Network Coordinator - Leeds Institute of Textiles and Colour

Overview of the Role

Network Coordinator

Leeds Institute of Textiles & Colour (LITAC)

Are you looking for a challenging and varied role which enables you to work across a diverse range of activities and with a variety of people? Are you a problem solver and a decision maker, able to contribute to a wide range of tasks both operational and strategic? Do you have excellent communication and interpersonal skills, with the ability to work effectively with a wide range of stakeholders? Would you like to play a pivotal role supporting the development of a network to establish research-validated baselines in the fashion & textile industry

We are seeking a professional and proactive individual to join our Network team. This is a £2 million collaborative research initiative from July 2023 to July 2025 that brings together an interdisciplinary group of academic researchers from different Universities, as well as senior representatives from industry. As Network Coordinator you will have a challenging and varied role. You will be the focal point for administration and communication for the Network, liaising closely with colleagues at all levels within the University of Leeds, as well as across project partners, the project funders, and the wider fashion and textile stakeholder community. You will ensure that Network activities are well aligned and compliant with all legislative requirements and university policies. You will act as a key link with internal and external stakeholders, supporting partnerships which enhance Network performance with a focus on research, education and engagement activities ensuring the effective organisation and delivery of the above.

Your remit will involve taking responsibility for reviewing and developing Network operational processes, strategic resource planning across the 2-year Network delivery period, monitoring delivery and reporting to the external funder, event management, Network communication and external engagement activities. As the project starts, there are eight academic partners as well as industrial partners within the Network, and this will continue to grow as delivery progresses.

You should be able to demonstrate excellent communication and interpersonal skills and be able to initiate, build and manage network communication mechanisms, establishing effective working relationships, dealing diplomatically with a wide range of people and maintaining confidentiality.

The ability to demonstrate a high degree of personal responsibility and initiative in all areas of the role is essential. Diplomatic and discreet in approach, you will be highly skilled at managing a diverse, dynamic and ever-changing workload efficiently.

You will have strong reasoning and analytical skills, demonstrated either through education to degree-level or through equivalent professional and managerial experience. You will join a collaborative, innovative and diverse team to support the Network's development, and also contribute effectively to wider LITAC management team activities.

Reporting to the LITAC’s Associate Director, you will play a key role in maintaining the smooth operation of the Institute’s administration, in respect of the Network’s management. You will work closely with the LITAC Director who is also the Principal Investigator of the Network. Hosted by the School of Design LITAC is a University of Leeds research Institute, built on a history of ~150 years, bringing together scientific, technical and design expertise in textiles, colour and fashion across the University. The new Network is a key part of the Institute’s strategic development plan.

To explore the post further or for any queries you may have, please contact:

Mrs Susan Rainton

Email: [email protected]

Further details:

• Candidate Brief