UCL is actively deploying a strategy where the Professional Services are providing industry leading academic, research and student experience and utilising shared services as part of that solution. The PS Hub is committed to delivering high quality and efficient services, with strong emphasis on customer experience.
The Professional Services (PS) Hub brings together key customer facing and transactional services across different functions: HR, Finance, Commercial, Faculty, Research, Estates, IT & Business Operations. The PS Hub is committed to delivering high quality & efficient services, with a real emphasis on customer experience.
The Professional Services Hub is responsible for delivering Tier 0, Tier 1 and select Tier level services to colleagues as part of the end-to-end services owned by the Functions such as HR, Finance, Commercial, Research & Innovation.
The University's Professional Services, which the Hub is a part of, brings together colleagues who perform their work while sitting in the Hub but also outside by binding them together in a common framework of tools, methods, technologies and performance standards.
Main purpose of the job
Our Programme Manager will ensure the successful delivery of our strategically significant Payroll Service Improvement Programme. This will involve overseeing all phases of the programme lifecycle, from planning to execution, ensuring that programmes are completed on time, within scope, and on budget. The role requires effective leadership, management of senior stakeholder expectations, and proactive handling of risks and issues. The Programme Manager will also be responsible for ensuring that the anticipated benefits of the programme are realised. This role requires an individual capable of working across boundaries, influencing without direct authority, and applying best practices in programme management to deliver meaningful change.
Duties and responsibilities:
· Payroll Service Improvement Programme Leadership: Provide visionary leadership and accountability for the delivery of a high-impact, complex strategic programme that drives institutional change, working in close partnership with senior sponsors, subject matter experts, faculties, and executive stakeholders.
· Tailored Programme Execution: Design and implement programme management approaches tailored to the organisational context, ensuring all programmes/projects are delivered on time, within scope, and to an exceptional standard.
· Robust Governance: Maintain robust programme governance aligned with portfolio standards and best practices, ensuring clarity, accountability, and efficient decision-making at all levels.
· Executive Reporting: Ensure senior leadership and key stakeholders have a comprehensive and transparent view of programme progress, providing timely insights, updates, and recommendations to support informed decision-making.
· Risk and Dependency Management: Proactively identify, assess, and manage risks, issues, assumptions, and dependencies, ensuring they are effectively mitigated to safeguard the programme's successful delivery.
· Resource and Budget Management: Oversee the allocation and management of resources, including staffing, finances, and technology, to support the successful delivery of the programme. Develop and monitor budgets to ensure cost efficiency while achieving programme objectives.
· Benefits Realisation: Collaborate with key stakeholders to ensure desired benefits and outcomes are clearly defined, rigorously measured, communicated and effectively realised to maximise institutional impact.
· Programme Assurance: Drive assurance across the programme by providing strategic oversight and constructive challenge, including reviewing and refining project plans, financials, risk registers, and governance arrangements to ensure resilience and adaptability.
· Collaborative Problem-Solving: Contribute to the culture of collaboration and innovation across UCL, building consensus among diverse stakeholders and developing creative solutions to complex challenges that advance the institution's strategic vision.
Guidant Global (BH4SF) is acting as an Employment Business in relation to this vacancy.
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