Programme Manager

Jobtailor; Reading; On-site; GBP 55,000 - 75,000; Full time

Job summary

University seeks a Programme Manager to lead the Digital Campus transformation, delivering cross-functional projects within budget and on schedule. You will coordinate with technical experts, stakeholders, and end users to shape practical solutions and realise benefits for students and staff.

The role requires strong governance, risk management, and the ability to steer multiple workstreams in a fast-paced academic environment.

Qualifications

• Bachelor degree or equivalent professional experience.
• Experience leading and managing complex strategic and business improvement projects.
• Experience delivering transformation with extensive digital/technology components.

Responsibilities

• Manage all work required to deliver the Digital Campus programme.
• Oversee component projects and deliver the programme plan through phased transformation.
• Collaborate with end users and technical experts to shape solutions, drive adoption, and realise benefits.
• Lead all stages of projects under the University’s project management framework.
• Ensure delivery is on time, within budget, and aligned with KPIs and success criteria.

Skills

Project Management

Stakeholder Management

Problem-Solving

Analytical Skills

Decision-Making

Education

Bachelor's degree or equivalent

MSP

APM

PRINCE2

PMP

Tools

Microsoft 365

Project Management Tools

Digital Infrastructure

Job description

• Manage all work required to deliver the Digital Campus programme
• Oversee component projects and deliver the programme plan through phased transformation
• Manage technology-led change involving digital and technology infrastructure for teaching and learning
• Collaborate with end users and technical experts to shape solutions, drive adoption, and realise benefits
• Support development and review of the Digital Campus business case
• Develop, monitor, and maintain project plans and delivery roadmaps
• Identify critical paths and manage and prioritise resources
• Lead all stages of projects under the University’s project management framework
• Ensure delivery is on time, within budget, and aligned with KPIs and success criteria
• Establish robust programme governance and due diligence
• Report programme progress and provide updates to senior management, the Executive, and the Board of Trustees
• Provide informal coaching and mentorship to project team members
• Share best practices and support project management capability development
• Support budget management, direct resource allocation, and maintain supplier relationships
• Build partnerships with stakeholders through collaboration, co-development, and communication
• Identify, assess, and manage project risks and mitigations
• Manage issues and solve problems to overcome delivery barriers
• Contribute to continuous improvement of project management frameworks, programme governance, and transformation capability
• Supervise Digital Campus team delivery without direct line-management responsibility
• Monitor expenditure within the Digital Campus budget
• Collaborate with all University departments and teams

Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree or equivalent professional experience
• Certification in a recognised programme or project management methodology, such as MSP, APM, PRINCE2, or PMP
• Extensive experience leading and managing complex strategic and business improvement projects with organisational scope and significant scale
• Experience delivering transformation and change with extensive digital/technology components and partnering with technical specialists
• Experience developing and translating business cases into project plans, roadmaps, and actions delivering specified outcomes and benefits
• Experience negotiating competing stakeholder demands, including at senior levels
• Experience managing procurement and supplier relationships
• Demonstrable skill organising, prioritising, and managing complex and diverse programmes and project portfolios
• Advanced digital skills and confidence using Microsoft 365 and specialist project management tools
• Ability to manage multiple projects and workstreams and address complex challenges in a fast-paced environment
• Excellent problem-solving and decision-making abilities
• Ability to establish credibility, foster relationships, influence stakeholders, and lead collaboratively across matrix environments
• Knowledge of project risk management and governance processes
• High numeracy and analytical skills
• Situational and business analysis skills
• Alignment with the University’s core values and growth mindset
• Commitment to delivering positive student outcomes
• Preparedness to undertake mandatory online training, including safeguarding, Prevent, and anti-harassment and bullying training
• Right to work, identity, criminal record, and three years’ employment history checks as part of pre-employment screening

Core Competencies

Demonstrates expertise in managing complex digital transformation projects, including developing project plans, managing stakeholder relationships, and ensuring alignment with strategic objectives. Proficient in project governance, risk management, and delivering positive outcomes within budget and time constraints.

Highest-signal resume keywords

• Project Management Certification
• Digital Transformation Leadership
• Stakeholder Relationship Management
• Project Risk Management
• Microsoft 365 Proficiency

Hard Skills

• Project Management
• Business Case Development
• Digital Technology Integration
• Budget Management
• Resource Allocation
• Project Planning
• Risk Assessment
• Analytical Skills
• Problem-Solving
• Decision-Making

Soft Skills

• Collaboration
• Influencing Stakeholders
• Coaching and Mentorship
• Organizational Skills
• Communication

Certifications & Qualifications

• MSP
• APM
• PRINCE2
• PMP

Industry Keywords

• Digital Campus Programme
• Programme Governance
• Transformation Capability
• Stakeholder Engagement
• Continuous Improvement

Tools & Technologies

• Microsoft 365
• Project Management Tools
• Digital Infrastructure