The University of Sheffield is a remarkable place to work. Our people are at the heart of everything we do. Their diverse backgrounds, abilities and beliefs make Sheffield a world-class university.

We offer a fantastic range of benefits including a highly competitive annual leave entitlement (with the ability to purchase more), a generous pensions scheme, flexible working opportunities, a commitment to your development and wellbeing, a wide range of retail discounts, and much more. Find out more about our benefits (opens in a new window) and join us to become part of something special.

Overview

The Head of the Composite Centre at the Advanced Manufacturing Research Centre is responsible for leading a team of highly-skilled manufacturing engineers and researchers in the technical field of the development of composite materials and process dev, the core focus of this prestigious leadership role will be to provide  leadership and inspiration to the team, ensuring the on time and to cost delivery of the highest quality research outputs that provide business transformation to the AMRC's Industrial partners.

Reporting  directly to the AMRC Executive Board, you will provide strategic direction for AMRC Composites Centre, ensuring its objectives are fully aligned with the broader strategy of the AMRC and University of Sheffield. You will be an integral part of the leadership community of the AMRC, collectively responsible for the success of the AMRC and to this end will collaborate and work as a team across this community to drive best practice, operational excellence and reputational enhancement of our professional network and global profile.

To be successful in this position, candidates must possess a relevant good honours degree or demonstrate a robust, proven background within the Advanced Manufacturing research environment. Significant experience in successfully securing and executing high-profile projects for partners and customers is essential. Furthermore, effective communication and the ability to inspire and motivate staff are required to ensure the successful delivery of all group projects.

The AMRC Composites Centre forms a key part of the Advanced Manufacturing Research Centre (www.amrc.co.uk) with the group's primary research focus being in assembly, automation, digital technologies and software development. The AMRC works across a range of manufacturing sectors; primarily aerospace, defence and nuclear energy.  

Main duties and responsibilities

• Be an active, collaborative and open contributor to the leadership of the AMRC, working closely with the AMRC board, counterparts in other AMRC Groups and the wider University. To contribute your insights, relationships and experience to deliver on the vision, mission and values. drive reputational gain for the AMRC
• Be an ambassador for the AMRC and University externally, representing AMRC at conferences, events and across the HVMC network.
• Build strong and trusted relationships with industry, especially across the AMRC industrial partnership
• Hold overall accountability for the AMRC Composites Centre, which comprises approximately 50 research and professional staff and manages an active order book exceeding £5M.
• Provide regular reports on AMRC Composites Centre performance to the AMRC Executive Board, the wider AMRC leadership and other relevant University groups.
• Be accountable for group expenditure against budgets for both project activity and cost centre ensuring financial stability of the group
• Ultimately accountable for the management and development of AMRC Composites Centre's income pipeline and business mix, working in collaboration with the AMRC's Commercial director, Chief Technical Officer and Financial Controller, develop and cultivate a future business capture pipeline that ensures successful progression of the groups technical priorities and delivers financial sustainability.
• Lead and empower the senior leadership team within AMRC Composites Centre, providing guidance, mentorship, and support to enable them to thrive and deliver on the goals and priorities within their respective areas. Direct line management the senior team within AMRC Composites Centre. Ensure the provision of clear roles within the AMRC Composites Centre leadership group that have delegated authority and is responsibility for the research and operational delivery functions of AMRC Composites Centre
• Oversee the strategic development and application of new technologies, informed by, and aligned to the needs of industry partners, funding bodies, and wider stakeholder strategies, ensuring research translates into meaningful industrial impact and real-world value, strengthening the AMRC's global reputation as a leader in applied innovation.
• Aligned to the AMRC strategy, develop AMRC Composites Centre’s capability (including skills, technology, hardware, and expertise) as required to advance relevant fields of research.
• Plan and control change initiatives that enable the AMRC Composites Centre to consistently increase research turnover, strengthen its reputation, and demonstrate high industrial impact and relevance.
• Accountable for AMRC Composites Centre’s high-quality grant applications submissions to funding councils, such as EPSRC, Innovate UK, and Horizon Europe; working with the AMRC Composites Centre Head of Research / Innovation, analyse reasons for unsuccessful applications to ensure continuous learning.
• Accountability for the delivery of KPIs and deliverables assigned to the group, required to fulfil the High Value Manufacturing Catapult (HVMC) grant requirements associated to AMRC Composites Centre
• Aligned to the AMRC strategy and supported by the Commercial Director and central business growth functions, engage with industry to enhance the group's technical reputation, secure industry-funded research projects, and deliver high impact, relevant research to the AMRC's industrial partners
• Working in collaboration with the Commercial function, support commercial negotiation activities and opportunity pipeline conversion, including large contracts and IP agreements with industry partners and grant funding authorities.
• Implement the AMRC and Universitie’s Intellectual Property (IP) strategy, ensuring the effective capture and commercial exploitation of research outcomes, IP and knowledge assets.
• Accountability for driving safety standards and environmental responsibility. Ensure all operations and facilities strictly adhere to University policies and align with the AMRC’s integrated management systems (ISO 45001 and ISO 14001).Champion a high-performance HSE culture across the group.Support One University approach across the organisation and promote the group and the AMRC positively throughout the wider University.
• Support the AMRC Project Delivery Director and Head of Project Management to ensure project delivery aligned to Quality Management Systems (ISO 9100)
• Provide leadership and management for the group, cultivating an inclusive culture that champions excellence through diversity.
• Ensure a customer centric approach to business activities, driving a culture of delivery excellence and always seeking to provide maximum return on investment and value to the AMRC's research funding stakeholders
• Carry out other duties, commensurate with the grade and remit of the post

Person Specification

Our diverse community of staff and students recognises the unique abilities, backgrounds, and beliefs of all. We foster a culture where everyone feels they belong and are respected. Even if your past experience doesn't match perfectly with this role's criteria, your contribution is valuable, and we encourage you to apply. Please ensure that you reference the application criteria in the application statement when you apply.

Further Information

Next steps in the recruitment process

The selection process will consist of an Interview and pre-prepared presentation We plan to let candidates know if they have progressed to the selection stage two weeks after the closing date. If you need any support, equipment or adjustments to enable you to participate in any element of the recruitment process you can contact staffing@amrc.co.uk

Our vision and strategic plan

We are the University of Sheffield. This is our vision: sheffield.ac.uk/vision (opens in new window).

What we offer

• A minimum of 41 days annual leave including bank holiday and closure days (pro rata) with the ability to purchase more.
• Flexible working opportunities, including hybrid working for some roles.
• Generous pension scheme.
• A wide range of discounts and rewards on shopping, eating out and travel.
• A variety of staff networks, providing opportunities for social interaction, peer support and personal development (for example, Race Equality, LGBT+, Women’s and Parent’s networks).
• Recognition Awards to reward staff who go above and beyond in their role.
• A commitment to your development access to learning and mentoring schemes; integrated with our Academic Career Pathways / Professional Services Shared Skills Framework
• A range of generous family-friendly policies
  • paid time off for parenting and caring emergencies
  • support for those going through the menopause
  • paid time off and support for fertility treatment
  • and more

More details can be found on our benefits page: sheffield.ac.uk/jobs/benefits (opens in a new window).

We are a Disability Confident Employer. If you have a disability and meet the essential criteria for this job you will be invited to take part in the next stage of the selection process.

Possession of a criminal record is not an automatic bar to employment at the University of

Baseline personnel security standard

This role requires the postholder to undertake a Government baseline personnel security standard (BPSS) check as a condition of employment. Additionally, you may be requested to undertake further vetting as a part of your role.

We are a research university with a global reputation for excellence. Our ideas and expertise change the world for the better, making a real difference to society. We know that when people come together with different views, approaches and insights it can lead to richer, more creative and innovative teaching and research and the highest levels of student experience. Our University Vision (www.sheffield.ac.uk/vision) outlines our commitment to building a diverse community of staff and students that recognises and values the abilities, backgrounds, beliefs and ways of living for everyone.