The Post The Programme Management Office (PMO) provides the university's framework for the effective management and governance of strategic programmes and projects. It supports the university to deliver its strategic priorities by providing consistent approaches to project management, governance, reporting, risk management and assurance.
The Project Manager is a key member of the PMO, responsible for the successful delivery of significant and strategically important projects that contribute to the university's transformation and strategic objectives.
Projects may span the university's academic, professional services and digital environments and could include major initiatives such as student records system implementation, ERP replacement, curriculum transformation, data transformation, service redesign and other institution-wide change programmes.
The postholder will work closely with project sponsors, senior stakeholders, business leads, technical specialists, suppliers and multidisciplinary project teams to translate strategic objectives into clear, deliverable projects and ensure that agreed outcomes and benefits are achieved.
The postholder will operate confidently in a complex organisation, establish effective project structures, provide clear and accurate information to senior governance groups, identify and manage risks and issues, and intervene constructively when projects are not progressing as planned.
The postholder will manage projects through their full lifecycle, from initiation and mobilisation through planning, delivery, implementation, transition and closure, using the university's agreed project management methodology and governance arrangements.
Description of Duties Lead the Delivery of Strategic Projects - Take responsibility for the effective management and delivery of assigned strategic projects, ensuring they achieve agreed objectives, scope, timescales, budget, quality standards and benefits
- Establish and maintain appropriate project structures, plans, milestones, dependencies and workstreams, ensuring clear ownership of deliverables and effective progress throughout the project lifecycle
- Lead and coordinate multidisciplinary project teams, including university colleagues, subject matter experts and, where appropriate, external suppliers and partners
- Manage implementation, transition and project closure effectively, ensuring business readiness, operational handover, benefits realisation and lessons learned are appropriately addressed
Establish and Maintain Effective Project Governance - Establish governance arrangements appropriate to the scale, complexity and risk of each project, in accordance with the university's PMO framework, and support project sponsors and Chairs to ensure clear accountability and decision-making
- Prepare clear and accurate project reports, board papers and management information for project boards, programme boards, steering groups and senior stakeholders, covering progress, budget, risks, issues, dependencies and benefits
- Maintain effective governance documentation, ensuring decisions and actions are recorded, communicated and followed through
- Identify matters requiring escalation and provide clear recommendations, enabling appropriate challenge, assurance and intervention to support effective decision-making
Manage Project Risks, Issues, Dependencies and Change - Identify, assess and actively manage project risks, issues, assumptions and dependencies, ensuring appropriate mitigation, ownership and escalation
- Monitor dependencies across projects, programmes, business areas and external parties, taking appropriate action where these may affect delivery
- Manage changes to project scope, objectives, timescales and resources through agreed governance and change-control arrangements
- Provide early warning of emerging problems and take timely corrective action to protect successful project delivery
Manage Stakeholders and Enable Effective Collaboration - Build effective working relationships with stakeholders across the university, including senior leaders, academic and professional services colleagues, technical specialists and external organisations
- Engage and communicate effectively with stakeholders to establish shared understanding of project objectives, requirements, outcomes and responsibilities, while managing differing priorities and perspectives
- Provide constructive challenge and advice, helping stakeholders understand project implications, risks, dependencies and trade-offs and supporting effective decision-making
- Manage relationships with project sponsors, senior stakeholders, suppliers and partners to maintain commitment to project objectives and ensure effective delivery of agreed responsibilities
For a full description of duties please see the attached job description