"Senior Change Management Specialist (Fixed Term)"

The University of Cambridge has established a number of large change initiatives to help us adopt new ways of working in support of our staff and academic mission. In the years ahead, these vital programmes and projects will help the University seize new opportunities, respond to future challenges and make an even greater contribution to society through teaching and research.

We are recruiting for two Senior Change Management Specialist roles as part of the Change and Programme Management Office. One will be based within the Research Office to support the work of the Transforming Research Support Programme (TRS). The other will be based within University Information Services (UIS) to support the work of the Enterprise Foundations (EF) portfolio.

The TRS programme aims to improve the support the University offers to researchers and professional staff, making it easier to do world-class research. This includes the introduction of new grant management system Worktribe across the University, improved pre-award and contracts processes, digital infrastructure improvements to integrate with post-award financial tracking, developing centralised ethics review and due diligence systems as well as cross-institutional time recording systems.

The University is working towards the implementation of new University-wide HR and Finance systems, enabling excellence in education, learning and research. In support of this, the EF portfolio includes projects that will:

• Deliver modern integration and reporting platforms so new systems can share, present and report data
• Enable the decommissioning of related legacy systems
• Support the delivery of University transformation programmes and strategic priorities

Key Responsibilities:

The Senior Change Management Specialists work with sponsors and teams to drive faster adoption, higher utilisation and greater proficiency of the changes that impact staff to achieve positive results and outcomes.

Your focus will be on the people side of change including changes to business procedures, processes, systems and technology, job roles and organisation structures.

The primary responsibility will be creating and implementing change management strategies and plans (covering communications, training, sponsorship, role of line managers and resistance management) that maximise employee adoption and usage and minimize resistance.

You will work closely with stakeholders across the University community including the Research Office, UIS, Education Services, HR, Finance, Schools and Change Partners to collectively champion improved working practices.

About You:

The ideal candidate will join us with experience of facilitating and promoting large-scale cross-organisational change initiatives.

You will be able to demonstrate an in-depth understanding of how people go through change, the process and appropriate tools and techniques to enable & sustain change.

The ability to quickly build and maintain positive relationships and foster collaboration among team-members and stakeholders will also be key to success in this role.

A recognised change or transformation qualification/certification (e.g. APMG Practitioner, PROSCI level or equivalent) would be advantageous.

The Benefits:

In return, you will receive an extensive reward/benefit package including:

• 41 days annual leave (inc bank holidays)
• Flexible/hybrid working
• Excellent benefits including generous pension scheme, discount portal, cycle to work scheme, access to university accommodation service, scheme for reimbursement of relocation expenses, employee assistance programme, family-friendly policies and many more

Fixed-term: The funds for this post are available for 2 years in the first instance.

Applications are welcome from internal candidates who would like to apply for the role on the basis of a secondment from their current role in the University.

Instructions for applicants box

When applying, please upload your CV and cover letter which clearly sets out how you meet the criteria listed in the person specification (the knowledge, skills, and experience required for the role) along with relevant examples. Candidates will be shortlisted and invited to interview based upon these criteria. If you have a preference for the Transforming Research Support Programme role or the Enterprise Foundations role or particular experience in either area please ensure this is outlined in your covering letter.

The Interview Process:

Shortlisted candidates will be invited to first round online interviews in September 2025. If successful, candidates will be invited to second round in person interviews in October 2025.

Additional information regarding the role can be found within the further information file. If you wish to discuss this role in more detail, or have questions about the application process, enquiries are welcome. Please contact the Change and Programme Management Office, via change@admin.cam.ac.uk.