Head of Strategic Projects

Head of Strategic Projects – Cambridge x Manchester

We are seeking a strategic and forward-thinking individual to join the Cambridge x Manchester Partnership as Head of Strategic Projects. This is a rare opportunity to shape and deliver transformational projects across two of the UK's most dynamic innovation ecosystems, helping to unlock new opportunities for innovation, investment and business growth.

In this role, you will lead the development and delivery of a portfolio of strategically significant initiatives, working with partners across academia, industry and government to turn ambitious ideas into measurable impact. You will play a key role in shaping the future direction of the Partnership, building collaborations, securing opportunities and driving projects that strengthen connectivity between Manchester and Cambridge while contributing to wider economic and societal benefit.

You will be responsible for:

• Leading the identification, development and prioritisation of strategic projects and programmes aligned to the Partnership's objectives, translating strategic ambition into deliverable programmes with clear outcomes and success measures.
• Overseeing a portfolio of concurrent projects, establishing effective governance, risk management and reporting frameworks, and ensuring delivery to agreed objectives, timescales and quality standards.
• Identifying and developing external funding, investment and partnership opportunities, supporting the creation of commercially credible projects capable of attracting external investment and support.
• Building and maintaining senior stakeholder relationships across academia, industry, government and the wider innovation ecosystem, influencing decision-making and fostering successful collaboration across partner organisations.
• Leading cross-city collaboration between Manchester and Cambridge partners, ensuring projects deliver measurable impact and generating insights that inform future strategy and programme development.

About You

We encourage applications from individuals with a wide range of backgrounds and experiences. You should demonstrate:

Essential Criteria:

• Significant experience leading and delivering complex, multi-stakeholder projects or programmes, ideally across multiple organisations or locations.
• Experience shaping and developing strategic initiatives and programmes, rather than solely delivering pre-defined activity.
• Strong understanding of governance, risk and compliance within complex programme environments.
• Experience securing external funding, investment or partnership opportunities.
• Excellent stakeholder management, communication and influencing skills, with the ability to build credibility and effective partnerships at a senior level.
• Strong strategic thinking, analytical capability and programme leadership skills, with the ability to work autonomously in a fast-paced and evolving environment.

Desirable Criteria:

• Experience within innovation, higher education, economic development or partnership environments.
• Experience working across multi-location or cross-organisational programmes.
• Understanding of innovation ecosystems, investment landscapes or business growth programmes.

Our benefits include:

• Generous employer contribution pension
• 28 days annual leave plus bank holidays, along with Christmas closure
• Ride to work and EV car scheme available

For more information, please see University of Manchester Benefits. You can also find information on our Flexible and Hybrid working here.

We are an open place of enquiry and challenge. We embrace and celebrate difference, diversity and debate, and we pride ourselves on being a place of education, learning and community where we are able, within the law, to question and test received wisdom, express new ideas and explore controversial or unpopular topics and opinions. Find out more from our Freedom of Speech Policy.

Enquiries about the role, shortlisting and interviews

Name: Talent Attraction

Email: talent.attraction@manchester.ac.uk

General enquiries and administrative support

recruitmentservices.people@manchester.ac.uk

Technical and job portal support

https://jobseekersupport.jobtrain.co.uk/support/home

Applications close at midnight on the closing date.

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