Project Manager- Education Portfolio

Please note- This position is available to University staff only. External applicants need not apply. The University of Oxford is a stimulating work environment, which enjoys an international reputation as a world-class centre of excellence. Our research plays a key role in tackling many global challenges, from reducing our carbon emissions to developing vaccines during a pandemic. We have an exciting opportunity to join the IT Services Department as a Project Manager working hybrid with 1-2 days per week in the office, or as required by business need. IT Services is a key department that ensures that the University has robust, reliable and high-performing IT facilities it requires to support the distinctive needs of those engaged in teaching, learning, research and administration. We value and recognise our own and the contribution of others, creating a great culture to work in and a place where we all feel we belong. We are seeking to hire a Project Manager to specifically work within the Education IT Portfolio, joining the team to deliver high-quality digital education solutions for our stakeholders. What We Offer As an employer, we genuinely care about our employees' wellbeing and this is reflected in the range of benefits that we offer including:

• An excellent contributory pension scheme
• 38 days annual leave
• A comprehensive range of childcare services
• Family leave schemes
• Cycle loan scheme
• Discounted bus travel and Season Ticket travel loans
• Membership to a variety of social and sports clubs
This role also offers the opportunity for hybrid working About the Role
• The postholder will define, manage, and deliver projects within IT Services, typically with budgets below £500k or where the parameters have already been pre-defined as part of an approved proposal with an agreed budget. They may also be asked to manage a workstream on a large complex project.
• The postholder will have financial responsibility for assigned projects and will be responsible to the performance of PPD Group staff assigned to their projects.
• This role is a developmental, entry level role to project management. It is expected that the post holder, once sufficient experience has been gained, would be able to take on tasks commensurate with the Grade 9 Project manager role., Understand the business issues and data challenges of the University and Higher Education, in order that the scope, business objectives, and financial viability of project requests are understood and can be verified and agreed.
• Produce project proposals for smaller initiates (typically
• Effectively apply IT Services Project methodology and enforce project standards, in order to ensure projects are run according to agreed best practice thereby maximising chance of successful delivery.
• Create and maintain project plans, including detailed activity, resource, and financial plans, in order that projects are completed within agreed timescales and budgets and to agreed levels of quality.
• Work with other groups within IT Services to ensure that resources are allocated according to the plan in order to ensure delivery to plan.
• Ensure risks and issues are identified and managed with mitigation and actions plans agreed with stakeholders in order to ensure successful delivery.
• Manage changes to scope and priorities throughout the project using formal change control processes such that changes to scope, timelines, or budget are formally approved in order that projects are completed within agreed timescales and budgets and to agreed levels of quality
• Communicate relevant project information to key stakeholders in order to ensure that the sponsor, board and other stakeholders are fully briefed on progress at all times.
• Maintain an awareness of changes in Education technology and systems in order to ensure that technical knowledge is up to date and that appropriate, cost effective solutions to meet stakeholder requirements are proposed.
• Manage the project team, motivating the team to work together in the most efficient manner and share lessons learned, in order to ensure projects objectives are achieved.
• Manage the performance of PPDG staff assigned to projects, agreeing and monitoring individual project objectives and feed this into the annual Performance Development Review process.
• Identify opportunities for improvement and makes constructive suggestions for change in order to ensure that the PPD Group operates effectively.
• Where required, prepare and engage with external audit and assurance reviews, acting on feedback in order to improve performance and ensure projects objectives are achieved.
  
  A high level of general education to degree level or equivalent.
• Demonstrable project management experience
• Previous experience of managing and motivating a team, including both business and technical staff, and of working effectively as part of a wider, multi-disciplinary team.
• Proven ability to manage, plan and take responsibility for a range of tasks involving interaction with and the co-operation of business and IT people.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills, including the ability to relate confidently and effectively to users at all levels.
Desirable Criteria
• Experience of using industry standard project management methodologies and tools.
• Proven successful risk mitigation and quality management experience.
• Experience in the Education IT sector.