Strategic Programme Development Manager

The post holder will enable the development and delivery of complex, University-wide initiatives that advance the Birmingham 2030 strategy. Working with senior academic and professional services leaders, the role will turn strategic ambitions into robust business cases, practical delivery plans and define measurable outcomes.

Strategic Programmes & Change is a high-performing team with a critical role at the heart of the University. We work with senior leaders to align stakeholders, set strategic direction and deliver outcomes — helping the University achieve its ambitions as a Global Top 50 institution and long-term financial sustainability.

Strategic Programme Development & Change sits within the Executive Division, led by the Chief of Staff. The Division brings together a varied team working collectively to drive the University's performance and keep us on track to reach our Global Top 50 ambition by 2030.

Main Duties:

To be personally responsible for leading and managing significant and complex University-wide initiatives. This will involve:

- The curation of a coherent and robust business case for the intended audience (e.g. UEB, Council) that has explored all suitable options, having convened and coordinated the appropriate inputs, and ensures the alignment with all levels of governance.
- Working closely with Programme/Project Sponsors (academic and Professional Services) to identify and plan the requirements for implementation and ensuring that programmes will be delivered in accordance with the plan.
- Providing thought leadership, challenge and analysis to define the problem, identify ways forward and agree next steps for the benefit of the organisation.
- Scoping and planning programmes of work, ensuring outputs are progressed and are integrated and aligned with the full portfolio of strategic initiatives.
- Utilising excellent negotiation, communication and creativity skills to gain agreement across a broad range of stakeholders to initiatives, including working with staff groups for whom the proposed programme may represent significant changes.
- Managing and coordinating the different strands of the initiatives including ensuring effective communication flows to all stakeholders.
- Implementing relevant programme/project and change methodologies in support of strategic initiatives.
- Development of benefits realisation plans.
- Acting as a repository for lessons learned and ensuring this knowledge is applied in the future.
- Acting as conduits to professional expertise within UoB, for example Finance Business Partners, College Planning Partners, Legal Services, to ensure the right people are sufficiently engaged at the appropriate stages.
- Development and execution of engagement strategies that yield results, working with a wide range of stakeholders and audiences, including academic colleagues, professional services staff, and students.
- Preparing and, where appropriate, presenting reports, proposals and papers for stakeholders, project sponsors, College Boards, RLG and other senior meetings.
- Working collaboratively with other teams that are responsible for delivering programmes, projects and change, to ensure a coherent and consistent approach to programme and change management across the University.

Examples of work may include: the development of the investment case for major capital works (estates, digital), convening virtual teams with relevant colleagues from across the University to respond at pace to emerging strategic opportunities, developing decision making 'playbooks' to enable effective senior decision making, and providing programme management capabilities to major cross-functional strategic initiatives.

Delivering the work of the Strategic Programmes & Change function:

- Promoting equality and valuing diversity, acting as a role model and fostering an inclusive working culture.
- Deploying institutional Portfolio and Programme Enabling Frameworks, including benefits realisation and risk management.
- Identifying and, where appropriate, adopting best practice within and outside HE in programme development and change management.
- Developing and delivering training and other forms of support to staff developing and managing programmes and change within the University.
- Being a proactive member of the Strategic Programmes & Change function, contributing to its continued success and development and supporting other members of the team.

Person Specification:

Required Knowledge, Skills, Qualifications, Experience:
- Relevant degree or relevant equivalent professional qualification (change management, project management), plus substantial relevant experience.
- Outstanding writing skills: with the ability to write/prepare high-quality papers, presentations, reports and briefings to Project Board, Executive Board, and Council levels.
- Experience of developing robust strategic business cases to Executive Board and governing body level, in collaboration with senior stakeholders, for significant cross-functional strategic initiatives.
- Evidenced successful setup and delivery of strategic programmes and projects (including structures, processes, tools & methods) in a complex governance organisation.
- Experience of developing effective networks and strong relationships at all levels in a complex organisation.
- Highly developed research skills and experience of producing and analysing complex source material, information and data and turning these into purposeful reports or strategic and operational plans.
- Analysis and assessment of complex project, programme and portfolio information to provide clear recommendations to senior leadership and governance bodies.
- Strong facilitation skills, including workshops, and face-to-face.
- Excellent oral communication and presentation skills.
- Excellent IT, organisational and administrative skills.
- An ability to work simultaneously and effectively to progress several different tasks.

Personal Characteristics:
- Strong intellectual ability and the ability to apply this to management tasks.
- Ability to identify and assess strategic drivers in determining the strategic alignment and viability of major initiatives.
- Knowledge of a wide range of Project, Programme & Change methodologies, with evidence of applying tailored professional best practice to organisational needs.
- Analysis of complex problems and formulation of innovative, simple and effective solutions.
- A high degree of initiative, personal judgement, resourcefulness, flexibility and a self-motivating approach.
- Enthusiasm and willingness to meet challenging demands, working to different people, deadlines and within budget.
- Excellent interpersonal skills, including tact and diplomacy, and an ability to work at all levels of the organisation.
- Ability to work effectively as part of a team.
- A flexible approach and attitude and a willingness to respond to changing requirements of the team.
- Demonstrates collaborative working, builds open, trusting and effective partnerships.
- A firm but diplomatic attitude with the ability to prioritise, negotiate and use one's own judgement.
- A commitment to promote and adhere to the agreed values of the University and the Executive Division.
- Experience of championing Equality, Diversity and Inclusion in own work area.

Benefits:
- 40 days paid holiday a year
- One paid day a year for volunteering
- Occupational sick pay
- Pension scheme
- Three high quality subsidised day nurseries
- Access to Birmingham Professional development programme
- State-of-the-art sports centre with pool
- Currently working to a pattern of three or four days from campus (hybrid)
- Access to staff networks including Rainbow Network, Parents and Carers' Network, Women's Network, Race Equality Network, and Enabling Staff Network