Senior Project Manager – 18-month FTC
(Maternity Cover)
Role Overview
The Senior Project Manager is a key delivery role within the Project Solutions function, responsible for leading the planning, execution and successful delivery of complex projects and workstreams. This role acts as a delivery partner to our client, UCC, shaping delivery approaches, guiding decision-making, and supporting the design and implementation of impactful solutions. Working closely with internal teams and external stakeholders, the Senior Project Manager ensures that projects are delivered on time, within scope and budget, and to a high-quality standard, while also providing input that enhances delivery and organisational outcomes.
The selected candidate will initially be assigned to research projects (pre- and post-award), requiring knowledge of the research funding landscape, excellent funding application writing skills (pre-award), as well as rich research project management expertise (post-award), and strong attention-to-detail. The role may also require delivery and/or oversight of other non-research-related strategic projects.
This role requires excellent communication and stakeholder engagement skills, and the ability to manage competing priorities in a dynamic environment. The Senior Project Manager drives business development by building strong relationships with our clients in UCC, contributes to continuous improvement and oversees quality assurance. Providing leadership across the project lifecycle, this is a management level role, responsible for ensuring delivery excellence, supporting team development and contributing to the strategic and operational success of the Project Solutions function.
Key Responsibilities
Project Leadership & Delivery
Lead the planning, scheduling and delivery of complex or multi-stream projects, ensuring alignment with defined objectives and stakeholder expectations.
Develop and maintain detailed project plans, and timelines to support effective delivery.
Apply robust scope management practices, ensuring clear definition, tracking, and control of project deliverables.
Oversee project governance and delivery frameworks to ensure successful project outcomes.
Embed quality assurance practices across all project phases, promoting consistency and compliance with internal and external standards.
Responsible for project contracting and engagement processes, including the development of new agreements, extensions and change requests, ensuring compliance and delivery assurance from initiation through to project completion.
Proactively manage risks, dependencies, and change, identifying and implementing mitigation measures, ensuring timely resolution, escalating issues where appropriate.
Apply change management approaches to ensure stakeholder adoption and successful implementation of project outcomes.
Coordinate and manage project resources, including internal and external contributors, ensuring effective collaboration and delivery.
Financial Management & Performance Monitoring
Manage project budgets and financial tracking, ensuring alignment with approved funding and value for money.
Identify and address scope creep, cost variances, and delivery risks in a timely and proactive manner, proactively escalating where required.
Oversee and monitor project performance against key milestones, deliverables, and KPIs, providing regular updates to stakeholders.
Utilise reporting tools such as Power BI and other relevant systems to monitor project performance, generate insights, and support data-driven decision-making across key milestones and KPIs.
Business Development & Continuous Improvement
Identify and contribute to the development of new project opportunities that align with UCC Academy's and UCC's strategic priorities.
Lead and support the development of proposals, business cases, and stakeholder engagement for emerging projects.
Champion continuous improvement by leading enhancements to project delivery processes, tools, and templates.
Contribute to the creation of Project Solutions assets and promote use of best practice that supports consistent, high-quality, market relevant project delivery.
Stakeholder Engagement & Influence
Build and maintain strong relationships with internal and external stakeholders, acting as a trusted advisor and delivery partner.
Lead the development and implementation of stakeholder engagement strategies, to promote alignment, transparency, and collaboration throughout the project lifecycle.
Facilitate effective communication and collaboration across diverse teams and functions, enabling informed decision-making and issue resolution.
Gather, analyse and integrate stakeholder feedback to inform project delivery and support continuous improvement.
People Leadership & Development
Provide line management to assigned team members, supporting performance, development, and wellbeing.
Manage resources on assigned projects, ensuring clarity of roles, effective collaboration and delivery accountability.
Mentor colleagues across UCC Academy and wider UCC group, fostering a culture of collaboration, continuous learning, and professional excellence.
Contribute to the development and achievement of team objectives, aligning individual and collective performance with both UCC Academy and UCC's strategic goals.
Promote knowledge sharing and capability building within UCC Academy and wider UCC group.
Demonstrate accountability for personal performance and growth, aligning with UCC Academy's values and contributing positively to team and organisation.
Governance, Compliance & Other Duties
Ensure compliance with data protection, risk management, and other relevant policies across all workstream activities.
Adhere to internal policies and external standards, including public sector and funding body requirements, recognising these as critical compliance obligations, ensuring wider team member adherence as required.
Undertake additional responsibilities as assigned, contributing flexibly to the wider goals of the Project Solutions function.
This list is not exhaustive, and the Senior Project Manager will undertake other duties as appropriately requested.
Essential Criteria
5 years' experience in research project management, including leading complex or multi-stream projects.
A relevant third-level qualification or relevant equivalent experience.
Excellent writing skills and strong attention-to-detail.
Pre- and post‑award experience, including funding applications and financial/compliance oversight.
Proven experience managing project budgets, resources, and stakeholder relationships.
Demonstrated ability to deliver projects aligned with strategic goals and organisational priorities.
Strong understanding of project governance, risk management, and quality assurance frameworks.
Excellent communication and interpersonal skills, with the ability to influence and engage stakeholders at all levels.
Proficiency in project management tools and software (e.g. MS Project, Smartsheet, or other relevant tools used to effectively manage projects).
Familiarity with business development processes, including proposal writing and stakeholder engagement.
Ability to manage competing priorities and deliver results in a dynamic environment.
Experience in line management or mentoring of team members.
Demonstrated ability to foster collaboration across teams and functions.
Understanding of data protection, compliance, and risk management in a project context.
Professional project management certification (e.g. PMP, PRINCE2 Practitioner, PM2, AgilePM).
Proficiency in Microsoft Office.
Desirable Criteria
Postgraduate research qualification (e.g. MSc, MPhil, PhD).
Experience working in or with higher education institutions or public sector organisations.
Professional change management certification (e.g. Prosci Adkar).
Knowledge of continuous improvement methodologies (e.g. Lean, Six Sigma).
Experience contributing to organisational strategy or service development.
Conditions of Employment
Employment Type: The post can be offered as a FTE. A six-month probationary period will apply.
Eligibility: You must be eligible to work in Ireland to be considered for the role.
Salary on commencement: Job Level 4: €56,000-€76,640 per annum. New entrants to UCC Academy will likely be appointed onto one of the first three points of the scale, subject to experience.
Term: This is a fixed term contract for 18 months.
Annual Leave: 25 Days plus up to 5 discretionary Company Days.
Pension: Company Defined Contribution Pension Scheme.
Location: Our place of work is the Western Gateway Building, UCC. Onsite presence is required, with opportunities for flexible working when organisation and client needs allow.
How to Apply
In order to be considered for the post, we ask you to submit a 2 page CV and cover letter to outlining why this role is of interest and how you meet the requirements. In addition, we require candidates to complete three questions regarding their experience. Please access this link to complete this application form. Candidates should note that their application will not be considered without completing this step.
Closing date for applications is 9am, Monday 02 March.
UCC Academy is an equal opportunities employer
By submitting your CV you are deemed to give your consent to UCC Academy to share your CV and personal details with the University and individual departments within the University for the purposes of recruitment.