Job Description

How will the aviation sector transform itself for a zero-carbon economy, and how can business and government help create the policies and actions to deliver this vision?
We're looking for an exceptional individual to join us at the University of Cambridge Institute for Sustainability Leadership (CISL) to help develop innovative partnerships, thought leadership and policy influence that tackle exactly those questions.
CISL is a globally influential institute working on a mission to develop leadership and solutions towards a sustainable economy. CISL's Policy and Systems Change Collaboration team runs innovative collaborations and analysis with business and government to support the transition to a sustainable economy.
As Programme Manager you'll provide strategic leadership, delivering an ambitious programme of content development, strategic stakeholder engagement and event management. You'll help develop and deliver policy and business-relevant thought leadership, as well as pioneering projects that influence and accelerate the aviation sector's decarbonisation. This will be as part of the Aviation Impact Accelerator (a partnership between CISL, the Whittle Laboratory and other expert institutions, networks and experts). You will also support business development and fundraising to underpin project continuity.
Along with demonstrable alignment with CISL's mission, you should hold the following essential skills and experience:

• Understanding of climate and sustainability issues and how they affect business and the economy.
• Understanding of policy-making and experience of working to shape policy.
• Strong relationship management skills and a proven ability to grow and maintain relationships with senior-level clients, delivery partners, sponsors and a wide range of influential internal and external stakeholders.
• Experience of grant and proposal writing as well as leveraging partner relationships into new/continued business/funding opportunities.
• Strong project management and organisational skills, including experience of event management, developing and maintaining budgets and managing multiple complex projects at one time which involve multiple clients and / or stakeholders.
• Strong presentation and meeting facilitation skills, able to achieve outcomes and deliver clear messages with multi-stakeholder groups.
• Experience of working flexibly and on own initiative, operating in a fast-paced, pressured environment both as part of a team and as its lead.
• Experience in developing and overseeing research, thought leadership projects and producing written work to drive influential outcomes.

The following attributes are desirable :

• Understanding of the aviation sector and the challenges of decarbonising the sector
• Experience of using, delivering content for, and developing strategic approaches to social and press media

What you'll receive:

• Working 37 hours per week - part-time working considered.
• 41 days annual leave (including bank holidays).
• Excellent benefits including a generous pension scheme, discount portal, cycle-to-work scheme, university accommodation service, employee assistance programme, family-friendly policies, and many more.

This post is fixed-term until 31 July 2026, with potential for extension if additional funding is secured. The post is full-time and hybrid, with at least two days required in our award-winning Cambridge office.
We will be reviewing applications on a rolling basis and interviewing suitable candidates as they apply. We therefore reserve the right to close this vacancy early if a successful appointment is made.
We particularly welcome applications from candidates from a BME background for this vacancy as they are currently under-represented at this level in our institution.
Click the 'Apply' button below to register an account with our recruitment system (if you have not already) and apply online.
Informal enquiries are welcomed and should be directed to our Human Resources team: Email:
Please quote reference EN47970 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.
Further information

Skills Required