Project Manager, Oxford (FT)

Moa is an innovative and rapidly growing agricultural biotech firm.

Our mission is to find the new generation of safe and effective herbicides to help farmers protect their harvests and tackle the issues of land use change, deforestation and nature loss. To this aim, we have assembled a team of passionate and talented scientists, technical, and operational staff, who respectively design, use and support the use of disruptive technologies that are reinventing herbicide discovery to deliver a new generation of sustainable crop protection products.

We value collaborative endeavors, evidence-based decision making and resourcefulness.

As a scientific Project Manager (PM) reporting to the Head of the Project Management Office (PMO), you will support the PMO and manage exciting R&D projects in our portfolio, from initiation to close.

You will be making sure your project remains on schedule and within budget while delivering it to the agreed objectives. You will have a broad and deep knowledge of processes, procedures, concepts and principles of Project Governance & Project Management, as well as a good scientific understanding of the technical processes and procedures of the wider project team. You will play an integral role in the implementation and overseeing of Project Management processes and systems in Moa.

This role is suitable for a science graduate/ PhD with experience in managing projects.

This particular role is dual aspect in nature – first and foremost to support the PMO and secondly to manage one or more of Moa’s pipeline projects.

PMO support involves:

• Facilitating the organisation and implementation of regular Project Governance meetings.
• Working with the members of the PMO to champion the on-going implementation and refinement of a project-centric way of working at Moa. Providing regular project status and metrics updates to key project stakeholders, including the Head of PM.
• Acting as liaison between the Project Team and the PMO.
• Supporting the Head of PM, as required, for the smooth running of the PMO.

The Project Management aspect of the role involves:

• Project planning, execution, monitoring and closure, collaborating closely with other project team members, facilitating communication and addressing challenges that arise during the project’s life cycle.
• Working smoothly with the project team and key stakeholders to facilitate creation and maintenance of project information – objectives, milestones, design, schedule, budget, progress, issues & risks.
• Monitoring project progress to ensure it stays on schedule and implementing risk management processes.
• Implementing tracking systems to monitor project timelines and risks and regularly report the project’s status to stakeholders as required.

• Graduate or PhD with proven experience working in scientific teams and managing cross functional projects.

• A few years of experience in a project team, preferably in a leadership role, can be useful.
• The PM should require very little direct supervision and be able to work independently.
• May lead a team.

Training: (Desirable)

• PRINCE2 Foundation or PMP

• Ability to multitask efficiently – The project activities at Moa are fast-paced and the PM will frequently have simultaneous tasks and responsibilities that require their attention.
• Effective communication – the projects at Moa are multi-platform and it is essential to convey information accurately between team members and stakeholders. Good communication helps to ensure that everyone in the project team, and the relevant stakeholders in Moa’s platforms, understand the project goals and their specific responsibilities.
• Problem-solving skills – identifying project issues and developing practical solutions are essential for the smooth and efficient running of projects at Moa.
• Leadership skills – working in collaboration with the Project Lead, the Project Manager will be required to lead a team towards achieving the project’s goals. Demonstrating good leadership skills – such as, maturity, emotional intelligence and the ability to motivate and inspire others, decision-making abilities, and the capacity to manage conflicts – is vital.
• Organisational skills – Organising meetings, tasks and sometimes people in the projects at Moa, is a major part of the job, to ensure that everything is in its place, tasks are completed promptly, and the project stays on track.

Desirable Skills:

Technical expertise or PM experience within agricultural science or pharmaceutical industry is highly desirable.

Experience working in fast-paced start-up environment.

Experience with Project Management and accounting tools, such as Smartsheet and NetSuite are also highly desirable.

• Opportunity to be part of a forward-thinking dynamic agtech company, working towards safer, cleaner more effective herbicides of the future.
• Competitive salary
• Electric vehicle scheme
• Workplace pension scheme where the company will match up to 7.5%.
• Employee Assistance Programme
• Training and Development
• Private Medical Insurance
• Opportunity to attend conferences and seminars in relation to your role.
• 25 days Annual leave pro rata to your start date plus Bank Holidays

If you’d like to apply for this role, please send your CV with cover letter to hr@moa-technology.com.

Moa is committed to building a diverse workforce that is representative of the communities we serve. We recognize that diverse and inclusive teams build a stronger and more innovative company. Therefore, all qualified applicants will be considered for employment, and we do not discriminate on the basis of race, religion/belief, sex, sexual orientation, age, disability status, maternity status, gender reassignment, marital status, or veteran status.

Due to the high level of candidates that we receive, we will only contact successful applicants for the interview stage.