Senior Change Manager, Durham

The University

At Durham University we are proud of our people. A globally outstanding centre of educational excellence, a collegiate community of extraordinary people, a unique and historic setting - Durham is a university like no other. We believe that inspiring our people to do outstanding things at Durham enables Durham people to do outstanding things professionally and personally.
Across the University we have a huge variety of roles and career opportunities, which together make us a large and successful community, which is a key hub of activity within our region and nationally.

We would be thrilled if you would consider joining our thriving University. Further information about the University can be found here.

Find out more about the benefits of working at the University and what it is like to live and work in the Durham area on our Why Join Us? - Information Page.

The Role and the Department

The Student Journey Futures (SJF) Programme, jointly led by Computing and Information Services (CIS) and Student and Academic Services Directorate (SASD), is delivering a multi-million pound programme of change.

This role will be a 2-year fixed term role on one of the universities key strategic projects. This role will
report into the SJF Programme Director but will work in a matrix management structure with close links into our Strategy Delivery Unit for alignment to our Change and Project Delivery approaches. The Strategy Delivery Unit is focussed on changing the way Durham University thinks about and delivers change, primarily focusing on the co-ordination and professional delivery of the University strategy.

The post holder will work with the following teams:
• Student Recruitment&Admissions,
• Widening Participation,
• Academic and Quality Services,
• Student Finance,
• Student Records and support to academics,
• Teaching and administrative services across the organisation that underpin the day-to-day activities of the whole organisation.

We are looking for a highly motivated individual, with outstanding interpersonal skills and a focus on successful implementation of change. The post holder will be expected to take responsibility for the provision of change management expertise within the SJF Programme. Post holders'activity will include diagnosing stakeholders needs, providing guidance / promoting best practice approach to change, influencing stakeholders to get buy-in, agreeing a tailored approach to the project, application of change management tools in collaboration with change teams and overall support to change activity.

You will need to develop quickly an in-depth knowledge and understanding of the University's structure and processes. You should be able to work collaboratively with members of staff at all levels throughout the University, providing support as well as pro-actively engaging with individuals and groups.

Further information about the role and the responsibilities is at the bottom of this job description.

Working at Durham

A competitive salary is only one part of the many fantastic benefits you will receive if you join the University: you will also receive access to the following fantastic benefits:
• 30 Days annual leave per year in addition to 8 public holidays and 4 customary days per year - a total of 42 days per year.
• The University closes between Christmas and New Year.
• We offer a generous pension scheme, As a new member of staff you will be automatically enrolled into this University Superannuation Scheme (USS).
• No matter how you travel to work, we have you covered. We have parking across campus, a cycle to work scheme which helps you to buy a bike and discount with local bus and train companies.
• There is a genuine commitment to developing our colleagues professionally and personally. There is a comprehensive range of development courses, apprenticeships and access to qualifications and routes to develop your career in the University. All staff have dedicated annual time to concentrate on their personal development opportunities.
• Lots of support for health and wellbeing including discounted membership for our state of the art sport and gym facilities and access to a 24-7 Employee Assistance Programme.
• Our on-site nursery is rated Outstanding by Ofsted, and you can access holiday camps for children aged 5-16.
• Family friendly policies, including maternity and adoption leave, which are among the most generous in the higher education sector (and likely above and beyond many employers).
• The opportunity to take part in staff volunteering activities to make a difference in the local community
• Discounts are available via our benefits portal including; money off at supermarkets, high street retailers, IT products such as Apple, eating out and days out at various attractions.
• Various salary sacrifice schemes are also available to help you take advantage of tax savings on benefits.
• If you are moving to Durham, you may be eligible for help with removal costs, and we have a dedicated team who can help you with the practicalities such as house hunting and schools. If you need a visa, we cover most visa costs and offer an interest-free loan scheme to pay for dependant visas.

Discover more about our total rewards and benefits package here.

Durham University is committed to equality, diversity and inclusion

Our collective aim is to create an open and inclusive environment where everyone can reach their full potential and we believe our staff should reflect the diversity of the global community in which we work.

As a University equality, diversity, and inclusion (EDI) are a key part of the University's Strategy and a central part of everything we do. We also live by our values and our Staff Code of Conduct. At Durham we actively work towards providing an environment where our staff and students can study, work and live in a community which is supportive and inclusive. It's important to us that all of our colleagues are aligned to both our values and commitment to EDI.

We welcome and encourage applications from members of groups who are under-represented in our work force including people with disabilities, women and black, Asian and minority ethnic communities. If you have taken time out of your career, and you feel it relevant, let us know about it in your application. If you are a candidate with a disability, we are committed to ensuring fair treatment throughout the recruitment process. We will make adjustments to support the interview process wherever it is reasonable to do so and, where successful, reasonable adjustments will be made to support people within their role.
What you need to demonstrate when you apply/Person Specification

When you apply it is important that you let us know what skills/experience you have from a similar role and/or what skills/experience you have which would make you right for this role. Further information about the role and responsibilities is at the end of this job description.

Your application should cover the following criteria:

Essential Criteria

1. Excellent oral and written communication skills and the ability to develop effective working relationships, both internally and externally.

2. Excellent digital competence with demonstrable skills in using core digital tools including internet, email, digital communication tools, Microsoft 365 applications, digital booking system, project planning, financial systems, recruitment tools

3. Educated to degree level (or equivalent experience).

4. Professional change practitioner with demonstratable specialist knowledge and expertise to use influence and deliver large and complex change within the organisation.

5. Experience of providing specialist advice and guidance to a range of customers and colleagues, including more senior colleagues.

6. Ability to contribute to planning of change at operational and strategic levels.

7. Experience of being able to network effectively and develop strong and productive working relationships

Desirable

1. Continuing professional development required to maintain professional recognition (such as a change management qualification e.g. PROSCI or APM).

How to apply

To progress to the assessment stage, candidates must evidence each of the essential criteria required for the role in the person specification above. It will be at the discretion of the recruiting panel as to whether they will also consider any desirable criteria, but we would urge candidates to provide evidence for all criteria. Please don't forget to check if there is any weighted criteria (see above).

While some criteria will be considered at the shortlisting stage, other criteria may be considered later in the assessment process, such as questions at interview.

Submitting your application

We prefer to receive applications online. We will update you about your application at various points throughout the selection process, via automated emails from oure-recruitmentsystem. Please check your spam/junk folder periodically to make sure you have not missed any of our updates.

What you need to submit
• A CV: and
• A supporting statement which outlines how you meet all of the criteria within the Person Specification.

Further information about the role

Role Delivery
• Responsible for operational deployment of the change management approach.
• Oversight of short term or temporary project teams/strands, taking responsibility …