IE Cambridge Engagement Lead

West Cambridge | from £30,000 | Full-time, permanent Hybrid (2 days WFH)

Every big idea needs someone who can connect the dots - between people, programmes, and possibilities. If you’re the kind of person who gets a buzz from helping others find their path, this could be your next move.

Why you will love this role:

IE Cambridge is the University of Cambridge's front door to entrepreneurship and innovation. We work with researchers, postdocs, and students - whether they’re just curious, already building a venture, or looking to develop their entrepreneurial skillset - and help them figure out what’s possible. You’ll be joining a collaborative, supportive team with a real shared sense of purpose - and a culture that values trust, inclusivity, and professional development.

As our Engagement Lead, you’ll shape how people discover and connect with IE Cambridge - through our community app, programmes, events, website, and partnerships. You’ll work closely with our IE Cambridge Director to grow the ways we reach people across the University and the wider Cambridge innovation ecosystem.

Day to day, that means you could be improving how our community app brings people together, supporting the delivery of programmes like our Postdoc Venture Creation Challenge and RisingWISE, or finding creative ways to get the word out about what we do. You’ll build relationships across departments, colleges, and external partners - making sure no one misses out on the support that’s available to them.

It’s a role where you’ll see the direct impact of your work: more people connected, more ideas moving forward, more founders getting the backing they need. If you care about making entrepreneurship accessible, you’ll fit right in.

What we’re looking for:

• Experience in engagement, programme delivery, community-building, or communications
• Strong interpersonal skills - you’re comfortable talking to everyone from first-year students to senior academics
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills
• Solid organisational skills and the ability to multi-task effectively - you thrive in fast-paced environments and love rolling up your sleeves
• A curious, proactive mindset and a genuine interest in entrepreneurship, innovation, and impact-driven work
• Degree-level education

Nice to have:

• Experience in higher education, innovation, startups, or ecosystem-building
• A track record of supporting events, workshops, or community programmes
• Familiarity with digital platforms, apps, or community tools
• Experience running engagement campaigns or initiatives
• Comfort working with data, feedback, or light-touch evaluation

Diversity and equality matter:

These are our ideal requirements, but we know some people are less likely to apply for the role unless they check every single box. At Cambridge Enterprise, we promote a diverse, inclusive and empowering culture, so if you feel you have most of the skills and experience needed, we’d love to hear from you.

If you have any questions about the interview process, or if you need any reasonable adjustments, please don’t hesitate to contact the People and Culture team at Cambridge Enterprise.

We are at the heart of Europe’s most successful research and technology cluster and we’re on a mission to bring innovation to life, making a difference to society, the UK economy, and the University of Cambridge. We connect the innovative minds of the University’s academics with the funding, start-up expertise and commercial relationships they need to help their ideas thrive.

Perks at a glance: 30 days holiday (plus