At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead transformational change initiatives and solve complex delivery challenges.
- Company: One of the UK’s largest and most ambitious universities.
- Benefits: Opportunity to shape strategy, influence decision-making, and make a lasting impact.
- Other info: Join a dynamic team and help redefine how the University delivers its strategy.
- Why this job: Be at the forefront of delivering Manchester 2035 and drive meaningful change.
- Qualifications: Experience in managing complex portfolios and strong relationship-building skills.
The predicted salary is between 61816 - 75552 £ per year.
Manchester 2035 is the University’s ambitious long‑term strategy, supported by a significant portfolio of transformational change.
We’re looking for an exceptional leader to help ensure that strategy becomes reality.
This is not a traditional PMO or portfolio management role.
As Senior Portfolio Lead, you will work across the University’s most strategically important initiatives, partnering with Executive Sponsors, Programme and Project Managers and senior leaders to identify delivery challenges early, unblock complex issues and help programmes succeed.
Rather than acting as an assurance or compliance function, you’ll become a trusted adviser, bringing insight, constructive challenge and practical solutions that improve delivery confidence across the University’s strategic portfolio.
You’ll spend time working alongside delivery teams, understanding challenges first‑hand and helping deliver teams navigate complexity, remove organisational barriers and accelerate progress.
You’ll influence without formal authority, build trusted relationships with senior stakeholders and help shape a modern, collaborative approach to portfolio delivery across the University.
About The Role
This is a highly visible leadership position within the Strategic Change Office, operating across major strategic programmes.
We’re looking for someone who
- Has significant experience delivering or supporting complex strategic portfolios, programmes or transformation initiatives.
- Enjoys solving difficult organisational problems and turning ambiguity into action.
- Can influence senior leaders through credibility, insight and strong relationships.
- Brings excellent judgement, political awareness and the confidence to provide constructive challenge.
- Is passionate about improving how organisations deliver change and leaving lasting capability behind.
If you’re someone who enjoys bringing people together, overcoming complex delivery challenges and making strategy happen, we’d love to hear from you.
Why join us?
This is a rare opportunity to help define how one of the UK’s largest and most ambitious universities delivers strategy.
You’ll play a central role in the successful delivery of Manchester 2035, working at the heart of institutional decision‑making alongside senior leaders from across the University.
You’ll have the opportunity to shape new ways of working, influence strategic delivery at scale and make a lasting impact on the University’s future.
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Senior Portfolio Lead in Manchester employer: The University of Manchester
The University of Manchester is an exceptional employer, offering a vibrant work culture that fosters collaboration and innovation in the field of optometry. With a strong commitment to employee development, you will have access to numerous growth opportunities, including professional training and research initiatives, all while working in a dynamic environment that prioritises student success and clinical excellence.
Contact Details:
The University of Manchester Recruitment Team
