Student Education Service Student Education Service Programme Programme Management Office (PMO) Manager

Student Education Service
Student Education Service Programme
Programme Management Office (PMO) Manager
Open Ended Fixed Funded for the duration of the Programme (31st December
2016) with the opportunity to move into a position within the University.
This is an opportunity for a self- motivated, well- organised person to establish and
lead a PMO service, working with senior managers to drive major programmes of
change and service development that will sustain Leeds University's global
reputation.
Our new Student Education Service brings together colleagues from central teams,
faculties and schools into a single integrated service. Our aim is to enhance the
student experience at Leeds, support the academic community effectively and build
a working environment that enables our staff to achieve their best.
The SES Programme is a multi-year £14m transformatory change programme with a
core team of 50, including 6 project managers, that will provide Leeds University with
the most up to date and efficient student application, admissions and support
services in the UK. The PMO is a key post ensuring this programme realises its
ambitious vision.
Many large projects support the development of the Student Education Service. You
will provide the full range of PMO direction and support, project management and
organisational skills to deliver results for all those projects. You will track down and
report on programme / project progress and performance. You will advise and
encourage the project teams to meet their targets and have line management
responsibility for the administration function of the programme.
You will enjoy overcoming challenges as you ensure a consistent and agreed
approach to Project Management. You will be resolute in identifying and reporting on
cross-project risks and changes. You will be a person who takes pride in reporting
on projects accurately, in an agreed format and on time, in the role of PMO. A
degree, or equivalent qualification, and significant proven experience in successfully
completing projects are essential.
University Grade 8 (£38,511 - £45,954 p.a.)
Ref: SESPT1015
Informal enquiries may be made to Richard Middleton, email
R.H.Middleton@leeds.ac.uk
Click here for further information about working at the University of Leeds
www.leeds.ac.uk/info/20025/universityjobs
Job Description
Responsible to: Programme Manager
Reports to: Programme Manager
Main Duties and Responsibilities
Programme Office

Responsible for the management and development of the Programme
Management Office function

Responsible for the definition and implementation of:
o Assumption, Risk, Issue and Dependency Management process
o Change management process
o Document management process
o Planning standards
o Resource Management process

Be the Programme’s lead for ensuring best practice in all projects

Take responsibility for the production of the Programme Resource profile

Collate project status information for management and reporting purposes

Implement and ensure Quality Assurance practices are monitored and
recorded on key portfolios or projects as required

Support the SES Directors, Programme Manager, Workstream / Business
Leads, HR Lead, Finance Manager and Project Managers as required

Undertake key support activities for portfolios or projects as required
Methodology

Enable all projects to adopt a structured Project Management Framework,
guiding Project Managers to ensure projects are managed in a consistent way

Take a lead role in Programme risk management - Review project risk
registers, issues logs and project assumptions to identify any shared or
common items

Ensure risks / issues / assumptions / dependencies are escalated from
projects to higher levels of governance as required and make
recommendations as appropriate

In conjunction with the Programme, HR and Finance Managers, assist
Workstream Leads and Project Managers with the recording and reporting of
budgets

Support Project Managers in the execution of their projects

Maintain the Programme document library and archive

Maintain the SES Project Management Framework and advise on
improvements

Responsible for the planning and preparation as required for project or
programme meetings, ensuring they take place and are correctly minuted

Integration with other project governance across the University – in particular
maintaining close cooperation with the IT PMO.
Reporting

Ensure adherence to project standards and management processes

Ensure all projects are managed and reported on in a timely and consistent
manner, regularly reviewing projects to assess that they are managed and
delivered to agreed plans and processes

Responsible for the preparation of, for example, consolidated regular
Programme Status Reports and consolidated Programme Plans

Responsible for the production of information for presentation to senior
stakeholders and the Programme Board in particular.

Responsible for the production of briefing material for the Programme
Workstream Leads and Project Managers in monitoring progress against
budgets and advice on forecasting for the coming year
Leadership and Management

With the Programme Manager sustain team spirit and Programme morale

Ensure that direct line reports have a clear understanding of their roles and
responsibilities as well as an understanding of the wider university priorities

Work with the HR Lead to manage effectively including:

Performance Management of staff

Undertaking annual staff reviews (SRDs)

Ensure that personal development activities are agreed, planned , in place
and monitored

Responsible for the design and delivery of the Programme’s communications
strategy

Responsible for supporting and advising Project Managers in project
processes and best practice

Encourage a team culture that embraces change
General requirements

Undertaking all activities in line with University values and standards. More
information about the university’s strategy and values is available at
http://www.leeds.ac.uk/comms/strategy/;

To support the Student Education Service vision and strategy, ensuring they
remain grounded in the principles of quality, equity, consistency and opportunity
for students and its staff;

To be proactive in sharing experience and good practice within the team

To demonstrate a commitment to personal development

Any other duties as may reasonably be required, consistent with the grade
of the post
The University of Leeds reserves the right to change the duties detailed in this
job description, following consultation with the role holder.
You will be required to comply with the University’s Health and Safety and
Equality and Inclusion policies.
Career Expectations
The University of Leeds is committed to developing its staff. All staff participate in the
Staff Review and Development scheme and we continue to work with individuals,
supporting them to maximise their potential.
Progression to a higher grade is dependent on an individual taking on an increased
level of responsibility. Vacancies that arise within the area or across the wider
University are advertised on the HR website - http://jobs.leeds.ac.uk - to allow staff to
apply for wider career development opportunities.
University Values
All staff are expected to operate in line with the University’s values and standards,
which work as an integral part of our strategy and set out the principles of how we
work together. More information about the University’s strategy and values is
available at http://www.leeds.ac.uk/comms/strategy/.
Person Specification
Essential

Degree or equivalent qualification and significant proven experience in
successfully completing projects

Experience of leading and managing a Programme Management Office
(PMO) or equivalent i.e. a portfolio of complex multiple projects, identifying
and managing risks

Substantial experience of working with Project Management Methodologies
including Project Life Cycle

Demonstrable experience of complex problem solving, making
recommendations and taking into consideration variables to achieve the
desired outcome

Highly developed communication skills, including the ability to write reports
and present complex information clearly and concisely to a variety of
audiences

Excellent team-working and relationship-building skills

Ability to work with a high degree of accuracy and attention to detail, in
circumstances where available information may not be complete

Demonstrable ability to lead, develop, manage and motivate teams and
individuals towards the achievement of objectives without necessarily having
full line management authority

Excellent time-keeping for meeting deadlines and able to support others in
doing so

Ability to manage a busy workload without compromising on quality - including
handling a demanding volume of enquiries from colleagues, establishing clear
priorities for yourself and others

Practical experience of budget setting and financial management

Excellent IT skills, including experience of using Microsoft applications

Ability to ensure a balance between achieving long-term strategic goals and
shorter term operational requirements

Experience of working in a project-oriented function using project planning
tools

Experience and appreciation of best practice in project management,
coordination and methodologies.

Demonstrable experience of driving the completion of multiple interrelated
projects
Desirable

Project Management qualification (e.g. PRINCE)

Experience of resource allocation management

Experience of applying delivery / business assurance
Additional Information
The University offers generous terms and conditions of employment, a wide range of
benefits, services, facilities and family friendly policies. Full details are available on
the Human Resources web pages accessible at www.leeds.ac.uk/hr
The Partnership
The Partnership has been developed by students and staff and describes the mutual
expectations of us all as members of the University of Leeds community. More
information about the Partnership is available at http://partnership.leeds.ac.uk
Disclosure and Barring Service checks
A Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) Check is not required for this position.
However, applicants who have unspent convictions, cautions, reprimands and
warnings, including any pending criminal proceedings must indicate this in the ‘other
personal details’ section of the application form and send details to the Recruitment
Officer at disclosure@leeds.ac.uk.
Disabled Applicants
The post is located in the EC Stoner & IT Services Building. Disabled applicants
wishing to review access to the building are invited to contact the department direct.
Additional information may be sought from the Recruitment Officer, email
disclosure@leeds.ac.uk or tel + 44 (0)113 343 1723.
Disabled applicants are not obliged to inform employers of their disability but will still
be covered by the Equality Act once their disability becomes known.
Further information for applicants with disabilities, impairments or health
conditions is available in the applicant guidance.