Institute Manager

Location: Central Cambridge, Cambridgeshire, UK

This is an exciting opportunity to join the Institute for Technology and Humanity (ITH) at the University of Cambridge as our Institute Manager. Working at the intersection of technology and society, you will play a pivotal role in supporting a vibrant interdisciplinary community of researchers, students and professional staff dedicated to addressing some of the most important challenges and opportunities of our time.

ITH supports world-leading research and postgraduate teaching examining the opportunities and challenges created by technological change. The Institute brings together three major research centres and provides a collaborative and intellectually stimulating environment addressing some of the most significant issues facing society today.

Working closely with the Institute's Co-Directors and reporting to the Deputy Secretary of the School of Arts and Humanities, you will play a key leadership role in supporting a dynamic interdisciplinary research and teaching environment.

As Institute Manager, you will lead the professional services function and oversee the effective delivery of administration, operations, and business management across the Institute. You will ensure that resources, systems, and processes are aligned to support the Institute's strategic ambitions and continued growth, while contributing to the wider priorities of the School and University.

You will act as a trusted adviser to senior academic staff, contributing to strategic planning and supporting the development of new initiatives, research activities and funding opportunities. The role requires strong leadership and the ability to manage change, build effective relationships across a wide range of stakeholders, and ensure high-quality service delivery in a complex and fast-paced environment.

Your key responsibilities will include:

• Providing strategic and operational support to the Institute's leadership, contributing to planning and implementation of new developments
• Leading and developing the Institute's administrative and professional services team
• Overseeing financial planning, budgeting and resource management (c. £6m annual expenditure)
• Ensuring effective governance, servicing committees and supporting decision-making processes
• Managing HR processes, including recruitment, staff development and performance management
• Overseeing space, facilities, health and safety and operational compliance
• Supporting research activity, including funding applications and grant management
• Leading on communications, systems development and continuous improvement initiatives

You will have significant experience in a senior administrative or management role, ideally within a higher education or research and academic environment. You will bring excellent organisational, financial and project management skills, along with the ability to think strategically and work collaboratively with academic and professional colleagues at all levels.

This is a varied, collaborative and strategic role which contributes significantly to the success of the Institute.

Please submit your CV, along with a covering letter. This should clearly set out how you meet the criteria listed in the person specification (the skills and experience required for the role) including relevant examples. Candidates will be shortlisted based upon these criteria.

The closing date for applications is Monday 20 July 2026. Interviews will be held in the week commencing 27 July 2026, subject to change.

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

Informal enquiries are welcomed and should be directed to Daniel White on csahoffice@admin.cam.ac.uk 

For questions about the application process, please contact the HR team at sahhr@admin.cam.ac.uk

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

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