PLEASE NOTE: THIS ROLE IS ONLY AVAILABLE FOR EMPLOYEES OF THE UNIVERSITY OF CAMBRIDGE. This role is available as an internal secondment for the period of one year or return of the post-holder, whichever is earlier. Working hours are 40 hours per week. There will be a six-month probationary period. About the role: As a Senior Programme Manager, you will change leaders who change the world by bringing together all programme components and supporting our clients, team, and faculty to deliver a transformative learning experience to our participants. The Senior Programmes Manager (SPM) will join a regional Pod in our Custom Programmes team and co-manage, alongside other existing SPM’s and a team of Programme Managers, the planning, resourcing and delivery of our Custom programmes portfolio. This includes; driving change and role modelling the implementation of the highest quality standards of all aspects of our programmes including the use of project management methodologies across the team; project management of design and delivery of complex on-site, online, or live online client programmes; stewarding of high-level relationships with individual clients, faculty and other stakeholders; refinement of processes and project planning; and equitable programme/resource allocation; line management of a team of Programme Managers. The successful candidate will be an inspiring and innovative manager skilled and experienced in a range of project management methodologies as well as on-site event management. They will be ready to support our team through a period of change, role model new processes and techniques and take an active role in training and systems management. Main responsibilities: Project and programme management Manage a set of clients and programmes using formal project management disciplines including project plans, risk registers and risk management discussions, stakeholder maps and plans, communications plans, budget tracking, resource plans, weekly dashboards including tracking to milestones and risks, and regular upwards reporting into portfolio plans for the custom business. Chair team discussions around activities, milestones, due dates, tasks due and dependencies, ensuring adequate planning, control, and delivery of outputs. Ensure full visibility of project progress at all times through accurate planning, progress and completion tracking and record keeping for all aspects of a programme. Take full ownership of administrative arrangements for a portfolio of programmes, including but not limited to booking and securing accommodation, travel, catering, audio-visual (AV), entertainment, dinners, setup and maintenance of a virtual learning environment (VLE). In co-operation with Business Development colleagues and Learning Designers, confirm terms and conditions with contributing faculty and external speakers, ensuring teaching materials are received, reviewed and, when necessary, translated in a timely manner. During the programme, ensure clients and participants are fully supported in their learning experience with us. This includes commitment to the quality of all aspects of the programme including co-ordinating with faculty, external providers/contributors, catering, facilities, and AV/IT teams as required, working as a team to deliver the best possible learning experience to participants. Prepare and support any programme activities in the live online environment from a technical perspective using Zoom or Teams, in a studio setup or remotely. Team leadership and line management of the Custom Programme Management team Support the Client Directors as pod leads to implement robust project planning across the Custom portfolio in collaboration with the wider team. Lead on the management of programme allocation and effective resource coordination alongside other SPMs. Support the Head of Operations and Client Directors in driving, coaching, and setting a strong standard of excellence around all project management disciplines to drive excellent client feedback on our preparation, planning, pace, and project management throughout the project lifecycle. Monitor the implementation of project management methodologies and processes across the team for continuous improvement. Chair regular team meetings and leading discussion on status, programme milestones, risk, and escalations across the portfolio. Support the Head of Operations in coaching and mentoring the team through a period of change and on an ongoing basis in line with their personal and professional development objectives. Preparing and conducting performance reviews eg annual appraisals, six monthly reviews, probation meetings etc. Approve holiday/leave requests and conduct back-to-work interviews. Identify and support recruitment and induction, including temporary staff members as required. Onboarding of new staff with training and support. Information and communication management Support the Client Directors and Head of Operations in regular collation of Management Information (MI) and reporting across the portfolio on milestone status, budget and resource tracking, and risks to escalate to our Leadership Team and the Board. Co-ordinate the workloads of other members of the programme team to ensure smooth workflows across multiple projects, and that appropriate resources are in place to manage multiple and simultaneous projects; alerting the Head of Operations of any issues in a timely manner. Keep meticulous, up-to-date records through the relevant systems to ensure smooth collaboration across the organisation and team cover where required. Monitor systems for opportunities for improvement and report back to the team on new system developments where appropriate. Participate in and contribute to team and staff meetings and other ad hoc project groups as required. Establish and maintain collaborative working relationships with colleagues within Executive Education as well as the wider central team within CJBS, eg facilities, IT, catering, reception, timetabling etc., constantly evaluating and seeking to improve how we work together. Work alongside colleagues and faculty to effectively build and maintain together our reputation as a pre-eminent provider of executive education programmes. Stakeholder management Work collaboratively with other members of the Programme Management team and staff in Executive Education, as well as the faculty of the Business School, to build our reputation as a pre-eminent provider of executive education programmes. Manage internal and external stakeholders with confidence and diplomacy. Manage all aspects of service for our clients to a very high standard and provide first-class customer service for our clients and programme participants. Identify suitable service providers, including programme venues, hotels and Colleges to ensure participants' and clients' needs are met. Manage existing client relationships and build new ones with new and prospective delegates, identifying and developing business development opportunities. Continuously update knowledge of the Executive Education portfolio to help market opportunities to existing and prospective clients, including cross-selling for Open programmes as appropriate. Financial management Set up cost control mechanisms for the overall portfolio in liaison with finance and implement for assigned programmes. Co-ordinate client and supplier invoicing arrangements for assigned programmes in liaison with the finance team. Track and monitor costs against set programme budgets, escalating any discrepancies between actual and budgeted costs. Manage faculty and all other supplier payment arrangements in liaison with finance and central services. About you: Our ideal candidate should have the following qualities, skills and attributes. You are asked to provide a CV and a covering letter demonstrating how your own experience meets these requirements: An understanding of line management responsibilities and duties, and the ability to strategically balance the needs of individuals, the team and the business Excellent professional project management and planning skills, ideally supported by a formal project management qualification (eg APM, Prince 2, Agile or other). Willingness to, alongside other team members, take ownership of all aspects of quality of our programmes and ability to drive team towards continuous improvement. Customer-centric approach to working with an understanding of the requirements of event management. Be highly organised, with excellent attention to detail and demonstrating experience of managing multiple deadlines. Good knowledge and understanding of modern office and learning technology. An understanding that some programme schedules will be outside normal working hours, including weekends, and that the flow of work may not follow a regular working week. The deadline for applications is midnight on Friday 1 November 2024.