Senior Project and Programme Manager

The University of Edinburgh; City of Edinburgh; Hybrid; GBP 50,000 - 62,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading educational institution in Edinburgh seeks two experienced Senior Project and Programme Managers to deliver complex projects and enhance business efficiency. The roles offer a hybrid working model with a competitive salary range of £50,253 - £61,759 and a generous annual leave allowance. Successful candidates will demonstrate extensive project management experience and strong stakeholder engagement skills. Applications are welcome until 6th October 2025, with interviews scheduled for the following week.

Benefits

Competitive salary

Generous leave allowance

Defined-benefit pension scheme

Flexible working options

Paid volunteering leave

Staff development opportunities

Staff discounts and well-being initiatives

Qualifications

• Extensive experience working as project manager delivering successful solutions.
• Benefits-focused with a track record of meeting deadlines.
• Flexible and diplomatic in negotiations.

Responsibilities

• Deliver large complex projects within agreed resources and quality.
• Develop effective relationships with ISG and University partners.
• Support and coach project managers for successful outcomes.

Skills

Project delivery

Stakeholder engagement

Negotiating skills

Relationship building

Job description

Overview

Are you interested in joining an established specialist team of dynamic and friendly project and programme delivery professionals supporting IT and business change at the University? We are looking for two enthusiastic and experienced Senior Project and Programme Managers to join Project Services which is part of the Information Services Group (ISG). Our diverse project portfolio supports research, teaching and professional services. Our projects improve business efficiency, enhance student experience, maintain IT compliance and enable digital transformation.

The roles are both open-ended contracts and have a hybrid working pattern, involving working on campus one to two days a week and when necessary for in-person meetings and activities. Working hours are ideally 35 hours per week, but we will consider flexible working requests. The roles report to one of our Team and Portfolio Managers.

What we can offer you:

• A competitive salary of £50,253 - £61,759 (UE08)
• An opportunity to work with an unusually wide range of business areas and types of IT and business change
• An opportunity to make a difference at one of the world’s top universities
• Generous annual leave allowance of 40 days per year (inclusive of festive closure days)
• Highly competitive defined-benefit pension scheme with a substantial employer contribution
• A range of flexible working options to help prioritise work/life balance
• A day of paid leave annually for your chosen volunteering activity
• Access to excellent online learning, staff development opportunities and a Staff Scholarship fund
• Varied staff discounts, family-friendly initiatives, support for staff wellbeing and more

We encourage you to consider the total value of pay and benefits for these roles.

What the job involves

• Delivering large complex projects and programmes within agreed resources, time and quality, and in line with agreed outcomes/benefits
• Developing effective, trusted relationships with partners within ISG and across the University
• Supporting and coaching project managers and other staff engaged on projects to deliver successful outcomes
• Exemplifying best practice in project and programme delivery, including planning, stakeholder engagement, risk and issue management, and creating and maintaining documentation
• Developing business cases and project proposals to obtain funding

A bit about you:

A bit about you

Your skills and attributes for success include:

• Extensive experience working as project manager delivering successful solutions in challenging business environments
• Naturally benefits focused with a good sense of relative priorities evidenced by track record of meeting deadlines
• Flexible and diplomatic with proven negotiating and influencing skills
• Ability to listen, learn and adapt in new environments
• Team player who builds effective relationships and establishes trust with colleagues at all levels

Application procedure

We welcome informal enquiries about the roles – to find out more, please email Rhian Davies (Head of PMO and Interim Head of Project Services) at [e-mail]

The University is committed to equality, diversity and inclusion. If you have the right skills for the job, we want to hear from you. We encourage applications from the right candidates regardless of age, gender identity, disability, sexual orientation, religion, belief or race.

Prior to any employment commencing candidates will be required to evidence Right to Work in the UK – we will not be considering sponsorship of international workers in this role so we will not invite anyone to interview unless they have Right to Work already in place.

To apply, upload a CV and cover letter before 6th October 2025.

Interviews are expected to be held in-person during week commencing 20 October 2025.