Senior DDT Transformations Programme Manager

As the UK’s leading dementia research charity, we’re determined to stop this from becoming a reality. We’re working to revolutionise the way we treat, diagnose and prevent dementia. But we will not stop there. With your support, we will keep going until every person is free from the heartbreak of dementia. We exist for a cure.

This programme sits across the Digital Engagement, Data & Analytics, and IT spaces: from how and through which platforms we engage with new and existing supporters; how we expertly track, understand, and drive decisions based on accurate and insightful supporter data; and which technologies we should invest in to provide the most appropriate services to our supporters and our employees, and ensuring we protect ourselves from threats such as cyber-attacks.

Reporting into the Director of Individual Giving and Legacies and with a dotted line to the Director of Strategy and Governance, the Senior DDT Transformation Programme Manager is responsible for using project and programme management best practice to drive this programme of activity forward.

Main duties and responsibilities of the role:

Programme Management

·         Work with Heads of Department and project managers to develop a programme plan that incorporates all strategic DDT Transformation initiatives and ensures clear direction towards our end goal of Data, Digital, and Tech excellence and the world class delivery of our supporter experience.

·         Manage the DDT Transformation programme, regularly monitoring progress and promptly facilitating discussions on changes to ensure impact across the programme and wider organisation is understood and the most appropriate mitigations are put in place.

·         Undertake stakeholder and risk mapping for the DDT Transformation programme, ensuring these are appropriately managed and regularly reviewed over the course of the programme.

·         Working with the Internal Communications Manager and key stakeholders within the DDT Transformation Programme, develop and maintain the programme’s internal communications plan, and manage and design the programme’s change management plan.

·         Oversee the DDT Transformation Programme budget, working with workstream leads to monitor budgets and support in budget reporting and business case writing.

Programme Governance

·         Oversee DDT Transformation Programme Governance, including establishing and managing a reporting structure, ensuring clear and agreed communication between individual projects and the steering committee, and defining agreed escalation points.

·         Support the Director of Individual Giving & Legacies (Chair of the DDT Transformation Programme Board) in preparing for steering committee meetings, including reporting on programme progress and escalating risks and change requests, ensuring the committee has the information required to perform its role in steering the wider programme.

·         Ensure all initiatives within the DDT Transformation programme are set up according to ARUK’s project management best practice. Liaise with the Head of Programme Management to ensure the appropriate level of project management support across the DDT Transformation programme.

What we are looking for:

·         Proven track record of overseeing large, complex, cross-organisational technical and non-technical projects, such as CRM Implementation, Website Development, and Digital Literacy, on time and on budget. 

·         A good understanding of marketing and customer experience.

·         Sound knowledge of different project management methodologies (e.g. Agile, Waterfall) and experience in using these.

·         Experience of managing project assets such as project budgets, deliverables and risk logs.

·         Experience of working with a third-party implementation vendor during a project.

·         Sound knowledge of different project management methodologies (e.g. Agile, Waterfall) and experience in using these.

·         Experience of managing project assets such as project budgets, deliverables and risk logs.

·         Experience of working with a third-party implementation vendor during a project.

·         Excellent communication skills, with an ability to build relationships, trust and respect at all levels. Effectively communicates to people of all different technical abilities.

·         Demonstrates strong negotiation, influencing and decision-making skills.

·         Demonstrable skills in stakeholder management, with an ability to develop and adapt to different stakeholder groups. 

·         Ability to drive change and hold challenging conversations at all levels and with third-party vendors.

·         Strong team player who can work both independently and collaboratively with internal and external stakeholders.

·         Excellent planning and organisational skills, with an ability to work to deadlines and reprioritise work in accordance with the organisational needs.

·         Good written and verbal presentation skills.

Additional Information:

Ways of working: As part of our Agile ways of working you will be required to work approximately 2 days a week from the office, which is subject to the requirements of the role and the business needs. Flexibility on where you work can be split between working from home and our office.

Roles that are classed as part of the Agile ways of working are not able to claim any costs for Mileage/Travel on Public Transport, Accommodation and/or Meals.  This includes when attending the office for various meetings/events.

Our Office: Our office is at 3 Riverside, Granta Park, Great Abington, Cambridge, CB21 6AD. 

Salary: Circa £54,000 per annum, plus benefits.

Please download the Vacancy Pack on our website for more information.

The closing date for applications is the 9th March 2025, with interviews likely to be held week commencing the 17th March 2025. Please indicate in your covering letter if you are unable to attend an interview on a certain date. We would encourage you to submit your application at the earliest opportunity, as on occasion we may have to bring forward the interview date and/or the closing date based on the needs of the business. Although a possibility, this will only happen in exceptional circumstances. Please indicate in your covering letter if you are unable to attend an interview on a certain date.

We value diversity and are committed to creating an inclusive culture where everyone can be themselves and reach their full potential.  We actively encourage applications from people of all backgrounds and cultures, in particular those from ethnic minority backgrounds who are currently under-represented.  Any offer of employment is however subject to you having the right to work in the UK.

As part of our commitment to being an inclusive employer and ensuring fairness and consistency in our selection process, we will handle your CV and application with the utmost confidentiality. While we strive to anonymise your CV where possible, there are certain sections, such as the application question, that cannot be fully anonymised. We kindly ask that you remove any personal information, including your name, when answering the application question. The hiring panel will not have access to your personal details, such as your name and address, until you are invited for an interview. Should you require any adjustments at either the application or interview stage, please contact us via our website.

How to apply: Please create an online account using our Online Recruitment Platform which can be accessed through our Job Vacancies page. You will be able to attach your CV to your application and track the status of your application.

About Alzheimer’s Research UK: Alzheimer's Research UK is the UK's leading dementia research charity. Our mission is to accelerate progress towards a cure.  Today 1 in 2 people will be impacted by dementia, either through caring for a loved one, developing it themselves or tragically both. But there is hope. 

There has never been a more important and exciting time in dementia research. With promising new drugs in clinical trials that slow the progression of the diseases that cause it, and revolutionary new ways to diagnose them on the horizon, we are now at a tipping point. Working with the smartest minds globally and across the UK, with industry and academia, Alzheimer’s Research UK is uniquely placed to invest in the very best research identifying barriers to a cure and knocking them down so that there are more and better treatments for everyone with dementia. For the first time in history, we can see a future where people with dementia can get a swift and accurate diagnosis, and effective treatments that could slow or even stop their disease. We stand for everyone affected by dementia. We stand for a cure. 

In 2024, we were incredibly proud to be awarded a 3-star accreditation by Best Companies which recognises ‘World Class’ levels of workplace engagement. This is the second consecutive time; we have been awarded a Best Companies 3-star accreditation.

We were also listed in the prestigious Best Companies lists:

·         18th in the 100 Best Large Companies to Work For in the UK.

·         10th in the 50 Best Companies to Work For in the East of England.

·         2nd in the 30 Best Companies to Work For in the Charity Sector.

In addition, we were also shortlisted for a special award recognising the work undertaken on reducing our environmental impact.

In 2021, we were awarded the HR Management award by The Charity Times for our Wellbeing initiatives throughout the pandemic.

In 2020, we demonstrated our commitment to changing the way we think and act about mental health in the workplace and signed the Time to Change Employer Pledge. 

ARUK really does look after its people, where you will be able to add value and make a difference. 

To view further details about working for us and the benefits we offer, please visit Alzheimer’s Research UK