Management Skills Handbook

Dear Colleague

The success of research programmes and projects in the College is dependent on the quality and contribution of individual research teams. The fundamental aim of this Management Skills Handbook is to support excellence in research in the College by addressing leadership and management issues in two key areas : research management and people management.

The development of this Handbook has been supported by the "Achieving The Best" project, funded by the Leadership Foundation in Higher Education. The main aims and objectives of the project were to :

Identify how line managers can help staff to understand the key duties and responsibilities attached to their role, how their role assists in the achievement of the strategic objectives of their team, School and the University, agree what an acceptable standard of performance is and provide them with support to ensure that these standards are met
Assist line managers and those with supervisory roles to develop the appropriate skills to allow them to successfully manage their staffing responsibilitiesEstablish an effective system of succession planning, to ensure that the future needs of the College are met and that individual members of staff develop the skills they need to progress in their chosen career
Support the work which is currently ongoing in the College in a number of areas, including recruitment, induction, appraisal and leadership development

The information contained within the Handbook is drawn largely from the work undertaken on this project and is intended to act as an "easy reference" guide to the key principles underpinning research and people management.

I hope that this Handbook provides you with a helpful guide in undertaking your research and in managing your team. Your Human Resources Adviser will be happy to assist you with any further advice and guidance you may require.

Professor Neva Haites OBE, FRCPath, FRCP, FMedSci
Head of College of Life Science and Medicine