Job Related Information

Transcription

1 Job Related Information This document includes information about the role for which you are applying and the information you will need to provide with your application. 1. Role Details Vacancy reference Job title: Reports to: Senior Project Manager Head of Portfolio Salary: 39,992 47,722 Terms and conditions: Academic Related Grade Grade 8 Duration of post: Working hours: Location: Permanent 37 hours per week Walton Hall, Milton Keynes, MK7 6AA Closing date: Midday, 27 March 2018 Type of application form accepted: Number of referees required: Standard application form External Candidates - Three Internal Candidates - One (line manager) Unit recruitment contact: Lucy Goddard The Open University, Human Resources, HRG158 Page 1 of 5

2 2. Summary of duties The Senior Project Manager plays a key role in building the capability of the Open University to deliver change and improvement effectively. It is an exciting, varied role, helping to shape important decisions at all levels and requiring close working with teams across the University. It s the perfect time to join us, because the need for the organisation to be able to adapt successfully, with pace and focus, is greater than ever. We have a refreshed institutional strategy (to put our students first and foremost in our decision-making and actions, and better support the staff who most directly help students to achieve their goals), but making it happen requires the organisation to change like it s never changed before. We are recruiting a number of Senior Project Managers who will be based within the Portfolio Office, but will work across the University to lead a variety of project and change management services that will support the University to make the right change, and make the change right. The ideal candidate will have great leadership, relationship-building and communication skills, and be creative, pragmatic and unafraid to challenge the status quo. They will be experienced in delivering change in complex environments and building change capability in others. Plus, they will be excited about - and motivated by - the Open University s mission and the opportunity to play a key part in making it happen. As a Senior PM you will be expected to Lead University-wide projects from start to close, ensuring the achievement of key deliverables within agreed time, cost and scope thresholds and in line with the change and project framework Work with key stakeholders to clarify the business benefits and products that are to be delivered together with the quality, time and cost criteria that are to be met. Map and track the realisation of benefits to give assurance that they are met Develop and agree appropriate project governance structures and processes to ensure clarity of roles and an effective framework for management decision making Identify and facilitate the evaluation of different delivery options to enable key stakeholders to select an appropriate approach Develop and agree a project plan that identifies key activities, outputs and resource requirements and that provides a basis for monitoring project performance Lead and manage the performance of team members (including consultants, vendors and other external suppliers) to ensure effective utilisation of these resources and that their project outputs meet defined quality, time and cost criteria. Identify, agree and implement remedial actions where necessary Evaluate and challenge project risk logs and recovery plans to give assurance that these are appropriate Adhere to OU project and financial governance and reporting processes to ensure that decisions are made by the right people at the right time and that you and the project s key stakeholders can monitor, control and evaluate the performance of the project Obtain stakeholder sign off of the completed products and deliver documentation that enables implementation, operation and ongoing support Conduct assurance reviews within the project and commission independent project reviews where appropriate, to give senior stakeholders confidence that the project can deliver to time, budget and quality Capture lessons learned from the project and share these with stakeholders and the project management community to enable performance improvements The Open University, Human Resources, HRG158 Page 2 of 5

3 3. Person specification Requirements (E = Essential/ D = Desirable) Education, qualifications and training IPMA Level C qualification (e.g. APM Practitioner), or equivalent skills and experience Knowledge, work and other relevant experience Essential: Evidence of managing complex projects using a structured methodology Evidence of leading a team to achieve work objectives Evidence of benefit management and delivery Thorough understanding of best practices in all aspects of project management Evidence of iterative improvement in project delivery Strong IT skills and the ability to use a range of software packages including Microsoft Office, Project and SharePoint Use of the OU configured PPM Solution (Microsoft Project Server) for managing projects (or equivalent in external recruitment) Desirable: Understanding of OUPM Project methodology and project approval process at the Open University (or equivalent in external recruitment) Change Management Qualification Personal abilities and qualities Essential: A sound understanding of and a commitment to equal opportunities and diversity Evidence of providing project leadership Evidence of genuine stakeholder management and management of large scale consultation activities Desirable: The Open University, Human Resources, HRG158 Page 3 of 5

4 4. Role specific requirements e.g. Shift working N/A 5. About the unit/department About the Portfolio Office The Portfolio Office forms part of the Open University s Strategy and Information Office. The Strategy and Information Office, led by the Director of Strategy (a member of the Vice-Chancellor s Executive) provides critical leadership and support that enables others in the university to be successful in supporting the OU and its students by Having an effective strategy that is owned and supported by the organisation and implemented effectively Improving the OU s ability to make the right change, and make the change right (this is the Portfolio Office s core focus) Making data and insight a source of competitive advantage for the University, for the benefit of our students The role-holder reports to the Head of Portfolio Office, who in turn reports to the Director of Strategy. Both the Portfolio Office and the Strategy and Information Office within which it sits are forward-looking teams that are serious about how we make the Open University and its students more successful. We have seven team principles that guide how we do our work: 1. Proactive and challenging - more ambitious for the organisation and our people 2. Visible to the organisation - a role model 3. Open and transparent 4. Flexible and seeking to continuously improve both what we do and how we do it 5. Take a wide view of our customers the organisation as a whole, and particularly our academic faculties 6. Look outside for insight 7. Build expertise 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 Susan Palmer-Trew, susan.palmer-trew@open.ac.uk If you have any questions regarding the application process please contact LTI-Translation-Recruitment@open.ac.uk The Open University, Human Resources, HRG158 Page 4 of 5

5 7. The application process and where to send completed applications Please ensure that your application reaches the University by: Post it to: Name/Job title: Department/Unit: Address: Post Code: Or your application to: Midday, 27 March 2018 A CV and covering letter are not required and will not be used as part of the selection process. As follows Staffing and Recruitment Co-ordinator Learning and Teaching Innovation Level 1, Perry Building, The Open University, Walton Hall, Milton Keynes MK7 6AA LTI-Translation-Recruitment@open.ac.uk 8. Selection process and date of interview The interview panel will be chaired by: The other members of the interview panel will be: The interviews will take place on: Mid-April 2018 The selection process for this post will include Further details will be given to shortlisted candidates. If you do not hear from us by 11 April 2018 you should assume that you have not been shortlisted for interview but we do thank you for your interest Applications received after the closing date will not be accepted. The Open University, Human Resources, HRG158 Page 5 of 5