Location
Stratford Campus, London

Hours
Full Time

Salary
£75,180 to £94,036 per annum inclusive of London Weighting

Contract Length
Fixed Term - 12 months

About the Role
The Project Director will provide strategic leadership, governance, and oversight for the delivery of the East London Pupils' Careers Education Consortium (ELPCEC), a major externally funded programme led by the University of East London in partnership with the London Boroughs of Newham, Tower Hamlets, and Hackney. This programme supports young people who are Not in Education, Employment or Training (NEET), at risk of becoming NEET, or facing barriers to participation through targeted education, employability, digital, and creative skills interventions.

Working across a complex multi-agency landscape, the Project Director will establish effective programme governance arrangements, manage risk and performance, oversee monitoring and evaluation frameworks, and ensure delivery of measurable outcomes relating to educational participation, employability, progression, and social impact. The role includes reporting to funders and governance boards, driving continuous improvement, and developing a sustainable model to support future growth and investment beyond the initial funding period.

Additionally, the Project Director will contribute to UEL’s broader strategic projects, including the Student Records System (SRS) Transformation Programme, which is a key institutional initiative focused on implementing Banner SaaS and transforming student lifecycle processes. The role involves leading multiple capability workstreams, coordinating multidisciplinary teams, and collaborating with subject matter experts, technical teams, and external suppliers to ensure successful delivery of system implementation and business transformation.

This position plays a critical role in advancing UEL's civic and social mobility ambitions by creating opportunities for young people across East London, strengthening strategic partnerships, and positioning the University as a leading contributor to addressing educational inequality and improving life chances within local communities.

Key deliverables include successful delivery of the Portal Trust-funded programme to agreed scope, budget, and timescales; strong governance and stakeholder engagement; measurable improvements in participant outcomes; robust monitoring and evaluation frameworks; and development of a sustainable partnership and funding strategy. The role also supports the Health Campus vision of improving health, wellbeing, and opportunities for East London communities.

Experience
Proven experience in strategic project leadership and governance within complex, multi-agency environments. Demonstrable success in managing externally funded programmes and delivering measurable social impact outcomes. Experience in stakeholder engagement, risk management, and performance monitoring. Familiarity with education, employability, and community partnership initiatives is highly desirable.

About you
Innovative, forward-thinking, and committed to driving positive social change. Strong leadership and communication skills with the ability to work collaboratively across diverse teams and partners. Resilient and adaptable, capable of managing multiple priorities in a fast-paced environment. Passionate about advancing educational equality and social mobility within local communities.

Qualifications
A relevant degree or equivalent professional experience in project management, education, social policy, or related fields. Formal project management qualifications (e.g., PRINCE2, MSP, or equivalent) are advantageous. Commitment to continuous professional development and embracing new methodologies and technologies.