Practical Manager - Sheffield | IR: 181

Improve International was established in 1998 by a group of veterinary surgeons from across the UK. We run Continuous Professional Development training from veterinary professionals to help develop the skills and knowledge required in practice. Our programmes utilise a combination of review lectures, case-based discussion and, where applicable, hands-on practical sessions. Within Improve International Group we also have ‘The International School of Veterinary Postgraduate Studies (ISVPS)’. ISVPS is dedicated to providing veterinary surgeons, nurses and technicians with high quality, achievable qualifications that are recognised internationally. We are an international organisation with offices in the UK and Portugal.

To manage the delivery of courses.  Manage a team of Course Co-Ordinator’s ensuring all employee engagement matters are addressed, creating a safe and cohesive working environment.

Enable the delegates and speakers attending the courses to have a good experience delivering high standards of service.

To ensure the efficient and cost-effective maintenance of the Practical function

Practical Courses

Overall responsibility for the planning and delivery of practical courses ensuring the course co-ordinator(s) arrange the correct equipment is in place for each course being delivered.

• Support the team with general administration for practical courses, dealing with delegate enquiries and registrations.
• ·Support the team with preparation and set up practical room for courses, including laying out of relevant equipment and required room layout. Clean down practical course areas after course delivery.
• Liaise with delegates and other sources to ensure the correct provision of dogs for ultrasound courses. Collect and return resources as required.
• Ensure that you/the team liaise with speakers regarding numbers on their courses, accommodation requirements, equipment requirements and providing notes. Book accommodation for speakers as needed and ensure speaker contract are sent out in a timely manner.
• Overall responsibility for liaising with sponsors regarding their attendance at relevant courses and ensure they are fully briefed regarding dates, times and requirements.
• After approval - confirm/cancel courses as required ensuring everyone is fully informed of the decision – delegates, speakers, sponsors and venue.
• Meet and greet delegates and speakers on the courses you host and ensure and assist where needed throughout the duration of the course. 
• Attend Improve courses at venues around the country, as necessary, ensuring everything is organised and at the venue for the start of the course. Assist speakers and delegates through the duration of the course.
• Liaise with Improve International offices abroad regarding equipment requirements as required and send equipment as necessary ensuring they are invoiced for this service.

Course Promotion

• Follow up any delegates who express an interest in courses and convert to registrations.
• Actively promote future courses with all delegates attending Improve courses. 
• Attend trade fairs and corporate events to promote Improve International as required.
• When required attend Improve courses at venues in the UK/globally, as necessary, ensuring everything is organised and at the venue for the start of the course. Assist speakers and delegates through the duration of the course.

Cadavers & Consumables

• Work with the Head of Practical Delivery to ensure timely collection of cadavers within the Pet Gifting Scheme and return of ashes as appropriate.
• Overall responsibility for management of cadaver stock in Sheffiled, ensuring adequate supplies are maintained at all times and suitable sources are maintained.
• Maintain levels of consumables within the practical room and order from suppliers as necessary.
• Liaise with suppliers and source equipment and consumables for practical courses and produce necessary purchase orders.

Team & Facility Management

• People manage the team based in the Sheffield office.
• Conduct regular 121 sessions with each team member.
• Address learning, development needs.
• Operate as a role model and provide coaching where required.
• Support the culture of the company and embed our company values.
• Manage absence and cover and all people related engagement with the team.
• Follow our policies and procedures and obtain support as needed from your line manager and the people team.

Any medical, veterinary or pharmaceutical background and experience would be advantageous although it is not necessary as training will be given. However, people management and remote facility management would be required for the role.

People Management

• 3-5 years experience of people/team management and able to build strong working relationship with others across the organisation
• Experienced in delegation, instructing others and also stepping in to give hands on knowledge when required.
• Experienced in managing employee relations and any situations as they arise.
• 3+ years of managing a facility or department.

Client/Stakeholder Engagement

• Demonstrable interpersonal skills and the ability to deal with individuals, customer needs and groups at all levels.
• Manage any issues raised by delegates and speakers – liaise with programme co-ordinator as needed.
• Customer focused with strong attention to detail

Business and Management

• Commercially aware
• Good organisational skills and the ability to work under pressure and to achieve deadlines
• Good IT literacy is essential and knowledge of database software an advantage
• Ability to multi-task and engage with internal and external team, whilst being deadline and process orientated
• Highly personable and a desire to develop an understanding to the company’s business and customers
• Flexible and willing to work some evening and weekends with occasional travel
• Able to lift light weights in preparing room layout and equipment.
• Experience in the Veterinary Industry preferable, but not essential.



Achievement Focus/Accountability – L3

Communications – L3

Flexible Thinking – L3

Integrity & Empathy – L3

Teamwork and Team Leadership – L3

Annual Leave Entitlement: 25 days plus public holidays, an additional day after 3 years and another additional day after 10 years service.

Pension: Employee 4% and Employer 5%. The employer contribution will increase by 1% after each 3 years of service to a total of 10%

Life Assurance: 4 x annual salary

Electric Car Scheme: Salary sacrifice electric car scheme

Weekly Hours: 37.5 

Hours:  Range between 8am to 19:00 daily, according to courses which are running on any weekday.

Location: Sheffield office (hybrid working available) 

Travel: Although not part of the daily work there may be occasions whereby travel would be required to support colleagues in Swindon or in other countries .

Annual bonus: Discretionary Annual Bonus  

Free parking

Free tea and coffee

Bring your dog to work

CLOSING DATE: Friday 19th April 2024 at 5pm