Further Particulars
This document includes information about the role for which you are applying and the
information you will need to provide with the application.
1. Role details
Vacancy reference:
11644
Job title:
Programme Manager
Reports to:
Director, Student Services
Salary:
£48,743 - £54,841
Terms and conditions:
Academic Related
Grade:
9
Duration of post:
Temporary contract for 12 months
Working hours:
37
Location:
Milton Keynes, East Campus, with travel to other sites
as required
Closing date:
19 October
Type of application form accepted:
CV + Short application form
Number of referees required:
3
Unit recruitment contact:
Sandra Chapman
Human Resources HRG158 Issue 2
February 2010
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2. Summary of duties
Role Purpose
The post-holder will be responsible for programme management of the Student Seamless
Journey Programme, directing a team of Project Managers and Workstream Leads to deliver
multiple concurrent deliverables. The programme is a critical one for the University, and
within its scope are important changes to the services offered to students and consequent
changes to the operating models across Students Services, Student Recruitment and Fees,
and their interfaces into Faculties and Marketing. The programme will be delivered within a
context of wider changes impacting across the institution; managing the dependencies arising
between programmes will be a significant challenge.
The role requires a high degree of leadership, programme and project management
knowledge, and the managerial capability to work effectively across the University.

Develop and own the delivery strategy and plan including:
o
The governance structure ensuring all Steering Group meetings are run in
accordance with best practice, and all actions are acted upon in a timely
manner.
o
The delivery team structure and delivery model including all interactions with
other teams required to deliver the required outcomes.

Monitor that all component workstreams and deliverables, ensuring delivery is within
appropriate budgets and report accurate actual spend, with variances clearly accounted for
and mitigating actions in place.

Ensure programme and portfolio level reporting to senior management is produced to an
appropriate level of detail, accuracy and timeliness.

Ensure policies and principles are delivered and maintained on all workstreams in a
manner consistent with agreed organisational standards:
o
Oversee the production of project plans, monitor progress against these plans
and ensure critical risks and issues are being raised to the appropriate
authority and resolved
o
Ensure dependencies across workstreams and with other institutional
programmes are understood and managed effectively
o
Ensure project management / other key resource estimation and allocation is
completed in a timely manner across all projects
o
Ensure the preparation of project closure reports, including sign-off,
acceptance of change, and lessons learned

Proactively monitor and challenge all workstreams, helping project managers identify
improvements to approach and to identify critical risks and issues,

Be the first point of contact for all programme / portfolio level queries and escalations.
Ensure the relevant decision making authority is briefed with appropriate information to
enable timely decision making.

Lead and manage a team of Project Managers whether employees or contractors. Provide
line management, personal and team development to create a highly motivated and
efficient team. Recruitment and induction of permanent and contract project managers

Lead by example in terms of excellent personal and professional skills. Motivate and
inspire others to do the same.
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January 2010
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3. Person specification
Essential Knowledge and Experience

Proven organisational ability and experience of leading and managing medium to large
programmes or portfolios incorporating large scale organisational, business and IT
change activities

Evidence of developing and maintaining excellent and effective relationships with
internal and external business partners

Track record of building effective teams in a matrix organisation. Able to lead and
organise people directly, or through matrix management, influence and persuasion.

Proven experience of managing, motivating and developing team members both
collectively and individually, and of delivering positive cultural change

Good understanding of business drivers, pressures and values and their impact on
people’s performance and behaviour.

Highly effective communication skills, able to simplify and communicate complex
issues
Personal Qualities

Excited by and driven to deliver bottom line value for the organisation.

Excellent communication and influencing skills – verbal and written – with ability to
liaise at all levels

Excellent technical awareness and business acumen

Excellent planning and organisational skills

Excellent at proactively identifying and resolving issues

Able to prioritise workload and manage own time effectively.
Personal Characteristics

At ease working with a team

Strong Relationship management

Strong Communicating and Influencing

Personable approach to individuals

Strong Leader and Shaper

Credible individual (Business and Technical)
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January 2010
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4. Role specific requirements e.g. Shift working
N/A
5. About the unit/department
Student Services
The most crucial interactions and relationships with registered students are managed
through Student Services, working in collaboration with colleagues in the University,
and in particular those in academic units. More than 900 staff are employed by the unit
at or through:

Four central sub-units based at Walton Hall, Milton Keynes

Three National Centres based in Scotland, Wales, Ireland

Nine English locations
Student Services is led by the Director, Students who is a member of the ViceChancellor’s Executive and reports directly to the Vice-Chancellor. The Student
Services unit is divided into four functional areas as follows:

Access, Careers and Teaching Support

Assessment, Credit and Qualifications

Student Support

Office of Director, Students
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January 2010
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6. How to obtain more information about the role or application process
If you would like to discuss the particulars of this role before making an application please
contact: Christina Lloyd on 01908 659357 or email christina.lloyd@open.ac.uk
If you have any questions regarding the application process please contact Sandra Chapman
on 01908 858471 or email sandra.chapman@open.ac.uk
7. Where to send completed applications
Please ensure that your application reaches the University by: 5 pm on Monday 19
October
E-mail your application to: SS-STS-Recruitment@open.ac.uk
Or post it to:
Name/Job title:
Sandra Chapman
PA to Director, Student Support
Department/Unit: Student Services
Address:
The Open University
Frank Henshaw Building
Milton Keynes
Post Code:
MK7 6BY
8. Selection process and date of interview
The interview panel will be chaired by Christina Lloyd. Further details on the selection process
will be sent to shortlisted candidates.
We will let you know as soon as possible after the closing date whether you have been
shortlisted for interview. Applications received after the closing date will not be accepted.
Human Resources HRG158 Issue 2
January 2010
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