Operations Manager, Centre of Finance for Systemic Change (Part Time, Fixed Term)

The Department of Land Economy is seeking an exceptional and highly motivated Centre Operations Lead to manage the operational delivery of the Centre for Finance for Systemic Change (FSC), working alongside Professor Ellen Quigley.

FSC's mission is to undertake and deploy academic research to mitigate systemic financial risks by influencing the practices of the world's largest and most influential asset owners and seeding the foundations of a more equitable global financial system. The Centre works in close collaboration with major pension funds, endowments, fund managers, banks, and senior representatives of the University and Colleges.

This is a pivotal leadership role requiring strategic coordination, financial oversight, and high-level stakeholder engagement across a multinational network.

The Role

The post-holder will lead the operational elements of the Centre, ensuring the effective delivery of its research-and-practice agenda. The role combines strategic programme management, financial leadership, fundraising coordination, and external engagement at the highest levels of global finance.

Key responsibilities include: 

• Leading and managing the Centre's budget, financial planning, and expenditure oversight
• Coordinating complex, multinational research-and-practice projects with major asset owners, including internal research teams within those organisations
• Managing relationships with internal and external stakeholders, including senior University officers, Colleges, pension funds, endowments, fund managers and banks
• Designing and coordinating high-impact, evidence-based engagements aimed at systemic change
• Monitoring, assessing and reporting on the impact of the Centre's work
• Supporting and leading fundraising activity, including proposal development and liaison with the University's Legal Services and Cambridge University Development and Alumni Relations (CUDAR) teams
• Overseeing public communications on behalf of the Centre, ensuring clarity, credibility and strategic alignment

The Person

The successful candidate will demonstrate:

• Significant experience in operational leadership, programme management or research centre management
• Strong financial management capability, including budget oversight and reporting
• Experience coordinating complex, multi-stakeholder projects
• Confidence engaging with senior leaders and institutional partners
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills
• The ability to operate strategically while maintaining rigorous attention to detail

Experience working within higher education, financial services, responsible investment, public policy, or mission-driven organisations would be advantageous.

Further information about the Department of Land Economy can be found at http://www.landecon.cam.ac.uk

Fixed-term: The funds for this post are available for 2 years in the first instance.

Applications close: Wednesday 15th April 2026

To apply online for this vacancy and to view further information about the role, please click 'Apply' above.

Informal enquiries about the role are welcomed and should be directed to Professor Ellen Quigley, Email: systemicchange@landecon.cam.ac.uk

For any queries regarding the application process, please contact the Samantha Wyatt, Email: Slc74@cam.ac.uk

Please quote reference JP49040 on your application and in any correspondence about this vacancy.

The University actively supports equality, diversity and inclusion and encourages applications from all sections of society.

The University has a responsibility to ensure that all employees are eligible to live and work in the UK.

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