Business Change Manager

Business Change Manager

2 positions available on a Fixed Term Contract for 1 year with the potential for extension.

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 in the Programmes, Projects Delivery Group (PPDG) as a Business Change Manager working in a hybrid arrangement with time onsite at University premises as required to complete the role, expectation is an average of at least 1 days in the office per week.

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.

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

The University also runs an enormous amount of social groups and sports clubs for those looking for more than just a great place to work.

About the Role

• This is a senior role and as a Business Change Manager you will be instrumental in supporting a wider range of stakeholders and users through the change required in order to deliver the programmes and projects desired benefits. It will involve working closely with the PPDG delivery teams in ITS to develop the change approach and strategy for the projects, coordinate the change plans within a defined service area(s) as well as identify and validate the associated benefits.
• A large part of the role is the stakeholder engagement across the University to ensure their needs and the required changes are understood and possible resistance is effectively managed to ensure a successful adoption of the change. This is a role which offers significant exposure across the University and personal development at an exciting time for the University with the significant level of planned development work and Digital Transformation programme in progress.

About You

• To be successful in this varied and interesting role, you will need to be someone who has a good knowledge of Business Change supported by a deep level of practical experience in deploying change management tools and techniques.
• You will need to have a good understanding of Higher Education, its stakeholder landscape and possess excellent inter personal and communication skills as well as being confident, adept and sensitive in managing a wide range of stakeholders across a highly complex and matrix environment.
• You will need a level of personal resilience and positive outlook as well as a desire to deliver real improvements in a global and highly regarded world class organisation.

We currently have 2 vacancies for a 12 month term either as a Secondment or Fixed Term Contract and are specifically looking for people who not only have experience in Business Change Management (as described above) but also a level of domain knowledge in one or more of the following areas:

• Education – An understanding of the academic administration and student support services would be a distinct advantage. In particular we are looking for individuals who have knowledge of the user needs (including academics, registry staff and students) and the associated processes. Demonstrable experience of being able to engage empathetically and build strong relationships with the key stakeholder groups is essential for this role.
• Professional Services – In particular, there is requirement for knowledge of the Finance, HR and Procurement processes (ideally within Higher Education) and/or experience of an Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) programme (or similar) where there has been a significant level of change resulting from the introduction of automation and workflow enablers. An understanding of user needs and concerns associated with this type of change is also desirable.

Application Process

You will be required to upload a supporting statement of now more than 2 pages describing why you are a good fit for the role (and an indication of which area you are interested in, a CV and the details of two referees as part of your online application.

The closing date for applications is Thursday 04 January at 12:00 noon.

Interviews will take place during the week commencing 15 January 2024 and ideally will be face to face although a virtual arrangement can be put in place by agreement