Programme Manager

The University of Sheffield; Sheffield; On-site; GBP 49,000 - 58,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Hybrid working

Generous pension scheme

Flexible working arrangements

Job summary

The University of Sheffield IT Services are seeking a Programme Manager to lead the Operating Model Programme, working with the Head of Portfolio, workstream leads and senior stakeholders to keep delivery on track within an agile, outcomes-focused environment.

You will map dependencies, manage risks and report progress against plan, coordinating with departments across the University and supporting governance and communications.

Qualifications

• Significant experience managing complex programmes in a large organisation.
• Demonstrable knowledge of programme management methods and practices.
• Proven ability to identify, track and manage dependencies and risks across workstreams.
• Ability to organise resources in uncertain environments.
• Ability to report progress to senior audiences using governance frameworks.
• Highly organised, able to prioritise and meet tight deadlines across multiple workstreams.
• Experience in agile/product-led delivery.
• Desirable: recognised PM qualification (e.g. MSP, APM PMQ, PRINCE2).

Responsibilities

• Coordinate day-to-day delivery of the Operating Model Programme.
• Map dependencies and manage risks across workstreams.
• Support governance boards with reporting, decision-making and assurance processes.
• Monitor progress and ensure milestones and actions are tracked.
• Prepare programme communications and stakeholder updates.
• Support engagement activity with teams across IT Services and the wider University.
• Assist in monitoring programme budget and resource allocation.

Skills

Programme management

Stakeholder engagement

Risk management

Agile delivery

Governance

Communication

Tools

MS Project

RAID log

Job description

The University of Sheffield is a remarkable place to work. Our people are at the heart of everything we do. Their diverse backgrounds, abilities and beliefs make Sheffield a world-class university.

We offer a fantastic range of benefits including a highly competitive annual leave entitlement (with the ability to purchase more), a generous pensions scheme, flexible working opportunities, a commitment to your development and wellbeing, a wide range of retail discounts, and much more. Find out more about our benefits (opens in a new window) and join us to become part of something special.

Overview

IT Services is delivering an ambitious Operating Model Programme, a significant, multi-year redesign that will change how the department organises, resources and works in order to better support the University's strategic priorities. The programme spans structures, ways of working, processes and culture. This role is central to the day-to-day success of the programme, working closely with the Head of Portfolio, workstream leads and senior stakeholders across the University to keep delivery on track. Working to a pre-defined programme scope and governance framework, the postholder will proactively map dependencies across workstreams, manage risks and issues and track progress against plan. The programme itself is delivering ITS's shift to a product-led operating model, and the postholder will need to work comfortably within that agile, outcomes-focused environment. This is a permanent role: the initial priority is delivery of the Operating Model Programme, and over time the postholder will take on programme delivery management of other key priorities across the ITS portfolio.

Main Duties And Responsibilities

The Operating Model Programme has already been designed, with its scope, plan and governance framework established. Initially, the Programme Manager is responsible for the coordinated, day-to-day delivery of the programme, working proactively to keep it on track; as priorities evolve, the postholder will take on delivery management of other significant programmes and projects within the ITS portfolio.

• Proactively map, track and manage dependencies across all Operating Model Programme workstreams, identifying and resolving conflicts before they impact delivery
• Play an active role within the programme's established governance framework, supporting board reporting, decision-making and assurance processes
• Monitor and report progress against the programme plan, ensuring milestones, actions and deliverables are tracked and any slippage is identified early
• Identify, assess and manage risks and issues across the programme, escalating appropriately and driving mitigating actions through to resolution
• Work closely with workstream leads to ensure plans are realistic, resourced and aligned to the overall programme roadmap
• Maintain the programme's core artefacts (plan, RAID log, dependency map, benefits tracker) ensuring information is accurate, current and accessible
• Prepare clear, concise reporting on programme status, progress, risks and issues for a range of audiences, including senior stakeholders and governance boards, using agreed portfolio reporting standards and formats
• Plan and coordinate programme communications, including regular updates, briefings and messaging to keep stakeholders and affected teams informed
• Support engagement activity with teams across the IT Services & the wider University, helping them understand and adopt the changes the programme introduces
• Support the Senior Responsible Owner and Head of Portfolio in monitoring programme budget and resource allocation against plan
• Build strong working relationships with stakeholders across departments to support effective delivery
• Identify opportunities for process improvement, sharing lessons learned across the programme and wider portfolio
• Escalate promptly wherever gaps in the programme are identified, risks materialise, or additional management intervention is needed
• As ITS priorities evolve, take on delivery management of other significant programmes and projects within the portfolio, applying the same dependency, risk and governance disciplines
• Carry out other duties, commensurate with the grade and remit of the post

Person Specification

Our diverse community of staff and students recognises the unique abilities, backgrounds, and beliefs of all. We foster a culture where everyone feels they belong and is respected. Even if your past experience doesn't match perfectly with this role's criteria, your contribution is valuable, and we encourage you to apply. Please ensure that you reference the application criteria in the application statement when you apply.

Criteria

Essential Or Desirable

Stage(s) assessed at

Significant experience of managing complex programmes or projects within a large, matrixed organisation, ideally including organisational or operating model change.

Essential

Application

Demonstrable knowledge of programme and project management methods, processes and practices, and their application in complex organisations

Essential

Application

Proven ability to proactively identify, track and manage dependencies and risks across multiple interconnected workstreams.

Essential

Application

Ability to assess, negotiate for and organise resources and people in environments with significant levels of uncertainty and ambiguity.

Essential

Interview

Ability to report on programme activities, progress, risks and issues in written and oral formats to a range of audiences, including senior stakeholders

Essential

Interview

Highly organised, with the ability to prioritise, manage conflicting demands and work to tight deadlines across multiple workstreams.

Essential

Interview

Ability to operate effectively within an established programme governance framework, supporting reporting and decision-making processes.

Essential

Interview

Ability to liaise with staff at different levels and from different backgrounds, for example academic and professional services.

Essential

Interview

Experience of planning and delivering programme or project communications, and supporting engagement activity to help teams understand and adopt change

Essential

Interview

Ability to motivate and influence peers and external parties to carry out required activities.

Essential

Interview

Experience of working within agile, product-led or outcomes-based delivery environments.

Desirable

Interview

Hold, or be working towards, a recognised programme or project management qualification (e.g. MSP, APM PMQ, PRINCE2).

Desirable

Interview

Further Information

Grade

8

Salary

£48,822 to £58,225 per annum with the potential to progress to £65,509 through exceptional circumstances

Work arrangement

Full-time

Line manager

Head of Portfolio (IT Services)

Direct reports

N/A

Right to work in the UK

If you do not currently hold the right to work in the UK, you can find more information here to help determine your visa eligibility. Additional guidance is also available on the UK Visa & Immigration website.

Our website

https://www.sheffield.ac.uk/it-services/about (opens in new window)

For informal enquiries about this job contact Amy Garrett-Payne, Head of Portfolio: at [e-mail]

Next steps in the recruitment process

The selection process will take place following the closing date. This will consist of an interview and a presentation.

We will let candidates know if they have progressed to the selection stage following. If you need any support, equipment or adjustments to enable you to participate in any element of the recruitment process you can contact [e-mail]

Our vision and strategic plan

We are the University of Sheffield. This is our vision: sheffield.ac.uk/vision (opens in a new window).

What We Offer

• A minimum of 41 days annual leave including bank holiday and closure days (pro rata) with the ability to purchase more.
• Flexible working opportunities, including hybrid working for some roles.
• Generous pension scheme.
• A wide range of discounts and rewards on shopping, eating out and travel.
• A variety of staff networks, providing opportunities for social interaction, peer support and personal development (for example, Race Equality, LGBT+, Women's and Parent's networks).
• Recognition Awards to reward staff who go above and beyond in their role.
• A commitment to your development access to learning and mentoring schemes;
• A range of generous family-friendly policies
  • paid time off for parenting and caring emergencies
  • access to menopause support in the workplace
  • paid time off and support for fertility treatment
  • and more

More details can be found on our benefits page: sheffield.ac.uk/jobs/benefits (opens in a new window).

We are a Disability Confident Leader (opens in a new window). If you have a disability and meet the essential criteria for this job you will be invited to take part in the next stage of the selection process.

Closing Date : 11/10/2026

We are a research university with a global reputation for excellence. Our ideas and expertise change the world for the better, making a real difference to society. We know that when people come together with different views, approaches and insights it can lead to richer, more creative and innovative teaching and research and the highest levels of student experience. Our University Vision (www.sheffield.ac.uk/vision) outlines our commitment to building a diverse community of staff and students that recognises and values the abilities, backgrounds, beliefs and ways of living for everyone.