Programme Director, Services Simplification (6-Month FTC) Location: Central London / Hybrid Working | Reports to: Director of Strategic Change Office Rates: £700.00 to £1000.00 per day Umbrella INSIDE IR35 About the University Based in the heart of London, our university is a leading multi-disciplinary institution with a global reputation for excellence in teaching and research. We have tens of thousands of students and a diverse workforce, operating across multiple faculties and professional services to deliver ambitious initiatives shaping the future of higher education. The Strategic Change function supports the university’s vision by designing, coordinating, and delivering complex change programmes, ensuring initiatives are aligned, well-governed, and delivered effectively for students, staff, and stakeholders. Role Purpose The Programme Director, Services Simplification, will lead the university’s Services Simplification portfolio during a critical stage of delivery. You will provide single-point accountability for integrating multiple programmes and projects into a coherent portfolio that delivers measurable simplification outcomes. Key Responsibilities Portfolio Leadership & Accountability * Lead the Services Simplification portfolio with overall accountability * Integrate multiple programmes and project workstreams into a coherent, prioritized structure * Align strategic intent with delivery plans, resources, and benefits realisation Delivery Confidence & Control * Establish and maintain governance, controls, reporting, and assurance mechanisms * Standardize programme management practices and maintain performance oversight * Provide clear reporting on progress, risks, issues, and dependencies * Intervene proactively to manage delivery risks and lead recovery plans Risk, Dependency & Benefits Management * Actively manage cross-cutting risks and interdependencies across workstreams * Ensure benefits are clearly defined, tracked, and realised * Strengthen portfolio-level planning and scenario management to maintain delivery confidence Senior Stakeholder Engagement * Provide credible, reassuring leadership to senior stakeholders * Translate complex programme information into actionable strategic insights * Ensure effective escalation routes and timely issue resolution Leadership & Capability Development * Lead and develop a community of programme and project managers * Promote consistent ways of working and shared ownership of outcomes * Build sustainable programme capability to support ongoing simplification and transformation Person Specification Essential Criteria * Significant senior leadership experience delivering complex, multi-strand transformation or simplification programmes in a large organisation * Demonstrable experience of portfolio-level oversight, integrating multiple programmes and projects * Strong track record in managing delivery risk, dependencies, and benefits realisation at scale * Experience providing assurance and credible reporting to executive-level stakeholders * Experience leading multidisciplinary teams and influencing across organisational boundaries Skills & Abilities * Strategic thinker, able to translate strategy into structured, deliverable plans * Strong governance and programme control capability * Excellent judgement and decision-making under complexity and ambiguity * Highly developed stakeholder engagement and influencing skills * Ability to establish authority and credibility at senior levels Desirable Criteria * Experience leading service simplification, operational transformation, or service redesign programmes * Experience operating in politically sensitive or high-visibility environments * Relevant programme management qualification (e.g., MSP, PRINCE2, or equivalent) If you feel you have the right skills and experience, please apply straight away