Programme Manager

SOAS University of London is the leading Higher Education institution in Europe specialising in the study of Asia, Africa and the Near and Middle East. SOAS University of London is positioned to play a leading role in reimagining higher education globally, with a new strategic plan in place as the basis for the renewal and revitalisation of the School which commits SOAS to both student responsiveness and research intensity. SOAS is moving towards a new model of international partnerships which is responsive to the transnational character of our global challenges.

About the Department:

The Estates Directorate is one of the key Professional Services departments. Its role is to support all Academic and Professional Services directorates in creating a safe and fit for purpose estate and delivering an exceptional student experience.

The Estates Directorate is responsible for the delivery of an estates strategy which covers asset management & replacement, refurbishment, projects; facilities operations and space management, including sustainability and energy management.

The Directorate aims to ensure that the quality, functionality and operation of the estate and its associated infrastructure meet the needs of its users, support the activities of SOAS and provides a safe and compliant environment.

The ideal candidate will bring a wealth of programme and project management expertise, excellent organisational prowess, and a collaborative spirit to foster success across diverse teams.

Training and Qualifications

• Bachelors degree or equivalent experience delivering a portfolio of large scale project change initiatives, working at a strategic and operational level
• Project management qualification - Ideally experience in Agile methodologies, or APMG / Lean Six Sigma accredited qualifications
• Demonstrable evidence of continued professional and personal learning development.

Knowledge and Experience

• Experience of operating at a Senior Management level
• Experience of creating governance mechanisms for programmes and projects.
• Experience of managing a portfolio of multiple fast-paced and complex projects.
• Experience of process redesign or developing new operating models
• Demonstrable ability to translate user requirements into effective solutions
• Highly developed written and verbal communication skills.
• Experience of managing budgets and resources effectively
• Ability to deliver highly sensitive or highly contentious information, including where skilful interpersonal skills need to be used to overcome barriers to acceptance
• Ability to assess risks, anticipate difficulties and successfully resolve them
• Working with complex sets of data, with strong analytical skills and critical reasoning skills capable of effective problem solving
• Leading and motivating a programme team.
• Reviewing the performance of programme members, and holding to account team members to ensure successful delivery of initiatives to scope, time, quality and cost
• Good level of practical working with Microsoft Office package
• Experience of preparing and writing executive/board level reports and presentations
• Significant experience of sound resource and budget management
• Able to make sense of conflicting priorities and reach effective and speedy solutions.

Skills and Abilities

• A high level of initiative to act without requiring direction, demonstrates resilience, confidence and self-belief when under pressure
• Ability to network and build relationships, demonstrating self-awareness which includes awareness of impact on other
• Flexibility, adaptability and reliability
• Ability to influence, evidence innovative and strategic thinking ability, encourage innovative thinking in others
• Excellent analytical skills.
• Ability to assess, analyse and interpret highly complex situations or sets of data which may appear to be contradictor
• Ability to confidently make conclusions, judgements and recommendations based on highly complex information, potentially in emotive circumstances
• Be able to listen and accurately capture critical information, role model for openness and inclusion
• Ability to absorb and understand complex information and can conveys straightforward information in a clear and accurate manner to different audiences.
• Able to deliver progress report at appropriate intervals tailored to the audience.
• Work under pressure and meet deadlines