Job Description

Position Details

Executive Support


Location: University of Birmingham, Edgbaston, Birmingham UK


Full time starting salary is normally in the range 46,735 to 55,755 with potential progression once in post to 62,728


Grade: 8


Full Time, Permanent


Closing date: 27th May 2025

Our offer to you

People are at the heart of what we are and do.


The University of Birmingham is proud to have been a part of the City of Birmingham and the wider region for over 100 years, and we are equally proud to be recognised as a leading global university. We want to attract talented people from across the city and beyond, support them to succeed, and celebrate their success.


We are committed to helping the people who work here to develop through our sector-leading Birmingham Professional programme which provides all professional services staff with development opportunities and the encouragement to reach their full potential. With almost 5,000 professional services jobs in a wide-range of functions in Edgbaston and in our campus in Dubai, there are plenty of opportunities for you to be able to develop your career at the University.


We believe there is no such thing as a typical member of staff and that diversity is a source of strength that underpins the exchange of ideas, innovation, and debate. We warmly welcome people from all backgrounds and are committed to fostering an inclusive environment where diversity is at the heart of who and what we are, and how we work.


Supporting our people to achieve a healthy work/life balance is important both to our employees and to the success of the University and, depending on the role, we offer a variety of flexible working arrangements. We therefore welcome discussions on all forms of flexible working. In addition, you will receive a generous package of benefits including 40 days paid holiday a year, one paid day a year for volunteering, occupational sick pay, and a pension scheme. We also have three high quality subsidised day nurseries.


The University is situated in leafy Edgbaston and there are excellent transport links to our beautiful campus, including main bus routes and a train station on site. On campus we have a state-of-the-art sports centre with pool, shops, places to eat and drink, our own art gallery, museum and botanical gardens.


Find out more about the benefits of working for the University of Birmingham

Role Summary

Strategic Programmes & Change is a high-performing, friendly team with an exciting and challenging remit. We have a critical strategic development and implementation role within the University, and our capabilities are used to bring stakeholders together, agree strategic direction and deliver outcomes. We are providing support to senior leaders to meet the University's ambitions to be a Global Top 50 institution and financially sustainable, solving tricky problems and finding solutions to some of the biggest challenges facing our organisation. Our work is both stretching and rewarding, and no two days are ever the same.


We are looking for a

Strategic Change Manager

to join our existing highly regarded change management unit that forms part of the overall Strategic Programmes & Change team. The change management unit, working to a significant portfolio of complex change initiatives of strategic importance to the University, has two particular remits:


To provide

change leadership capacity

that can operate collaboratively and flexibly across the institution. To create

change,

process review and improvement

capability that spreads across the institution .
We are looking for a highly motivated colleague who:


has experience of delivering outcomes in a complex and fast paced environment and has the resilience to work in ambiguity and with changing priorities; can think strategically, bringing clarity to ambiguity, identifying ways forward and developing creative solutions to complex problems; is adept at building relationships across organisational boundaries, balancing interests to build consensus and leveraging these relationships to deliver successful outcomes; and is a highly effective communicator, collaboratively breaking down challenges and demonstrating impact.
The post holder will be expected to take responsibility for the successful delivery of change on a range of strategically important initiatives, including transformational Professional Services efficiency and effectiveness programmes, and projects such as implementing strategies and improving effective working across departmental 'borders'. The team has a diverse portfolio of change projects and particularly focuses on initiatives which have an impact on a large service area (or multiple service areas / Schools), and which have a significant component of process and / or cultural change.


Strategic Programme Development & Change is based at the heart of the University, working as part of the wider Executive Support Division, led by the Chief of Staff. As part of the Executive Services Division, you will have access to professional networks across the University and wider HE sector to support you in your role and the support of experienced stakeholders, working in a range of fields, to help you make things happen.


The Executive Support Division bring together a varied team of stakeholders to work 'as one' to drive the University's performance, impact and ensure we are on the trajectory to meet our aspiration to be in the top 50 of the world's leading universities by 2030. We use our convening power to lead and steer initiatives to have a positive outcome for our University. Our teams develop and maintain strong networks of academic and professional service leaders within our institution, wider HE sectors and beyond to remain alert to progress, opportunities and risk and maintain our expertise in the external policy and political environment. We use our collective expertise to lead and inform the organisation's policy and strategy, provide vital insight into the University's performance, deliver significant change projects and programmes, ensure robust and effective decision-making aligned to our priorities, safeguard regulatory and legislative compliance. We work flexibly so that we can respond quickly to new priorities and opportunities as they emerge. We are trusted and essential stakeholders, bringing people together for the benefit of the University and beyond.


We pride ourselves on our collaborative approach and customer focus and are looking to recruit an individual who has values in line with ours: Ambitious, Open, Responsible, Collaborative and Innovative. We are open and welcoming to people from all walks of life and believe that a diverse team with a mix of perspectives and experiences provides the best environment for success.


The right candidate will join over 10,000 staff at the University, with opportunities to join staff networks such as the Rainbow Network, Parents and Carers' Network, Women's Network, Race Equality Network, and Enabling Staff Network. They will benefit from good holidays and a pension scheme, flexibility (we are currently working to a pattern of three or four days from campus), and lots of opportunities for learning and development.


When completing the application form, please use the person specification above to inform your answer to the section that says:

This section should set out your reasons for applying, skills and experience, and other interests and activities as appropriate to the person specification.

As a rough guide, we would expect you to write in the region of 1,000 words and cover how your skills and experience apply to the role, with clear examples. You may also attach a CV if you wish, however, shortlisting will be predominantly based on the information in the application form.

Main Duties

Change management for individual initiatives

To be personally responsible for leading and managing significant and complex University-wide initiatives in collaboration with Project Sponsors. This will involve:


Managing the delivery of the Strategic Programme Development and Change portfolio of projects, from project initiation through to implementation and evaluation, ensuring that projects are enabling the University's Birmingham 2030 ambitions and delivering measurable benefits and improvements. Working closely with Project Sponsors (academic and Professional Services) to identify and plan the requirements for change and ensuring that change projects are delivered in accordance with the project charter and plan. Utilising excellent negotiation, communication and creativity skills to gain agreement across a broad range of stakeholders to initiatives. This will include working with staff groups for whom the proposed programme may represent significant changes, eg. to ways of working, and gaining commitment. Managing and coordinating the different strands of the initiatives including ensuring effective communication flows to all stakeholders. Implementing change and process improvement methodologies to drive change initiatives, including key tools such as diagnostic exercises, process mapping, rapid improvement events and ensuring implementation. Development of benefits realisation plans. Development and execution of results yielding engagement plans and strategies for a wide range of stakeholders and audiences, including academic colleagues, professional services staff, and students. Preparing and, where appropriate, presenting reports, proposals and papers for stakeholders, project sponsors, College Boards, RLG and other senior meetings. Working collaboratively with other teams that are responsible for delivering change, to ensure a coherent and consistent approach to change across the University.

Delivering the work of the

Strategic Programmes & Change function

To deliver the development of change management and process improvement methodologies in the University. This will involve:


Promotes equality and values diversity, acting as a role model and fostering an inclusive working culture. Using Strategic Programmes & Change's methodologies and practices and contributing the development of the University's programme and change management capability. Identifying and, where appropriate, adopting best practice within and outside HE in programme development change management Developing and delivering training and other forms of support to staff developing and managing programmes and change within the University. Being a proactive member of the Strategic Programmes & Change function, contributing to its continued success and development and supporting other members of the team.
Duties and responsibilities within the post and the obligations placed upon post holders may vary and develop over time. Any resulting changes will be subject to consultation with the post holder and the Head of Strategic Programmes & Change, through the agreed annual review process.

Examples of Work:

Development and implementation of strategic plans. Workshops with stakeholders to develop detailed strategies and facilitate process development/change. Process mapping and redesign and taking responsibility for the ensuing implementation. Design and implementation of change management process for implementation of initiatives; including benefits and risk management. Facilitation and administration of relevant meetings and Working Groups. Development of documentation to support project outcomes. Collaboratively develop and implement communications plans using a range of media to sensitively engage stakeholders. Collecting and analysing data to inform change initiatives and develop deliverable benefits plans.

Person Specification

The post holder will have the following combined experience and personal qualities:

Required Knowledge, Skills, Qualifications, Experience

Relevant degree or relevant equivalent professional qualification ( change management, project management) , plus substantial relevant experience evidencing the experience required in this role. Relevant professional experience in a large and complex organisation. Experience of developing effective networks and strong relationships in a complex organisation, for example (but not limited to) with academics, Professional Services and other partners. Experience of developing strategic and operational plans. Strong facilitation skills, including workshops, and face-to-face. Outstanding writing skills, with the ability to write/prepare high quality papers, presentations, reports and briefings to Project Board and Executive Board level. This includes a clear style of communication and the ability to write for different audiences. Highly developed research skills and experience of producing and analysing complex source material, information and data and turning these into purposeful reports that influence policy and assist decision making. Understanding and experience of enabling cultural change. Demonstrable experience of managing a range of projects. Excellent communication and presentation skills, with an ability to use a range of communication skills and strategies to gain commitment to action or change. Excellent IT, organisational and administrative skills. An ability to work simultaneously and effectively to progress several different tasks.

Personal Characteristics and knowledge

Strong intellectual ability and the ability to apply this to management tasks. Knowledge of recognised change management or process improvement methodologies A high degree of initiative, personal judgement, resourcefulness, flexibility and a self-motivating approach. The ability to complete tasks based on only broad direction and with minimum supervision. Analysis of complex problems and formulation of innovative, simple and effective solutions. Enthusiasm and willingness to meet challenging demands, working to different people, deadlines and within budget. Excellent interpersonal skills, including tact and diplomacy, and an ability to work at all levels of the organisation. Ability with agility to work effectively as part of new and established team. Creativity in developing change programmes and responding to challenges. A flexible approach and attitude and a willingness to respond to changing requirements of the team. Demonstrates collaborative working, builds open, trusting and effective partnerships. A firm but diplomatic attitude with the ability to prioritise, negotiate and use one's own judgement. A commitment to promote and adhere to the agreed values of the University and the Executive Support Division. Experience of championing Equality, Diversity and Inclusion in own work area.

Informal enquiries to Stuart Harvey, Head of Strategic Programmes & Change , email: s.harvey@bham.ac.uk


View our staff values and behaviours here

We believe there is no such thing as a 'typical' member of University of Birmingham staff and that diversity in its many forms is a strength that underpins the exchange of ideas, innovation and debate at the heart of University life. We are committed to proactively addressing the barriers experienced by some groups in our community and are proud to hold Athena SWAN, Race Equality Charter and Disability Confident accreditations. We have an Equality Diversity and Inclusion Centre that focuses on continuously improving the University as a fair and inclusive place to work where everyone has the opportunity to succeed. We are also committed to sustainability, which is a key part of our strategy

.

You can find out more about our work to create a fairer university for everyone

on our website

.