Senior Portfolio Lead

The University of Manchester; Manchester; On-site; GBP 90,000 - 120,000; Full time

Job summary

The University of Manchester is seeking an exceptional Senior Portfolio Lead to ensure Manchester 2035 becomes reality. You will work across the University’s most strategically important initiatives, partnering with Executive Sponsors, Programme and Project Managers and senior leaders to identify delivery challenges early and help programmes succeed.

You’ll influence without formal authority, navigate complexity with practical solutions and help shape a modern, collaborative approach to

Qualifications

• Experience delivering or supporting complex strategic portfolios, programmes or transformation initiatives.
• Ability to turn ambiguity into action and solve difficult organisational problems.
• Strong ability to influence senior leaders through credibility and relationships.
• Excellent judgement, political awareness and capability to provide constructive challenge.
• Passion for improving how organisations deliver change and leaving lasting capability behind.

Responsibilities

• Lead across major strategic programmes and portfolios.
• Identify delivery challenges early and unblock complex issues to help programmes succeed.
• Influence senior stakeholders and shape modern portfolio delivery.
• Build trusted relationships and provide practical solutions to delivery problems.

Skills

Strategic portfolio delivery

Programme management support

Influence senior leaders

Change delivery leadership

Job description

Manchester 2035 is the University’s ambitious long‑term strategy, supported by a significant portfolio of transformational change. We’re looking for an exceptional leader to help ensure that strategy becomes reality.

This is not a traditional PMO or portfolio management role.

As Senior Portfolio Lead, you will work across the University’s most strategically important initiatives, partnering with Executive Sponsors, Programme and Project Managers and senior leaders to identify delivery challenges early, unblock complex issues and help programmes succeed. Rather than acting as an assurance or compliance function, you’ll become a trusted adviser, bringing insight, constructive challenge and practical solutions that improve delivery confidence across the University’s strategic portfolio.

You’ll spend time working alongside delivery teams, understanding challenges first‑hand and helping deliver teams navigate complexity, remove organisational barriers and accelerate progress. You’ll influence without formal authority, build trusted relationships with senior stakeholders and help shape a modern, collaborative approach to portfolio delivery across the University.

About The Role

This is a highly visible leadership position within the Strategic Change Office, operating across major strategic programmes.

We’re looking for someone who:

• Has significant experience delivering or supporting complex strategic portfolios, programmes or transformation initiatives.
• Enjoys solving difficult organisational problems and turning ambiguity into action.
• Can influence senior leaders through credibility, insight and strong relationships.
• Brings excellent judgement, political awareness and the confidence to provide constructive challenge.
• Is passionate about improving how organisations deliver change and leaving lasting capability behind.

If you’re someone who enjoys bringing people together, overcoming complex delivery challenges and making strategy happen, we’d love to hear from you.

Why join us?

This is a rare opportunity to help define how one of the UK’s largest and most ambitious universities delivers strategy.

You’ll play a central role in the successful delivery of Manchester 2035, working at the heart of institutional decision‑making alongside senior leaders from across the University. You’ll have the opportunity to shape new ways of working, influence strategic delivery at scale and make a lasting impact on the University’s future.