Cutover Manager (Fixed Term)

University of Cambridge; Cambridge; On-site; GBP 90,000 - 120,000; Full time

Job summary

The University of Cambridge is seeking an experienced Cutover Manager to lead the planning, coordination and execution of deployment activities for a major transformation programme. You will develop the cutover strategy and manage end-to-end deployment lifecycle, ensuring readiness, minimizing risk and delivering a smooth go-live.

The role requires outstanding organisational skills, meticulous attention to detail and the ability to influence and collaborate across technical and business teams to

Qualifications

• Significant experience managing cutover, deployment or transition activities within large, complex transformation programmes.

Responsibilities

• Lead planning, coordination and execution of deployment activities for a major transformation programme.
• Develop and deliver the programme's cutover strategy across end-to-end deployment lifecycle.
• Coordinate activities from planning and dry runs through production build to go-live, mitigating risks.
• Ensure organisational readiness and maintain momentum across technical and business teams.

Skills

Cutover management

Deployment planning

Risk management

Stakeholder coordination

Attention to detail

Planning skills

Job description

The Cutover Manager plays a critical role in ensuring the programme successfully transitions from implementation into live operation. Your leadership will help deliver a smooth, controlled and well-coordinated deployment, ensuring business readiness, minimising operational risk, and providing confidence that every element of the programme has been planned and executed to the highest standard.

Do you have the ability to coordinate multiple workstreams, manage competing priorities, and ensure flawless execution when it matters most?

We are looking for an experienced Cutover Manager to lead the planning, coordination and execution of programme deployment activities for a major transformation programme. This is a pivotal role where success depends on your ability to bring structure to complexity, maintain momentum, and ensure every detail has been considered before, during and after go-live.

As Cutover Manager, you will have overall responsibility for developing and delivering the programme's cutover strategy and managing the end-to-end deployment lifecycle. From planning and dry runs through to production build and final go-live, you will ensure every activity is carefully coordinated, risks are proactively managed, and operational readiness is achieved across the organisation.

This role demands someone with outstanding organisational skills, exceptional attention to detail, and the confidence to challenge, influence and collaborate across technical and business teams to deliver a seamless transition.

We're looking for someone who combines excellent programme delivery skills with a meticulous eye for detail. You'll have:

• Significant experience managing cutover, deployment or transition activities within large, complex transformation programmes.
• Outstanding organisational and planning skills, with the ability to manage numerous interdependent activities simultaneously.
• Exceptional attention to detail, ensuring nothing is overlooked in highly complex deployment plans.
• Proven experience developing and managing detailed cutover plans across multiple environments.
• Experience managing risks, issues, dependencies and critical decision points throughout programme delivery.
• Excellent communication skills with the ability to coordinate diverse technical and business teams under pressure.

Applications are welcome from internal candidates who would like to apply for the role on the basis of a secondment from their current role in the University.

Funding for this post is available for 12 months.

If you would like more information about this role, informal enquiries can be directed by email to Michelle Bond via [e-mail].

The closing date for applications is 09 September 2026.

The interviews date for the role are planned 22 September 2026.

Please quote reference AG50759 on your application and in any correspondence about this vacancy.

The University actively supports equality, diversity and inclusion and encourages applications from all sections of society.

Once an offer of employment has been accepted, the successful candidate will be required to undergo a basic disclosure (criminal records check) check, a health assessment and a security check.

The University has a responsibility to ensure that all employees are eligible to live and work in the UK.