Work with the business to establish the priority of the project within the context of QAA's portfolio of initiatives.

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1 Job title: Project Manager Band: 5 Group: Work location: Responsible to: Resources Gloucester Portfolio Manager Job purpose QAA has established a Project Management Office (PMO) to coordinate the delivery of change initiatives across the organisation. The role of the Project Manager is to manage the initiation, planning and delivery of a number of projects, and actively contribute to the development of the PMO, and the development of project and programme governance within the organisation. Main duties and responsibilities Work with sponsors and stakeholders within QAA programme and portfolio governance structures to ensure that projects are aligned to business strategy, have a sound business case, and will deliver benefit and value to the business. Work with the business to establish the priority of the project within the context of QAA's portfolio of initiatives. Work with the business and Business Analysts to ensure that stakeholders are properly identified and appropriately involved throughout the project lifecycle. Work closely with stakeholders and Business Analysts to understand and capture business requirements. Work with the business and suppliers to understand and record detail and cost of the project's intended products. Work with customers and finance on tendering and procurement aspects of projects. Work with stakeholders and suppliers to ensure that delivered products meet an agreed specification, and are delivered within agreed tolerances of quality, time and resources. Produce and maintain project documentation, including initiation documentation, product descriptions, plans, highlight reports and exception plans. Capture, manage and communicate progress, risks, changes, issues and exceptions within the project team and to programme/portfolio governance. 1

2 Estimate, refine and track project budgets to ensure that the project is delivered within the financial allocation. Estimate, refine and track resource commitment. Manage, monitor and motivate the cross-functional team assigned to the project. Encourage, track and report on project progress. Manage change within projects. Coordinate project closedown and handover to business as usual. Actively encourage and promote good project practice within QAA through day-to-day practice and through mentoring of colleagues new to project management. Actively contribute to the improvement of PMO and project/programme governance. General duties and responsibilities Take part in meetings as a team member and actively share experience, knowledge and solutions with colleagues. Exercise absolute integrity in respect of confidential matters. Demonstrate commitment to equality and diversity, having due regard to equality issues in all decision making, and implement QAA's Equality Policy. Comply with Health and Safety Policy and procedures at all times in the workplace. Take an active part in the performance review process and required training. Maintain records management systems in accordance with QAA policy. Adhere to QAA's values of integrity, professionalism, accountability, openness and independence. Act as a role model for staff, promoting QAA's 'Ways of working'. Carry out the duties and responsibilities of the post at all times in compliance with all of QAA's policies and legislative requirements. The duties and responsibilities in this job description are not exclusive or exhaustive, and the post holder will be required to complete such duties as may reasonably be expected within the scope and grade of the post. 2

3 Key contacts Staff at all levels, both internal and external to QAA. QAA is an ever-changing organisation and all colleagues are expected to participate constructively in QAA activities, and to adopt a flexible approach to their work. The job description will be reviewed regularly and will be varied in light of the organisational needs of QAA. The job description sets out the main duties of the post at the date when it was drawn up. The duties may vary from time to time without changing the general character of the post or the level of responsibility entailed. Such variations are a common occurrence. 3

4 Person Specification Attributes Criteria Method of Assessment * Experience Essential: proven track record of successful project life cycle management, following PRINCE2 methodology team management experience, comfortable matrix managing project teams of up to 10 people experience of project managing complex software developments, and IT solution implementations, including evaluation, piloting, testing and training experience of managing a mix of stakeholders, including suppliers. Desirable: experience of working in a PMO and programme environment experience of managing agile delivery experience of developing and promoting best practice and mentoring experience of conducting stakeholder and requirements analysis. Qualifications and training Essential: PRINCE2 practitioner. Desirable: an agile project management qualification (for example Scrum, DSDM or Atern). A Knowledge, skills and abilities Essential: thorough knowledge of PRINCE2 strong Microsoft Project and Office skills excellent written and oral communication skills excellent interpersonal skills, with an ability to foster motivation within the project team to meet tight deadlines the ability to have a strong impact and influence key decisions. Desirable: familiarity with lean principles exposure to Microsoft SharePoint exposure to Microsoft Team Foundation Server., E, E Job circumstances The role is largely based in our Gloucester office but may involve working from our Glasgow or London offices. *Method of Assessment. A - Application, I - Interview, E - Exercise December

5 Additional information relating to the post The Quality Assurance Agency for Higher Education holds an Investors in People Silver Award for its performance as an employer. Key information about working with us is provided below. More details are given in our recruitment pack. See also: and Hours of work QAA's normal business hours are until 17.00, Monday to Friday, with one hour for lunch. You are expected to manage your own time, working such hours as are reasonably necessary for the proper performance of your duties and responsibilities. Salary This role is at Band 5, with salary starting at 35,018 per annum. Depending on experience, skills and knowledge, the appointment salary may be higher, up to 44,082 per annum. Progression through the Band will be linked to an individual's performance and contribution to QAA. Annual Leave Staff are entitled to all public holidays, with an additional six days (five days at Christmas and one day after Easter Monday); together with a full-time annual leave allowance of 28 days, rising to 30 after two years. Probationary period and notice Appointments are normally subject to a six-month probationary period, with two months' notice required on either side. References and medical clearance All appointments are subject to satisfactory reference(s) and medical checks. You will be required to complete a medical assessment form before your appointment is confirmed. If you are shortlisted we will normally contact your referee(s) without advising you in advance. When giving details of referee(s), please ensure you supply an address and daytime telephone number, to avoid any delay in processing your application. Right to work in the UK You need to have the right to work in the UK. Your appointment will be subject to UK Visa and Immigrations requirements: Terms and conditions Appointments are subject to QAA's Terms and Conditions of Employment. Pensions Membership of QAA's contributory pension scheme, the Universities Superannuation Scheme (USS), is available. QAA currently pays employer contributions at 16 per cent. Further information can be found at: QAA employees join the Career Revalued Benefits section and pay contributions currently set at 6.5 per cent of salary. Travel to work Car parking is not provided for staff. Gloucester has public car parks and a Park and Ride scheme. Our Gloucester office is within easy walking distance of the bus and railway stations, and also has a bike store and changing facilities. Our London and Cardiff offices are readily accessible by public transport, and our Glasgow office is within a convenient walk of Glasgow Central railway station. 5

6 Equal opportunities QAA is committed to a comprehensive policy of equal opportunities in employment. Individuals are selected solely on the basis of their relevant merits and abilities, and all staff enjoy equal opportunities within the organisation. Application procedure and interview information Applications should be received by Tuesday 19 January 2016 at 12 noon. Late applications will not be accepted. Applicants should forward the completed application form and equal opportunities monitoring form to vacancies@qaa.ac.uk. Interviews will be held in the Gloucester office Data Protection Act (1998) The information contained within your application is being requested by QAA to make employment decisions and meet statutory obligations. Any information provided in this context will be treated confidentially and used only by manager(s) and Human Resources during the course of your employment. 6