Cross Functional Programme Manager

What are we looking for in our Cross Functional Programme Manager?

Cross Functional Programme Manager - £800 per day inside IR35 - 12 month contract with extension - London

Context:
Our client has recently laid out its approach to transformational change, following a significant period of engagement and consultation to make the organization fit for the future against a background of financial, sector and geo-political challenges within higher education.

The Strategic Change team, which ultimately reports into the VP Operations, are responsible for driving the enabling aspects of the strategic plan, working closely with functional leaders and experts to deliver improvements in service delivery and user experience across all our enabling functions.

One of the significant pieces of work being led by the Strategic Change team is a review of the Target Operating models of our Professional Services functions both in central and shared services and at a local Faculty level. The aim is to settle on and implement a more unified model which meets the strategic aims of efficient, value for money services which enable the academic mission.

Main purpose of the job:

• Responsible for managing the Functions Programme, which is a portfolio of strategic change and improvement projects and programmes across multiple ‘service lines’ including HR, Finance, IT (ISD), Commercial & Procurement, External Engagement, Estates and Legal, ensuring successful execution and embedding the changes aligned strategy.
• Ensuring multi- and cross-functional programme plans are robust and achievable with defined KPIs and success criteria attached.
• Building strong working relationships across the portfolio with Directors of central and shared services functions, leaders and teams located centrally and locally in Faculties to identify opportunities for alignment, resolution of conflicts and to drive delivery.
• Co-ordinating a multi-disciplined team of variously experienced project and programme managers, change managers and business analysts to define and refine requirements, identify deliverables and KPIs, drive delivery against agreed timelines and support governance processes.
• Establish robust governance processes appropriate to projects and programmes in the portfolio to provide assurance, oversight, and a route of escalation.
  Identify areas for continuous improvement to increase programme effectiveness or efficiency.

Duties and responsibilities:
Program Strategy and Planning:

• Develop and communicate a clear programme strategy.
• Create comprehensive programme plans, timelines, and budgets to guide successful execution.
• Define programme KPIs and success metrics and regularly report on progress to senior leadership which could include formal programme governance processes as agreed, but also other governance processes such as the Change & Digital Committee (CDC), University Management Committee (UMC), Finance Committee (FPPC), and other informal and formal processes centrally and locally.

Cross-Functional Collaboration:

• Foster strong collaboration and regular two-way communication across all enabling Functions and Faculties, recognising this is essential to the successful delivery of this portfolio programme.
• Ensure alignment of cross-functional activities with the programme goals and objectives and identifying areas for cross collaboration (e.g., on technology solutions) and service dependency.
• Resolve conflicts and promote a culture of teamwork cooperation and rapid escalation to the appropriate level to resolve issues and avoid delays in delivery.
• Identify resource and workload crunch not just in the programme team but within teams receiving and accepting the change and managing and resolving these issues to reduce risk in delivery and implementation.

Resource Management:

• Lead team of project, programme and change managers and business analysts to support defining target operating models, requirements, delivery plans and resources required.
• Identify and allocate necessary resources, including personnel, budget, and technology, to support programme execution.
• Monitor resource utilization and adjust as needed to optimize outcomes.

Risk Management:

• Identify potential risks and work with relevant functional teams to develop mitigation plans to minimize programme disruptions or risk to programme landing effectively according to the success criteria.
• Implement effective risk monitoring and escalation procedures.

Quality Assurance:

• Establish and maintain quality standards for program deliverables.
  Conduct regular reviews and audits to ensure adherence to quality guidelines.

Stakeholder Engagement:

• Build a stakeholder map and regularly engage with key stakeholders, including Directors of functions, Faculty leaders (including Deans and Directors of Operations,) Heads of departments, heads of professional services functions, external partners and programme sponsors to maintain their alignment and support for the programme.
• Provide regular updates and reports to stakeholders to keep them informed of programme progress.

Continuous Improvement:

• Lead post-implementation reviews and gather feedback to identify areas for improvement.
  Implement process enhancements and best practices to increase program efficiency and effectiveness.

Key Skills:

• Proven experience of successfully leading complex, cross-functional change and transformation programmes in a large, matrix-managed institution - including representing programmes at Executive-level governance forums.
• Experience of implementing robust project and programme management methodologies and best practice aligned to programme objectives and timescales.
• Experience of leading broad skilled, multi-disciplined programme teams (including business analysts, project & programme managers, change management and technology professionals etc.)
• Experience and understanding of best practice Target Operating Models, Service Design and technical architecture and development methodologies across multiple Professional Services functions.
• Ability to build credibility quickly and develop positive working relationships with stakeholders.
• Ability to communicate effectively both verbally and written.
• Proven ability to deliver large, complex programmes on time and to budget.
• A strategic thinker able to work in a rapidly changing, fluid environment and able to balance long term and short-term goals.

Rate/Salary: 800 Per day