Queen Margaret University
Senior Transformation Programme Director (Fixed-Term, 2 Years)
Salary: £85,000
About Us
Queen Margaret University (QMU) is a values‑led university focused on education, research and innovation that creates positive social impact. Based on a modern campus near Edinburgh, QMU is known for its inclusive, person‑centred approach and strengths across healthcare, social sciences, creative arts, business, enterprise and teaching.
About the Opportunity
QMU is embarking on a significant period of transformation to strengthen financial sustainability, modernise operations and accelerate digital capability across the University.
Reporting to the Principal & Vice‑Chancellor, the Senior Transformation Programme Director will lead the delivery of a major institution‑wide transformation programme over a two‑year period. This high‑profile leadership role will oversee the redesign of the University’s operating model alongside the development of a more digitally enabled organisation.
Working closely with senior leaders across academic and professional services, you will bring structure, pace and delivery focus to a complex portfolio of change.
What You’ll Be Doing
Key responsibilities include
- Lead the delivery of QMU’s transformation and financial recovery programme, translating strategy into a clear implementation roadmap with defined milestones and outcomes
- Establish and lead a Transformation Office/PMO, ensuring strong governance, integrated planning, RAID management and benefits tracking
- Drive operating model redesign, process optimisation and service improvement to reduce complexity and improve efficiency
- Oversee delivery of the University’s digital spine, supporting automation, analytics, improved data quality and better decision‑making
- Support organisational change in partnership with senior leaders and HR, helping embed a culture of continuous improvement
- Advise the Senior Leadership Team on programme governance, risks, reporting and delivery priorities
- Explore opportunities to enhance institutional effectiveness through AI, advanced analytics and emerging technologies
About You
You will be an experienced transformation leader with a strong track record of delivering complex organisational change, ideally within Higher Education or similarly complex environments.
You should bring experience of leading large‑scale transformation programmes, operating model redesign and PMO leadership, alongside the ability to translate strategy into delivery at pace. Strong stakeholder management skills, commercial awareness and an understanding of digital and data‑led transformation are essential.
Experience of financial recovery, shared services, enterprise systems or AI‑enabled transformation would be advantageous.
How to Apply
For further information or an informal discussion about the role, please contact Aspen People: Katharine Price 07899 791 508, Gillian Blackadder 07475 035 621 or Donogh O’Brien 07795 812 574. The Office number is: 0141 212 7555
To apply, please visit the microsite at: www.aspenpeople.co.uk/qmu
Closing date
Midnight, Monday 8 June 2026
Interview schedule
First stage interviews (virtual): Friday 19 June 2026
Final stage interviews (in person): Monday 29 June 2026
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Senior Transformation Programme Director (Fixed-Term, 2 Years)
Salary: £85,000
About Us
Queen Margaret University (QMU) is a values‑led university focused on education, research and innovation that creates positive social impact. Based on a modern campus near Edinburgh, QMU is known for its inclusive, person‑centred approach and strengths across healthcare, social sciences, creative arts, business, enterprise and teaching.
About the Opportunity
QMU is embarking on a significant period of transformation to strengthen financial sustainability, modernise operations and accelerate digital capability across the University.
Reporting to the Principal & Vice‑Chancellor, the Senior Transformation Programme Director will lead the delivery of a major institution‑wide transformation programme over a two‑year period. This high‑profile leadership role will oversee the redesign of the University’s operating model alongside the development of a more digitally enabled organisation.
Working closely with senior leaders across academic and professional services, you will bring structure, pace and delivery focus to a complex portfolio of change.
What You’ll Be Doing
Key responsibilities include
- Lead the delivery of QMU’s transformation and financial recovery programme, translating strategy into a clear implementation roadmap with defined milestones and outcomes
- Establish and lead a Transformation Office/PMO, ensuring strong governance, integrated planning, RAID management and benefits tracking
- Drive operating model redesign, process optimisation and service improvement to reduce complexity and improve efficiency
- Oversee delivery of the University’s digital spine, supporting automation, analytics, improved data quality and better decision‑making
- Support organisational change in partnership with senior leaders and HR, helping embed a culture of continuous improvement
- Advise the Senior Leadership Team on programme governance, risks, reporting and delivery priorities
- Explore opportunities to enhance institutional effectiveness through AI, advanced analytics and emerging technologies
About You
You will be an experienced transformation leader with a strong track record of delivering complex organisational change, ideally within Higher Education or similarly complex environments.
You should bring experience of leading large‑scale transformation programmes, operating model redesign and PMO leadership, alongside the ability to translate strategy into delivery at pace. Strong stakeholder management skills, commercial awareness and an understanding of digital and data‑led transformation are essential.
Experience of financial recovery, shared services, enterprise systems or AI‑enabled transformation would be advantageous.
How to Apply
For further information or an informal discussion about the role, please contact Aspen People: Katharine Price 07899 791 508, Gillian Blackadder 07475 035 621 or Donogh O’Brien 07795 812 574. The Office number is: 0141 212 7555
To apply, please visit the microsite at: www.aspenpeople.co.uk/qmu
Closing date
Midnight, Monday 8 June 2026
Interview schedule
First stage interviews (virtual): Friday 19 June 2026
Final stage interviews (in person): Monday 29 June 2026
#J-18808-Ljbffr…