Job Purpose

Reporting to one of our Senior Transformation Leads this role will work in collaboration across the Transformation Team, and key stakeholders across the University, the Transformation Lead will act as the day-to-day ‘business owner’ for projects, or specific deliveries, within the Transformation Portfolio. We’re looking for someone with leadership experience within complex multi-year change initiatives. The role holder will have significant experience within programme and project work, be able to adapt their approach depending on the challenges in front of them.  An inspirational and outcome-focused individual, their purpose is to keep projects on track, working alongside a cross-functional group of stakeholders from across the University to inform, influence and shape projects that deliver measurable benefits.  Adept at working as a leader, matrix managing resources from diverse backgrounds able to create a cohesive project team aligned to the transformation ask and delivery of agreed outcomes and benefits.

Duties and Responsibilities

1. Lead deliverables within our large-scale, multi-year transformation programmes, acting as the day-to-day ‘business owner’ or decision maker. Ensuring that project plans, budgets and resources are in place aligned to the strategic nature of the change.

2. Meaningfully input into both business cases and compelling cases for change to influence senior leaders to support the execution of change. Good influencing and storytelling skills, able to engage diverse stakeholders, crafting effective messaging, to the appropriate audience, that drives forward transformation projects and change.

3. Facilitate the diagnosis, design, and creation of innovative and sustainable solutions to achieve project benefits, including improved service excellence and/or more effective use of university resources. Demonstrating a data-led approach to create actionable insights, utilising industry-leading thinking to shape solutions fit for the future.

4. Bring together cross-functional teams, in a matrix management structure, on a range of projects.

5. Coaching and nurturing subject matter experts from within and out-with the Transformation Team to ensure that our staff and student representatives are able to develop their skills through our work. Able to create an open and constructive feedback culture amongst colleagues who come from different ‘home’ teams.

6. Leading real and effective stakeholder engagement bringing people with us on the journey, and being an advocate for change across the institution.

7. Create and embed change utilising the University of Glasgow’s Change Framework, working closely to nurture strategic partnerships with People and Organisational Development, Finance, Information Services, Colleges & Schools and others to ensure effective shape and deliver broad-scale transformational change.  Adept at implementing a variety of different change solutions across, people (organisation), process, technology and data.

8. Escalating at the right time for support, decisions or intervention where needed to Senior Leadership – both within the Transformation Team and our governance forums e.g. Transformation Board.

9. The Transformation Lead must be able to impact the organisation not only through their influencing & leadership skills but by taking personal ownership for the delivery of measurable results. They must be able to garner respect from individuals or teams and be willing to get their hands dirty in getting the job done.

Knowledge, Qualifications, Skills and Experience

Knowledge/Qualifications

Essential:

A1 Ability to demonstrate the necessary strategic competencies required to undertake the duties associated with this level of post having acquired the necessary professional knowledge and leadership experience in a similar or number of different specialist roles.

A2 Highly developed knowledge and understanding of change and/or change management methodologies.

A3 Demonstrable knowledge and understanding of transformative change and improvement projects in complex environments.

Desirable:

B1 Relevant Technical/Professional Improvement or Change Qualifications (e.g. Lean/Sigma/Operational Excellence/Change/ or Transformation Accreditation)

B2 Strong understanding of Higher Education organisations, purpose, and infrastructure.

B3 Deep understanding of organisational dynamics, psychology, and social and behavioural science.

B4 Recognised Certifications in either Coaching (ICF), Facilitation (IAF) or Organisation Development.

B5 Recognised certifications in project management disciplines (Agile, Waterfall).

Skills

Essential:

C1 Solid skill in leading diverse types of change across different teams and organisational boundaries in a variety of sectors.

C2 Effective communication and influencing skills, to interact effectively with a range of internal stakeholders over whom you have little or no direct authority across diverse functional areas.

C3 Highly credible communicator with a strong ability to influence and persuade management teams of appropriate courses of action that may have University-wide implications.

C4 Leadership skills to shape and execute complex projects with working experience of effective project management methodologies.

C5 Ability to develop innovative solutions and influence behaviours in the adoption of new ways of working.

C6 Solid analytical and problem-solving skills in the analysis of existing processes, bridging the gap between varying levels of stakeholders in terms of subject matter expertise and project management capability.

C7 Good interpersonal skills including motivational negotiating, motivating, influencing, coaching, and building credible relationships with stakeholders.

C8 Comprehensive ability to prepare and deliver engaging presentations and training programmes.

C9 Highly effective negotiation and diplomacy skills.

C10 Strong benefits management and benefits delivery.

Desirable:

D1 Creative approach to data and reporting presentations.

D2 Mixed skillset in both business and technology change.

Experience

Essential:

E1 Professional experience at a senior level in private/public sector with a demonstrable track record in leading and delivering transformation projects to a clear and successful conclusion.

E2 Experience managing relevant business change projects involving multiple stakeholders across several business units and/or in complex environments.

E3 Proven track record of managing specialist improvement resources including the coaching and development of others in improvement and change techniques.

E4 Significant experience in successfully utilising multiple improvement or design methodologies in a variety of settings.

E5 Sound experience within a similar transformation, strategic, business change or planning environment gained in industry, the public sector and/or consultancy.

E8 Experience in a leadership role for a major change programme with significant delivery implications in complex organisations.

E9 Solid experience of task managing a diverse pool of resources from within a matrix organisation.

Desirable:

F1 Experience of working in HE Sector.

F2 Commercial acumen including the development of benefit realisation strategies.

F3 Experience of large-scale effective programme communications.

F4 Experience of managing and controlling budgets/resources/funding and understanding of financial management procedures along with experience in delivering project benefits.

Terms and Conditions

Salary will be Grade 8, £49,250 - £56,921 per annum.

This post is full time and fixed term for up to 3 years.

Closing Date: 23:45 9th February 2025