Project Manager

We are in the early stages of implementing our 10-year organisational strategy, ARUK: Towards a Cure. Sitting within the Chief Executive’s Office and reporting to the Head of Programme Management, the Project and Programme Manager leads the Project Management team and is responsible for driving complex, strategic projects and facilitating project management best practice across the wider organisation. The post holder also supports the Head of Programme Management in scoping and reporting on multi-year programmes and line manages the Projects Lead. 

Main duties and responsibilities of the role:

Project management

• Deliver key, strategic projects, as determined by the yearly Operational Planning process, working with project teams to develop flexible project plans that can adapt to change. 
• Manage project risks and decisions, liaise with third parties, and monitor project progress, ensuring stakeholders are updated at key checkpoints. 
• Lead project reviews to capture successes and learnings and ensure project outcomes are embedded into BAU. 
• Maintain oversight of key, strategic projects, identifying and managing dependencies as they arise. 

Programme management

• Support the Head of Programme Management in scoping large programmes of work in line with our wider organisational strategy. 
• Support the development of strategic working groups and assist the Head of Programme Management in monitoring progress against key strategic activities. 
• Support delivery of the annual Operational Planning process

Team management

• Facilitate project management best practice across the wider organisation, contributing to the delivery of the Project Management Masterclass and developing and leading an internal Project Management consultation service. 
• Line-manage and support the Projects Lead to ensure they deliver work to a high standard and their personal development is supported.  Carry out annual appraisals and quarterly meetings.

What we are looking for:

• Experience managing key, strategic projects including allocating tasks and managing risks, decisions, and changes. 
• Sound knowledge of project management methodologies (Waterfall, Agile).
• Demonstrable ability to work with and influence a variety of different internal and external stakeholders at all levels. 
• Ability to maintain focus on the bigger picture, spotting interdependencies and opportunities for collaboration across a range of projects and workstreams.
• Working knowledge of project management tools, such as Excel, Smartsheet, MS Projects or similar. 
• Experience of line and/or matrix management.
• Programme Management experience, or a drive to develop skills in this area. 
• Excellent communication skills, with an ability to build relationships, trust, and inspire confidence and respect at all levels.
• Strong team player who can work both independently and collaboratively with internal and external stakeholders.
• Excellent planning and organisational skills, and the ability to manage a varied workload and reprioritise work in accordance with the organisation’s needs.  
• Excellent listening skills, demonstrating flexibility, curiosity and an ability to learn
• Strong team player who can work both independently and collaboratively with internal stakeholders at all levels of the organisation.
• Demonstrates strong negotiation and influencing skills. 
• Demonstrates a proactive and pragmatic approach to investigating and solving problems, strives for continuous improvement and identifies ways to deliver creative and innovative solutions. 
• A good blend of strategic and analytical thinking; with an ability to see the bigger picture and make appropriate recommendations.
• Ability to absorb and process new information quickly. 
• Strong ethical standards and a high level of personal integrity and empathy.
• Excellent IT skills in PowerPoint, Word and Excel.

Additional Information:

Ways of working: Agile - As part of our Agile ways of working you will be required to work approximately 2 days a week from the office, which is subject to the requirements of the role and the business needs. Flexibility on where you work can be split between working from home and our office.

Roles that are classed as part of the Agile ways of working are not able to claim any costs for Mileage/Travel on Public Transport, Accommodation and/or Meals.  This includes when attending the office for various meetings/events.

Our Office: Our office is at 3 Riverside, Granta Park, Great Abington, Cambridge, CB21 6AD. 

Salary: Circa £45,000 per annum, plus benefits

Please download the Vacancy Pack for more information.

The closing date for applications is the 14th April 2024, with interviews likely to be held week commencing the 22nd April 2024. We would encourage you to submit your application at the earliest opportunity as the closing date may be brought forward at any time. Please indicate in your covering letter if you are unable to attend an interview on a certain date.

We value diversity and are committed to creating an inclusive culture where everyone can be themselves and reach their full potential.  We actively encourage applications from people of all backgrounds and cultures, in particular those from ethnic minority backgrounds who are currently under-represented.  Any offer of employment is however subject to you having the right to work in the UK.

As part of our commitment to be an inclusive employer and ensure fairness and consistency in selecting the best candidate for this role, your CV will be anonymised as part of the selection process.  Should you need any adjustments at either the application or interview stage, then please do contact us via our website.

How to apply:

Please create an online account using our Online Recruitment Platform which can be accessed through our Job Vacancies page. You will be able to attach your CV to your application and track the status of your application.

About Alzheimer’s Research UK:

Alzheimer's Research UK is the UK's leading dementia research charity. Our mission is to accelerate progress towards a cure.  Today 1 in 2 people will be impacted by dementia, either through caring for a loved one, developing it themselves or tragically both. But there is hope. 

There has never been a more important and exciting time in dementia research. With promising new drugs in clinical trials that slow the progression of the diseases that cause it, and revolutionary new ways to diagnose them on the horizon, we are now at a tipping point. Working with the smartest minds globally and across the UK, with industry and academia, Alzheimer’s Research UK is uniquely placed to invest in the very best research identifying barriers to a cure and knocking them down so that there are more and better treatments for everyone with dementia. For the first time in history, we can see a future where people with dementia can get a swift and accurate diagnosis, and effective treatments that could slow or even stop their disease. We stand for everyone affected by dementia. We stand for a cure. 

In 2022, we were incredibly proud to be awarded a 3-star accreditation by Best Companies which recognises ‘World Class’ levels of workplace engagement and were also listed in the prestigious Best Companies lists:

• 48th in the 100 Best Large Companies to Work For in the UK.

• 19th in the 100 Best Companies to Work For in the East of England.

• 3rd in the 50 Best Companies to Work For in the Charity Sector.

In addition, we were also shortlisted for a special award recognising the work undertaken on reducing our environmental impact.

In 2021, we were awarded the HR Management award by The Charity Times for our Wellbeing initiatives throughout the pandemic.

In 2020, we demonstrated our commitment to changing the way we think and act about mental health in the workplace and signed the Time to Change Employer Pledge. 

ARUK really does look after its people, where you will be able to add value and make a difference. 

To view further details about working for us and the benefits we offer, please visit Alzheimer’s Research UK