Student Experience Project Lead

University of Surrey; Guildford; Hybrid; GBP 60,000 - 80,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Pension up to 30%

32 days holiday + Bank Holidays

Salary sacrifice benefits

Work from home opportunities

On-site campus facilities

Job summary

University of Surrey is seeking a proactive Project Lead to drive multi-project delivery within the Chief Student Office. You will lead cross-directorate initiatives, oversee performance metrics, and champion continuous improvement to enhance the student experience at a leading UK university.

The role requires strong stakeholder engagement, strategic thinking, and the ability to manage complex, multi-faceted programs in a hybrid on-campus environment.

Qualifications

• Experience delivering complex projects that improve student services or operations.
• Ability to lead cross-functional teams and manage multiple priorities.
• Strong communication and influencing skills with stakeholders at all levels.

Responsibilities

• Lead cross-Directorate and University-wide projects to enhance the student experience.
• Oversee operational planning, performance management and process improvement.
• Coordinate delivery across functions within the Directorate and with the wider management team.
• Horizon-scan to anticipate demand and ensure flexible, future-proofed operations.

Skills

Stakeholder management

Project governance

Change management

Communication

Tools

MS Project

Jira

Job description

Help us transform the student experience through continuous improvement, innovation and collaborative development

At the University of Surrey, we're committed to creating an exceptional experience for every student. As we continue to invest in improving our services, systems and ways of working, we're looking for a curious and ambitious Project Lead to join our Chief Student Office.

This is fantastic opportunity at the University of Surrey, developing our services with our ambition to provide an outstanding student experience aligned to our strategy.

Nestled amongst the rolling hills of the Surrey countryside, we offer market leading benefits and a role in which you can make a real impact on people's lives!

We value, empower and support every member of staff to get the best out of your unique talents, so you'll be rewarded with a generous salary, 32 days holiday PLUS Bank Holidays, industry leading pension up to 30%, salary sacrifice benefits, work from home opportunities and a unique and vibrant working environment on-campus.

The Role:

You'll be responsible for the effective delivery of a range of key business projects and priorities and for ensuring the performance within the Directorate is effectively monitored, developing a culture of continuous improvement. As a member of the Chief Student Officer's Management team, you will:

1. 1. Lead cross Directorate and University wide projects, which are designed to enhance the student experience
2. 2. Lead operational and cross functional activities including operational planning, performance management and enhancement
3. 3. You will have oversight of business delivery across all functions of the Directorate and you will be expected to work with the wider management team to deliver flexible and robust projects and process improvements
4. 4. With key responsibility for continuous improvement, the role will lead on improving the departments key operations, ensuring it remains flexible, future-proofed and anticipates demand. The role is expected to horizon-scan and understand demands from within and outside the Directorate.

You will need to enjoy working on multiple projects concurrently and be comfortable with complexity and uncertainty. You'll have excellent communication and influencing skills and must be able to establish credibility with staff and key stakeholders across the organisation. You must be passionate about the student experience and always put students at the heart of your decision making.

What's in it for you?

You'll join a supportive and forward-thinking team that is passionate about improving outcomes for students. In return, we offer excellent opportunities for professional development, flexible working arrangements and the chance to contribute to an ambitious programme of digital and service transformation at one of the UK's leading universities

Our campus is a beautiful, leafy environment with carefully designed gardens, vibrant green playing fields, and a picturesque lake. With the buzz of student life and superb working facilities, the University of Surrey is a global community of ideas and people, dedicated to life-changing education and research.

Alongside our gorgeous campus setting, collegiate on-site atmosphere and plentiful development opportunities, we also offer:

• Market leading Pension up to 30%
• Up to 40 DAYS Holiday: 25 Days annual leave + 7 University Days + Bank Holidays
• Salary Sacrifice benefits including subsidised rail fare, cycle to work scheme and on-site discounted childcare
• Access to world-class leisure facilities at discounted rates
• On-site parking, cafes, restaurants and coffee shops
• Hybrid working - minimum 2 days per week on-campus

The University is committed to providing an inclusive environment that offers equal opportunities for all. We place great value on diversity and are seeking to increase the diversity within our community. Therefore, we particularly encourage applications from under-represented groups, such as people from Black, Asian and minority ethnic groups and people with disabilities.