Senior Change Manager

Kingston University

Kingston upon Thames

  • Location Kingston upon Thames
  • Sector Education
  • Client Kingston University
  • Job Type Permanent
  • Salary/Remuneration Grade 10
  • Reference GSe129784
  • Closing Date 9am, Monday 16 February 2026

The Role

Do you want to join our newly created and strategically significant team - Strategic Projects Office? In order to support the delivery of our Town House Strategy, we are looking for a Senior Change Managerto join our newly created department.

One of the University’s largest projects is the delivery of our Town House Strategy which is fundamental to delivering a successful and sustainable future for the University. We are making great strides towards becoming the UK’s leading university for Future Skills where staff and students are sought after for their skills, knowledge and ability to innovate. You will be working on this project as well as many others to help shape the future of education and our student experience.

As a Senior Change Manager in the Strategic Projects Office (SPO), you will lead the development and implementation of a university-wide change management framework that will enable the successful embedment of strategic change and improvements essential to the delivery of the University Strategy (the Town House Strategy), its strategic effectiveness and efficiency reviews, and its ongoing operations. You will act as a strategic ‘change champion’ on how to successfully lead, land and embed cross-organisational initiatives through utilising change management activities with a focus on the people side of change and employee engagement.

In this role you will work closely with the Director of SPO to ensure the University adopts a consistent change management approach, which is aligned to the University’s Town House strategy. You’ll be confident navigating higher education structures, engaging stakeholders across all levels, and bringing clarity and momentum to multifaceted change. A background in strategic change management with a focus on successfully embedding cultural and transformational change, coupled with excellent communication skills will be key to success.

The Person

We are looking for motivated, skilled and experienced Senior Change Manager with a proven ability to embed strategic or transformational projects in complex organisations. The ideal candidate will demonstrate strong stakeholder engagement skills, sound judgement, and the confidence to navigate university governance and decision-making structures. You’ll have experience using change management methodologies, with formal certification preferred such as Prosci / APMG Change Management Practitioner. Familiarity with the higher education sector or similar regulated environments will be advantageous.

You’ll be highly organised, a clear communicator, strategic thinker and adaptable in your approach to managing competing priorities. A collaborative mindset, ability to build trust and credibility across academic and professional communities and a commitment to continuous improvement are key to thriving in this role.

Directorate/Faculty

The newly established Strategic Projects Office (SPO) sits within the Finance, HR and Infrastructure Directorate and will play a pivotal role in advancing the University’s strategic objectives. Acting as a central hub for cross-functional collaboration, the SPO will bring together teams from across the institution to deliver complex, high-impact initiatives.

The Directorate for Finance, HR, and Infrastructure plays a critical role in shaping and supporting the University’s strategic and operational success. With a focus on excellence, efficiency, and people-centred practices, it delivers vital services that influence the daily experience of staff and students while enabling long-term institutional growth. These services span financial management, workforce development, and the maintenance of both physical and digital infrastructure - ensuring the University’s operations and ambitions are fully supported. With a clear focus on service quality, innovation, and people-first practices, the Directorate operates in close partnership with academic faculties and senior leadership to ensure institutional goals are achieved. It is driven by a commitment to excellence, service and sustainable progress, promoting a culture where collaboration, innovation and transformation thrive. As Senior Change Manager, the successful candidate will be instrumental in delivering high-impact initiatives and supporting organisational change. This is an opportunity to join a proactive, solutions-focused team whose work directly contributes to the University’s continued success.

Further Information

This is a full time, permanent position.

We are a place-based organisation, proud of our location in Kingston and the civic role we play in our community. Our campuses inspire collaborative, innovative and creative communities. Being present on campus is important to us because it helps us to create a sense of belonging for both our staff and students. Therefore, whilst we support flexible working, staff are expected to be on campus for the majority of their working week.

Closing date: 9am, Monday 16 February 2026

Interviews are scheduled to be held in person week commencing 2 March 2026.

For further information, please contact Alison Elton at GatenbySanderson - alison.elton@gatenbysanderson.com

We offer a range of benefits, including:

  • 35 days annual leave Full time equivalent
  • Generous pension scheme (LGPS)
  • Employee Assistance Programme helps with any work-related problems having a wider impact on your life and gives you access to the savings centre
  • Employee Benefits platform including retail discounts and option to join healthcare cash plan
  • Discounts on Perks at Work
  • Course fee waiver scheme and discounted courses across the University
  • Learn new skills with priority access to thousands of courses via LinkedIn Learning

Season ticket loans up to £10,000 to help you spread the cost of commuting and get the best value for money.

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