Strategic Change Manager - Executive Division- 59778 - Grade 8 in Birmingham

Position Details – Executive Division

Location: University of Birmingham, Edgbaston, Birmingham, UK

Full‑time, Permanent – Grade 8

Salary: £47,389 to £56,535, with potential progression to £63,606

Closing date: 29 June 2026

First‑stage interviews: 6 and 7 July 2026

Role Summary

Strategic Programmes & Change is a high‑performing team that works with senior leaders to align stakeholders, set strategic direction and deliver outcomes, helping the University reach its ambitions as a Global Top 50 institution.

The Role

• Proven track record of delivering outcomes in complex, fast‑paced environments, with resilience to navigate ambiguity and shifting priorities.
• Strategic thinking – bringing clarity to ambiguity, identifying paths forward and developing creative solutions to difficult problems.
• Building effective relationships across organisational boundaries to drive results.
• Impactful communication – breaking down challenges collaboratively and demonstrating tangible outcomes.

The post holder will take responsibility for the end‑to‑end delivery of change across a range of strategically important initiatives, including transformational Professional Services efficiency programmes and projects spanning academic strategy implementation and cross‑departmental working. Our impact philosophy is simple: align with strategic priorities, lead with purpose, collaborate across boundaries, build institutional change capability, and deliver measurable benefits.

Benefits include good holidays, a pension scheme, flexibility (currently a pattern of three or four days from campus), and ample opportunities for learning and development.

Main Duties

• Lead and manage significant, complex University‑wide initiatives in collaboration with Programme / Project Sponsors.
• Managing the delivery of the Strategic Programme & Change portfolio, from initiation through implementation and evaluation, ensuring projects enable the University’s Birmingham 2030 ambitions and deliver measurable benefits.
• Working closely with sponsors to plan change requirements and ensuring projects are delivered in accordance with the project charter and plan.
• Using negotiation, communication and creativity to gain agreement across stakeholders, including staff groups affected by significant changes.
• Coordinating initiative strands, ensuring effective communication flows to all stakeholders.
• Implementing change and process improvement methodologies such as diagnostic exercises, process mapping, rapid improvement events.
• Developing benefits realisation plans and engagement strategies for a wide range of stakeholders.
• Preparing and presenting reports, proposals and papers for senior meetings.
• Collaborating with other teams to ensure a consistent approach to change across the University.

Delivering the Work of the Strategic Programmes & Change Function

• Promote equality and value diversity, acting as a role model and fostering an inclusive culture.
• Deploy our institutional Portfolio and Programme Enabling Frameworks, contributing to the development of the University’s programme and change management capability.
• Identify and adopt best practice within and outside higher education.
• Develop and deliver training and support for staff managing programmes and change.
• Contribute proactively to the continued success and development of the team.

Examples of Work

• Develop and implement cross‑functional strategic plans, aligning workstreams to institutional priorities.
• Design and facilitate workshops with senior stakeholders to develop detailed strategies and build shared commitment.
• Lead process mapping, redesign and implementation, taking end‑to‑end responsibility.
• Implement robust change management frameworks, including benefits realisation and risk management.
• Convene and facilitate relevant working groups to drive meaningful progress.
• Produce high‑quality documentation to enable decision‑making and support project outcomes.
• Develop stakeholder communications strategies using a range of channels.
• Gather and analyse data to build evidence, track progress and develop credible benefits plans.

Required Knowledge, Skills, Qualifications, Experience

• Relevant degree or equivalent professional qualification (change management, project management) plus substantial relevant experience.
• Professional experience in a large, complex organisation.
• Experience of developing effective networks and relationships across a complex organisation.
• Experience of developing strategic and operational plans.
• Strong facilitation skills for workshops and face‑to‑face settings.
• Outstanding writing skills – high‑quality papers, presentations, reports for Project Board and Executive Board levels.
• Highly developed research skills, turning complex data into purposeful reports that influence policy.
• Experience of enabling cultural/ways‑of‑working change in significant contexts.
• Demonstrable experience managing at‑scale, complex projects.
• Excellent communication and presentation skills – gaining commitment to action or change.
• Excellent IT, organisational and administrative skills.
• Ability to work simultaneously and effectively across multiple tasks.

Personal Characteristics and Knowledge

• Strong intellectual ability applied to management tasks.
• Knowledge of recognised change management or process improvement methodologies.
• High initiative, personal judgement, resourcefulness, flexibility and a self‑motivating approach.
• Ability to analyse complex problems and formulate innovative, simple and effective solutions.
• Enthusiasm and willingness to meet challenging demands across diverse people, deadlines and budgets.
• Excellent interpersonal skills, including tact and diplomacy, working at all organisational levels.
• Agile teamwork and flexibility to respond to changing requirements.
• Creativity in developing change programmes and responding to challenges.
• Collaborative working, building open, trusting partnerships.
• Strong communication and negotiation skills, prioritising and using independent judgement.
• Commitment to promote and adhere to the University and Executive Support Division values.
• Experience championing Equality, Diversity and Inclusion in own work area.

Equality, Diversity & Inclusion

We believe there is no such thing as a ‘typical’ member of University of Birmingham staff, and that diversity in its many forms is a strength that underpins the exchange of ideas, innovation and debate at the heart of University life. We are committed to proactively addressing the barriers experienced by some groups in our community and are proud to hold Athena SWAN, Race Equality Charter and Disability Confident accreditations. We have an Equality Diversity and Inclusion Centre that focuses on continuously improving the University as a fair and inclusive place to work where everyone has the opportunity to succeed. We are also committed to sustainability, which is a key part of our strategy.