Transformation Programme/Project Manager

Salary: £48,337 to £51,258 with progression to £57,666 per annum

Newcastle University is a great place to work, with excellent benefits. We have a generous holiday package; plus the opportunity to buy more, great pension schemes and a number of health and wellbeing initiatives to support you.

Drive strategic transformation initiatives that deliver measurable improvements in institutional effectiveness, student and staff experience, and alignment with the university's long-term vision. This role ensures that change projects result in tangible benefits and sustainable outcomes across academic and professional service areas.

The Role

We are recruiting for a Transformation Programme/Project Manager to join our Transformation Team. This is an exciting opportunity and will allow you to support one of a number of cross-institution, strategic projects to shape the future of Newcastle University.

In order to be successful, you should have significant experience within a Programme and Project management role, with evidence of how you have successfully delivered projects to time within a multi-faceted organisation, and how you have utilised project methodologies to ensure success.

Demonstrable experience of driving and managing complex strategic, organisational and culture change with a focus on working with staff and teams to gain acceptance of change is key. Your relationship and stakeholder management skills will be vital to project success, along with a strength in interpersonal communication, negotiation and influencing abilities. Previous demonstrable experience aligning specifically with Estates and Facilities transformation and change would be beneficial, although not essential.

If this sounds like an opportunity you would be interested in, feel free to reach out and contact Sharon Burleigh, Head of Strategic Projects and Change, sharon.burleigh@newcastle.ac.uk for more information.

To apply please upload your CV and cover letter evidencing how you meet the essential criteria of the role as outlined in the "Success Profile " of the job description.

*Fixed term contract duration until 31 August 2028

1. Strategic Project Delivery
2. Successfully deliver transformation programmes that align with institutional priorities, achieving agreed scope, budget, and timelines.
3. Ensure each project contributes to measurable improvements in operational efficiency, service quality, or user experience.
4. Benefit Realisation
5. Agree and track key performance indicators (KPIs) and success metrics for each initiative.
6. Ensure benefits are realised and sustained post-implementation, with clear reporting to governance boards.
7. Stakeholder Engagement & Change Adoption
8. Ensure high levels of stakeholder engagement and satisfaction across academic, administrative, and external partners.
9. Collaborate with Change Managers to ensure adoption rates exceed targets and change is embedded effectively.
10. Governance & Risk Management
11. Maintain robust governance structures and risk registers that proactively identify and mitigate issues.
12. Ensure timely escalation and resolution of critical risks and dependencies.
13. Capability Building
14. Enhance the university's project delivery capability by promoting best practices and mentoring colleagues.
15. Contribute to the development of a transformation toolkit tailored to the higher education context.

• Outcome-focused, adaptable, and proactive.
• Credible leader with strong influencing skills, even without direct line authority.
• Professional, quality-driven, and collaborative.