Senior Project Manager

Skills

• Essential
• Strong end-to-end project/programme management skills: planning, RAID management, dependency mapping, and milestone tracking across multiple concurrent initiatives.
• Ability to operate comfortably across multiple interdependent workstreams with shifting dependencies and incomplete upstream decisions.
• Strong stakeholder management skills, with the ability to flex communication style between working-team detail and concise, decision-oriented executive narrative.
• Skilled in setting up or operating within formal governance structures (steering committees, design authorities, change boards) - papers, agendas, and decision/action tracking.
• Able to hold a line on governance or compliance process under delivery pressure, framing it constructively rather than as obstruction.
• Strong written and verbal communication, including confidence presenting to C-suite or senior sponsor audiences.
• Desirable
• Working knowledge of data platform concepts (e.g. medallion architecture, data lakes/warehouses) sufficient to manage delivery without requiring deep technical translation.
• Familiarity with MDM, data governance, or master data ownership concepts.
• Experience managing delivery alongside external consultancies or agencies during transition/handover phases.
• Qualifications and Experience
• Proven track record as a Senior Project/Programme Manager delivering technology transformation programmes; data, MDM, or analytics programme experience is a strong plus but not required given the broader portfolio scope of this role.
• Experience managing a portfolio of varied initiatives concurrently, rather than single-programme delivery only.
• Experience in PE-backed, multi-site, or international organisations is desirable.
• Formal project management qualification (e.g. PRINCE2, MSP, PMP, AgilePM) desirable.
• Experience working in or alongside technology/IT functions, with enough fluency to manage delivery across engineering, data, and business stakeholder groups.
• ISP Principles
• Begin with our children and students. Our children and students are at the heart of what we do. Simply, their success is our success. Wellbeing and safety are both essential for learners and learning. Therefore, we are consistent in identifying potential safeguarding
• and Health & Safety issues and acting and following up on all concerns appropriately.
• Treat everyone with care and respect. We look after one another, embrace similarities and differences and promote the well-being of self and others.
• Operate effectively. We focus relentlessly on the things that are most important and will make the most difference. We apply school policies and procedures and embody the shared ideas of our community.
• Are financially responsible. We make financial choices carefully based on the needs of the children, students and our schools.
• Learn continuously. Getting better is what drives us. We positively engage with personal and professional development and school improvement.
• ISP Commitment to Safeguarding Principles
• ISP is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people and expects all staff and volunteers to share this commitment. All post holders are subject to appropriate vetting procedures, including an online due diligence search, references and satisfactory Criminal Background Checks or equivalent covering the previous 10 years’ employment history.
• ISP Commitment to Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Belonging
• ISP is committed to strengthening our inclusive culture by identifying, hiring, developing, and retaining high-performing teammates regardless of gender, ethnicity, sexual orientation and gender expression, age, disability status, neurodivergence, socio-economic background or other demographic characteristics. Candidates who share our vision and principles and are interested in contributing to the success of ISP through this role are strongly encouraged to apply.