Programme Manager

Salary: £55,340

Role duration: Two roles available: one permanent and one 12-month fixed-term maternity cover. Both roles are 37.5 hours per week.

Location: London, UK (Hybrid – 50% office attendance)

Summary Purpose – what you will be achieving:

The Programmes team enables biomedical and health researchers and innovators to succeed by providing the support, opportunities and connections they need to deliver impact and improve health for all. Our work focuses on driving collaboration for innovation and enterprise, empowering researchers and innovators to thrive in their careers, and leveraging partnerships and funding to strengthen research systems. Working across academia, industry and healthcare, we build skills, team capability and networks to grow a diverse and sustainable research talent pipeline.

You will manage a defined portfolio of career development programmes, workshops and events, taking responsibility for day-to-day planning, delivery and quality within objectives, priorities and governance agreed. You will organise work and coordinate resources, working with (delivery) partners, facilitators and researchers to develop inclusive, high-quality activities that respond to participants’ needs and contribute to the Academy’s priorities.

Our approach puts evidence into practice, drawing on career policy recommendations, expert insight and evaluation to shape programmes that support researchers and innovators. You will apply this approach to programme delivery, budgets, partnerships and evaluation, supporting colleagues and improving processes. Working across the Academy’s programmes, grants, policy, communications and engagement teams, you will connect researchers with opportunities, involve Fellows in programme activities and strengthen their connections with researchers and participants, sustain engagement with our community and demonstrate the impact of our support.

About the role – what you will be doing:

1. Manage and develop career development programmes

· Manage the planning and delivery of a portfolio of programmes, workshops and events, coordinating resources and timelines to meet agreed objectives.

· Work with delivery partners, facilitators and experts to develop high-quality activities that meet researchers’ needs.

· Maintain robust operational processes and programme documentation, ensuring delivery meets Academy standards and contractual requirements.

· Identify and implement improvements to programme delivery, including the use of online platforms.

2. Build partnerships and strengthen engagement

· Develop and maintain relationships with researchers, Fellows, funders, (delivery) partners and organisations across academia, industry, the health service, and the wider Life Sciences ecosystem.

· Manage external (delivery) partnerships, agreeing expectations, monitoring progress and ensuring activities are delivered to a high standard.

· Work with communications colleagues to promote programmes and reach relevant audiences.

· Collaborate with grants, policy and programmes colleagues to connect researchers with wider Academy opportunities and support shared priorities.

· Work with the Engagement team to identify and coordinate opportunities for Fellows to contribute their expertise to programmes and events, strengthening connections with researchers and programme participants.

3. Manage budgets, monitoring and reporting

· Manage programme budgets within agreed allocations and delegated authority, working with Finance colleagues to develop budgets, maintain accurate forecasts and monitor expenditure. Seek approval for changes outside agreed limits.

· Resolve day-to-day delivery issues using judgement, analysis and established guidance. Provide regular updates on progress, risks and issues to your line manager, escalating decisions outside agreed authority or matters requiring additional support.

· Coordinate evaluation to assess outcomes, demonstrate impact and inform improvements.

· Prepare clear, high-quality reports and briefings for funders, Council, and other Academy meetings as required.

4. Support colleagues and effective team working

· Line management forms part of the role’s remit. When staff are assigned to you, set clear priorities and support their development.

· Coordinate project work, including the work of colleagues you do not line manage, and support wider team planning to anticipate future workloads and resource needs.

· Share learning and contribute to cross-team projects and improvements in ways of working.

· Embed equity, diversity and inclusion in programme planning, delivery and relationship building.

5. Contribute to programme development

· Support senior colleagues to develop funding proposals for existing and new activities.

· Use programme expertise, evaluation findings and feedback from researchers and delivery partners to recommend improvements and inform the design of new programmes. Contribute to implementation, including associated processes and documentation, within priorities agreed with senior colleagues.

· Support wider Programmes team activities and undertake other duties reasonably associated with the role.

Closing date for completed applications is Thursday 3 December 2026 at 17:00.

Interviews will likely be held online on 15 and 17 December 2026

If you have any queries about this vacancy, please contact Helen Denyer at [email protected]

Requirements

Essentia

· Experience managing the development and delivery of concurrent programmes or activities, coordinating resources and meeting competing deadlines.

· Experience organising successful events or training workshops, including working with external facilitators, experts or delivery partners.

· Excellent written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to prepare clear reports and communicate effectively with different audiences.

· Ability to build and maintain effective relationships and partnerships internally and externally.

· Experience managing budgets, monitoring expenditure and contributing to programme reporting and evaluation.

· Ability to support and develop colleagues, set clear priorities and coordinate others’ work.

· A collaborative approach, with the ability to work across teams and organisations.

· A commitment to equity, diversity and inclusion, reflected in programme planning and relationship building.

· Sound analytical and problem-solving skills, with the ability to assess programme information, develop practical solutions and provide clear, well-reasoned recommendations to senior colleagues.

· An understanding of the research environment and a desire to support the careers of the next generation of researchers.

· Good IT and numeracy skills, with attention to detail in managing programme information.

Desirable

· Experience developing or delivering researcher career development programmes.

· Experience working with researchers across academia, charities, industry and/or the health service.

· Experience line managing staff and supporting their professional development.

· Experience contributing to funding proposals or developing new programmes.

· Experience developing and delivering audience engagement activities, tailoring approaches to different groups and sustaining their involvement over time.

· Experience using online platforms and contact management systems, such as Salesforce, to maintain accurate records, track audience engagement and support programme reporting.

Download the job description

Benefits

We offer a competitive and evolving benefits package designed to support your wellbeing, development and work–life balance, including:

- Competitive salary and pension
- 26 days’ annual leave, plus bank holidays
- Option to buy or sell annual leave
- Additional paid closure between Christmas and New Year
- Hybrid and flexible working
- Health, wellbeing and employee support programmes
- Cycle-to-work scheme and everyday benefits
- Structured learning and development
- Enhanced maternity, adoption and paternity leave
- Enhanced occupational sick pay.

A range of enhanced benefits become available once you’ve completed your probation period