Business Transformation Project Manager

At the SKAO we are coordinating a global effort to deliver one of the largest science facilities on the planet. The SKAO telescopes will be next-generation instruments that will help to answer key questions in astrophysics, drive technological innovation and support human capital development. 

More than a dozen partner countries and over a thousand scientists and engineers around the world are already on board, making the SKA project an international collaboration like no other, and one of the most ambitious science and engineering endeavours of the 21st century.

Headquartered in the UK, with telescope sites in Australia and South Africa, the SKAO will be one observatory operating two telescopes, an endeavour spanning three continents. Multinational by design, in early 2021 the SKAO became an intergovernmental organisation, one of only a select handful of science infrastructures to do so worldwide.

Our Global HQ is located near the buzzing city of Manchester at the historic Jodrell Bank Observatory, a UNESCO World Heritage site located in the Cheshire countryside. It is home to a rapidly expanding international team of more than a hundred, working in a highly collaborative and inclusive way, in coordination with SKAO teams in Australia and South Africa as part of a global astronomy and engineering community.

Being part of Team SKA means contributing to something extraordinary: a uniquely exciting project to advance human knowledge that will last for decades. In return, we offer a diverse multicultural working environment, 30 days annual leave plus public holidays, a generous pension scheme, visa and support with relocation (if applicable), regular social events, a family-friendly environment and much more. Come and join us!

Job Location Cheshire, UK (Head Office)

The Business Transformation Project Manager is responsible for delivering approved business transformation projects across SKAO. The role leads projects from initiation through implementation and handover, ensuring delivery to agreed scope, schedule, budget, quality and governance requirements.

Working across a complex international and matrixed organisation, the post-holder brings together sponsors, business owners, subject-matter experts, project teams and external suppliers to deliver practical improvements to business processes, systems, data and ways of working.

The role focuses on the delivery of individual projects. It works closely with the Business Portfolio Manager, who oversees the wider portfolio, and the Senior Business Analyst, who helps define the business need, requirements and intended outcomes.

Key Responsibilities, Accountabilities and Duties

• Lead the delivery of assigned business projects in line with SKAO policies, governance and project management arrangements.
• Work with project sponsors and stakeholders to agree the project scope, outcomes, governance, delivery approach and measures of success.
• Develop and maintain proportionate project documentation, plans, schedules, budgets, resource requirements and reporting arrangements.
• Manage project scope, schedule, cost, quality, risks, issues, dependencies and change throughout the project lifecycle.
• Coordinate multidisciplinary and geographically dispersed teams, ensuring responsibilities, decisions and actions are clear.
• Monitor progress, provide clear and timely reporting and escalate matters where decisions or intervention are required.
• Manage external suppliers, consultants and implementation partners where required, ensuring agreed outputs and contractual commitments are delivered.
• Plan and coordinate implementation, communications, training, business readiness and transition into operational use.
• Work with the Senior Business Analyst and other stakeholders to ensure delivered solutions meet the agreed requirements and business need.
• Support the identification, measurement and realisation of project benefits and capture lessons to improve future delivery.

Mandatory Knowledge, Skills and Experience

• Significant experience delivering complex business transformation, digital or enterprise systems projects.
• Strong knowledge of project planning, governance, budgeting, scheduling, risk, issue and change management.
• Experience managing projects through the full delivery lifecycle, from initiation to implementation and handover.
• Experience leading multidisciplinary and geographically dispersed teams within a matrix organisation.
• Experience managing external suppliers, consultants or implementation partners.
• Strong stakeholder engagement, communication and influencing skills, including the ability to work effectively with senior leaders.
• Strong organisational, analytical and problem-solving skills, with the ability to manage competing priorities and maintain delivery momentum.
• A recognised project management qualification, or equivalent professional experience.

Desirable Knowledge, Skills and Experience

• Experience delivering enterprise business systems or business process improvement initiatives.
• Knowledge of organisational change, business readiness and benefits realisation.
• Experience within a science, engineering, research or international organisation.
• Working knowledge of  Agile, waterfall and/ or hybrid delivery methods.
• Professional membership of a recognised project management body.

Equality Diversity and Inclusion Statement

SKA Observatory recognises that our diversity is a strength. We aim to create a welcoming and inclusive environment where everyone feels they belong, and diverse perspectives and ideas thrive. As such, Equality, Diversity, and Inclusion are at the core of SKA Observatory’s agenda.

Our aim is to recruit and retain the most talented individuals, regardless of gender, race, disability, age, sexual orientation, marital status, religion, nationality or background.

Women have traditionally been under-represented in the fields of science and engineering; SKA Observatory welcomes and encourages female applicants. 

Where applicants with a disability need facilities or adjustments to enable them to participate in the recruitment process, these will be provided.

SKA Observatory welcome all candidates, especially those from member countries.

The “How to Apply” information contained within the SKA Observatory recruitment portal provides more detail regarding our application and selection approach.

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