PMO Manager (Project Management Office)

Kingston University; Kingston upon Thames; On-site; GBP 55,000 - 67,000; Full time

Job summary

Kingston University invites applications for a PMO Manager to join the Strategic Projects Office (SPO) to support delivery of the Town House Strategy and related change initiatives. The role delivers governance, analytics and a clear portfolio view to enable effective decision-making at senior levels.

You will lead cross-functional collaboration, communicate portfolio information clearly, and help shape the university’s education and student experience within a regulated higher education context.

Qualifications

• Experience supporting strategic transformation programmes in complex, multi-stakeholder environments.
• Confident in operating across senior levels, balancing governance with pragmatism, navigating ambiguity and influencing without authority.
• Experience implementing governance frameworks and communicating portfolio information clearly.
• Familiarity with the higher education sector or similar regulated environments.

Responsibilities

• Lead and transform the capability of the Strategic Projects Office (SPO).
• Establish, implement and lead the PMO processes, providing governance and analytical intelligence that underpins delivery of the Town House Strategy.
• Ensure that the strategic programmes are well-governed, risks are identified and actively managed, and SLT have information to make informed decisions.
• Communicate complex portfolio information clearly to a wide range of audiences.
• Develop and maintain a clear picture of all significant change initiatives across the University to inform capacity and sequencing.

Skills

Governance frameworks

Strategic transformation

Stakeholder management

Portfolio reporting

Communication

Job description

Do you want to join our newly created and strategically significant team - the Strategic Projects Office? In order to support the delivery of our Town House Strategy, we are looking for a PMO Manager to join our newly created department.

Our purpose is to ensure that our graduates, our staff and the university itself are sought after. This is a central part of our Town House Strategy. Through the Town House Strategy we are transforming our students' education by embedding the Future Skills sought by business and the professions across our curriculum. In this role you will be supporting across a variety of strategic projects which will help shape the future of education and our student experience.

As PMO Manager in the Strategic Projects Office (SPO), you will play a key role in the delivery of strategic projects by leading and transforming the capability of the Strategic Projects Office (SPO). This central role will establish, implement and lead the PMO processes, providing the governance and analytical intelligence that underpins effective delivery of Kingston University's Town House Strategy. Working at the heart of the University's change infrastructure, you will ensure that the strategic programmes are well-governed, risks are identified and actively managed, and that the SLT and senior leaders have the information they need to make well informed decisions.

Beyond direct support for the Town House Strategy portfolio, the PMO Manager will lead the development of and maintain a clear and current picture of all significant change initiatives across the University. This wider portfolio lens is essential as it enables the SPO Director, SLT and senior leadership to understand organisational capacity for change, identify dependencies and conflicts, and sequence work in a way that is realistic and sustainable.

We are looking for a highly motivated and skilled PMO Manager with proven experience supporting strategic transformation programmes in complex, multi-stakeholder environments. The ideal candidate will be confident in operating across senior levels, able to balance governance with pragmatism, be able to navigate ambiguity and be comfortable influencing without authority.

You’ll have experience in implementing governance frameworks and the expertise to communicate complex portfolio information clearly to a wide range of audiences. Familiarity with the higher education sector or similar regulated environments will be advantageous.

You’ll be highly organised, a clear communicator, and adaptable in your approach to managing competing priorities. A collaborative mindset and a commitment to continuous improvement are also key to thriving in this role.

The newly established Strategic Projects Office (SPO) sits within the Finance, HR and Infrastructure Directorate and will play a pivotal role in advancing the University’s strategic objectives. Acting as a central hub for cross-functional collaboration, the SPO will bring together teams from across the institution to deliver complex, high-impact initiatives.

The Directorate for Finance, HR, and Infrastructure plays a critical role in shaping and supporting the University’s strategic and operational success. With a focus on excellence, efficiency, and people-centred practices, it delivers vital services that influence the daily experience of staff and students while enabling long-term institutional growth. These services span financial management, workforce development, and the maintenance of both physical and digital infrastructure - ensuring the University’s operations and ambitions are fully supported. With a clear focus on service quality, innovation, and people-first practices, the Directorate operates in close partnership with academic faculties and senior leadership to ensure institutional goals are achieved. It is driven by a commitment to excellence, service and sustainable progress, promoting a culture where collaboration, innovation and transformation thrive. As Project Manager, the successful candidate will be instrumental in delivering high-impact initiatives and supporting organisational change. This is an opportunity to join a proactive, solutions-focused team whose work directly contributes to the University’s continued success.

This is a full time, permanent position with a starting salary of £60,996 per annum.

Interviews are scheduled to be held in person on Tuesday 10November 2026.

For informal enquiries, please contact LizGilroy-Scott,Director of Strategic Projects Office.