BRF Administrative Support Manager

Salary for this Role:

From £45,768 with benefits, subject to skills and experience

Job Title:

Reports to:

Closing Date:

Job Description:

BRF Administrative Support Manager

Contract term: This is a full-time, permanent position on Crick terms and conditions of employment.

About us

The Francis Crick Institute is Europe’s largest biomedical research institute under one roof. Our world-class scientists and staff collaborate on vital research to help prevent, diagnose and treat illnesses such as cancer, heart disease, infectious diseases and neurodegenerative conditions. 

The Crick is a place for collaboration, innovation and exploration across many disciplines. A space where the brightest minds can pursue big and bold ideas and discover answers to crucial scientific questions. We support them in a dynamic environment which fosters excellence with state-of-the-art infrastructure, cutting-edge facilities, and a creative and curious culture. We’ve removed traditional boundaries of departments, divisions and disciplines and instead have an open approach that supports every researcher. This gives us the freedom to take risks and carry out high-quality, pioneering research. Creating a space for discovery without boundaries helps us to turn our science into benefits for human health and the economy.

The Biological Research Facility supports all animal research at the Crick through our comprehensive animal care and use programme. The Biological Research Facility provides the Crick's laboratory animal resource and technical services. High quality multidisciplinary in-vivo and ex-vivo research support is at the heart of the BRF's philosophy and operations. The BRF is committed to improving animal welfare, scientific quality, care of staff and transparency for stakeholders. The BRF teams integrate husbandry of multiple species within a range of facilities, using state of the art technologies, via talented and skilled members of staff.

About the role

The Biological Research Facility (BRF) at The Francis Crick Institute is looking for an Administrative Support Manager to lead and coordinate the administrative operations that underpin our facility and enable our scientific community to thrive. This is a varied sitting within the BRF Business Support Team. You will be responsible for the effective management, coordination and support of the BRF’s administrative office and administrative support staff, while also contributing to the wider work of the team across areas including shipping, IT and financial support.

As a key point of contact for the BRF and its scientific users across the Crick, you will provide a professional, responsive and high-quality support service. Working with a high degree of independence, you will be expected to use your initiative, identify priorities and find practical solutions in a complex and fast-paced environment. Your ability to build strong relationships and provide excellent customer service will be central to your success.

You will play a key role in supporting the BRF’s licensing and governance activities, including providing administrative and secretarial support to AWERB under the Animals (Scientific Procedures) Act 1986 (ASPA). You will ensure that documentation and administrative processes are well managed and meet both Crick standards and relevant legal and regulatory requirements.

As the Administrative Support Manager, you will take responsibility for developing and maintaining newsletters, policies, webpages and other communication materials, ensuring that important information is communicated clearly and effectively to colleagues and stakeholders. You will also work closely with the BRF Senior Management Team to coordinate and monitor a range of BRF projects. You will help keep projects on track, ensuring that outputs are delivered, timelines are met and activities remain within the required legal and regulatory scope. Your ability to coordinate multiple priorities, maintain oversight and bring people together will be vital.

We are looking for an organised, confident and solutions-focused professional who enjoys taking ownership and making things happen. You will have excellent communication skills, strong attention to detail and the ability to work effectively with people at all levels. You will be comfortable balancing day-to-day operational demands with longer-term projects and priorities, while maintaining a consistently high standard of service.

This is an exciting opportunity to take a central role in the business administration of a world-leading Biological Research Facility. Your work will directly support the people, processes and infrastructure that enable pioneering research at the Crick.

What you will be doing

These include but are not limited to:

• Leading on the provision of support to the BRF staff always looking to ensure they are informed and assist in smooth running of operations. This will include:
  • Leading on the management and coordination of the BRF Administration & Office function, staff & duties with assurance of its smooth running
  • Management of BRF documents and maintenance & development of SharePoint using appropriate templates, naming conventions, filing system and managing appropriate levels of access for staff and users (for example a programme of change around SOPs & management of review)
  • Provision of administrative support to the BRF licensing & training teams such as providing complete AWERB secretariat support and oversight of BRF Governance meetings & actions, management of personal licence (PIL) records and booking courses for PILh. 

• Leading on the provision of support to the wide range of BRF stakeholders (scientific staff & regulatory) always looking to ensure they are informed and access the best customer service to ensure the smooth running of operations. This will include:
  • Being a key contact for new and established users, assisting with onboarding, and signposting them to the relevant services and information, and guiding them in their interactions with the BRF. Managing information flow and timely delivery
  • Working with the Director to manage the flow of information for onboarding & offboarding of new groups. Liaising with stakeholders and the BRF to ensure a transparent and efficient process.

• Supporting the BRF’s Senior Management & Leadership Team, and contributing significantly to the broad objectives of the BRF to include:
  • Contribution to the BRFs vision and development by supporting the BRF-SMT
  • Accountability for completing special projects, as required by BRF-SMT or by business needs within agreed timelines 

About you

The post holder should embody and demonstrate our core Crick values: bold, open and collegial.

You will have:

• A degree qualification (or equivalent) or relevant experience preferably within a scientific environment. Has a sound knowledge of their own work practices and is able to learn from experience in order to provide an excellent administration, licensing and project coordination service to the BRF
• Previous demonstrable experience in office management or management of processes, or people. *
• Experience in gap analysis, including information gathering, its scrutiny and creating relevant actions in order to improve processes *
• Ability to organise and prioritise their own workload under minimum supervision but as part of the team to meet defined and conflicting deadlines *
• Ability to problem solve, use initiative and think beyond the immediate work area with proactive and flexible approach
• Ability to generate and maintain accurate records with an ability to analyse ambiguous data and concepts rigorously
• Excellent written and verbal communication, interpersonal and presentation skills to demonstrate effective collaboration to create and develop links to enhance work output
• Proven track record of providing an excellent customer service or interface *

*Minimum requirements

Please see full job description here

About Working at the Crick

Our values  

Everyone who works at the Crick has a valuable role to play in advancing the Crick’s mission and shaping our culture! 

• We are bold. We make space for creative, dynamic and imaginative ideas and approaches. We’re not afraid to do things differently. 

• We are open. We’re highly collaborative and interactive, and make sure our activities are visible to the outside world. 

• We are collegial. We show respect for one another, work cooperatively and support the wider community. 

At the Francis Crick Institute, we believe that diversity and inclusion are essential to driving innovation and scientific discovery. We are committed to creating a workplace where everyone feels valued, respected, and empowered to succeed, regardless of their background, identity, or personal circumstances. We actively encourage applications from individuals of all genders, ethnicities, abilities, and experiences.

We are a Disability Confident: Committed employer and want to ensure that everyone can apply and be part of our recruitment processes and so we'll make reasonable adjustments if you need them - just let us know when you apply. If you need assistance with applying (i.e., would like to apply by phone or post) please email: [email protected]

Find out more about life at the Crick.

What will you receive?  

At the Francis Crick Institute, we value our team members and are proud to offer an extensive range of benefits to support their well-being and development: 

• Generous Leave: 28 days of annual leave, plus three additional days over Christmas and bank holidays. 

• Pension Scheme: Defined contribution pension with employer contributions of up to 16%. 

• Health & Well-being: 

• 24/7 GP consultation services. 

• Occupational health services and mental health support programs. 

• Eye care vouchers and discounted healthcare plans. 

• Work-Life Balance: 

• Back-up care for dependents. 

• Childcare support allowance. 

• Annual leave purchase options. 
• Crick Networks offering diverse groups’ support, community and inclusive social events.

• Perks: 

• Discounted gym memberships, bike-to-work scheme, and shopping discounts. 

• Subsidised on-site restaurant and social spaces for team interaction. 

Please note you must meet the essential criteria listed within the Role Profile, to have your application reviewed.  

We reserve the right to withdraw this advert at any given time due to the number of applications received.