Managers Need to Know - October 2026

01 Oct 2026

A message from Professor Sarah Sharples, Vice-President and Dean of the Faculty of Science and Engineering

As we begin a new academic year, colleagues across the University are balancing significant demands, from delivering teaching and supporting students to advancing research and providing the professional services that enable our success. Preparing for Oracle Fusion may feel like one more change to navigate, but it will be a key element of how we will deliver our Manchester 2035 ambitions.

Manchester 2035 sets out our vision for a University that’s collaborative, data-informed, digitally enabled and able to focus its energy on activities that create the greatest impact. Oracle Fusion is one of the foundations that will help us achieve that vision. 

By bringing together our People and Finance processes in a single system, we’re creating more consistent ways of working, improving access to information and reducing the administrative complexity that can take time away from teaching, research, innovation and professional services delivery.

Leaders and line managers have a critical role in enabling this change. You help colleagues understand not only what is changing, but why it matters. By reinforcing key messages and deadlines, supporting colleagues to complete training and helping teams adapt to new ways of working, listening and responding when questions are raised, you turn our strategic ambitions into practical action.

The transition will require effort from all of us, particularly at an already busy time of year. But the long-term benefits are clear. Better systems, simpler processes and more reliable information will help create the conditions for colleagues to thrive and focus on delivering excellence for our students, research partners and wider communities.

Manchester 2035 will be realised through the choices we make and the changes we embrace today. Through your leadership and support, Oracle Fusion can help create a more connected, efficient and agile One University, giving our people the tools, information and capacity they need to deliver our ambitions for the future. 

Thank you for your hard work and support,

Professor Sarah Sharples, Vice-President and Dean, Faculty of Science and Engineering and Academic Sponsor for Future Foundations