Strategic Projects & Transformation Lead

Lancaster University; Lancashire; On-site; GBP 60,000 - 67,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Competitive salary

Generous employer pension scheme

39 days off a year

Job summary

Lancaster University invites applications for Head of Strategic Projects, Bailrigg, Lancaster. The role shapes and delivers transformational programmes across the university as it prepares its new Institutional Strategy for 2027-32.

We seek someone with proven leadership of complex change in large organisations, strong governance, and the ability to drive benefits, KPI reporting, and collaboration with senior stakeholders.

Qualifications

• Recent experience of establishing, leading or managing a project or programme management function.
• Significant experience delivering strategic or transformational change in a large organisation.
• Strong portfolio planning with KPIs, benefits, timescales and budgets.
• Ability to identify, manage and resolve strategic risks.
• Excellent influencing and collaboration across a distributed organisation.
• Capability to establish effective reporting structures for transparent decision-making.

Responsibilities

• Shape and manage a portfolio of strategic projects aligned to University priorities.
• Coach and develop a team of project and programme managers.
• Strengthen governance, assurance, and project management processes.
• Ensure risks are managed and benefits defined and measured.
• Oversee delivery plans, KPIs, budgets, milestones and dependencies.
• Provide reporting to senior leaders and governing bodies.
• Build partnerships with senior academic and professional services stakeholders.

Skills

Portfolio planning

Stakeholder management

Governance & assurance

Risk management

Leadership

Education

Relevant degree or professional qualification

Job description

Lancaster University invites applications for Head of Strategic Projects, Bailrigg, Lancaster. The role shapes and delivers transformational programmes across the university as it prepares its new Institutional Strategy for 2027-32.

We seek someone with proven leadership of complex change in large organisations, strong governance, and the ability to drive benefits, KPI reporting, and collaboration with senior stakeholders.