Improving on excellence is a tough job for anyone. That’s why we’re not simply looking for anyone. We’re looking for you.
The Head of Strategic Programmes and Governance is an essential appointment and provides the opportunity to make a strategic and operational contribution to the success of the Estates Department at the University of Warwick. You will be responsible for leading strategic development, key improvement projects, change initiatives, improving operational and governance procedures, whilst leading a large administration function.
It is an exciting time for Warwick as reaches its 51styear as it embarks on a significant ten year capital investment programme, in the order of £1 billion. The University has bold ambitions and a desire to grow and develop to provide world class modern educational and research environments for students to gain a positive foundation and enable them to become global citizens of the future.
This is a new role which requires drive, enthusiasm, commitment and tenacity. You will be an experienced senior manager with a broad knowledge of the University sector (or similar) and its processes. Naturally, you will have experience and be an expert in operational and governance procedures, possess strong interpersonal skills, be able to influence senior stakeholders, lead a large team and have a strong track record in strategic development and implementing new strategies.
If you would like to join the Estates Department at an exciting time and be able to contribute to its growth and campus improvements to ensure that our campus inspires our students and staff, then please get in touch.
Job Purpose
To provide skilled, high-level administrative support and advice at a strategic level to the Director of Estates and as part of the senior leadership team. To include strategic planning and the development of new strategies programmes and projects, and governance activity across Estates. This will encompass undertaking project/ programme management of institutional projects and key improvements projects to ensure that they are implemented effectively and within appropriate timescales. To lead change and improvement initiatives including governance procedures in support of the department and University strategic objectives.
Duties and Responsibilities
Strategic Planning
- Assimilate information quickly, identify innovative solutions and ensure that deliverables are achieved to time whilst taking into consideration strategic, corporate and organisational aspects.
- Act as a member of the department senior leadership team, contribute to the departments strategic planning, helping to evolve strategic thinking and documentation. This will include the mapping and documentation of the Estates strategy.
- Act as part of the senior leadership team, to input into the Estates 5 year planning process.
- Review and develop appropriate operational planning and reporting processes with Estates
Departmental Governance and Administration
- Be responsible to the Director of Estates for the monitoring and progress of the Estates Strategy to plan, whilst identifying any barriers to achievement and any cause for concern.
- Develop a fit for purpose governance and administration framework (including financial procedures) for the Estates Department. Lead the creation and production of committee papers for approval within the University, providing an editorial and executive oversight for the Estates Leadership team.
- Advise on and comply with the relevant institutional governance processes, preparing critical paths for delivery and ensuring relevant information and papers are arcuate and produce in a timely manner.
- Prepare and deliver reports for relevant University committees and complete other reporting as required.
- Align internal reporting processes with University committees and governance.
Key relationship management
- Act as an ambassador for the Estates department in the wider University and externally, liaising with relevant stakeholders as appropriate and as part of the delivery of the Estates strategic programme.
- Identify and manage key stakeholders as part of the overall delivery of key improvement projects using principles of key account management including (although not exhaustive) Senior Finance Directors, senior academics, the Registrar and Academic Registrar, Procurement, Legal and other key stakeholders.
Programme and Project Management
- Lead and develop Estates processes, systems, governance and administrative improvement projects from conception to implementation on time, in full to an agreed budget, in order to drive a more efficient and effective service.
- Manage the progression of projects (which can be hugely variable in size and complexity) in line with the project budget and ensuring benefit realisation, highlighting and mitigating potential risks to delivery.
- Take on project management and lead responsibility for strategic improvement projects where requested.
- Develop and implement effective project management methods and practices across Estates.
Service Delivery and Continuous Improvement
- Define high performance service support and delivery and drive service excellence as a defined business standard within the department.
- Work closely with other senior managers in Estates to identify, develop and deliver step change improvements to procedures and ways of working for key service providers.
- Assist the core functions of Projects, Operations and Accommodation in the delivery of services and continual improvement.
- Act as the lead contact between the department and the central administrative services including the Registrar’s Office, the Academic Registrar’s Office and the central Finance Office.
