Meet Sam Ryder

04 Mar 2025

Sam Ryder is the Director of School Operations for the School of Natural Sciences. We spoke to Sam to find out more about her role and her long and varied career at the University. We also learn more about what Sam enjoys doing outside of work.

Can you tell me about your role and the teams that you work with?

I help to ensure the efficient running of the School working closely with the Head of School, Chris Hardacre. My responsibilities range from nurturing and supporting colleagues to the more strategic and directional elements, focusing on the continuous development of my team members and driving ongoing improvements.

My role requires partnership working at many levels. I work very closely with the Professional Services Leadership Team, with other Professional Services (PS) colleagues within the Faculty, and various other Directorates across the University on projects such as the Student Experience Programme. I also chair the University's Technical Review Board, working closely with the Heads of Technical Operations. I work with the Heads of Departments and meet with them, and other senior members of School staff, at the monthly School Leadership Team meetings. As a member of the Faculty Leadership Team, I also collaborate with our Vice Deans.

Following the Faculty restructure in 2019 which led to the formation of our two Schools, we've adopted a partnership-based ethos. This approach emphasises collaboration at all levels, reinforcing our commitment to working together effectively, especially between PS and academic colleagues.

What are your priorities at the moment?

My priorities are quite varied and there are lots of them! One key area is the Technical Review Board that I chair. We're currently conducting a high-level review following the conclusion of the FSE Technical Review. Our main goal is to assess whether our implementation has been effective and if we're on track to achieve our intended outcomes. This involves ensuring that our consolidation of services and specialisms within technical operations has delivered the benefits we envisaged. Cost recovery of technical staff time and facilities access is high priority, this involves an end-to-end review based on data now available to us following the technical review.

Continuous improvement and service excellence is also a focus. Regularly reviewing and enhancing our processes and services is essential, and it's a responsibility shared at all levels. 

We held our first School Professional Services conference last year which was quite a significant event. It brought together PS colleagues who might not have had the chance to meet collectively since the School's formation. The conference aimed to foster greater understanding across Professional Services, highlight the value each team brings to teaching and research, and improve collaboration. This is especially important given our geographically dispersed nature and the dynamics of hybrid working.

What’s your favourite thing about the role?

I’m sure a lot of people will say this, but it is the people I get to work with. We have some really great people here that make my job a lot easier. The variety in my job keeps things interesting and definitely keeps me on my toes. I spend a lot of time helping people with their problems, which I see as just part of the role – a part that I really enjoy.

I appreciate the opportunity for continuous improvement. I'm not someone who shies away from change and in fact, I think change is a positive thing when managed well and done in a controlled and collaborative way. If we don't evolve we become stagnant, and with our competitors constantly evolving, it's important that we keep up.

How long have you worked at the University?

It will be 32 years in May!

What roles have you held previously?

My first job at the University was a Grade 2 position in Research Grants and Contracts Office, initially intended as a temporary stopgap, but I've stayed ever since. I began in Debt Control then became a Research Proposals Advisor, and an EC Contracts Officer eventually moving to the Faculty of Biology, Medicine and Health as Head of the Faculty Research Office. During that time, I also helped set up a partnership between the University, its then six NHS trusts and an organisation in Boston, US.

After that, I was appointed Head of Research Operations for the Manchester Academic Health Science Centre, a partnership with our six NHS trusts. I later worked in Dermatology as Head of Research Operations and Business Engagement. I held the position of Head of School Administration in Physics and Astronomy before applying for my current role during the Faculty restructure.

I've enjoyed the variety – some roles have been internally focused and others externally focused - and opportunities for growth the University offers individuals, alongside a really good training and development offer (although my Excel skills could still do with some improvement!).

What do you like to do outside of work?

I really enjoy gardening. I got into it in my late 30s/early 40s, and it turns out my great grandfather and grandfather were also keen gardeners, so maybe I inherited their green fingers.

I especially value time with friends and family, and I love to travel whenever I can. If I wasn’t doing my current job, I could see myself being a landscape gardener or a travel host on TV—maybe even a combination of the two, traveling around to design gardens.

Another hobby of mine is cycling, although I haven't ridden my bike in a while. My father is an avid cyclist and has just travelled to spend two months cycling in Majorca. I have a couple of road bikes that need a good clean! I used to cycle to work regularly - I really should get back into it.

If you could only eat one thing, what would it be?

I'd have fillet steak with dauphinoise potatoes and a glass of red.