Senior Project Manager

Job Purpose

The Senior Project Manager will report to the Head of Project Delivery and will work in collaboration with the Transformation and Information Services teams. The primary purpose of the role is to provide strong Programme Management, overseeing and driving a team that is focused on developing systems and services to enhance the staff and student experience within the organisation.

Main Duties & Responsibilities

1. Project Management: Lead the service excellence programme within the transformation, ensuring projects are delivered within agreed timescales, budgets, and scope. You will manage a portfolio of projects involving systems, processes, and data improvements.

2. Resource Management: Manage a large project team, including external parties, ensuring work is allocated effectively based on resources' skills and availability. You'll need to track progress and initiate corrective actions if necessary.

3. Stakeholder Communication: Regularly communicate with relevant stakeholders, including sponsors, senior leadership, academic teams, and operational staff, ensuring clear communication and expectation management.

4. Risk and Quality Management: Implement a robust risk management approach to identify, assess, and monitor risks. Ensure that projects comply with stakeholder requirements, industry standards, University policies, and legislation.

5. Reporting and Documentation: Provide regular reports to project boards and senior forums. You'll prepare high-quality documents and project management products to update stakeholders.

Knowledge and Qualifications

Essential:

• Extensive knowledge of change projects, including process design, system implementation, and data-centric projects.
• Relevant degree/postgraduate qualification or equivalent experience.
• Project Management qualification (e.g., PRINCE2, PMP) and comprehensive understanding of project management methodologies.
• Knowledge across information systems is required.

Desirable:

• SCRUM certification or PRINCE2/Agile Practitioner certification.
• Familiarity with the competitive dialogue procurement process.
• ITIL Foundation knowledge.

Skills

Essential:

• Experience managing complex projects with a successful track record of delivery.
• Ability to develop detailed project plans and ensure these are communicated effectively with all stakeholders.
• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills, with the ability to bridge the gap between technical and non-technical teams.
• Proven leadership in driving change management in large organisations.
• Strong relationship management and the ability to engage diverse stakeholders across the organisation.
• Negotiation, diplomacy, and effective communication skills.

Experience

Essential:

• Proven experience managing large and complex projects, particularly those that require extensive planning in a large organisation.
• Experience using Agile tools or similar project management software.
• Experience managing data-centric programmes or projects.
• Experience in leading project teams, including working with external contractors.

This role demands a strong leader with the ability to manage multiple complex projects, engage with various stakeholders, and ensure that projects meet organisational goals and business needs.

In our company values we aim for equity at all stages of the recruitment process, please let us know if we can do anything to make the process more accessible to you.