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.

Closing Date: 29 November 2026

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

Interviews will be held 9th December 2026

Purpose of the Role

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.

Key Outcomes & Accountabilities

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

Success Profile

Essential Experience & Skills

• Demonstrated success in leading complex, multi-stakeholder projects with measurable outcomes.
• Expertise in project management methodologies (e.g., PRINCE2, Agile, PMI) and benefit tracking.
• Strong communication and influencing skills across diverse stakeholder groups.
• Proven ability to manage competing priorities and deliver under pressure.

Desirable Experience

• Experience in digital transformation, student experience enhancement, or operational efficiency projects.
• Understanding of university governance, funding models, and strategic planning.
• Familiarity with change management principles and collaboration with change professionals.

Attributes

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

Qualifications

• Desirable: Formal project management certification (e.g., PRINCE2, PMP, AgilePM).

Newcastle University is a global University where everyone is treated with dignity and respect. As a University of Sanctuary, we aim to provide a welcoming place of safety for all, offering opportunities to people fleeing violence and persecution.

We are committed to being a fully inclusive university which actively recruits, supports and retains colleagues from all sectors of society. We value diversity as well as celebrate, support and thrive on the contributions of all of our employees and the communities they represent. We are proud to be an equal opportunities employer and encourage applications from individuals who can complement our existing teams, we believe that success is built on having teams whose backgrounds and experiences reflect the diversity of our university and student population.

At Newcastle University we hold a Gold Athena Swan award in recognition of our good employment practices for the advancement of gender equality. We also hold a Race Equality Charter Bronze award in recognition of our work towards tackling race inequality in higher education REC. We are a Disability Confident employer and will offer an interview to disabled applicants who meet the essential criteria for the role as part of the offer and interview scheme.

In addition, we are a member of the Euraxess initiative supporting researchers in Europe.