Strategy & Projects Officer at Newcastle University

Key Accountabilities

• Manage key change projects and workstreams initiated by the directorate ensuring they are delivered in an efficient, responsive and professional manner
• Liaise with key internal stakeholders to ensure clear and aligned understanding of key change projects and workstreams
• Lead on the co-ordination of the agreed relevant planning processes for projects from the initiation phase through to implementation
• Support the leadership team and Director of Estates & Facilities with the preparation of annual budgets and management of spend and project related procurement processes
• Develop, deliver and monitor workstreams and projects, tracking deliverable outcomes against targets and deadlines, highlighting any issues relating to the delivery providing recommendations to the Leadership team to ensure remediation
• Develop and deliver communication and engagement plans relating to specific projects.  Provide communications and maintain effective communication with stakeholders across projects and the wider organisation
• Support the Senior Leadership team in delivering key tasks and priorities across all projects and workstreams
• Ensure ownership of project files and teams’ sites for key internal stakeholders and agreed projects ensuring all information is up to date and version controlled
• Monitor directorate incoming mail, triage and respond proactively on behalf of the Leadership Team, maintaining a high degree of confidentiality
• Draft communications to be delivered by the Director and/or the Leadership Team
• Co-ordinate internal and external visitors to campus working closely with the Leadership Team and others as appropriate
• Provide support to the Leadership Team, in particular, assist with the preparation of papers for committees and project meetings, organise and attend meetings, distribute associated documentation, take formal minutes and ensure that actions are followed up as necessary
• Conduct appropriate research for leadership and or project presentations, speeches or briefings and assist with preparation
• Develop and maintain positive and effective relationships with key internal and external stakeholders
• Other duties may be allocated by the Director/Leadership team

The Person 

Knowledge, Skills and Experience

• Excellent communication skills, in both written and verbal formats, with demonstrable track record of working closely with stakeholders
• Strong interpersonal skills to guide, influence and negotiate with others
• Ability to work independently with minimal direction to deliver quality outputs to tight deadlines
• Experience of working within a senior leadership team
• Proficient in the use of Microsoft Office, Word, Excel, PowerPoint and Outlook
• Has strong organisational, planning and administrative with the ability to assess, prioritise and manage a varied workload
• Excellent team working skills, and the ability to initiate, develop and maintain productive relationships
• Ability to handle large volumes of work to tight deadlines, whilst maintaining strong attention to detail
• An ability to produce relevant reports summarising results and making recommendations
• An understanding of University structures and policies
• Experience of looking at master planning and campus change projects

Attributes and Behaviour

• Excellent judgement in dealing with and responding to sensitive situations
• A solution focussed, problem solver with the ability to make independent decisions within own area of expertise. The ability to work on their own initiative and prioritise and forward plan workload
• Exercises a high degree of discretion and diplomacy and the need to maintain confidentiality
• Has an eye for detail, spotting errors and ensuring accurate information
• Recognises the need for change, is willing to adopt new ways of working and happy to promote the benefits of change to others

Qualifications

• A degree in a relevant field or equivalent experience in a similar role is essential