Strategic Project Manager

Salary: £47,389 to £50,253 with progression to £56,535 per annum

Newcastle University is a great place to work, with excellent benefits. We have a generous holiday package; plus the opportunity to buy more, great pension schemes and a number of health and wellbeing initiatives to support you.

Closing Date: 31 October 2025

The Role

Are you a dynamic leader with a passion for driving strategic change? The Faculty of Science, Agriculture & Engineering at Newcastle University is seeking a Strategic Project Manager to lead and implement strategic projects and change initiatives. This pivotal role will help shape the Faculty’s future by managing complex projects and leading a team of externally-funded professionals. We are looking for someone with proven experience in strategic planning and change management, with strong stakeholder engagement and communication skills.

This role is fixed term until 31 July 2028. Interviews will be held during week commencing 10 November 2025.

For informal enquiries about the role please contact Laura Thomson, Head of Strategic Implementation & Change, laura.thomson@newcastle.ac.uk.

To apply please upload a copy of your CV along with a cover letter evidencing how your skills and experiences align to the person specification as outline in job description.

Key Accountabilities

• To lead and implement a range of strategic projects and change initiatives, working in partnership with a wide variety of teams to ensure the delivery of Faculty and University strategy. These projects will be wide ranging including, but not limited to, education, research and infrastructure and estates
• To contribute to the development and implementation of the Faculty vision, making a significant contribution to the formation of strategy, including developing short, medium and long term strategic plans
• To ensure that appropriate project management and governance processes are applied throughout the course of the project. To prepare project-specific Business Cases and to monitor and report on progress, including performance against budget, for submission to Faculty and University Committees. To ensure that at project close, outcomes of the project are effectively reported and embedded into business as usual
• To ensure that appropriate project risk management measures are in place, documented, approved and regularly monitored
• To lead an effective change and communications strategy for projects, including communicating and consulting with key internal and external stakeholders. To lead effective stakeholder engagement, and gain team buy-in and commitment, supporting and promoting positive team morale over the course of the project
• To lead a team of externally-funded colleagues based within the Faculty, including recruitment, induction, and training and development
• To provide advice to colleagues in respect of project management support required for externally-funded projects
• Any other duties within the scope and general nature of the grade, which may be required

The Person

Knowledge, Skills, and Experience

• Experience in strategic planning and/or change management demonstrated through experience of managing complex projects
• Knowledge of project management techniques and tools
• Knowledge and understanding of the Higher Education sector
• Experience of leading teams through change
• Excellent communication skills with the ability to tailor communication style to the audience
• Experience of persuasive stakeholder engagement activity
• Critical thinking and active problem-solving skills in order to manage risk
• Excellent planning and organising skills, both personally and on behalf of a team
• Experience of leading a culture of equality, diversity and inclusion

Attributes and Behaviours

• Strong interpersonal skills, with the ability to persuade, convince and influence others to achieve results and gain support
• Is inspirational and provides clear direction, particularly in times of uncertainty
• Has the ability to see the ‘big picture’, to think strategically and to manage complex problems and issues
• A positive ‘gets things done approach’ with the ability to be decisive and act when required
• High drive and initiative, able to demonstrate professional resilience
• Acts in a collaborative way, inclusive, transparent, and open manner, acting with integrity and able to build high levels of trust
• Role model for professionalism and commitment to the University’s values and stated goals and to exhibit such professionalism both internally and externally

Qualifications

• Degree or equivalent level qualification

Desirable

• Project Management or Change Management qualification

Newcastle University is a global University where everyone is treated with dignity and respect.  As a University of Sanctuary, we aim to provide a welcoming place of safety for all, offering opportunities to people fleeing violence and persecution.

We are committed to being a fully inclusive university which actively recruits, supports and retains colleagues from all sectors of society.  We value diversity as well as celebrate, support and thrive on the contributions of all of our employees and the communities they represent.  We are proud to be an equal opportunities employer and encourage applications from individuals who can complement our existing teams, we believe that success is built on having teams whose backgrounds and experiences reflect the diversity of our university and student population.

At Newcastle University we hold a gold Athena Swan award in recognition of our good employment practices for the advancement of gender equality.  We also hold a Race Equality Charter Bronze award in recognition of our work towards tackling race inequality in higher education REC.  We are a Disability Confident employer and will offer an interview to disabled applicants who meet the essential criteria for the role as part of the offer and interview scheme.

In addition, we are a member of the Euraxess initiative supporting researchers in Europe. 

Requisition ID: 28678

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