At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead employer engagement projects and enhance student experiences through strategic governance.
- Company: Join Arden University, a forward-thinking institution revolutionising higher education.
- Benefits: Enjoy 30 days holiday, private medical insurance, and free courses for you and your family.
- Other info: Be part of a diverse team committed to accessibility and innovation.
- Why this job: Shape the future of education while making a real impact on students' lives.
- Qualifications: Experience in programme management and stakeholder coordination is essential.
The predicted salary is between 50000 - 65000 € per year.
Salary: £50,000 - £65,000 per annum
Employment type: Fixed Term Contract for 12 months
Hours per week: 37
Reporting into: Director of Employer Engagement
Department: Employer Engagement
Remote working arrangement: this role operates primarily on a remote working arrangement and requires occasional travel into Coventry head office and campus locations, up to twice a month, depending on business need.
About Arden University: We are an aspirational and multi‑award‑winning university delivering rapid growth with ambitious plans to disrupt the HE sector through our passion for innovation and digital education. Our vision is to become the first‑choice university for career‑focused lifelong learners worldwide, ensuring everyone everywhere can access higher education.
About our Department: You will work within a small, agile Employer Engagement team based in the Academic Office, driving forward Arden’s strategic priorities in employer engagement, employability, and curriculum innovation. The team focuses on cultivating and strengthening partnerships that generate positive outcomes for students while raising Arden’s profile as a university recognised for delivering meaningful, real‑world impact.
About the Opportunity: Arden University is developing a new employer‑engagement ecosystem to strengthen curriculum relevance, expand employer‑led learning, scale placements, and improve student outcomes. With six Employer Advisory Boards and growing regional and cross‑institution partnerships, we are creating a central role to bring strong governance, consistent delivery, and measurable impact to this strategic area. The Programme Governance & Delivery Manager (Employer Engagement) will lead the coordination, governance, and delivery of all employer‑engagement projects. You will ensure advisory boards run effectively, manage project workstreams, and support activity that enhances the student journey, experience, and graduate outcomes. A key part of the role is establishing the foundational processes, frameworks, and delivery disciplines needed to scale employer engagement across the university. This role suits someone who thrives in complex environments, enjoys building new structures, and brings strong programme management, governance, and stakeholder‑coordination skills. You will play a pivotal role in shaping how Arden embeds employer engagement into its curriculum and wider student‑experience strategy.
About You: You will bring a strong background in programme management, governance, and cross‑institution coordination, with the confidence to build new structures and drive delivery in a complex environment. You understand how to create clarity, consistency, and accountability across multiple workstreams, and you’re motivated by roles where you can shape processes from the ground up. You will be comfortable working with senior stakeholders, managing advisory boards, and ensuring that strategic activity translates into measurable impact for students and partners.
You Will Have:
- Significant experience in programme management, PMO, governance, strategic projects, or business operations, ideally involving coordination across multiple teams or functions.
- Experience designing or maintaining governance frameworks, including terms of reference, reporting cycles, action tracking, and risk/decision management.
- Experience coordinating or running boards, committees, or advisory groups, ensuring effective preparation, delivery, and follow‑up.
- Experience leading task‑and‑finish groups, cross‑functional workstreams, or matrix teams to deliver defined outputs and outcomes.
- Experience developing or implementing evaluation frameworks and KPIs to measure programme or project impact.
- Experience working in complex, multi‑stakeholder environments where alignment, communication, and structured coordination are essential.
Why Arden: At Arden, you will become part of a passionate and dedicated team committed to removing unnecessary barriers to learning and making education more accessible. Our people work hard to ensure our students’ journeys are the best they can possibly be, and we reward our people with fantastic benefits.
- 30 days holiday + bank holidays on‑top, and even a Christmas closure!
- A generous Aviva pension plan, company contributions starting from 7%
- SimplyHealth plan option
- Private Medical Insurance
- Access to Perkbox benefits
- Study any Arden course for free, with a discount for all family and friends
- Plus, other excellent benefits
- Our “Golden Ticket” which allows you to gift anyone in your life a free Arden education
Our Values: Stand out, Progressive, Accessible, Resourceful, Kindness – these reflect who we are as an institution, a team, and individuals. If you share these values and are excited by the chance to be the driving, creative force within a growing business, we want to hear from you.
Equity, Diversity & Inclusion: Arden University is proud to be a Disability Confident Employer. This means that if you have a disability, as defined by the Disability Equality Act 2010, you may be guaranteed an interview if you meet the essential criteria for the role. If you wish to be considered under this scheme, you can indicate this via the application form. We celebrate diversity and are committed to creating a diverse and inclusive workplace, actively welcoming applications from all groups.
Sponsorship Statement: Some roles may not meet the points requirement for a sponsored Skilled Worker visa under the points‑based immigration system. However, we welcome applications from candidates who do not currently have the right to work in the UK but may be eligible for a visa through an alternative route.
Programme Governance & Delivery Manager (12 months FTC) in Coventry employer: Arden University
Arden University is an exceptional employer that champions innovation and accessibility in higher education, offering a dynamic remote working environment with occasional travel to our Coventry head office. Employees enjoy generous benefits including 30 days of holiday, a robust pension plan, and opportunities for personal and professional growth through free courses. Our inclusive work culture fosters collaboration and creativity, making it an exciting time to join a team dedicated to making a meaningful impact on students' lives.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Programme Governance & Delivery Manager (12 months FTC) in Coventry
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to your connections on LinkedIn or through industry events. We all know that sometimes it’s not just what you know, but who you know that can land you that interview.
✨Tip Number 2
Prepare for those interviews by researching the company and its culture. We want you to show how your values align with theirs, especially since Arden is all about accessibility and innovation!
✨Tip Number 3
Practice makes perfect! Do mock interviews with friends or use online platforms. We suggest focusing on your programme management skills and how you can bring value to the Employer Engagement team.
✨Tip Number 4
Don’t forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets seen. Plus, we love seeing candidates who are genuinely interested in joining our mission at Arden.
We think you need these skills to ace Programme Governance & Delivery Manager (12 months FTC) in Coventry
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your Application:Make sure to customise your CV and cover letter for the Programme Governance & Delivery Manager role. Highlight your experience in programme management and governance, and show how your skills align with our mission at Arden University.
Showcase Your Impact:When detailing your past experiences, focus on the measurable outcomes you achieved. We love seeing how you've made a difference in previous roles, especially in complex environments with multiple stakeholders.
Be Clear and Concise:Keep your application straightforward and to the point. Use clear language to describe your achievements and how they relate to the responsibilities of the role. We appreciate clarity and directness!
Apply Through Our Website:Don’t forget to submit your application through our official website. It’s the best way for us to receive your details and ensures you’re considered for this exciting opportunity at Arden University.
How to prepare for a job interview at Arden University
✨Know Your Stuff
Before the interview, dive deep into Arden University's mission and values. Understand their focus on employer engagement and how it ties into the student experience. This will help you articulate how your background in programme management aligns with their goals.
✨Showcase Your Experience
Prepare specific examples from your past roles that demonstrate your skills in governance and project management. Highlight instances where you've successfully coordinated multiple teams or led advisory boards, as this is crucial for the Programme Governance & Delivery Manager role.
✨Ask Insightful Questions
During the interview, ask questions that show your interest in the role and the university's future. Inquire about the new employer-engagement ecosystem they’re developing and how you can contribute to its success. This shows you're proactive and genuinely interested.
✨Emphasise Adaptability
Given the complex environment of this role, be ready to discuss how you've thrived in similar situations. Share examples of how you've built new structures or processes in previous positions, demonstrating your ability to adapt and drive delivery in a dynamic setting.
