Location: Leeds
Salary: £50,000
About Us
At Arbor, we're on a mission to transform the way schools work for the better.
We believe in a future of work in schools where being challenged doesn't mean being burnt out and overworked. Where data guides progress without overwhelming staff. And where everyone working in a school is reminded why they got into education every day.
Our MIS and school management tools are already making a difference in over 7,000 schools and trusts. Giving time and power back to staff, turning data into clear, actionable insights, and supporting happier working days.
At the heart of our brand is a recognition that the challenges schools face today aren't just about efficiency, outputs and productivity - but about creating happier working lives for the people who drive education everyday: the staff. We want to make schools more joyful places to work, as well as learn.
About The Role
We are looking for a highly organised Senior Programme Manager to lead and successfully implement Arbor's products and manage relationships within large Multi-Academy Trusts (MATs) and Local Authorities (and in some cases, countries), maximising their adoption and value of Arbor throughout their journey. This involves overseeing complex, multi-faceted programmes, developing long-term strategic partnerships, and ensuring successful implementation of Arbor's entire product suite, including Arbor MIS, Arbor Finance, and Timetabler.
Requirements
Core responsibilities
- Strategically managing a portfolio of complex, concurrent programmes, encompassing both short-term and long-term initiatives, for the deployment of Arbor's solutions across schools within large MATs and Groups
- Leading the scoping and strategic planning of programmes, ensuring alignment with client's strategic priorities and achieving key milestones and objectives within agreed timelines
- Proactively building and maintaining strong relationships with C-level stakeholders, acting as a strategic partner and trusted advisor
- Preparing, planning, and leading executive-level programme meetings and presentations, effectively communicating programme status, risks, and opportunities
- Mentoring and guiding programme managers and implementation teams, fostering a culture of excellence and continuous improvement
- Developing and implementing strategic account plans to maximise Arbor's value within MATs/Groups and identify opportunities for expansion
- Serving as the escalation point for programme risks, dependencies, and issues, proactively developing mitigation strategies and ensuring timely resolution
- Driving continuous improvement in programme delivery methodologies and best practices
- Managing programme resources effectively to be able to maximise ROI
- Monitoring programme performance metrics and reporting on progress to senior management
- Supporting pre-sales activities by providing expert advice on large bids and tenders, ensuring accurate scoping and pricing of Arbor's Enterprise Programme Management services
- Working closely with the Senior Customer Success Managers to ensure seamless transition from implementation to ongoing support, ensuring continued success and maximising customer lifetime value
- Leading and managing the implementation of Arbor's entire product suite, including Arbor MIS, Arbor Finance, and Timetabler, ensuring seamless integration and maximizing customer value
- Supporting and guiding schools through the onboarding process for both Arbor MIS and Arbor Finance, coordinating with the respective onboarding teams to ensure smooth and efficient implementation
- Providing guidance and support to Local Authorities (LAs) on the accreditation and onboarding process for Arbor Finance, enabling them to effectively support their schools' transition to Arbor
- Overall responsibility for the successful data migration for both Arbor MIS and Arbor Finance for schools in the LA/MAT ensuring data integrity and minimising disruption to school operations
- Working closely with LAs and MATs to develop and implement change management strategies, ensuring successful adoption of Arbor solutions and minimising resistance to change
- Staying abreast of industry best practices and emerging trends in educational technology, continuously seeking opportunities to improve Arbor's Enterprise Programme Management and Programme Management service offerings
About You
- Extensive proven experience in programme management within a SaaS environment, preferably in the education sector
- Demonstrated experience in managing complex, enterprise-level software deployments across multiple locations
- Deep understanding of the national educational landscape and experience of working with senior management within a school or multi-academy trust is highly desirable
- Proven ability to build and maintain relationships with C-level stakeholders and influence strategic decision-making
- Strong leadership, communication, and interpersonal skills, with the ability to motivate and inspire teams
- Experience in developing and implementing strategic account plans and driving business growth
- Expertise in programme management methodologies (e.g., Prince2, Agile) and tools
- Exceptional analytical and problem-solving skills, with the ability to identify and mitigate risks proactively
- Experience in leading organisational change management initiatives
- Proficiency in CRM/MIS database systems and advanced Excel/Google Sheets skills
- Willingness to travel nationally (20-40% depending on the time of year)
- MSP® Foundation (5th Edition) Certificate in Programme Management and Change Management Foundation are highly desirable
Benefits
What we offer
The chance to work alongside a team of hard-working, passionate people in a role where you'll see the impact of your work everyday. We also offer:
- A dedicated wellbeing team who champion initiatives such as mindfulness, lunch n learns, manager training, mental health first aid training and much more!
- 32 days holiday (plus Bank Holidays). This is made up of 25 days annual leave plus 7 extra company wide days given over Easter, Summer & Christmas
- Life Assurance paid out at 3x annual salary
- Comprehensive wellness benefit provided by AIG Smart Health, which provides a 24/7 virtual GP service, Mental health support, Counselling, and personalised Health Checks
- Private Dental Insurance with Bupa
- Salary sacrifice Pension provided by Scottish Widows
- Enhanced maternity and adoption leave (20 weeks full pay) and paternity (6 weeks full pay) pay
- 5 free return to work maternity coaching sessions, helping you adapt to this new exciting time of life!
- Access to services such as Calm and Bippit (financial wellbeing coaching)
- All of our roles champion flexible working and we are happy to discuss what this means to you
- Social committees that plan team, office and company wide events to bring people together and celebrate success
- Dedicated professional development training budget (CPD courses, upskilling resources, professional memberships etc)
- Volunteer with a charity of your choice for a day each year
- Dog friendly offices!
Interview process
- Phone screen
- 1st stage
- 2nd stage
We are committed to a fair and comfortable recruitment process, so if you require any reasonable adjustments during your application or interview process, please reach out to a member of the team at careers@arbor-education.com.
Our commitment is also backed by our partnership with Neurodiversity Consultancy, Lexxic who provide us with training, support and advice.
Arbor Education is an equal opportunities organisation
Our goal is for Arbor to be a workplace which represents, celebrates and supports people from all backgrounds, and which gives them the tools they need to thrive - whatever their ambitions may be so we support and promote diversity and equality, and actively encourage applications from people of all backgrounds.
Refer a friend
Know someone else who would be good for this role? You can refer a friend, family member or colleague, if they are offered a role with Arbor, we will say thank you with a voucher valued up to £200! Simply email: careers@arbor-education.com
Please note: We are unable to provide visa sponsorship at this time.
