Programme Manager - Custom Programmes

ACS Staffing Solutions; Cambridge; Hybrid; GBP 33,361 - 41,474; Full time

Job summary

ACS Staffing Solutions in Cambridge is seeking a Programme Manager to own end-to-end management of bespoke executive education programmes. You will coordinate with clients, faculty, and suppliers to deliver on time, within budget, and to a high standard.

This hybrid role combines project management, client service, and events, delivering world-class executive education across open and bespoke formats. A proactive, highly organised professional will thrive here, with occasional evenings and

Qualifications

• Graduate-level qualification or equivalent professional experience.
• Experience providing high-quality customer or client service in a professional environment.
• Demonstrable experience managing multiple priorities and deadlines effectively.
• Experience working with a range of stakeholders, including clients, senior colleagues, and external suppliers.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
• Strong organisational skills, accuracy, and attention to detail.
• High standards of record-keeping and data management.
• Confidence using standard office software and collaboration tools, with the ability and enthusiasm to learn new systems, including virtual learning environments.
• Flexibility to work occasional evenings and weekends, with reasonable notice, in line with programme schedules.

Responsibilities

• Project & Event Management: Manage the end-to-end development and delivery of bespoke executive education programmes using structured project management disciplines.
• Develop and maintain project plans, risk registers, stakeholder maps, communication plans, resource plans, budgets, and programme dashboards.
• Monitor project progress, milestones, dependencies, risks, and deliverables, ensuring accurate records are maintained throughout the programme lifecycle.
• Lead internal planning meetings and coordinate activities, deadlines, tasks, and dependencies across project teams.
• Own the operational and administrative arrangements for a portfolio of programmes, including venues, accommodation, travel, catering, AV, entertainment, dinners, and virtual learning environments.
• Coordinate with faculty and external speakers to confirm arrangements, manage requirements, and ensure teaching materials are received and prepared on time.
• Provide on-site programme support and ensure clients and participants receive a consistently high-quality experience.
• Coordinate with faculty, external providers, venues, catering, facilities, and AV/IT teams to ensure smooth programme delivery.
• Support live online programme delivery using platforms such as Zoom and Microsoft Teams, including studio-based and remote delivery.
• Be willing to support occasional evening and weekend activities in line with programme schedules.

Skills

Customer service

Project management

Stakeholder management

Communication

Organization

Data management

Office software

Education

Graduate-level qualification or equivalent professional experience

Job description

Programme Manager - Executive Education

Cambridge (Hybrid)

Salary - £33.361-£41,474 plius great benefits

This is an exciting opportunity to play a key role in delivering high-quality, bespoke learning experiences for senior executives from leading local, national, and global organisations. Working at the intersection of project management, client service, events, and executive education, you will bring together multiple programme components and stakeholders to ensure a seamless and transformative experience for participants.

The organisation delivers world-class executive learning programmes informed by leading academic research and a broad international network. Its work spans open and bespoke programmes, delivered through face-to-face, live online, and digital formats.

The Role

As Programme Manager, you will take ownership of the detailed end-to-end management and delivery of a portfolio of bespoke executive education programmes.

You will work closely with clients, senior stakeholders, faculty, learning designers, suppliers, and internal teams to ensure programmes are delivered to an exceptional standard, on time and within agreed budgets.

The role will suit a highly organised and proactive programme or project professional who enjoys working in a fast-paced, client-focused environment and is confident managing multiple priorities simultaneously.

Key Responsibilities

• Project & Event Management
  • Manage the end-to-end development and delivery of bespoke executive education programmes using structured project management disciplines.
  • Develop and maintain project plans, risk registers, stakeholder maps, communication plans, resource plans, budgets, and programme dashboards.
  • Monitor project progress, milestones, dependencies, risks, and deliverables, ensuring accurate records are maintained throughout the programme lifecycle.
  • Lead internal planning meetings and coordinate activities, deadlines, tasks, and dependencies across project teams.
  • Own the operational and administrative arrangements for a portfolio of programmes, including venues, accommodation, travel, catering, AV, entertainment, dinners, and virtual learning environments.
  • Coordinate with faculty and external speakers to confirm arrangements, manage requirements, and ensure teaching materials are received and prepared on time.
  • Provide on-site programme support and ensure clients and participants receive a consistently high-quality experience.
  • Coordinate with faculty, external providers, venues, catering, facilities, and AV/IT teams to ensure smooth programme delivery.
  • Support live online programme delivery using platforms such as Zoom and Microsoft Teams, including studio-based and remote delivery.
  • Be willing to support occasional evening and weekend activities in line with programme schedules.
• Stakeholder Management
  • Build strong working relationships with internal colleagues, faculty, clients, suppliers, and external partners.
  • Manage a diverse range of stakeholders with confidence, professionalism, and diplomacy.
  • Deliver a first-class service to clients and senior executive participants.
  • Identify and manage appropriate external suppliers, venues, hotels, and other facilities to meet programme and participant requirements.
• Communication & Information Management
  • Communicate proactively with participants before, during, and after programmes, ensuring they feel informed and supported throughout their learning journey.
  • Coordinate and lead faculty roundtables, planning meetings, and rehearsals ahead of programme delivery.
  • Gather, analyse, and share participant and programme feedback with relevant stakeholders.
  • Lead programme debriefs and contribute to continuous improvement across the portfolio.
  • Maintain accurate and up-to-date client, supplier, and programme records in internal business and workflow management systems.
  • Ensure information is managed in accordance with company policies and applicable data protection requirements.
  • Contribute to wider team activities, organisational values, and special projects as required.

About You

You will be an organised, detail-focused, and customer-oriented professional with experience managing complex projects, programmes, events, or client services. You will be comfortable working with multiple stakeholders and competing priorities, while maintaining a strong focus on quality and the participant experience.

Essential Experience & Skills

• Graduate-level qualification or equivalent professional experience.
• Experience providing high-quality customer or client service in a professional environment.
• Demonstrable experience managing multiple priorities and deadlines effectively.
• Experience working with a range of stakeholders, including clients, senior colleagues, and external suppliers.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
• Strong organisational skills, accuracy, and attention to detail.
• High standards of record-keeping and data management.
• Confidence using standard office software and collaboration tools, with the ability and enthusiasm to learn new systems, including virtual learning environments.
• Flexibility to work occasional evenings and weekends, with reasonable notice, in line with programme schedules.

Desirable Experience

• A formal project management qualification, such as APM, PRINCE2, Agile, or equivalent.
• Experience supporting online, digital, or blended learning events and programmes.
• Experience working in higher education, executive education, professional training, or a similar environment.
• Mandarin language skills.

What You'll Bring

• A strong sense of ownership for programme quality and delivery.
• A customer-centric approach and commitment to delivering an outstanding participant experience.
• A proactive, positive, and solution-oriented mindset.
• The ability to build effective relationships and work collaboratively across teams.
• A commitment to equality, diversity, and inclusion, and the ability to work effectively with people from a wide range of backgrounds.
• A growth mindset and a genuine commitment to continuous improvement.
• The ability to contribute positively to a high-performing, collaborative team environment.

Working Pattern

The role is based in Cambridge with a hybrid working arrangement. Some programmes may require work outside standard office hours, including occasional evenings and weekends, depending on programme schedules and delivery requirements. The organisation recognises the importance of work-life balance and offers flexibility in working arrangements to support individual needs and preferences.