Senior Project Manager

Burman Recruitment; England; Hybrid; GBP 80,000 - 100,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading UK university is seeking an experienced Senior Project Manager for a fixed-term contract until July 2026. This role involves driving major transformational projects, supporting the academic restructure, and developing project management frameworks. The ideal candidate has significant experience in higher education project management, strong stakeholder engagement skills, and a capacity to thrive in a dynamic environment. This role offers a hybrid work model and competitive benefits including generous annual leave and a pension scheme.

Benefits

6 weeks annual leave

Local Government Pension Scheme

Free on-site gym membership

Qualifications

• Significant experience managing complex projects or programmes within higher education.
• Knowledge of programme, project and change management practices.
• Strong stakeholder engagement and influencing skills.

Responsibilities

• Drive the delivery of major transformational projects across the university.
• Support and coordinate the academic restructure consultation and implementation.
• Develop and maintain a consolidated programme plan.

Skills

Stakeholder engagement

Change management

Problem-solving

Organisational skills

Job description

We’re supporting a leading university through a major transformation programme and are seeking an experienced Senior Project Manager to join them on a fixed-term contract until July 2026 (with potential to become permanent).

This is an exciting opportunity to help shape how the university manages and delivers change, supporting a major academic restructure, developing new governance and reporting frameworks, and helping to embed project management good practice institution-wide.

The Role

This is a newly created role designed to provide dedicated support to the university's change and transformation agenda.

You’ll be working closely with senior leaders on two key priorities:

• Supporting the Academic Restructure: hands‑on delivery and coordination of consultation activity, engagement, and implementation planning between now and early 2026.
• Establishing Programme and PMO Frameworks: developing tools, governance models, and reporting mechanisms to bring structure, visibility, and consistency to change activity across the institution.

This is both a strategic and practical role, ideal for someone who’s comfortable rolling their sleeves up to manage activity, while also introducing light‑touch structure and governance in a developing environment.

Key Responsibilities

• Drive the delivery of major transformational projects across the university, working with initiative owners and stakeholders to implement change at pace.
• Support and coordinate the academic restructure consultation and implementation.
• Develop and maintain a consolidated programme plan, identifying interdependencies, milestones, and risks.
• Create and manage a reporting framework for strategic initiatives and the wider change programme.
• Develop a risk register and proactively identify and manage risks and issues.
• Build relationships across academic and professional services areas, providing guidance and support as a "critical friend."
• Contribute to developing a centralised PMO function and promote consistent project management practices.
• Identify opportunities for improvement and propose actions to enhance delivery.

About You

We’re looking for a hands‑on, adaptable project manager with experience in higher education who understands academic structures and governance. You’ll thrive in environments where change is ongoing and processes are still maturing.

Essential Experience

• Significant experience managing complex projects or programmes within higher education.
• Knowledge of programme, project, and change management practices (Agile, Waterfall, or hybrid).
• Experience managing restructuring or transformation initiatives with organisational impact.
• Strong stakeholder engagement and influencing skills.
• Excellent communication, organisation, and problem‑solving skills.
• Ability to balance competing priorities in a fast‑paced, changing environment.

Desirable

• Experience helping to establish or improve PMO structures.
• APM or Change Management qualification.

Contract Details

• Start date: ASAP (early availability will be prioritised).
• Contract: Fixed‑term to July 2026 (approx. 9 months), with scope to extend or become permanent.
• Hybrid model, 1-2 days a week onsite.
• Benefits:
  • 6 weeks annual leave + additional closure days at Christmas and Easter
  • Local Government Pension Scheme
  • Free on‑site gym membership

Culture & Fit

This is a supportive and collaborative environment, but one that’s still developing its change maturity. You’ll work closely with senior leaders in a small, fast‑moving team, so flexibility, pragmatism, and a positive attitude are key.

If you’re looking for a role where you can make a visible impact, bring good practice to life, and help build the foundations of a future PMO, this is a fantastic opportunity.