The Post
The Programme Management Office (PMO) is central to the management and coordination of programmes of work across Information Services and the University. The PMO is governed by a Programme Board and encompasses all programmes and projects underway or being planned. It provides a standardised methodology, templates and approach to managing projects, and enables transparent reporting against progress and objectives, and early intervention where corrective action is required.
The Project Manager role provides project management and leadership to projects of strategic importance, managing multiple projects at any given time. Projects are typically system implementations or enhancements but can cover the full range of IT services and will include non-IT projects such as refurbishments or other improvement/change projects. The Project Manager will lead the development, rollout and ongoing maintenance of project management template documentation and tools, the wider methodology, and other resources including the PMO SharePoint Hub. They will build project management skills and capacity across the Information Services team, in order to ensure that all projects, no matter how small, are managed and governed effectively and consistently by others.
The postholder will be required to be digitally adept and able to lead on the implementation of new technologies in support of the PMO, evaluating solutions and making recommendations for emerging tools in support of project or programme management and governance.
The postholder will be a highly skilled and experienced Project Manager with finely tuned communication skills, able to influence stakeholders at all levels and provide confident and credible project leadership, being clear about progress and accountability.
The team provides a second-line support service in their field of specialism within Information Services, underpinned by ITIL and Customer Service Excellence standards.
Description of Duties
- Effectively lead and project manage assigned projects, through the full project management lifecycle, including project initiation, planning, execution, monitoring and controlling, closure and evaluation:
- Ensure the completion and ongoing maintenance of detailed project documentation for each lifecycle stage including for example, the PID, project plan (including critical path analysis), project reports, closure and evaluation documentation
- Ensure that project issues and risks are captured with appropriate evaluation of those identified, and risk mitigation measures or controls documented
- Manage project budgets closely to ensure all aspects of actual or planned expenditure are tracked and reported on, providing phased projections
- Manage the procurement process for specific projects, working in liason with Procurement, suppliers, consultants adn other stakeholders
- Lead the establishment of business requirements through business analysis and acting as a facilitator with the relevant business area using a range of engagement activities or techniques:
- Engage the business area in requirements gathering using a range of techniques, including for example, requirements workshops, document analysis, interviews, use cases, task/workflow analysis, process mapping, etc
- Critically evaluate information gathered from multiple sources, reconciling any conflicts encountered. Challenge stakeholders on their assumptions on what may be required and distinguish between perceived/requested and actual user needs
- Engage with and lead the project team and any staffing resource attached to project work packages or other activities, ensuring that progress is made to meet milestones and the successful delivery of project objectives:
- Manage the various work package activities and associated working groups to ensure they produce the required outputs to the required quality and within defined timescales, to meet project deliverables
- Manage the activities and outputs of third-party contractors or suppliers to the project
For a full list of description of duties please see the job description attached.
Essential Criteria
Qualifications
- Degree in a relevant discipline; or equivalent qualification
- Formal project or programme management qualification or certification (e.g. PRINCE2 Practitioner, P3O Practitioner, APM PMQ, or similar)
Knowledge & Experience
- Significant experience of project or programme management, and of managing multiple projects simultaneously, in a large complex organisation
- Proven knowledge and experience of working with a recognised project or programme management methodology, such as PRINCE2, P3O, APM, etc
- Proven experience of identifying and documenting user/business requirements through a variety of approaches
- Significant experience of coordinating and leading project boards and other governance activities, including the routine and regular reporting of project/programme progress
- Excellent understanding and experience of technologies, including MS Project suite, SharePoint, O365 and other related tools
- Experience of business process redevelopment and change management
- Experience of effective leadership and coordination of staffing resources
- Experience of managing and reporting on budgets
Skills & Attributes
- Strategic thinker with excellent problem-solving skills
- A customer-oriented approach to service design, delivery and evaluation
- Excellent interpersonal, negotiation and advocacy skills
- Highly organised approach to managing services and workload, with the ability to work calmly and systematically in a busy environment; prioritising work for self and others as required in order to meet agreed deadlines
- Excellent communication skills, with the ability to communicate appropriately and effectively with a wide range of stakeholders
- Ability to investigate, gather, collate and analyse information
- Resilient under pressure and able to confidently take decisions when corrective action is required
- Digitally adept and inquisitive; always exploring new digital technologies/tools with a view to improving services, processes, etc
Desirable Criteria
Qualifications
- ILM Level 3 or similar management qualification
- ITIL certification
Knowledge & Experience
- Experience of working within ITIL and Customer Service Excellence standards
- Experience of performance management and continuous service improvement
- Experience of training and supporting others in project management
- Experience of working in the HE sector
Additional Information
Full time
Open ended
The closing date for applications is midnight on Tuesday 30 June 2026.
Interviews are expected to take place on Tuesday 21 July 2026.
There is an expectation that work will be undertaken in the UK.
This role may be eligible for sponsorship depending on candidate circumstances under SOC code 2131.
The University of Stirling recognises that a diverse workforce benefits and enriches the work, learning and research experiences of the entire campus and greater community. We are committed to removing barriers and welcome applications from those who would contribute to further diversification of our staff and ensure that equality, diversity and inclusion is woven into the substance of the role. We strongly encourage applications from people from diverse backgrounds including gender, identity, race, age, class, and ethnicity.
Behaviours and Competencies
The role holder will be required to evidence that they can meet the qualities associated with the following behavioural competencies, as detailed within the AUA Competency Framework.
- Managing self and personal skills
Being aware of your own behaviour and mindful of how it impacts on others, enhancing personal skills to adapt professional practice accordingly.
- Delivering excellent service
Providing the best quality service to external and internal clients. Building genuine and open long-term relationships in order to drive up service standards.
- Finding solutions
Taking a holistic view and working enthusiastically to analyse problems and to develop workable solutions. Identifying opportunities for innovation.
- Embracing change
Being open to and engaging with new ideas and ways of working. Adjusting to unfamiliar situations, shifting demands and changing roles.
- Using resources effectively
Identifying and making the most productive use of resources including people, time, information, networks and budgets.
- Engaging with the wider context
Enhancing your contribution to the organisation through an understanding of the bigger picture and showing commitment to organisational values.
- Developing self and others
Showing commitment to own ongoing professional development. Supporting and encouraging others to develop their professional knowledge, skills and behaviours to enable them to reach their full potential.
- Working together
Working collaboratively with others in order to achieve objectives. Recognising and valuing the different contributions people bring to this process.
- Achieving Results
Consistently meeting agreed objectives and success criteria. Taking personal responsibility for getting things done.
About Us
Information Services delivers the library, IT, digital learning technology and other information needs and services to enable all students and staff of the University of Stirling to learn, research and work here. Our mission is to equip and empower our users and ourselves to function and achieve successful outcomes in the digital age. We strive to achieving excellent customer service and always aim to exceed our users' expectations.
The University
The University of Stirling is committed to providing education with a purpose and carrying out research which has a positive impact on communities across the globe. Driven by our mission to be the difference, we are addressing real issues, providing solutions, and helping to shape society.
The University has more than 17,500 students globally and employs 1,500 staff, with more than 140 nationalities represented within our community. Our campus environment is ranked first in the UK and top 10 in the world, and our sports facilities rank first in the UK and second in the world (International Student Barometer 2024, wave two), reflecting our long-standing designation as Scotland’s University for Sporting Excellence.
We were shortlisted for University of the Year 2024 at the Times Higher Education Awards and are proud holders of a Silver institutional award from the Athena Swan Charter, in recognition of our commitment to advancing gender equality. We have an overall five-star rating in the QS Stars University Ratings and are ranked top 30 in the UK for postgraduate teaching and learning (Postgraduate Taught Experience Survey 2024). In recognition of our excellence in business education, we are accredited by AACSB International.
Eighty-seven per cent of our research has an outstanding or very considerable impact on society, with more than 80% rated either world leading or internationally excellent (Research Excellence Framework 2021), and we are ranked among the top 100 institutions in the world for our contribution to meeting 10 of the 17 UN Sustainable Development Goals. We have twice been recognised with a Queen's Anniversary Prize; for our Institute for Social Marketing and Health (2014) and our Institute of Aquaculture (2019).
Alongside partners, the University spearheads the £214 million Stirling and Clackmannanshire City Region Deal – which will deliver three major University-led projects: the National Aquaculture Technology and Innovation Hub, Scotland’s International Environment Centre, and the Intergenerational Living Innovation Hub. We are also a central partner in the Forth Valley University College Health Partnership.
www.stir.ac.uk @stiruni
Job Reference: SERV02067
