Project Manager in Oxford

Pembroke College, Oxford, is seeking a highly organised, analytical, and proactive Project Manager to support the successful delivery of its capital projects portfolio. This is an exciting opportunity to play a central role in shaping the College’s built environment, working across a range of major and minor projects within a historic yet forward-looking institution. Founded in 1624, Pembroke is an inclusive and dynamic College located in the heart of Oxford. It combines a rich architectural heritage with award-winning modern developments and is committed to excellence across all aspects of College life. The College offers a supportive, collaborative working environment where professional services staff play a vital role in delivering its strategic ambitions.

The Project Manager will be a key member of the College’s Estates Team, working closely with senior stakeholders, consultants, and contractors. The role will focus on coordinating projects, managing financial and governance processes, and ensuring that projects are delivered efficiently, compliantly, and to the highest standards. This role will suit someone who enjoys working at the intersection of strategy, operations, and delivery, and who thrives in a varied and fast-paced environment.

Key Responsibilities

• Major Capital Projects
  • Act as the primary liaison between professional project teams (including contractors and consultants) and the College;
  • Coordinate project activities, ensuring effective communication and accurate documentation throughout project lifecycles;
  • Support governance processes, including project gateway reviews at key stages to ensure compliance with financial, contractual, and regulatory requirements;
  • Manage and monitor project finances, maintaining trackers and reconciling data across cost reports and internal systems;
  • Produce high-quality analytical reports on project performance, including financial, programme, and risk analysis;
  • Prepare updates and reports for internal committees and external stakeholders, including funders;
  • Draft and coordinate papers for key governance groups, including Buildings Committee and Project Steering Groups, and ensure follow-up on agreed actions;
  • Identify risks and issues, escalating where appropriate to support informed decision-making.
• Small Capital Projects
  • Support the Estates team with project coordination and financial administration;
  • Assist in developing procurement processes and managing supplier relationships;
  • Contribute to the implementation of systems to improve financial tracking and operational efficiency;
  • Analyse maintenance and helpdesk data to identify trends and support service improvements.
• Finance and Committee Support
  • Assist with financial planning, budgeting, and reporting in collaboration with the Bursar and Accounts team;
  • Prepare and collate documentation for Finance-related committees, including minute-taking and tracking outcomes;
  • Provide analytical support for project proposals and business planning activities.
• Additional Duties
  • Support sustainability initiatives relating to the College’s estate and infrastructure;
  • Provide occasional cover for Estates-related operational activities where required;
  • Undertake additional responsibilities as appropriate to the role.

Benefits include:

• Membership of the University staff pension scheme;
• Free lunch when College kitchens are open;
• Generous annual leave entitlement;
• Opportunities for professional development and training;
• A supportive and collegial working environment.

About You

You will be a confident and detail-oriented project professional with strong organisational and analytical skills. You will be comfortable managing multiple priorities, working with a wide range of stakeholders, and contributing to both strategic and operational discussions.

Essential criteria

• Degree-level education or equivalent experience;
• Proven experience in project coordination or project management;
• Strong numeracy skills and experience managing budgets or financial data;
• Excellent organisational skills with the ability to manage multiple workstreams simultaneously;
• Strong written and verbal communication skills, including report writing and minute-taking;
• High level of accuracy and attention to detail;
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office applications, particularly Excel;
• Strong interpersonal skills and the ability to build effective working relationships;
• Ability to work independently, using initiative and sound judgement.

Desirable criteria

• Membership of (or progress towards) a relevant professional body (e.g. RICS, CIOB, ICE or similar);
• Experience working in a higher education or similar complex organisational environment.

Working Hours

This is a full-time role of 37½ hours per week, normally worked in person in college, Monday to Friday. Some flexibility may be required depending on project and committee schedules, with time off in lieu provided where applicable. Occasional remote working may be considered after the six-month probationary, as agreed with the line manager.

Please note: Applicants are asked to submit a covering letter with their CV, and details of two referees that will be contacted if they are successfully appointed.

Deadline: 9am, 26 May 2026