Programme Manager Executive Degrees

INSEAD Executive Education; Abu Dhabi; On-site; AED 180,000 - 240,000; Full time

Job summary

INSEAD is seeking a Programme Manager, Executive Degrees to join our Degree Programmes department on a full-time, 9-month contract based at the Middle East Campus in Abu Dhabi. The role combines programme delivery support with proactive stakeholder liaison, ensuring world-class execution of the GEMBA Flex and related degree programmes.

The ideal candidate brings a hospitality/events background, 4 years of client-facing experience in multinational settings, and strong skills in MS Office,

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in hospitality or events management is required.
• 4 years of experience in events coordination/client-facing roles in multinational environments.
• Proficiency with Pack Office, PeopleSoft, and Business Objects/Power BI.
• Strong customer focus with excellent stakeholder management in a multicultural setting.
• Excellent professional communication in English, both written and verbal.

Responsibilities

• Coordinate pre-programme activities across internal departments to ensure seamless delivery and outstanding participant experience.
• Manage programme communications and onboarding, schedules, learning platforms, accommodation, travel, assessments, and logistics.
• Oversee vendor relationships, negotiate contracts, and monitor service delivery for quality and cost-effectiveness.
• Support high-quality programme delivery and coordinate with faculty regarding materials and requirements.
• Coordinate virtual learning elements, including online sessions and platform access while liaising with technical support.

Skills

Customer focus

English communication

Organizational skills

Project management

Virtual learning environments

Education

Bachelor’s degree in hospitality, events management

Tools

Pack Office

PeopleSoft

Power BI

Job description

Job Description

INSEAD is seeking a Programme Manager, Executive Degrees to join our Degree Programmes department. This is a full-time, temporary 9 months contract position based at our Middle East Campus in Abu Dhabi, UAE.

A hybrid working model is in place – 3 days on campus, 2 days from home. However, on‑campus presence is required during programme delivery periods.

About the job

The job holder holds an important public relations role representing INSEAD to the participants through their pre‑programme support, daily presence & assistance as well as at social events during the programme and personalized follow‑up after the programme.

He/She will be primarily responsible for ensuring world‑class delivery of the GEMBA Flex programme, while providing delivery support for other degree programmes taking place at the Abu Dhabi campus, as required. It involves extensive interaction with participants & key stakeholders in a dynamic, customer‑centric environment. The pedagogical success of the programme relies heavily on the quality of their administrative & logistical support.

Your role within the team

• Coordinate all pre‑programme preparation activities, partnering with multiple internal departments across INSEAD to ensure the seamless delivery of programme operations and an exceptional participant experience. Accountable for maintaining high service standards and effective cross‑functional collaboration.
• Manage programme communications and participant onboarding, ensuring participants receive accurate and timely information regarding schedules, learning platforms, accommodation, travel requirements, assessments, and programme logistics.
• Manage relationships with external vendors and service providers, negotiating contracts and overseeing service delivery to ensure quality, efficiency, cost‑effectiveness, and alignment with programme objectives.
• Ensure a high‑level quality programme delivery to participants.
• Liaise with relevant Faculty members involved in the programme to get their pedagogical material/requirements.
• Prepare and coordinate all virtual learning requirements, including scheduling online sessions, liaising with faculty regarding technology and pedagogical needs, testing learning platforms, and ensuring participants have access to the necessary resources and support.

During the programme

• Serve as the primary point of contact for programme participants, building strong relationships and ensuring an exceptional participant experience. Act as a trusted liaison between participants, faculty, and administrative teams, providing timely support, responding to enquiries, and fostering a welcoming, engaging, and professional learning environment. Oversee and coordinate on‑campus examinations, ensuring smooth execution and compliance with programme requirements.
• Coordinate programme space and venue planning, working closely with stakeholders to identify and secure appropriate learning, dining, and networking spaces. Proactively anticipate operational needs, resolve scheduling conflicts, and ensure all facilities and logistical arrangements support a seamless programme experience.
• Partner closely with programme operations teams across campuses to ensure consistent participant communications, operational alignment, and a seamless learning experience throughout programme delivery.
• Monitor programme delivery closely, anticipating issues, managing last‑minute changes, and ensuring all operational and academic activities are executed to the highest standard.

After the programme

• Manage all post‑programme academic administration, ensuring participant grades are collected, verified, and communicated in a timely manner in collaboration with faculty and academic administration teams.
• Oversee programme evaluations, driving high response rates and ensuring timely distribution of evaluation reports to faculty to support continuous improvement and teaching excellence.
• Maintain strong participant and stakeholder relationships, responding to post‑programme enquiries and supporting engagement with the wider INSEAD community.
• Lead programme closure activities, including financial reconciliation, purchase order closure, vendor follow‑up, and completion of all administrative reporting requirements.

The ideal candidate profile

• Bachelor’s degree in hospitality, events management.
• 4 years of experience in a similar role: events coordination/ client facing roles in a multinational/international environment.
• Demonstrated familiarity and proficiency with Pack office,People Soft, Business Objects – power BI.
• Strong customer focus, with the ability to build and maintain effective relationships with stakeholders and participants in a multicultural environment.
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills in English.
• Strong organizational and prioritization skills, with the ability to manage multiple tasks simultaneously.
• Proactive mindset, demonstrating creativity, innovation, and a service-oriented approach to problem-solving.
• Highly adaptable, detail-oriented, and experienced in project management and virtual learning environments, with the ability to coordinate online programme delivery and troubleshoot operational challenges in collaboration with faculty and technical support teams
• Takes ownership of responsibilities while contributing positively to team objectives and success.
• Flexible and able to travel, with the ability to work occasionally on Saturdays, public holidays, and outside standard working hours when required.
• Able to handle sensitive situations with professionalism, diplomacy, and tact, while maintaining firmness when necessary.

INSEAD is a Mission-Driven Global Organisation and is rapidly evolving to shape the future of business education

We develop responsible, globally minded leaders to improve the well‑being of societies through world‑class education across four continents. As we operate in a very dynamic and rapidly changing sector, we continue to innovate, modernising our operations, and driving ambitious strategic initiatives across our campuses, to remain the business school of choice.

Our Culture

Our culture is defined by diversity, independence, rigour, and an entrepreneurial spirit, underpinned by six key competencies. We empower our teams to lead with a growth mindset and a client-focused approach, foster a culture of professionalism and integrity, where collaboration and empathy are the engines of our innovation. These competencies guide how we work, make decisions, and contribute to the School’s mission every day.

Independence as a Strategic Advantage

Free from government or university systems, our financial and ideological independence allows us to think, teach, and act without political constraints. This autonomy enables our faculty to pursue rigorous, evidence‑based research that creates objective value for our participants and the world.

Our Customers

We serve an influential global base, including senior leaders, multinational corporations, and public sector institutions committed to leadership development at scale. Our programmes attract ambitious individuals who want to shape business and society while our corporate partners rely on us as a strategic ally in developing future‑ready leaders. Working at INSEAD means contributing to an institution whose customers operate at the highest levels of global innovation and impact.

A Diversity of Perspectives

Diversity at INSEAD is about how our people think and challenge assumptions to drive more meaningful innovation. We welcome a wide range of perspectives, believing they lead to better decisions and stronger, more inclusive teams.

We Hire People Who Want to Make a Difference

We seek ambitious individuals who thrive in international environments and share our goal of delivering tangible impact for our customers. Join us to grow your career in a world‑class institution where your ideas and contributions truly matter.

The Executive Education department at INSEAD delivers tailored and open enrolment programs for executives and organizations, focusing on leadership development and business innovation. It provides cutting‑edge learning experiences that equip professionals with the skills to drive transformation and succeed in a global environment.