The posting
About Global University Systems
Global University Systems (GUS) is one of the world's leading education groups, bringing together a diverse network of higher education institutions, academic partners and student recruitment organisations across multiple countries.
With more than 11,000 colleagues and 36 academic institutions worldwide, we combine global scale with an entrepreneurial mindset, creating opportunities to innovate, grow and make an impact. As an ambitious international organisation, we continue to evolve, invest and expand, giving our people the chance to help shape what comes next and to change lives through education.
The Role
We are looking for a highly organised and relationship-focused Post-Acquisition Project Manager to join our growing Value Creation team.
Acquisitions are a critical part of GUS's growth strategy. This role will ensure newly acquired institutions transition smoothly from transaction completion into operational ownership, helping deliver a structured and successful integration experience.
You'll act as the central coordinator during the first stages of ownership, working across finance, legal, governance, compliance, technology, operations and leadership teams to ensure completion actions are delivered, obligations are met and integration activities stay on track.
This is a role for someone who enjoys bringing order to complexity, building relationships across multiple stakeholder groups and making sure important projects move forward at pace.
You'll have significant visibility across the organisation and will work closely with senior stakeholders involved in acquisitions and portfolio management.
What you'll be doing
- Owning and coordinating post-acquisition integration plans for newly acquired institutions.
- Managing post-completion activities and ensuring all transaction-related actions are completed on time.
- Coordinating activity across finance, legal, regulatory, governance, compliance and operational workstreams.
- Tracking completion conditions, obligations and key milestones following acquisition close.
- Establishing governance processes, reporting structures and project tracking tools.
- Managing project plans, dependencies, risks and issue logs.
- Producing regular progress updates for senior stakeholders and leadership teams.
- Supporting board, governance and regulatory transition activities where required.
- Acting as a key point of contact between GUS teams and newly acquired institutions.
- Supporting the handover from transaction delivery into longer-term value creation programmes.
- Leading or supporting specific transformation and integration projects across the portfolio.
- Driving accountability and ensuring actions are completed by relevant stakeholders.
What we're looking for
You will be an experienced project professional who is comfortable operating across multiple workstreams and stakeholder groups, particularly within acquisition, integration or transformation environments.
Ideally, you will bring:
- 5-10 years' experience in project management, integration, transformation, PMO or M&A environments.
- Experience within a private equity-backed business, consolidator, consulting firm, corporate development team or acquisitive organisation.
- Strong programme and project management skills, including planning, governance and reporting.
- Experience coordinating cross-functional stakeholders across finance, legal, compliance, operations and leadership teams.
- Excellent communication and relationship-building skills.
- A structured approach to problem-solving and managing competing priorities.
- Strong risk management and organisational skills.
- The ability to bring clarity and momentum to complex projects.
- Experience supporting integration, carve-out, transformation or post-merger activities.
- Confidence working with senior stakeholders and executives.
Experience within education is not essential. We are particularly interested in individuals who have worked in environments where acquisitions, integrations and organisational change are a regular part of business operations.
What you'll gain
This is an opportunity to join a newly forming Value Creation team and play a key role in supporting GUS's acquisition strategy. You'll gain exposure to high-profile transactions, work closely with senior leaders and help shape how acquisitions are successfully integrated across a global education group.
What we offer:
- Hybrid working - most roles offer hybrid or flexible arrangements to support work-life balance.
- Contributory Pension Scheme - 5% personal contribution & 3% Company contribution, so you can build long-term financial security with added benefits of the company contributions.
- Private Medical Insurance (T&C's apply) - prioritising your wellbeing with speedy access to healthcare whenever you need support.
- 25 days annual leave plus bank holidays - time to rest, recharge, and balance life beyond work.
- Season Ticket Loan (T&C's apply) - spread the cost of your commute with an interest-free travel loan.
- Eye Care Vouchers - support for regular eye tests and essential eyewear.
- Training & Development opportunities (T&C's apply) - access to short courses via FutureLearn and Group-wide professional development programmes.
- Staff Discount Scheme - via My Rewards Hub, from various retailers – Fashion, Grocery, Health & Beauty, Travel, Automotive, Furniture, Dining, Sports and Leisure, Electronics, etc
- Employee Assistance Programme - confidential support for your wellbeing, whenever you need it.
- Refer a Friend Scheme for staff members (T&C's apply) - earn rewards for helping us bring great talent into the team
If you feel this is the role you are looking for, please click below to apply for the role!
We will screen all applicants and select candidates whose qualifications meet our requirements. We will carefully consider your application during the initial screening and will contact you if you are selected to continue for the next stage of the recruitment process. We wish you every success in your job search.
GUS is an equal opportunities employer and positively encourages applications from suitably qualified and eligible candidates regardless of sex, race, disability, age, sexual orientation, or religion or belief.
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