Technical Programme Manager

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Technical Programme Manager

University IT provides critical support to c7,000 staff, 35,000 students, and 38 academic and professional service schools and departments. The needs of learning and teaching, research and core services present an ever-changing set of challenges in an organisation that is constantly evolving. We support the University to deliver The Way Forward 2018-23 strategy and its relevant sub-strategies, providing fully integrated, professional programme and project management, business change management, and IT workstreams.

University IT are about to commence a 3-year programme of activities to deliver its IT strategy, with key deliverables including the refurbishment of the university data centre facilities, migration of key IT applications to the Cloud and the completion of the university wired and wireless network transformation programme.  The senior leadership team are seeking to appoint 2 x technical programme managers to support the coordination and delivery of these programmes of work.

The Technical Programme Manager will be responsible for identifying, planning and coordinating a set of interdependent projects within a large-scale ICT technical programme and may also be required to manage smaller scale and independent projects. The role is primarily focused on infrastructure and platform ICT technical programmes that may provide foundational level and enablement of large scale, long term, University wide business change but will not be directly responsible for specific business strategies and objectives.

The assignment may vary over time, and the role holder may be required to deliver other allocated ICT Technical Programmes should the need arise.

Successful candidates will be experienced leaders who offer a breadth of expertise in portfolio and change management, with experience in the delivery of complex, large scale IT transformation programmes.  The roles will require individuals who are able to influence at all levels of organisations and support the development of strategic visions and future planning.

As the biggest university in Wales – and a major employer, with more than 7,000 staff – we are an ambitious and innovative university located in a beautiful and thriving capital city. We can offer you the chance to work in a vibrant organisation, with great benefits and opportunities for progression.

The posts are full-time and open-ended.  These roles are eligible to be offered on a blended working basis, meaning that as well as spending time working on campus you can also choose to spend some time working from another location, e.g. your home. The University is committed to offering this flexibility, wherever the role and business need allows, supporting work-life balance.

Salary: £59,421 – £64,914 per annum (Grade 8)

Date advert posted: Wednesday, 13 September 2023

Closing date: Saturday, 30 September 2023

Please be aware that Cardiff University reserves the right to close this vacancy early should sufficient applications be received.

Cardiff University is committed to supporting and promoting equality and diversity and to creating an inclusive working environment. We believe this can be achieved through attracting, developing, and retaining a diverse range of staff from many different backgrounds.  We therefore welcome applicants from all sections of the community regardless of sex, ethnicity, disability, sexual orientation, trans identity, relationship status, religion or belief, caring responsibilities, age, or socioeconomic position.  In supporting our employees to achieve a balance between their work and their personal lives, we will also consider proposals for flexible working or job share arrangements.

Job Description

The role holder will be responsible for identifying, planning and coordinating a set of interdependent projects within a programme of large scale, long term, University wide business change, in support of specific business strategies and objectives.

This specific appointment has arisen to assist in the completion of the Network Refresh Project. The assignment may vary over time, and the role holder may be required to deliver other allocated University Programmes should the need arise.

The Programme manager will be expected to take responsibility for the ongoing health of the programme and ensure that progress towards the delivery of the expected outcomes and benefits is managed and monitored and ultimately ensure successful delivery.

In order to achieve this they will be expected to:

• maintain a strategic view over the set of projects
• provide a framework for implementing a large scale business change initiative
• create, maintain and communicate a vision of the outcome of the programme, keeping this relevant over time.
• Agree the scope of business requirements to be met and translate these into operational plans. 
• Determine, monitor, and review programme costs, operational budgets, staffing requirements, programme resources, inter-dependencies and programme risk.

Duties and Responsibilities

The job requires the role holder to:

• Within a change programme, plan, direct, and manage the programme’s projects and other activities, from contract/proposal initiation to benefit realisation, on behalf of senior management, to ensure optimum efficiency in the allocation of common resources and skills.
• Facilitate positive change by working in partnership with Information Services’ customers (directorates and schools) and technology delivery agents (e.g. programme managers, system owners, enterprise architects, business analysts, project managers and customer service professionals).
• Determine, monitor, and review all programme economics to include programme time & costs, projected operational costs, staffing requirements, programme resources, and programme risk.
• Lead the programme team(s) in determining business requirements and translating requirements into service design and operational plans; developing and maintaining an appropriate environment to support project managers, including the processes and practices for managing projects and the training and coaching of project managers and teams.
• Plan, schedule, monitor, and report on overall progress and initiate corrective action, as appropriate, to ensure that programme deliverables are produced on time and within budget.
• Manage exceptions, slippage and issues of priority, and initiate extra activities wherever gaps in the programme are identified. · Ensure coherence of the programme, by monitoring changes within the programme scope. Reassess whether projects continue to meet business objectives and use funds efficiently, to ensure that the programme is managed to realise business benefits.
• Plan and manage the implementation of processes and procedures, tools and techniques for the identification, assessment, and management of programme risk in your area of responsibility.
• Provide programme leadership and structure, managing and co-ordinating the work of the project teams towards specific project outcomes.
• Establish a communications strategy for the programme/projects and the project website and blog.
• Personally manage communications to project staff regarding deadlines, actions project changes and progress and update senior management as necessary.
• Recommend cancellation of projects, and initiation of new projects, within the programme.
• Any other duties required by the Director of University IT, or other University senior management which are not included above, but which will be consistent with the role.

Person Specification

Essential Criteria

Expertise/Competence/Skills

1. Proven ability in the management of complex programmes and projects, including the development of programme and project plans, the management of budgets, resources and timelines, and the dissemination and evaluation of project outcomes.

2. Able to broker relationships with stakeholders at all levels, demonstrating the sensitivities required to balance and resolve the tensions in working with a wide range of contacts (both internally andexternally at senior level).
3. Proven ability to communicate at all levels, with both technical and non-technical audiences, and to simplify complex issues and concepts, both through presentations and through clear written documents.
4. Proven ability to shape developments through active participation and leadership of teams and groups.

Qualifications (IT/Academic/Vocational)

5. A degree or equivalent experience / professional qualifications/ programme project management

Experience

6. Experience of creating and managing plans, including budgets and resources, for complex programmes and projects, including prioritisation and scheduling of conflicting tasks to deliver outputs under tight deadlines, risk and issue management and change management.
7. A clear track record of progressive attainments and success in the delivery of high quality user-focused IT enabled programmes of business change.
8. Experience of bringing together technical specialists and business programme/project teams to promote effective cooperative working relationships and a consistent common focus.
9. Significant experience of corporate IT System deployment and support.

Desirable Criteria

10. Experience of leading large scale IT enabled business change Programmes in the context of the Higher Education sector.

11. Strong competencies in the use of desktop computers and common IT software applications (especially Microsoft Office and Microsoft Project)

12. Programme and/or Project Management qualifications (e.g. MSP, Prince2).

13. Evidence of a commitment to Continuing Professional Development (CPD).

Additional Information

As an employee of Cardiff University the post holder will:

• Ensure compliance with legal and regulatory requirements in respect of equality and diversity, data protection, copyright and licensing, security, financial and other University policies, procedures and codes as appropriate.
• Take reasonable care for the health and safety of yourself and other persons who may be affected by your acts and or omissions at work in accordance with the Health & Safety at Work Act 1974. EC directives and the University’s Safety, Health and Environment Policies and Procedures and to cooperate with the university on any legal duties placed on it as the employer.

Job Category

Information Technology