Head of Programme Delivery - Unit M

About Unit M:

Launched in Autumn 2024, Unit M exists to unlock the University's full potential as one of the North of England's largest innovation assets by making the University's world class research, innovation capabilities and talent more accessible to all.

It's remit is to accelerate the development of a global competitive, inclusive and impactful innovation ecosystem - from ideation and research translation, start up and scale up support, place making, talent and skills, community building and more - which systematically breaking down barriers to the flow of ideas between the University and its partners. Unit M is expected to attract, generate and mobilise significant external funding - from industry, investors, philanthropy and public sources - to sustain and scale innovation activity and create new, sustainable funding streams.

Some of the things you might find yourself doing include:

• Manage the delivery of complex place-based projects from design through mobilisation and into early operation, within agreed strategic, financial, and governance parameters.
• Develop and maintain project plans, milestones, dependencies, risk registers, and reporting frameworks.
• Coordinate inputs from University teams (academic, professional services, eg estates, finance, legal) and external partners to ensure coherent and timely delivery.
• Monitor progress against agreed outputs and outcomes, escalating risks or material deviations to senior leadership where appropriate.
• Coordinate and support the operational design of regional innovation initiatives, including operating models, workflows, and partner interfaces.
• Be accountable for financial management across place-based innovation programmes in a complex, multi-stream funding environment, ensuring robust budgeting, forecasting, compliance, value for money, and clear reporting to senior stakeholders, with appropriate escalation of risks and variances.
• Build and sustain effective working relationships with local, regional, and national partners, including public sector bodies, industry, and innovation organisations.
• Act as a trusted operational interface between the University and external partners, translating agreed strategic objectives into practical delivery.

What You’ll Bring:

• Significant experience of project or programme delivery in complex, multi-stakeholder environments.
• Experience of designing, setting up, or supporting operations for programmes, facilities, or partnerships.
• Strong understanding of governance, risk management, and delivery assurance, with experience of escalation and reporting.
• Experience of working in complex funding environments, managing multiple income streams including research funding and commercial/business partner ships.
• Proven ability to manage and influence relationships across organisational boundaries.
• Excellent organisational, analytical, and problem-solving skills.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills, including experience producing reports and briefings for senior stakeholders.
• Ability to operate effectively in ambiguous or evolving contexts, exercising sound judgement.
• Experience of providing line management and leadership to staff, including setting objectives, supporting development, and fostering high-performing teams in complex delivery environments.

What You’ll Get:

• 29 days annual leave, plus bank holidays and December closure days
• Generous pension scheme
• Flexible and hybrid working
• Access to a wide range of staff benefits, including discounts, wellbeing support, and development programmes

Explore full benefits: www.manchester.ac.uk/connect/jobs/benefits-working-here

For informal enquiries please contact Charlotte Jones [email protected]