Programme Manager (Custom Programmes)
This opportunity is available on a full-time, permanent basis. Working hours are 40 hours per week. There will be a six-month probationary period.
As a Programme Manager, you will change leaders who change the world by bringing together all programme components and supporting our clients, team, and faculty to deliver a transformative learning experience to our participants.
The role holder will be based in the Custom Programmes team, who focus on addressing the specific learning and strategic needs of our portfolio of organisational clients. The successful applicant will be responsible for the detailed end-to-end project management and on-site delivery or launch of a digital product of a range of programmes for senior executives from local, national, and global organisations.
Some programme schedules will be outside normal working hours, including weekends, and the flow of work may not follow a regular working week. Nevertheless, we understand the importance of flexibility in managing work-life balance; our structure includes flexible working hours to accommodate individual needs and preferences.
Main responsibilities:
Project and event management
Manage a set of clients and programmes using formal project management disciplines including project plans, risk registers and risk management discussions, stakeholder maps and plans, communications plans, budget tracking, resource plans, weekly dashboards including tracking to milestones and risks, and regular upwards reporting into portfolio plans for the custom business.
Ensure full visibility of project progress at all times through accurate planning, progress and completion tracking and record keeping for all aspects of a programme.
Chair team discussions around activities, milestones, due dates, tasks due and dependencies, ensuring adequate planning, control and delivery of outputs.
Take full ownership of administrative arrangements for a portfolio of programmes, including but not limited to booking and securing accommodation, travel, catering, audio-visual (AV), entertainment, dinners, setup and maintenance of a virtual learning environment (VLE).
In co-operation with Business Development colleagues and Learning Designers, confirm terms and conditions with contributing faculty and external speakers, ensuring teaching materials are received, reviewed and, when necessary, translated in a timely manner.
During programme events, ensure clients and participants are fully supported in their learning experience with us. This includes commitment to the quality of all aspects of the event including co-ordinating with faculty, external providers/contributors, catering, facilities, and AV/IT teams as required, working as a team to deliver the best possible learning experience to participants including out of hours event set-up and networking commitments.
Prepare and support any programme activities in the live online environment from a technical perspective using Zoom or Teams, in a studio setup or remotely.
Stakeholder management
Work collaboratively with other members of the Programme Management team and staff in Executive Education, as well as the faculty of the Business School, to build our reputation as a pre-eminent provider of executive education programmes.
Manage internal and external stakeholders with confidence and diplomacy.
Manage all aspects of service for our clients to a very high standard and provide first-class customer service for our clients and programme participants.
Identify suitable service providers, including programme venues, hotels and Colleges to ensure participants' and clients' needs are met.
Communication and information
Communicate with programme participants throughout their learning journey before, during and after their programme to ensure they feel well informed and supported at any stage.
Schedule and lead, in collaboration with learning designers and Academic Programme Directors, roundtables and rehearsals with the entire faculty team ahead of each programme delivery.
Collate, analyse, and distribute feedback to the Academic Programme Director and other stakeholders as appropriate, and chair debrief meetings for each programme for continuous improvement of our portfolio.
Maintain and update business information held by the company for suppliers and clients. Ensure that all records in the business management system (BMS) and workflow management system are accurate and kept up to date, in accordance with company policy and data protection regulations.
About you:
Our ideal candidate should have the following qualities, skills and attributes.
You are asked to provide a CV and a covering letter demonstrating how your own experience meets these requirements:
Education and qualifications:
Graduate level or equivalent qualification/experience.
Formal project management qualification (e.g. APM, Prince 2, Agile or other) or equivalent experience - desirable
Additional requirements
Customer-centric approach to working with an understanding of the requirements of event management, preferably in an educational setting.
Willingness to, alongside other team members, take ownership of all aspects of quality of our programmes and ability to drive team towards continuous improvement.
Be highly organised, demonstrating experience of managing multiple deadlines.
Good knowledge and understanding of modern office and learning technology.
An understanding that some programme schedules will be outside normal working hours, including weekends, and that the flow of work may not follow a regular working week.
The closing date for receipt of applications is 11:59 on Thursday 26 February 2026. We reserve the right to close this vacancy earlier with the receipt of suitable candidates, so if you are interested please do not hesitate to apply.
- Department
- Custom Programmes
- Role
- Programme Manager
- Locations
- Cambridge
- Remote status
- Hybrid
- Yearly salary
- £33,361 - £41,474
- Employment type
- Full-time
Cambridge
Our Perks & Benefits
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🏄🏻♀️ 33 days annual leave + bank holidays
We value that you get more time with your family and friends. Therefore, we offer all employees 33 days of annual leave per year PLUS bank holidays (pro-rata for part-time staff).
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🕐 Flexible working hours
We understand the importance of flexibility in managing work-life balance. Our structure includes flexible working hours to accommodate individual needs and preferences.
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🧠 Training & development
We are passionate about life-long learning and continuous growth. All employees are entitled to an individual training budget, Executive Coaching, attend our Open Programmes and internal Academies.
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💰 Monetary incentives
We recognise how important every penny is. We offer a generous USS pension scheme, as well as yearly salary reviews, bonus schemes, performance-related pay, and a Cost of Living Allowance.
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Regular social & team events 🕺
We want to get to know YOU. Our Social Committee organise a full calendar of events inside and outside working hours, as well as regular team Away Days and School-wide Summer & Christmas parties to help create a tight-knit community.
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🥯 On-site catering facilities
We know what helps our team get through each day. Our building hosts a café and dining room serving hot and cold drinks, hot meals, sandwiches and snacks throughout the day for a subsidised rate.
Our Culture
We recognise that in order to succeed, we need to ensure that we have a healthy, happy team. Our latest survey results (July 2025) indicated a Net Promoter Score of 94%.
Our main office is based in the centre of the stunning city of Cambridge, a short walk from the River Cam and the endless shops, restaurants, and attractions that Cambridge has to offer.
We recognise that one working pattern does not fit everyone. We offer flexible, hybrid working, with a working day that suits your individual commitments.
Our teams are close-knit and supportive. We are proud to offer regular training, team-building opportunities, extra-curricular activities and People Leaders who are committed to ongoing support and development for their teams.
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