PMO Manager (Project Management Office)

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

Benefits offered by this job

35 days annual leave

Employee Assistance Programme

Discounts on Perks at Work

Course fee waiver

LinkedIn Learning

Season ticket loans

Job summary

Kingston University is seeking a PMO Manager for the newly created Strategic Projects Office to support the Town House Strategy. You will establish PMO governance, lead governance frameworks, and provide analytical insight to senior leaders to drive strategic delivery.

The role requires experience in complex change programmes, ability to navigate ambiguity, and strong collaboration with senior stakeholders across the university. Interviews to be held in person on campus.

Qualifications

• Experience delivering strategic transformation programmes in complex, multi-stakeholder environments.
• Ability to communicate governance and portfolio information clearly to senior audiences.
• Familiarity with governance frameworks and change-management practices.
• Highly organised, collaborative, and able to balance competing priorities.

Responsibilities

• Lead and implement PMO processes and governance for the SPO.
• Provide governance and analytical intelligence to underpin the Town House Strategy.
• Govern risks, dependencies and reporting to SLT and senior leaders.
• Coordinate across the SPO and Directorate to map significant change initiatives.

Skills

Governance frameworks

Strategic transformation experience

Stakeholder communication

Change management

Collaboration and teamwork

Job description

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 10 November 2026.

The Role

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.

The Person

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.

Directorate/Function

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. 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 PMO 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.

Why Join Us?

We offer a range of benefits, including:

• 35 days annual leave
• Employee Assistance Programme helps with any work-related problems having a wider impact on your life and gives you access to the savings centre
• Discounts on Perks a Work
• Course fee waiver scheme and discounted courses across the University
• Learn new skills with priority access to thousands of courses via LinkedIn Learning
• Season ticket loans up to £10,000 to help you spread the cost of commuting and get the best value for money

We are a place-based organisation, proud of our location in Kingston and the civic role we play in our community. Our campuses inspire collaborative, innovative and creative communities. Being present on campus is important to us because it helps us to create a sense of belonging for both our staff and students. Therefore, staff are expected to be on campus for the majority of their working week.

Kingston University values

Inclusive: to value the diversity of students and staff, treating them respectfully.

Innovative: to apply new methods or ideas to facilitate progress.

Ambitious: to pursue excellence for oneself, the university and our communities.

Enterprising: to recognise and act on opportunities.

Our commitment to Equality, Diversity and Inclusion

Bring your true self, expertise, and passion to Kingston where we are continuing to strive to build a university where authentic inclusion and belonging is at its heart. Every one of our staff and students’ identities, backgrounds and diverse experiences makes us who we are - so harness and embrace yours by applying today. We welcome applications from Black, Asian and Minority Ethnic backgrounds, LGBTQ+ communities and those with disabilities.

Candidates must be able to demonstrate their eligibility to work in the UK in accordance with the Immigration, Asylum and Nationality Act 2006. Where required, this may include entry clearance or continued leave to remain under the Points Based Immigration Scheme.