The University

At Durham University we are proud of our people. A globally outstanding centre of educational excellence, a collegiate community of extraordinary people, a unique and historic setting - Durham is a university like no other. We believe that inspiring our people to do outstanding things at Durham enables Durham people to do outstanding things professionally and personally.

Across the University we have a huge variety of roles and career opportunities, which together make us a large and successful community, which is a key hub of activity within our region and nationally.

We would be thrilled if you would consider joining our thriving University. Further information about the University can be found here.

Find out more about the benefits of working at the University and what it is like to live and work in the Durham area on our Why Join Us? - Information Page.

The Role and the Department

The Computing and Information Services (CIS) has an annual operational budget in excess of £12m, multi-million pound programmes of change within year, and approximately 185 staff. The Senior Leadership Team report directly to the Chief Information Officer (CIO) with the following portfolios: Strategy and Change; Operations; Information Systems, and Cyber Security. CIS work with departments across the university to provide academic, teaching and administrative services that underpin the day-to-day activities of the whole organisation. Details of the Digital Strategy and ongoing work can be found at https://www.durham.ac.uk/digitalstrategy.

CIS is a friendly, but demanding department, where much is expected and can be achieved by competent, self-motivated individuals who work well in teams. The department works in a hybrid capacity depending on the job role and individual personal requirements with its physical base at Boldon House - Durham University.

The University has an exciting programme of activity ahead which spans a range of technical infrastructure enhancements and business led IT projects with corresponding business change. In this role you will play a key part in a number of initiatives or one large project with corresponding complexity.

The key responsibility of the role is delivering the required project deliverables, within the specified time frame, within the specified cost, and to the quality agreed. Additionally the role will:

• Lead the planning and implementation of project initiatives.

• Identify and manage project dependencies, risks, issues and the critical path.

• Oversee and manage project scope, tasks, goals, deliverables and timelines in accordance with enterprise project management tools and philosophies.

• Monitor the progress of project(s), highlighting exceptions as required.

• Coordinate staff teams to deliver project successes.

• In conjunction with others, support the delivery of project benefits as presented in the Business Case.

The departments PMO is a driven and motivated team with a strong vision for what project management can achieve. We are looking for a multi-skilled project manager with a track record of successful project delivery to join our productive PMO team.

Further information about the role and the responsibilities is at the bottom of this job description.

Working at Durham

A competitive salary is only one part of the many fantastic benefits you will receive if you join the University:

• You'll receive 30 days annual leave per year in addition to 8 public holidays and 4 customary days per year - a total of 42 days per year. The University closes between Christmas and New Year.

• We offer a generous pension scheme, and as a new member of staff you will be automatically enrolled into the University Superannuation Scheme (USS).

• No matter how you travel to work, we have you covered. We have ample parking across campus, a cycle to work scheme which helps you to buy a bike and discount with local bus and train companies. You can also take advantage of our cost-effective and environmentally friendly Tusker Car Benefit Scheme, allowing you to lease a brand-new electric or hybrid vehicle with savings on tax and National Insurance.

• We have a genuine commitment to developing our colleagues professionally and personally. There is a comprehensive range of development courses, apprenticeships and access to qualifications and routes to develop your career in the University. All staff have dedicated annual time to concentrate on their personal development opportunities.

• We provide wide-ranging health and wellbeing support including discounted membership for our state-of-the-art sport and gym facilities and access to a 24-7 Employee Assistance Programme.

• Our on-site nursery is rated Outstanding by Ofsted, and you can access holiday camps for children aged 5-16.

• Our family-friendly policies, including maternity and adoption leave, are among the most generous in the higher education sector (and likely above and beyond many employers).

• We offer all staff the opportunity to take part in volunteering activities to make a difference in the local community.

• You can access exclusive discounts via our benefits portal including money off at supermarkets, high street retailers, IT products such as Apple, eating out and days out at various attractions.

• Various salary sacrifice schemes are also available to help you take advantage of tax savings on benefits.

• If you are moving to Durham, you may be eligible for help with removal costs, and we have a dedicated team who can help you with the practicalities such as house hunting and schools. If you need a visa, we cover most visa costs and offer an interest-free loan scheme to pay for dependant visas.

Discover more about our total rewards and benefits package here.

Durham University is committed to equality, diversity and inclusion

Our collective aim is to create an open and inclusive environment where everyone can reach their full potential and we believe our staff should reflect the diversity of the global community in which we work. As a University equality, diversity, and inclusion (EDI) are a key part of the University's Strategy and a central part of everything we do. We also live by our values and our Staff Code of Conduct. At Durham we actively work towards providing an environment where our staff and students can study, work and live in a community which is supportive and inclusive.

We welcome and encourage applications from members of groups who are under-represented in our work force including people with disabilities, women and black, Asian and minority ethnic communities. If you have taken time out of your career, and you feel it relevant, let us know about it in your application. If you are a candidate with a disability, we are committed to ensuring fair treatment throughout the recruitment process. We will make adjustments to support the interview process wherever it is reasonable to do so and, where successful, reasonable adjustments will be made to support people within their role

What you need to demonstrate when you apply/Person Specification

When you apply it is important that you let us know what skills/experience you have from a similar role and/or what skills/experience you have which would make you right for this role. Further information about the role and responsibilities is at the end of this job description.

Your application should cover the following criteria:

Essential Criteria

Qualifications/Experience

1. Educated to degree level (or equivalent experience).

2. Industry recognised project management qualification.

3. Professional practitioner with specialist knowledge and expertise to influence project delivery, within the organisation.

4. Experience of providing specialist advice and guidance to a range of customers and colleagues, including more senior colleagues.

5. Experience of delivering complex IT projects with multiple stakeholders.

6. Experience of transitioning implementations into support and managing the resulting impacts.

7. Experience of project financial control.

8. Significant experience of delivering projects which realise their intended benefits.

Skills/Abilities/Knowledge

9. Excellent spoken and written communication skills including the ability to develop effective working relationships, both internally and externally

10. Strong digital competence across a range of digital devices and apps including Microsoft Office.

11. Knowledge and experience of ensuring compliance with regulatory and organisational policy and guidelines.

12. Ability to work under pressure to tight deadlines, leading teams of people to deliver large projects on time and to budget.

13. Ability to contribute to planning at operational and strategic levels.

14. Good negotiation skills and the ability to solve problems and decide on and plan appropriate solutions.

Desirable Criteria

15. Track record of management and development experience and/or an enhanced management qualification.

16. Experience of IT procurement.

17. Experience of delivering large scale projects within the higher education sector.

How to apply

To progress to the assessment stage, candidates must evidence each of the essential criteria required for the role in the person specification above. It will be at the discretion of the recruiting panel as to whether they will also consider any desirable criteria, but we would urge candidates to provide evidence for all criteria.

While some criteria will be considered at the shortlisting stage, other criteria may be considered later in the assessment process, such as questions at interview.

Submitting your application

We prefer to receive applications online. We will update you about your application at various points throughout the selection process, via automated emails from our e-recruitment system. Please check your spam/junk folder periodically to make sure you have not missed any of our updates.

What you need to submit

• A CV: and

• A supporting statement which outlines how you meet all of the criteria within the Person Specification.

Contact details

For a chat about the role or any further information please contact Michael Marley (Deputy Head of Project Management), michael.marley@durham.ac.uk

Typical Role Requirements

Service Delivery/Development

• Contribute to equality, diversity and inclusion and the University's values.

• Develop and promote an in-depth understanding of university policy and external developments relevant to your role.

• Ensure that policy and regulatory standards are met by projects you are responsible for.

• Use your professional knowledge and experience as a Project Manager to resolve problems, shape processes and activities, and provide subject matter expertise and advice.

• Provide specialist advice on the analysis and interpretation of complex data and information relevant to your project.

• Look for ways to continually improve and take a lead role in the development and implementation of assigned projects.

• Ensure data (commercially sensitive and/or personal) is appropriately stored and managed.

• Responsible for operational activity across assigned projects.

• Provide expert professional subject and/or leadership expertise on assigned projects.

• Help to shape the skills and expertise of future team members, supporting their development on projects as required.

• Support colleagues you work with by sharing good practice and carrying out any necessary demonstrations and training on project management software if required.

• Devolve responsibilities to team members to ensure continuity of service provision.

• Support the welfare, wellbeing and employment of staff working on the project by providing professional guidance.

Planning and Organisation

• Contribute to the development of operational and strategic-level plans relevant to your area.

• Scope, plan and implement large-scale/University-wide initiatives.

• Oversee projects to deliver agreed objectives while solving any problems which are encountered.

• Provide oversight for short term/temporary project teams.

• Analyse data about the progress of your projects and make recommendations for improvement in reports to senior managers and committees.

• Allocate and monitor designated budgets, expenditure and resources.

Communication/Liaison

• Use your professional knowledge to identify and recommend priorities for business plans.

• Provide professional guidance and advice when managing projects.

• Build and establish contacts and networks with key stakeholders whether this be, internal or external to the University, as required.

• Influence University policy and standards by leading operational business meetings, working groups and sub-committees.

• Create strong working relationships, including internal and external networks, using your networks to increase your knowledge and skills, swap information with peers and positively influence the University's reputation.

• Represent projects and the University at events.

• Any other reasonable duties.

Useful links

If you would like further information, you may find the following will help

About Us - Durham University

Please note that in submitting your application Durham University will be processing your data. We would ask you to consider the relevant University Privacy Statement Privacy Notices - Durham University which provides information on the collation, storing and use of data.

When appointing to this role the University must ensure that it meets any applicable immigration requirements, including salary thresholds which are applicable to some visas.