Lead: Portfolio Performance (Business Planning)

About the role

The University of Cambridge is seeking a senior portfolio planning professional to lead the Portfolio Performance (Business Planning) function within the University Change Support Office (UCSO). UCSO supports the Change and Programme Management Board in overseeing the University's portfolio of major change programmes, covering change and communications, benefits realisation, portfolio planning, common standards, strategic reporting and business-case appraisal. The post-holder owns the standards, planning logic, reporting methods and sequencing practices that give coherent visibility of delivery, risks, costs, benefits, return on investment and stakeholder impacts.

Key responsibilities

• Lead and control the standards, policies and processes for portfolio planning, sequencing, reporting and management information.
• Provide reliable, real-time visibility of programme delivery, interdependencies, risks, costs, benefits, return on investment and stakeholder impacts.
• Chair the Sequencing Steering Group and design, implement and monitor the policy and decision-support arrangements governing the sequencing of programme activity.
• Set requirements for portfolio systems, data and presentational outputs, and work with University Information Services (UIS) and the Academic Planning and Strategy Office (APSO) to improve them.
• Manage and develop staff within the planning function, and give briefings, workshops and practical guidance to strengthen planning and reporting capability across the University.

Required profile

• Substantial experience defining and improving planning, sequencing, reporting or management-information standards in a complex portfolio or organisational setting.
• Strong strategic planning and programme management expertise, able to challenge poor-quality information and resolve weaknesses in systems, workflows and data.
• Experienced people manager, able to lead multidisciplinary work across organisational boundaries.
• Clear, persuasive communication with senior and operational stakeholders, able to turn complex portfolio information into decision-ready outputs.
• Postgraduate-level qualification in a quantitative discipline.

What we offer

• 41 days annual leave, including bank holidays.
• Potential for flexible and hybrid working, subject to operational needs.
• Pension scheme, discount portal, cycle to work scheme, University accommodation service, relocation expenses scheme, employee assistance programme and family-friendly policies.
• Funding available for 3 years; part-time and secondment applications are welcome.

Applications are made online with a CV and cover letter, with interviews scheduled for mid-December 2026. Reference YV51605 should be quoted.