About the University
The University of Sheffield is a remarkable place to work. Our people are at the heart of everything we do. Their diverse backgrounds, abilities and beliefs make Sheffield a world‑class university.
Overview
The Delivery Manager bridges product strategy and execution by orchestrating people, processes, and resources to deliver successful product initiatives. Working at the intersection of product, technology and business stakeholders, the Delivery Manager translates strategic roadmaps into actionable plans while ensuring adherence to timelines, quality standards and budget constraints. This pivotal role creates transparency around delivery progress, proactively removes obstacles and guides cross‑functional teams through the delivery lifecycle.
Main Duties & Responsibilities
- Manage the execution of delivery plans aligned to the product roadmap, ensuring adherence to timelines, quality standards and budget constraints while optimising business value outcomes.
- Facilitate agile ceremonies (daily stand‑ups, sprint planning, reviews, retrospectives) and coach teams on agile principles and practices appropriate to their maturity level.
- Identify, track and resolve delivery impediments and blockers, implementing measures to maintain continuous team momentum.
- Prepare and communicate delivery status reports tailored to different stakeholder audiences, clearly conveying progress, variances, dependencies, and risks.
- Partner with Product Owners and Product Managers to refine and prioritise the backlog, ensuring alignment between delivery capabilities and product goals.
- Implement continuous improvement initiatives based on team metrics, focusing on enhancing velocity, quality and overall delivery efficiency.
- Create and maintain project and initiative documentation including delivery plans, status tracking and performance metrics that demonstrate delivery effectiveness.
- Foster team health, engagement and psychological safety through collaborative problem‑solving and effective conflict resolution techniques.
- Coordinate cross‑team dependencies by creating visibility across workstreams and facilitating effective communication between teams.
- Leverage appropriate delivery tools and technologies to streamline workflows, improve visibility and enhance team productivity.
- Scale responsibilities according to experience level, from supporting activities under guidance to independently driving delivery excellence across multiple workstreams.
- Carry out other duties commensurate with the grade and remit of the post.
Person Specification
Essential Criteria
- Demonstrated experience of successfully delivering technology projects to agreed timelines and quality standards.
- Experience leading technology delivery using agile methodologies (Scrum, Kanban or similar frameworks).
- Excellent communication skills with ability to tailor messaging to diverse stakeholder audiences.
- Proven ability to identify, track and resolve delivery impediments and blockers.
- Experience facilitating agile ceremonies and supporting teams on effective delivery practices.
- Demonstrated skills in risk management, dependency coordination and scope management.
- Proficiency with delivery tracking tools and project‑management software.
- Agile certification (CSM, CSPO, SAFe or equivalent).
- Experience in cross‑functional team leadership or coordination.
- Knowledge of product management principles and processes.
Desirable Criteria
- Track record of implementing measurable continuous improvement initiatives.
Further Information
- Grade: 7
- Salary: £38,249-£46,735 per annum
- Work arrangement: Full‑time
- Duration: 12 months Fixed‑term contract
- Line manager: Delivery Lead
- Direct reports: N/A
Benefits
- A minimum of 41 days annual leave including bank holiday and closure days (pro rata) with the ability to purchase more.
- Flexible working opportunities, including hybrid working for some roles.
- Generous pension scheme.
- A wide range of discounts and rewards on shopping, eating out and travel.
- A variety of staff networks, providing opportunities for social interaction, peer support and personal development (e.g. Race Equality, LGBT+, Women’s and Parent’s networks).
- Recognition awards to reward staff who go above and beyond in their role.
- A commitment to development: access to learning and mentoring schemes.
- A range of generous family‑friendly policies: paid time off for parenting and caring emergencies; support for those going through the menopause; paid time off and support for fertility treatment; and more.
Equality and Diversity
The University is a Disability Confident Employer. We encourage applicants who meet the essential criteria to apply, regardless of disability. We celebrate a diverse community where everyone feels they belong and are respected.
