KATE HOBSON

I manage the Imperial Centre of Excellence in Neurotechnology, and cross-institutional Neuromod+ Network. The role requires excellent communication skills, and the ability to work with varied stakeholders, juggle multiple projects, set priorities and work to deadlines. Key duties include:

• Overseeing communication, acting as ambassador/primary contact for Network and Centre, maintaining relationships/efficient communication with 270 stakeholders, building Network visibility and membership through web/social media presence and public events, producing annual reports
• Helping to develop and implement vision, policies and research priorities, contributing to related research grant applications
• Managing Neuromod+ budget of >£1.5M: monitoring and analysing expenditure, forecasting, reporting, overseeing post-award processes and contracts, ensuring compliance with funder/Imperial conditions
• Organising/delivering events including network launch, symposia, workshops, seminars, public science exhibits
• Establishing/streamlining administrative procedures including feasibility study funding calls awarding over £900K
• Maintaining comprehensive financial and administrative records, collating and analysing complex data to produce reports to meet funder requirements

Managed Centre and associated Centre for Doctoral Training (CDT) in Neurotechnology from inception to completion. Key duties/achievements:

• Managed £10M budget with multiple funding streams, monitored and reported on expenditure, ensured compliance, coordinated financial contributions, organised interim and final expenditure statements
• Fostered excellent relationships with students and staff of all levels, industry, charity partners and funders
• Oversaw communications, publicised activities via websites, social media, reports and publicity materials
• Managed multiple successful events: symposia, workshops, public engagement and outreach activities
• Maintained comprehensive records for Centre/CDT, collated and analysed data to prepare key reports
• Advised on strategy and resources, supported grant applications, eg £1.5M Neuromod+ grant proposal
• Oversaw CDT programme admin: research project calls, contracts, student recruitment, reporting, programme reviews, handbooks, timetables, marking, student progress, exam boards, student training courses, and provided academic, administrative and pastoral support to students
• Provided general operations administration and team support with meetings, advisory boards, expenses, travel, room bookings, advice on internal/external policies

• Key contact for postgraduate (PG) matters, coordinating PhD and 2 MRes programmes
• Assisted with student welfare and pastoral care
• Developed and implemented new processes to record and monitor departmental PG student data, moving records from paper-based to electronic
• Coordinated admissions, scholarships, induction, timetables, handbooks
• Managed student progression and milestones, including assessed seminars and poster days, produced statistics for planning and reports
• Ensured timely payment of fees and bursaries, monitored PG account expenditure
• Maintained PG webpages and provided up-to-date information for Imperial PG prospectus
• Supported PG meetings

PA to Departmental Management Committee (DMC), Department of Bioengineering

Managed diaries, supported meetings, collated data for reports, assisted with relocation for incoming Head of Department, organised training courses.

Admin assistant at Chemical Biology Centre, Department of Chemistry

Assisted with postgraduate recruitment, answered student queries, supported meetings/seminars, maintained student records, placed orders, processed expenses.

Maintained office systems and processes, including IT and staff recruitment/induction, liaised with range of clients, managed diaries, travel, expenses and time recording for lawyers, created documents and presentations, managed contracts database, collated information for due diligence project during company sale, ordered supplies and paid invoices.

Managed diaries, travel and expenses, produced documentation, managed over 2000 trademark files. Answered enquiries, carried out trademark searches, established network of internal/external contacts. Developed financial spreadsheets to monitor budgets and assisted with invoice payments.

Audio typing, document production, property searches, liaising with clients, relief switchboard work.