Programme Manager (IT)

University of the West of Scotland; Paisley; On-site; GBP 55,000 - 75,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

24 days annual leave + 12 public/univ.

Birthday leave

Defined benefit pension

Flexible working pattern

Employee discount scheme

Fitness facilities

Health and wellbeing resources

Professional and research development

Job summary

Programme Manager at University of the West of Scotland is a permanent role reporting to the Programme Management Office. You will lead delivery of strategic programmes and work with cross-functional teams to turn strategy into successful outcomes.

The successful candidate should have extensive experience in programme management, with recognised qualifications (MSP, PRINCE2, APM PMQ, PMP) and strong governance, risk and benefits management skills.

Qualifications

• Significant experience delivering complex programmes and projects from inception to completion.
• Strong experience working across matrix teams and influencing stakeholders without direct authority.
• Demonstrable experience leading organisational change and transformation initiatives.
• Excellent stakeholder engagement, communication, and facilitation skills.
• Experience establishing governance, risk, dependency, and benefits management arrangements.

Responsibilities

• Lead the delivery of strategic programmes and projects driving organisational transformation.
• Manage a small team providing change management, business analysis and benefits management across a portfolio.

Skills

Programme management

Stakeholder engagement

Change management

Analytical thinking

Education

MSP

PRINCE2 Practitioner

APM PMQ

PMP

Job description

Programme Management Office

Permanent

This role may be eligible for visa sponsorship under the Skilled Worker visa route. If requiring visa sponsorship, the successful applicant will also need to meet a range of individual criteria to satisfy Home Office requirements. If the role is offered on a part-time basis, this might also affect eligibility. Applicants are encouraged to individually assess whether they may be eligible for visa sponsorship prior to applying. More information on eligibility can be found on the Government website .

Please note that the information provided in this advert is correct at the time of writing. The University cannot guarantee sponsorship, and we encourage you to keep up to date with any changes that the Home Office may introduce.

THE POST - REQ000617 - Programme Manager

We are seeking an experienced and highly motivated Programme Manager to lead the delivery of strategic programmes and projects that drive organisational transformation and support the achievement of our institutional objectives.

This is an exciting opportunity for a talented programme professional who thrives in complex environments, enjoys working collaboratively across organisational boundaries, and is passionate about turning strategy into successful outcomes.

The role of Programme Manager includes leadership and management of a small team offering change management, business analysis, and benefits management expertise across a portfolio of programmes and projects.

The successful candidate should have the following:

Essential

• Significant experience delivering complex programmes and projects from inception to completion.
• A recognised programme or project management qualification (e.g. MSP, PRINCE2 Practitioner, APM PMQ, PMP) or equivalent experience.
• Strong experience working across matrix teams and influencing stakeholders without direct authority.
• Demonstrable experience leading organisational change and transformation initiatives.
• Excellent stakeholder engagement, communication, and facilitation skills.
• Experience establishing effective governance, risk, dependency, and benefits management arrangements.
• Strong analytical, planning, and problem-solving abilities.

Desirable

• Change management qualification or experience applying structured change methodologies.
• Experience within higher education, public sector, or similarly complex organisations.
• Experience managing strategic partnerships, suppliers, or collaborative projects.
• Leadership, coaching, or people development experience.

ABOUT US

The University of the West of Scotland is one of Scotland's largest and most dynamic modern universities. Our reach across the country, together with our London campus, means that UWS is a significant force in global knowledge creation, innovation, and a leading provider of undergraduate, postgraduate and research degree education. Our degrees provide students with a transformational experience; equipping them with highly sought-after graduate skills that set them up for global success in world-leading sectors, industries and businesses.

With cutting-edge courses, modern pedagogy and practical knowledge, we enable our students and staff to experience the joy of learning, teaching, research and innovation, and apply their knowledge for the benefit of others.

UWS is officially ranked by Times Higher Education in the top 200 universities worldwide under 50 years old (2024 Young University Rankings)

Our professional services teams are the backbone of UWS, providing robust and innovative solutions to support the vast range of work across learning and teaching, and research and innovation. You will join a supportive and dedicated team, playing a key role in a range of work that will help drive forward our ambition to deliver world-leading research, and graduates who will design, shape and build a new future.

We offer our staff a caring and supportive environment, across five campuses, and a competitive benefits package which includes:

• 24 days of annual leave, plus a further 12 days for public/university holidays
• An additional days leave on your birthday
• Defined benefit contribution pension scheme (including death in service benefits upon joining the scheme
• A flexible approach to working pattern and work-life balance
• Employee discount scheme across 3,500 retailers
• Fitness facilities across our campuses
• Access to a range of health and wellbeing resources, including occupational health, physiotherapy and access to our Employee Assistance Programme
• Professional, career and research development opportunities.

Closing Date: Wednesday 23rd September 2026

Interview Date: Monday 5th October 2026

Please note that the appointment will be made on the first point of the salary scale (unless by exception, where evidence would need to be provided).

The University reserves the right to shorten/extend the closing date of any position where a high/low volume of suitable applications are received. Therefore, if you are interested in this role, an early application would be encouraged.

You can find out more about how the University uses your personal data as part of the recruitment process by looking at the UWS HR Applicant Privacy Notice at www.uws.ac.uk

UWS are committed signatories to the Armed Forces Covenant .

UWS is committed to equality and diversity and welcomes applications from underrepresented groups.

UWS is a "Disability Confident" employer.

University of the West of Scotland is a registered Scottish charity, no. SC002520