Senior Programme Manager

CamWebDir; United Kingdom; Hybrid; GBP 70,000 - 90,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

41 days annual leave incl Bank Holiday

Defined benefits pension schemes

Flexible working options

Career development opportunities

Support for health and mental well‑be

Discounts on shopping

Job summary

The University of Cambridge is seeking an experienced Senior Programme Manager to lead the delivery of a major finance transformation project. You will provide strategic oversight and end-to-end delivery leadership across complex, interdependent workstreams, partnering with Executive Sponsors, business teams, technical specialists and external delivery partners.

Hybrid working is supported; the role includes governance, risk and dependency management, and ensuring delivery aligns with strategic

Qualifications

• Experience delivering complex, large-scale transformation initiatives.
• Strong track record in strategic programme delivery.
• Excellent inter-personal, analytical and communication skills.
• Identify and pro-actively manage risks, issues and problems.
• Experience in large, complex organisations, higher education advantageous.

Responsibilities

• Lead planning and delivery of key programme initiatives across the portfolio.
• Provide strategic oversight and end-to-end delivery leadership.
• Oversee programme plans, resources, budgets, risks, issues and dependencies.
• Ensure progress is understood and decisions are taken at the right level.
• Provide leadership and governance to realise programme objectives and sustainable change.

Skills

Programme management

Stakeholder management

Communication skills

Strategic planning

Delivery leadership

Education

Project management qualification

Professional qualification

Tools

MS Projects

Oracle Financials

Oracle Fusion

Job description

We reserve the right to close this vacancy early if we receive sufficient applications for the role. Therefore, if you are interested, please submit your application as early as possible.The implementation of the new finance system is a once in a lifetime opportunity to make a difference to the way in which University departments process and manage their financial transactions.We are looking for an experienced Senior Programme Manager to play a pivotal leadership role in delivering this transformation. You will provide strategic oversight and end-to-end delivery leadership across major, complex and interdependent areas of the programme, ensuring that plans are achievable, risks and dependencies are actively managed, and delivery remains aligned with the University's strategic objectives.The RoleWorking closely with Executive Sponsors, senior University leaders, business teams, technical specialists and external delivery partners, you will lead the planning and delivery of key programme initiatives, bringing together business, technology and change activities to achieve successful outcomes.You will operate across a complex stakeholder environment, providing the leadership, structure and governance needed to maintain momentum, resolve challenges and manage competing priorities. This will include overseeing programme plans, resources, budgets, risks, issues and dependencies, ensuring that progress is clearly understood and that decisions are taken at the right level and at the right time. Through strong leadership and governance, the role will help ensure the successful realisation of programme objectives and the delivery of sustainable transformational change.Your SkillsYou will be an experienced programme or senior project management professional with a strong track record of delivering complex, large-scale transformation initiatives in a challenging stakeholder environment. You will combine strategic thinking with a pragmatic, delivery-focused approach, knowing how to translate ambitious objectives into realistic plans and tangible results.You will hold a professional qualification alongside a project management qualification and have excellent inter-personal, analytical and communication skills.Alongside these you will possess:• Excellent planning for short, medium and long term using MS Projects• A good understanding of enterprise systems and business transformation, ideally with experience of Oracle Financials or Oracle Fusion implementations.• Identify and pro-actively manage important risks, issues and problems effectively.Experience of working within a large, complex organisation, particularly in higher education or a similarly diverse institutional environment, would be advantageous.BenefitsThe University offers an excellent benefit package including:• 41 days annual leave, inclusive of Bank Holidays• Defined benefits pension schemes• Flexible working options• Career development opportunities• Support for health and mental wellbeing• Discounts on shoppingLocationThe University is supportive of hybrid working, where some work is undertaken on University premises and some in a remote working environment. The aim of our approach is to enable as many staff as possible to work in a hybrid way if they wish and where their role allows. This arrangement is subject to change and will not form a part of the contractual terms of the role.Funding for this post is available for 12 months.Click the 'Apply' button below to register an account with our recruitment system (if you have not already) and apply online.Once an offer of employment has been accepted, the successful candidate will be required to undergo a basic disclosure (criminal records check) check, a health assessment and a security check.If you would like more information about this role, informal enquiries can be directed by email to Michelle Bond on [e-mail] you have any questions the application process, please contact a Recruitment Administrator at Finhr\\[e-mail] closing date for applications is 5 November 2026. The interview date for the role is 17 November 2026.Please quote reference AG51463 on your application and in any correspondence about this vacancy.The University actively supports equality, diversity and inclusion and encourages applications from all sections of society.The University has a responsibility to ensure that all employees are eligible to live and work in the UK.