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- Tasks: Lead a transformative digital programme to enhance customer experience and operational efficiency.
- Company: Join a forward-thinking institution focused on modernising higher education through digital initiatives.
- Benefits: Enjoy flexible working options, professional development opportunities, and a collaborative work culture.
- Why this job: Be part of impactful change in higher education while working with diverse teams and stakeholders.
- Qualifications: Experience in programme management within higher education and strong stakeholder engagement skills required.
- Other info: Ideal for those passionate about driving digital transformation in a complex environment.
The predicted salary is between 43200 - 72000 £ per year.
We are seeking an experienced and strategically minded Programme Manager to lead a portfolio of high-impact digital initiatives aligned with the institutes strategic goals. You will play a key role in the delivery of a multi-year digital transformation programme aimed at enhancing the customer experience, improving operational efficiency, and modernising the core IT systems.
This is an exciting opportunity for a delivery-focused professional with excellent stakeholder management skills, proven leadership in complex environments, and a strong understanding of the higher education landscape in the UK.
Key Responsibilities- Lead the planning, coordination, and delivery of a multi-workstream transformation programme across academic, administrative, and technical domains.
- Ensure programme alignment with institutional strategies and business goals, including digital enablement, teaching and learning innovation, and regulatory compliance.
- Manage a matrixed delivery team comprising project managers, business analysts, technical leads, and third-party vendors.
- Own the programme roadmap, risk register, and governance framework, reporting to the Strategic Programme Board.
- Act as a trusted advisor to senior leadership (CIO, PVCs, Deans) and represent the programme at executive steering meetings.
- Implement and champion best practices in programme and project delivery, using a hybrid approach (Agile / PRINCE2).
- Develop strong relationships across faculties, professional services, and external partners to support successful change adoption.
- Monitor and report on benefits realisation and post-implementation reviews.
- Proven experience as a Programme Manager leading complex, cross-organisational change in a large institution, ideally within higher education.
- Deep understanding of university governance, academic processes, and sector-specific challenges.
- Strong track record in delivering IT and digital projects (e.g., Student Records Systems, CRM, VLE upgrades, cloud migrations).
- Excellent stakeholder engagement skills, particularly at senior/executive level.
- Solid financial and resource management experience.
- Relevant qualifications: MSP, PRINCE2, Agile (Scrum, SAFe), or equivalent.
- Exceptional communication and interpersonal skills.
- Experience with HE sector regulations (e.g., OfS, HESA, GDPR, TEF).
- Familiarity with systems such as SITS, Moodle, Salesforce, or Microsoft Dynamics.
- Experience working in a hybrid or federated university model.
Programme Manager employer: Burman Recruitment
Contact Detail:
Burman Recruitment Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Programme Manager
✨Tip Number 1
Familiarise yourself with the higher education landscape in the UK. Understanding the specific challenges and regulations faced by universities will help you demonstrate your expertise during interviews and discussions with stakeholders.
✨Tip Number 2
Network with professionals in the higher education sector, especially those who have experience in programme management. Attend relevant conferences or webinars to connect with potential colleagues and learn about current trends and best practices.
✨Tip Number 3
Showcase your leadership skills by discussing past experiences where you've successfully led cross-organisational change. Be prepared to provide examples of how you managed teams and engaged stakeholders at various levels.
✨Tip Number 4
Highlight your familiarity with project management methodologies like Agile and PRINCE2. Being able to articulate how you've applied these frameworks in previous roles will set you apart as a strong candidate for the Programme Manager position.
We think you need these skills to ace Programme Manager
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your CV: Make sure your CV highlights your experience as a Programme Manager, especially in leading complex, cross-organisational change. Emphasise your understanding of the higher education landscape and any relevant qualifications like MSP or PRINCE2.
Craft a Compelling Cover Letter: In your cover letter, clearly articulate how your skills align with the job description. Mention specific examples of past projects where you successfully managed stakeholders and delivered IT or digital initiatives.
Highlight Relevant Experience: When detailing your work history, focus on your achievements in programme management, particularly in the context of higher education. Use metrics to demonstrate the impact of your work, such as improvements in operational efficiency or customer experience.
Showcase Communication Skills: Since excellent communication is crucial for this role, ensure your application reflects your interpersonal skills. Use clear and concise language, and consider including examples of how you've effectively engaged with senior leadership or external partners.
How to prepare for a job interview at Burman Recruitment
✨Showcase Your Strategic Mindset
As a Programme Manager, it's crucial to demonstrate your ability to think strategically. Prepare examples of how you've aligned projects with organisational goals in the past, particularly in the context of digital transformation.
✨Highlight Stakeholder Management Skills
Given the importance of stakeholder engagement in this role, be ready to discuss your experience in managing relationships with senior leadership and other key stakeholders. Use specific examples to illustrate how you've successfully navigated complex environments.
✨Demonstrate Knowledge of Higher Education Landscape
Familiarise yourself with the current challenges and trends in the higher education sector, especially in the UK. Being able to speak knowledgeably about university governance and academic processes will set you apart from other candidates.
✨Prepare for Questions on Project Delivery Methodologies
Since the role involves implementing best practices in programme delivery, be prepared to discuss your experience with methodologies like Agile and PRINCE2. Have examples ready that showcase your adaptability in using these frameworks effectively.
