitoring the requirement for and maintenance of office and laboratory furniture. 
• Working proactively with the broader site Health and Safety group to ensure that the building meets H&S requirements and Fire Regulations. 
• Work closely with our Communications Officer to ensure that planned works are communicated to our users and events are organised in compliance with H&S regulations.  
• Build a close relationship with site security, maintaining regular dialogue to ensure Research Complex is secure and our users comply with security procedures.
• As a member of small team, the role holder will provide back up support across our user admin and technical support teams. 

Working relationships:

The post-holder will report directly to the laboratory manager and will work closely with staff from the Mary Lyon Centre’s Operations team. The post-holder may also be expected to liaise closely with the wider scientific community.

 Equality & Diversity:

The MRC values the diverse skills and experience of its employees and is committed to achieving equality of treatment for all.  Our objectives are that all individuals shall have equal opportunities for employment and advancement on the basis of their skills, aptitudes and abilities.  The MRC is committed to the engagement and retention of the best possible talent and to creating an environment that encourages excellence in scientific research through good equality and diversity leadership and management. 

Corporate/Local responsibilities & requirements:

The post-holder must at all times carry out their responsibilities with due regard to the MRC’s:

•           Code of Conduct

•           Equality and Diversity policy

•           Health and Safety policy

•           Data Protection and Security policy

Job descriptions should be reviewed on a regular basis and at the annual appraisal.  Any changes should be made and agreed between the post-holder and their manager.

The above lists are not exhaustive and the post-holder is required to undertake such duties as may reasonably be requested within the scope of the post.  All employees are required to act professionally, cooperatively and flexibly in line with the requirements of the post and the MRC.

Additional information:

We are looking for a proactive, self-starting individual to join a focused core team supporting 180 researchers based at the research complex.  The Building Supervisor is at the centre of the core team, ensuring the building is well maintained, safe and optimised for its users.   They manage the relationship with our Estates Services teams, coordinate and supervise building maintenance and infrastructure projects.   They work cooperatively with our user office and technician team to optimise the safe use of the space within Research Complex. 

Education / Qualifications / Training required:

Essential:

• A-Level or Equivalent

Desirable:

• Degree or Equivalent

Previous work experience required:

Essential:

• Experience of dealing with customer facing administration

Desirable:

• Experience of working in a customer facing service role in building management

Knowledge and experience:

Essential:

• Be able to learn in the role, with a positive and collaborative approach to problem solving

Desirable:

• Experience of undertaking building management activities and/or customer/stakeholder relationship management.
• Use of an online building management/reporting system.

Personal skills/behaviours/qualities:

Essential:

• Good interpersonal skills and the ability to work effectively within a team.
• Good communication skills (oral and written) and able to deal effectively with people at all levels.
• Ability to deliver to manage a varied workload and prioritise effectively, dealing with conflicting demands.
• Ability to work under own initiative and to proactively manage own time.
• Ability to overcome challenges and solve problems in a logical way.
• Good attention to detail and accuracy