Programme Governance & Delivery Manager (12 months FTC)

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.

Required Experience

• 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.

Benefits

• 30 days holiday + bank holidays on top, and 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.
• Golden Ticket which allows you to gift anyone in your life a free Arden education.

Values

• Stand out
• Progressive
• Accessible
• Resourceful
• Kindness

Equal Opportunities & Inclusion

Arden University is a Disability Confident Employer. 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. We are an Equal Opportunity Employer and celebrate diversity. We welcome applications from all groups and ensure our recruitment and selection processes never discriminate based on age, disability, gender, race or ethnicity, religion or belief, sexual orientation, or other personal circumstances.

Sponsorship Statement

Please be aware that some roles may not meet the points requirement for a sponsored Skilled Worker visa under the points‑based immigration system. 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.