Programme Manager - CSCC

ASSOCIATION OF COMMONWEALTH UNIVERSITIES; London; On-site; GBP 40,000 - 55,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading educational organization in London seeks a Programme Manager to oversee the Commonwealth Sustainable Cities Coalition. The role involves managing project delivery, coordinating stakeholders, and fostering collaboration. The ideal candidate will have extensive project management experience and strong organizational skills. This position is ideal for someone looking to contribute to sustainable urban development across the Commonwealth.

Benefits

27 days annual leave

Generous pension scheme

Enhanced parental leave

Investment in personal development

Health and wellbeing programmes

Cycle to work scheme

Interest-free travel season ticket loan

Qualifications

• Extensive project management experience.
• Strong organizational skills.
• Ability to foster collaboration among diverse stakeholders.

Responsibilities

• Oversee project delivery, reporting, and financial management.
• Support governance through the Project Management Committee.
• Coordinate establishment of three Action Groups and National Dialogues.

Skills

Project management

Stakeholder management

Coordination

Job description

Overview

Fixed term 5-month contract (November 2025 to March 2025) (Note: This post will commence in November 2025 for the duration of a 5 month fixed-term contract subject to grant agreement signature.)

Join the Association of Commonwealth Universities (ACU) as a Programme Manager and use your extensive project management experience to lead the delivery of the Commonwealth Sustainable Cities Coalition (CSCC), a flagship initiative responding to the Commonwealth Declaration on Sustainable Urbanisation.

The ACU offers a unique opportunity to make a real difference in the higher education sector. We are one of the largest, most diverse international university networks, bringing together over 440 universities in over 40 countries. We support Commonwealth Universities to collaborate and to work together to build a more equitable and sustainable world.

The ACU Programmes, Business Development and International Mobility Team look after a portfolio of research capacity strengthening and education mobility programmes. These programmes are externally funded and are often developed in collaboration with ACU member universities and other strategic partners.

The team supports the ACU’s policy and advocacy work, aiming to benefit our members by fostering international research and education collaboration at both individual and organisational levels. Experience of managing such programmes has fed into the commissioning and development of the ACU Equitable Research Partnership Toolkit.

The role

The Commonwealth Sustainable Cities Coalition (CSCC) is a transformative, multi-level, multi-sector coalition designed to address the intersecting challenges of rapid urbanisation and climate change across the Commonwealth. The CSCC is a collaboration between the Association of Commonwealth Universities (ACU), the Commonwealth Association of Architects (CAA), the Commonwealth Association of Planners (CAP), the Commonwealth Engineers’ Council (CEC), and the Commonwealth Local Government Forum (CLGF), working with The King’s Foundation (KF).

The CSCC Programme Manager will set up and oversee the CSCC Secretariat function, coordinate governance structures, and, in collaboration with the ACU Senior Policy and Networks Manager, lead the delivery of a cross-cutting skills agenda through the ACU’s newly launched Expert Group model. The role will also support CSCC partners in establishing three transdisciplinary Action Groups - focused on housing, integrated planning, and urban finance - and support delivery of three National Dialogues in selected Commonwealth countries. This role offers a unique opportunity to help establish the CSCC, a platform that will shape policy, strengthen capacity, and mobilise higher education expertise to support sustainable urban development across the Commonwealth.

Who we’re looking for

The ACU is seeking a highly organised Programme Manager to support the establishment of the Commonwealth Sustainable Cities Coalition (CSCC). You will set up and manage the CSCC Secretariat, coordinate governance and reporting, and ensure delivery partners meet their commitments across this multi-stakeholder initiative.

We’re looking for someone who can:

• Oversee project delivery, reporting, and financial management
• Support governance through the Project Management Committee
• Support the coordination of the ACU Expert Group on Skills
• Help set up three Action Groups and support CSCC project partners to organise three National Dialogues
• Foster collaboration and maintain strong stakeholder relationships

What to expect

We see equity, diversity and inclusion as fundamental to our mission and we value the many different perspectives that people from all backgrounds bring to our collective performance (you can find more about our commitment to equity, diversity and inclusion and safeguarding on our website). We believe in investing in all our people and creating cultures in which everyone can thrive.

Benefits

• 27 days annual leave, 8 bank holidays (pro rata - part time employees) and 4 Christmas closure days
• Generous pension scheme – 5% employee contribution, 10% employer contribution
• Enhanced maternity, paternity, and shared parental leave
• Significant investment into your personal and professional development
• Regular social activities
• Health and wellbeing programmes
• Give as you earn charitable donations scheme
• Cycle to work scheme
• Interest-free travel season ticket loan

How to apply

Apply via our recruitment portal, submitting your CV (maximum 2 pages) and online application form (maximum 1000 words) outlining how your skills, knowledge and experience meet the criteria for the role. Please include your motivation for applying.

Closing date: 12 October 2025 @ 23:45
Interview date: 16 October 2025 (will take place virtually)

We encourage you to apply early as the application process may close early if we receive a sufficient number of strong candidates.