At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead the delivery of a transformative digital programme for volunteer-led organisations.
- Company: Join the Third Age Trust, supporting over 400,000 members across the UK.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, hybrid working, and the chance to make a real difference.
- Other info: Opportunity for career growth in a collaborative environment focused on social impact.
- Why this job: Be at the forefront of digital change, empowering volunteers and enhancing community engagement.
- Qualifications: Experience in delivering CRM or membership systems in a nonprofit setting is essential.
The predicted salary is between 60000 - 65000 £ per year.
Digital Transformation Programme Manager (Digital Services for u3as - DSU)
Third Age Trust
Department: Operations
Reports to: Head of Operations
Key relationships: Leadership, Finance, DSU Project Board, transformation partner, suppliers and u3a volunteers
Location: London, Blackfriars/hybrid, with occasional UK travel
Salary: £60,000-£65,000
Contract: Full-time, fixed term (expected project duration 18-24 months)
About the Third Age Trust and DSU Programme
The Third Age Trust supports more than 1,000 independent, volunteer-led u3as across the UK, with over 400,000 members. It provides national leadership, shared services and digital tools for membership, finances, groups and websites. The Digital Services for u3as (DSU) Programme will replace fragmented legacy systems with a modern digital estate.
Job Purpose
Lead delivery of the DSU programme across all three tiers, from planning, procurement and implementation through pilot, phased rollout and handover. The postholder must have proven experience procuring, developing and implementing CRM, membership, volunteer management or customer data systems, including integrations, in a charity, membership, association or nonprofit setting. This is a delivery and change leadership role, rather than a technical specialist post. You'll manage budgets and suppliers, challenge technical proposals with support from the Digital Transformation Partner, and co-design with volunteers. As adoption by independent u3as is voluntary, clear communication and support for varying digital confidence are essential.
Key Responsibilities
- Programme Planning and Delivery: Develop an integrated plan with phases, milestones and success criteria. Manage workstreams, dependencies, resources, risks and changes to scope, costs and timescales alongside business-as-usual activity.
- Budget and Procurement: Partner with Finance to manage budgets, forecasts, reporting, future funding requests and whole-life affordability, including ongoing licensing, maintenance and support. Lead procurement under Trust governance requirements, assessing suppliers, value for money and contracts. Manage implementation partners and the Digital Transformation Partner, tracking performance and agreeing requirements with staff and volunteers.
- Data, Integration and Testing: Oversee cleansing, migration and secure integration of data across platforms, retaining legacy systems until replacements are proven. Embed UK GDPR and data protection in system design. Coordinate user acceptance and integration testing, sign-off and go/no-go decisions.
- Rollout and Change: Run a pilot with varied u3as, then phased rollout and legacy-system decommissioning. Deliver communication, training and change plans for staff, volunteers and u3as; establish volunteer champions for testing and peer support.
- Governance and Handover: Report to the Programme Board, Senior Leadership Team and Trustees; maintain risk, issue and decision logs and elevate concerns. Track benefits and deliver sustainable support, handover and post-implementation review.
Key Deliverables
- Approved plan and budget, including sustainable service/support costs.
- Governance, risk and progress reports; procurement documentation.
- Data migration and testing plans, and go-live assessments.
- Change and training plan; pilot, rollout, benefits and handover plans.
Person Specification
Essential Experience:
- End-to-end delivery of CRM, membership or similar customer data systems, from procurement and requirements to go-live and adoption.
- Multi-workstream digital transformation and integration of different suppliers' platforms.
- Software procurement, supplier and implementation partner management.
- Programme/project delivery covering budgets, timelines, risks, dependencies and senior/board reporting.
- Pilots and phased rollouts to independent users or sites.
- Stakeholder engagement, training, communications and business change.
- Oversight of data migration and user acceptance testing.
Essential Knowledge and Skills:
- Project management methods and tools; sound understanding of SaaS, APIs, data migration and integration architecture to challenge suppliers.
- UK GDPR and data protection in systems implementation.
- Accessible, user-centred design and support for people with low digital confidence.
- Excellent planning, prioritisation, stakeholder engagement and influencing skills, including leading without direct authority.
- Clear written and verbal communication, explaining technical matters simply; strong analysis, problem-solving and attention to detail.
- Project/programme management qualification, such as PRINCE2, MSP, APM PMQ or AgilePM; change management or business analysis qualification.
Personal Attributes:
- Collaborative and approachable, committed to working with volunteers.
Digital Transformation Programme Manager in London employer: The Third Age Trust - u3a
The Third Age Trust - u3a offers a supportive work environment that values professional development and flexibility, with opportunities for hybrid working arrangements. Employees can expect a collaborative culture focused on community engagement and lifelong learning. The organization is committed to providing meaningful roles that contribute to the u3a movement, enhancing the lives of older adults across the UK.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Digital Transformation Programme Manager in London
✨Tip Number 1: Get Involved in Consulting Case Competitions
Look for case competitions hosted by universities and consulting firms. They’re a fab way to showcase your problem-solving skills and meet industry players. Plus, winning one can seriously boost your CV, which we know is key when applying for roles like Digital Transformation Programme Manager at The Third Age Trust - u3a!
✨Tip Number 2: Leverage Alumni Networks
Tap into your university’s alumni network; many consultants love to help out new talent. Reach out to alumni who are working in management consulting, they might have insider knowledge about openings at firms like The Third Age Trust - u3a or be willing to refer you for that Digital Transformation Programme Manager position!
✨Tip Number 3: Attend Industry Events and Conferences
Keep an eye on management consulting events, workshops, or panels. These are prime opportunities to network with top professionals and get your name out there. You might even bump into someone from The Third Age Trust - u3a who’s on the lookout for their next Digital Transformation Programme Manager star!
✨Tip Number 4: Polish Your Consulting Skills Online
Engage with online platforms that offer consulting simulations or courses. Prove your chops by completing relevant projects — this not only beefs up your experience but also gives you concrete examples to chat about during interviews for that full-time Digital Transformation Programme Manager role at The Third Age Trust - u3a!
We think you need these skills to ace Digital Transformation Programme Manager in London
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Your Problem-Solving Skills:In management consulting, it's all about problem-solving—so make sure your CV highlights your analytical and critical thinking skills. Include examples from your studies or previous roles where you tackled complex issues or came up with innovative solutions. Quantify your achievements whenever possible to demonstrate your impact!
Tailor Your Cover Letter:Your cover letter is your chance to explain why you're a perfect fit for the consulting world. Focus on your motivation for joining the industry and how your skills align with the requirements of the role at The Third Age Trust - u3a. Remember to mention any relevant coursework or projects that showcase your understanding of strategic frameworks or business models!
Highlight Team Experience:Consultants often work in teams, so it's vital to showcase your collaborative skills. Include experiences where you've worked effectively with others, whether in academic group projects or internships. Discuss your role in the team and how you helped achieve common goals, demonstrating you can thrive in a consultancy environment.
Professionalise Your Online Presence:Make sure your LinkedIn and any other professional profiles are up to date, reflecting your career aspirations in management consulting. Connect with industry professionals and follow relevant groups—show you’re serious about entering this field. Applying through our website is a great way to get noticed, so showcase your personality and enthusiasm there!
How to prepare for a job interview at The Third Age Trust - u3a
✨Master the Case Study Game
In management consulting, case study interviews are all the rage. Make sure to practice structuring your thoughts and analysing data on the fly. Use resources like example case studies to get comfortable with frameworks and solutions. Remember, it’s not just about getting the right answer but showcasing your thought process, so talk us through your reasoning!
✨Know Your Numbers
Be prepared for some numerical and analytical questions. Brush up on your mental math and be ready to interpret data from charts or graphs. We might throw some business scenarios at you that require a quick turnaround on numerical analysis, so practice these skills to feel confident and swift!
✨Show Your Leadership Flair
As this is a full-time role, we want to see your potential as a seasoned consultant. Be ready to discuss experiences where you've led a project or a team. Think about times you've influenced decisions or navigated challenges—this is your chance to show how you can thrive in a fast-paced, collaborative environment.
✨Be a Cultural Fit
We’re not just looking for brains; we want to see if you vibe with our company culture at The Third Age Trust - u3a. Prepare to share how your values align with ours. Have a think about what makes a great team environment for you and how you can contribute to that. A good cultural fit goes a long way in management consulting!
