Programmes Manager

St Edmund's College, University of Cambridge; Cambridge; On-site; GBP 38,000 - 46,000; Part time

Benefits offered by this job

Working daily allowance for food and drinks

Free car parking

25 days holiday plus bank holidays

Discounts at restaurants and shops

Death in service benefit

Access to LinkedIn Learning

Job summary

A prestigious university college in Cambridge is seeking a Part-Time Programmes Manager to oversee the operational delivery of research initiatives. The successful candidate will lead a team to plan high-quality events and ensure effective project management. Strong experience in programme management within an academic or research environment is essential. Benefits include 25 days holiday, a working daily allowance for food, and more. Applications are encouraged from all candidates regardless of background.

Qualifications

• Strong experience in programme, project, or operations management in a relevant environment.
• Familiarity with interdisciplinary research themes.
• Experience in event management.
• Understanding of Higher Education (Freedom of Speech) Act 2023.

Responsibilities

• Oversee the planning, delivery, and monitoring of research programmes.
• Track progress against objectives and prepare reports.
• Lead seminars, conferences, and public lectures.
• Manage communications and publications.
• Lead seminars, conferences, workshops, and public lectures.
• Coordinate logistics, speaker arrangements, publicity, and materials.

Skills

Organizational skills

Written communication

Verbal communication

Budget management

Relationship building

Attention to detail

Self-motivated

Job description

• Contract Type: Permanent, Part Time (29.2 hours per week)
• Location:Cambridge, St Edmunds College

Are you a dynamic and strategic programme leader with a passion for education, research, and social impact? St Edmund’s College, Cambridge is seeking a Programmes Manager to drive the operational delivery of initiatives aligned with our mission and the charitable objectives.

Working closely with the Director of Programmes & Strategy and the VHI Director, you will lead a committed team to deliver high-quality research programmes, events, and partnerships that advance learning, faith, and public engagement. This is a pivotal role for a collaborative professional who thrives in a values-driven academic environment and is ready to shape meaningful change.

Responsibilities

• Oversee the planning, delivery, and monitoring of VHI research programmes and projects.
• Develop project timelines and milestones to ensure effective delivery.
• Track progress against objectives and prepare internal and external reports as required.
• Oversee budgets, expenditure tracking, and financial administration in collaboration with College finance teams.
• Maintain accurate records, governance documents, and administrative systems.
• Lead the planning and delivery of seminars, conferences, workshops, and public lectures.
• Coordinate logistics, speaker arrangements, publicity, and event materials.
• Ensure events reflect the Institute’s academic standards and strategic priorities.
• In liaison with the communications team manage relevant communications, including website content, newsletters, social media, and publications.
• Produce high‑quality written materials such as reports, briefings, and promotional content.
• Strengthen the visibility of VHI research and events across the College, University, and external networks.
• Foster a collaborative, developmental approach to team leadership, aligned with the direction set by the Director of Programmes and Strategy.
• Maintain relationships with partner organisations, and academic collaborators.
• Work closely with the Director to support strategic planning and development of the Strategy.
• Identify opportunities for new partnerships, collaborations, and funding streams.
• Provide high‑level administrative support to the Programmes and Strategy Director & VHI Director.
• Support governance processes, including preparation of papers.

More information about the role can be found in the attached job description

Person Specification

Experience

• Strong experience in programme, project, or operations management, ideally in a research, academic, higher education or non‑profit environment.
• Familiarity with themes related to interdisciplinary research.
• Experience in event management.
• Understanding of Higher Education (Freedom of Speech) Act 2023.

Skills

• Excellent organisational and administrative skills with the ability to manage multiple priorities.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills, with experience producing high‑quality documents and reports.
• Ability to build effective relationships with academics, students, partners, and external stakeholders.
• Proactive, self‑motivated, and able to work independently and collaboratively.
• High level of accuracy, attention to detail, and professional integrity.
• Competence in managing budgets and financial processes.
• Commitment to the values and mission of the Institute and College

We warmly encourage applications from candidates who meet most, even if not all, of the above criteria.

Benefits

• Working daily allowance for food and drinks
• Free car parking (where available)
• 25 days holiday plus bank holidays (increasing with length of service)
• Discounts at restaurants, shops & more
• Death in service
• Access to LinkedIn Learning & Business Disability Forum

About St Edmund’s College

St Edmund’s College is one of the 31 constituent colleges of the University of Cambridge. Our vibrant student body is made up of around 420 post‑graduates and 130 mature undergraduates. With over 260 senior members – academics working at the cutting edge of their field or eminent members of their profession – and around 100 staff, you will be joining a dynamic and growing College with an ambitious vision for our role in shaping the future of higher education and collaborative research.

The maturity of our community means that we have earned a reputation as the friendly college. Relaxed, non‑hierarchical and diverse, we pride ourselves on being a place in Cambridge where people of all backgrounds are welcomed, will feel at home and can flourish. Therefore, we welcome all candidates regardless of their demographic characteristics such as gender, race, disability, neurodiversity, religion, age, sex & sexual identity to apply for our opportunities.

Closing date for completed applications

Sunday 22 March 2026

Interviews will be held on week commencing 30 March 2026

In applying for this role, you will provide personal data which the College will process in accordance with its data protection obligations and its Data Protection Policy.

Any offer of employment is subject to evidence of your right to work in the UK and the receipt of satisfactory references. Please note that this role is not eligible for visa sponsorship, as it does not meet the required criteria.