Project Manager

Motor Neurone Disease Association

Hours
37 hours per week

Length of contract
12 month

About the Organisation

Motor Neurone Disease moves fast. It takes away time, independence, and has no cure. Every day, we support people affected by MND. We fund ground-breaking research. We campaign for better care. We’re here for everyone who needs us. Because with MND, every day matters

About the role

As a Project Manager, Research Systems, you will lead a high-impact project that transforms how Motor Neurone Disease (MND) Association research grants are processed. In this role, you will take ownership from day one, guiding a complex system project from design through to implementation, while enabling colleagues and partners to adopt new ways of working with confidence. Your work as a Project Manager will improve how research funding operates, strengthening collaboration and helping ensure progress in research development and innovation for MND is supported effectively.

At the MND Association, you will play a central role in delivering change for the Research Management System and a number of priority projects across the organisation. The MND Association is focused on improving outcomes for people affected by MND, and as a Project Manager, your contribution will directly support that aim.

Responsibilities

Main Responsibilities:

• Work closely with the Association’s technology and business teams and our third-party suppliers and partners to deliver technology projects as prioritised and in line with agreed statements of work and delivery plans.
• Oversee project governance, including establishing and maintaining project plans, RAID logs (Risks, Assumptions, Issues, Dependencies), change control logs and status reporting to stakeholders.
• Lead the end-to-end procurement process, including development of Request for Proposal (RFP) documentation, coordination of supplier demonstrations and evaluation processes.
• Manage supplier relationships, ensuring deliverables meet agreed scope, quality standards and timelines, and establish clear handover and transition arrangements to the Research Funding Team for ongoing supplier and system ownership post-implementation.
• Oversee the mapping of beginning-to-end research management processes and documentation (business cases, user stories, and non-functional requirements), working collaboratively with the Business Analyst, Research Funding Team and Finance Team to design improved future-state processes aligned to best practice and system capability.
• Work closely with IT, Data and subject matter experts to ensure all integration, data migration, governance, security, reporting, regulatory, technical and architectural requirements are comprehensively defined, documented and incorporated into system design and implementation.
• Oversee the system design, configuration and testing phases to ensure the selected solution is fit for purpose and ready to go-live, minimising disruption to active funding programmes.
• Manage all change management activities associated with project implementation, including impact assessment, training, adoption monitoring and feedback mechanisms.
• Track project milestones and deliverables, and provide regular and relevant formal and informal progress updates to stakeholders and relevant parties regarding ongoing development.
• Plan and schedule activities that require internal stakeholders and team resources to ensure capacity and time are committed and made available in line with the agreed delivery plan.
• Facilitate and chair project meetings, as required.
• Ensure projects are carried out to agreed budgets and schedules, minimise project creep and manage any mitigating actions.
• Develop project communication plans, working with business and communications teams to facilitate communication of new technology products to our audiences.
• Undertake any other task relevant to the job purpose and ensure that all functions performed reflect the Association's mission and core values.

Skills, Competencies, Experience & Attributes

Essential Criteria:

• Experience working on or leading change initiatives and the adoption of refreshed operational practices.
• Experience in technology project management and delivery experience, and demonstrable practical understanding and experience of working within a range of project management methodologies, including Agile and Waterfall project methodologies, ideally with relevant professional qualifications.
• Experience in producing high-quality documentation to support project delivery.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills, clearly articulating ideas, solutions and recommendations across all levels of the organisation.
• Highly motivated with excellent time management skills and able to work under own initiative, managing and prioritising multiple projects and tasks.
• Strong team player and motivator of self and others.
• Experience in leading project teams to successful delivery.
• Experience in stakeholder management, including experience of working with and managing third-party suppliers.

Desirable:

• Experience implementing grant or medical research funding systems.
• Relevant work experience within a charity and other research funding environments.
• Experience with web technologies, hosting and accessibility requirements.
• Demonstrable experience leading the implementation of business-critical systems, including cloud platforms.
• Knowledge of Agile and change management methodologies and frameworks (Prosci ADKAR, Kotter, and similar)

Required Qualifications

• Recognised project management qualification (PRINCE2, APM PMQ, and equivalent)

Compensation & Benefits

• 28 days holiday, increasing to 33 days after 5 years, plus Bank Holidays
• Access to UK Healthcare, including dental, eyecare, health screenings, and therapies
• 24/7 GP access via phone and video
• Life assurance and confidential counselling helplines
• Salary sacrifice schemes (Cycle to Work, Buy/Sell Annual Leave)
• Access to the Benefit Hub for discounts on everyday shopping
• Enhanced pension scheme
• Opportunities for training and personal development

Working locations

• Hybrid model, working in the Northampton office and remotely

How to apply

• Please apply via our website.
• To support an inclusive application process, we are open to receiving alternative applications from candidates who may find it difficult to complete our online form. If you would like to apply via video or audio file, please send your recorded application, ensuring you cover the supporting statement aspect, to [email protected]

Interviews

• Once we have shortlisted, we'll get in touch with all applicants to let you know if you've got to the next stage.

Policies

We are committed to equality, diversity, and inclusivity. We work to remove barriers for everyone affected by MND, including employees, volunteers, and stakeholders. As part of the Disability Confident Scheme, we guarantee interviews for disabled applicants who meet the role's requirements.

The information provided to the MND Association when applying for a vacancy will be treated in full accordance with the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR). The MND Association is committed to protecting your personal information and being transparent about what information we hold, whether you are a donor, volunteer, shopper, campaigner, or a person living with or affected by MND. For more information, visit Privacy Policy

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