Senior Project Manager

Job Description

This is a fixed-term contract for 18-months.

Purpose of the role  

This role sits within the Global Technology, Digital, Data & AI function and will lead delivery of a portfolio of initiatives, with the data strategy programme as a primary focus alongside other technology and tech-enabled change initiatives as they arise across the Group.

You'll be joining at a pivotal moment on the data programme: a major enrolment reporting milestone is in build, foundational governance forums are being stood up for the first time, and core data domains (Student, Enrolment, School/Campus) are being defined ahead of a permanent Data Governance & MDM Manager joining the team. Alongside this, you'll be a flexible delivery resource for the Head of Delivery & Portfolio, picking up other technology initiatives as priorities shift across the wider portfolio. This is a role for someone who can drive structured delivery across multiple concurrent initiatives in a genuinely mid-build, still-maturing environment - not one where the foundations are already settled.

Reports to: Group Head of Delivery & Portfolio
 

Key Responsibilities

Project and Programme delivery

• Own end-to-end delivery planning and execution across data and technology programme. Leading active workstreams, managing scope, sequencing, and dependencies across engineering, definitions, and reporting build phases.
• Track and actively manage critical-path dependencies across interconnected delivery streams, escalating blockers before they propagate downstream.
• Maintain working-level delivery artefacts (plans, RAID logs, dependency maps) distinct from the simplified executive narrative used for senior stakeholder reporting.
• Pick up delivery ownership of other technology and tech-enabled initiatives within the broader portfolio as they arise, applying the same structured project management discipline outside the data programme.

Stakeholder & cross-functional management

• Act as the primary delivery-level point of contact for technology, engineering, BI, and customer/adoption workstream leads, keeping delivery aligned across functional boundaries.
• Prepare and present delivery updates to senior stakeholders, including the COO and Technology Director, distinguishing technical detail for working teams from narrative-level updates for executive audiences.
• Coordinate with external delivery and connector partners where engagements span internal and third-party teams.

Risk, compliance & decision support

• Surface and frame governance or compliance risks (e.g. data protection, architecture review gaps) as risk-mitigation conversations, escalating appropriately rather than allowing process steps to be bypassed under delivery pressure.
• Support structured discovery and options-assessment work where platform or data model decisions require it, rather than allowing design work to proceed ahead of agreed scope.

Reporting & communication

• Produce and maintain milestone, RAID, and dependency reporting for working teams.
• Translate delivery status into concise, decision-oriented materials for portfolio and executive reporting.

Skills

Essential

• Strong end-to-end project/programme management skills: planning, RAID management, dependency mapping, and milestone tracking across multiple concurrent initiatives.
• Ability to operate comfortably across multiple interdependent workstreams with shifting dependencies and incomplete upstream decisions.
• Strong stakeholder management skills, with the ability to flex communication style between working-team detail and concise, decision-oriented executive narrative.
• Skilled in setting up or operating within formal governance structures (steering committees, design authorities, change boards) - papers, agendas, and decision/action tracking.
• Able to hold a line on governance or compliance process under delivery pressure, framing it constructively rather than as obstruction.
• Strong written and verbal communication, including confidence presenting to C-suite or senior sponsor audiences.

Desirable

• Working knowledge of data platform concepts (e.g. medallion architecture, data lakes/warehouses) sufficient to manage delivery without requiring deep technical translation.
• Familiarity with MDM, data governance, or master data ownership concepts.
• Experience managing delivery alongside external consultancies or agencies during transition/handover phases.

Qualifications and Experience

• Proven track record as a Senior Project/Programme Manager delivering technology transformation programmes; data, MDM, or analytics programme experience is a strong plus but not required given the broader portfolio scope of this role.
• Experience managing a portfolio of varied initiatives concurrently, rather than single-programme delivery only.
• Experience in PE-backed, multi-site, or international organisations is desirable.
• Formal project management qualification (e.g. PRINCE2, MSP, PMP, AgilePM) desirable.
• Experience working in or alongside technology/IT functions, with enough fluency to manage delivery across engineering, data, and business stakeholder groups.

ISP Principles

Begin with our children and students. Our children and students are at the heart of what we do. Simply, their success is our success. Wellbeing and safety are both essential for learners and learning. Therefore, we are consistent in identifying potential safeguarding

and Health & Safety issues and acting and following up on all concerns appropriately.

Treat everyone with care and respect. We look after one another, embrace similarities and differences and promote the well-being of self and others.

Operate effectively. We focus relentlessly on the things that are most important and will make the most difference. We apply school policies and procedures and embody the shared ideas of our community.

Are financially responsible. We make financial choices carefully based on the needs of the children, students and our schools.

Learn continuously. Getting better is what drives us. We positively engage with personal and professional development and school improvement.

ISP Commitment to Safeguarding Principles

ISP is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people and expects all staff and volunteers to share this commitment. All post holders are subject to appropriate vetting procedures, including an online due diligence search, references and satisfactory Criminal Background Checks or equivalent covering the previous 10 years’ employment history.

ISP Commitment to Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Belonging

ISP is committed to strengthening our inclusive culture by identifying, hiring, developing, and retaining high-performing teammates regardless of gender, ethnicity, sexual orientation and gender expression, age, disability status, neurodivergence, socio-economic background or other demographic characteristics. Candidates who share our vision and principles and are interested in contributing to the success of ISP through this role are strongly encouraged to apply.