Transformation Workstream Lead

Newcastle City Library; Newcastle upon Tyne; On-site; GBP 68,000; Full time

Job summary

A prominent educational institution in Newcastle is seeking a Transformation Workstream Lead to drive significant change initiatives within the university. The successful candidate will demonstrate proven leadership in managing complex projects alongside exceptional communication skills. This role is strategic in scope, influencing university policy, and requires experience in higher education transformations. An attractive salary package and a commitment to inclusivity and diversity are offered. The position is fixed-term for two years.

Benefits

Generous holiday package

Great pension schemes

Health and wellbeing initiatives

Qualifications

• Proven experience leading or coordinating complex projects in higher education.
• Strong planning and organizational skills with the ability to manage multiple stakeholders.
• Familiarity with project management methodologies like PRINCE2 and Agile.

Responsibilities

• Lead major transformation initiatives within a university-wide programme.
• Engage and influence senior stakeholders across the University.
• Maintain detailed workstream plans and ensure timely delivery of outputs.

Skills

Project management

Stakeholder engagement

Communication skills

Organizational skills

Tools

PRINCE2

Agile methodologies

Job description

Salary: £58,225 to £61,759 with progression to £67,468 per annum

Newcastle University is a great place to work, with excellent benefits. We have a generous holiday package; plus the opportunity to buy more, great pension schemes and a number of health and wellbeing initiatives to support you.

Closing Date: 18 January 2026

Role

We have an exciting opportunity within the transformation team for an experienced Transformation Workstream Lead, to join us for a 2 year fixed term contract.

As an experienced senior change professional you will lead a programme of work that spans multiple functional areas, diverse activities and a range of stakeholder groups. This strategic leadership position will help to shape the University’s future.

You will bring advanced professional knowledge and a deep strategic understanding to navigate complexity and drive institution‑wide change, including developing new processes, influencing policy, and resolving complex issues to deliver transformative and lasting outcomes in institutional performance and stakeholder experience.

Success in this role requires exceptional communication and interpersonal skills. You will engage, influence, and negotiate with senior stakeholders across the University, often in environments where priorities compete and consensus is hard‑won. Your ability to lead with clarity, confidence, and credibility will be critical.

To apply please upload your CV along with a cover letter evidencing how your skills and experiences align with the success profile as outlined in the job description.

Purpose of the Role

• Lead the successful delivery of major transformation initiatives within a university‑wide programme, driving institution‑wide change through multiple functional areas and complex stakeholder networks.
• Operating at a senior level and providing strategic leadership, the role is accountable for shaping and delivering new processes, influencing policy, and resolving high‑impact challenges to deliver transformative outcomes in institutional performance and stakeholder experience.

Key Outcomes & Accountabilities

1. Strategic Workstream Leadership

• Deliver assigned transformation workstreams (e.g., curriculum reform, student systems, research support, estates) to agreed milestones, scope, and quality standards.
• Ensure each workstream contributes directly to programme‑level strategic objectives and measurable institutional benefits.

2. Stakeholder Engagement & Collaboration

• Achieve high levels of engagement and collaboration across academic and professional services, ensuring stakeholder input shapes workstream outcomes.
• Ensure Change Managers drive adoption, training, and communication activities that result in sustained behavioural and process change.
• Proactively identify, assess, and manage risks and dependencies, ensuring timely mitigation and escalation where needed.
• Maintain transparent reporting and governance structures that support informed decision‑making.

4. Planning & Execution

• Maintain detailed workstream plans, timelines, and progress reports that support agile and adaptive delivery.
• Ensure outputs are delivered on time and to a high standard, with clear links to business cases and implementation plans.
• Define and track KPIs and success metrics for each workstream, ensuring benefits are realised and sustained post‑delivery.
• Contribute to programme‑level reporting and continuous improvement through lessons learned and feedback loops.

Success Profile

Essential Experience & Skills

• Proven experience leading or coordinating complex projects or workstreams in higher education or public sector environments.
• Strong planning, organisational, and communication skills, with the ability to manage multiple priorities and stakeholders.
• Skilled in using project management tools and techniques to deliver outcomes.
• Experience in higher education transformation (e.g., student systems, curriculum review, digital initiatives).
• Familiarity with project management methodologies (e.g., PRINCE2, Agile).
• Understanding of university governance, academic processes, and the student lifecycle.

Attributes

• Outcome‑focused, adaptable, and proactive.
• Professional and quality‑driven, with the ability to lead by example.
• Strong influencing skills, including in matrix environments without direct line authority.
• Able to build effective relationships across organisational levels and adapt communication style accordingly.

For details of key areas of responsibility scope and context click here

Newcastle University is a global University where everyone is treated with dignity and respect. As a University of Sanctuary, we aim to provide a welcoming place of safety for all, offering opportunities to people fleeing violence and persecution.

We are committed to being a fully inclusive university which actively recruits, supports and retains colleagues from all sectors of society. We value diversity as well as celebrate, support and thrive on the contributions of all of our employees and the communities they represent. We are proud to be an equal opportunities employer and encourage applications from individuals who can complement our existing teams, we believe that success is built on having teams whose backgrounds and experiences reflect the diversity of our university and student population.

At Newcastle University we hold a GoldAthena Swan award in recognition of our good employment practices for the advancement of gender equality. We also hold a Race Equality Charter Bronze award in recognition of our work towards tackling race inequality in higher education REC. We are a Disability Confident employer and will offer an interview to disabled applicants who meet the essential criteria for the role as part of the offer and interview scheme.

In addition, we are a member of the Euraxess initiative supporting researchers in Europe.