MSA Programme Lead

LSE is committed to building a diverse, equitable and truly inclusive university

Salary from £53,949 to £62,160 pa inclusive, with potential to progress to £69,073 pa inclusive of London allowance

This is a fixed-term appointment until 31 December 2028 and can be offered as a secondment for internal candidates

LSE Cities and the School of Public Policy are preparing to launch a three-year leadership capacity-building programme designed to support England’s growing cohort of regional and Metro Mayors. The initiative sits within a wider programme supported  by Bloomberg Philanthropies, aimed at strengthening the institutional capability of Mayoral Strategic Authorities (MSAs) and advancing the UK’s broader devolution agenda. As a relatively new and expanding model of sub-national government, many MSAs are developing their structures and expertise from a limited starting point. This programme responds directly to that need, offering a tailored executive education experience for Mayors and senior officers, complemented by action-oriented research and practical, implementation-focused guidance.

Delivered collaboratively by LSE Cities and the School of Public Policy, and in partnership with universities across England, the programme will be hosted both in London and within participating MSA cities. In doing so, it will extend and complement the Bloomberg LSE European City Leadership Initiative while grounding learning in local context and practice. Strategic direction will be provided jointly by Directors from LSE Cities and the School of Public Policy, supported by a small professional services team that includes a dedicated Programme Lead. Central to the programme’s success, the Programme Lead will play a pivotal role in sustaining momentum, building credibility and visibility across MSAs, LSE, and Bloomberg Philanthropies, and ensuring the programme delivers meaningful, lasting impact for participating mayoral teams.

The ideal candidate will require:

• Significant professional experience leading high-profile, complex projects and programmes, including management of people, financial and physical resources.
• Experience working with senior stakeholders, including philanthropic funders and public sector leaders or equivalent.
• Demonstrable experience in building, leading, and motivating high-performing, diverse and dispersed teams to meet strategic objectives.
• Strong organisational skills with the ability to translate strategic direction into detailed delivery plans.
• Excellent communication skills, with the ability to present at Board level and represent LSE with a wide range of stakeholders.

This is an exciting opportunity to be at the heart of a new and ambitious initiative at a world-leading institution, gaining exposure to high-level research, global partnerships, and leadership policy work.

We offer an occupational pension scheme, generous annual leave, hybrid working, and excellent training and development opportunities.

For further information about the post, please see the how to apply document, job description and the person specification.

If you have any technical queries with applying on the online system, please use the “contact us” links at the bottom of the LSE Jobs page. Should you have any queries about the role, please email Emma Davies on e.l.davies@lse.ac.uk

The closing date for receipt of applications is 6 April 2026 (23.59 UK time). Regrettably, we are unable to accept any late applications.

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