Find a job 
Featured Companies 
Featured Universities 
For Companies At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead and manage the Project Leadership Programme, ensuring high standards of service and support.
- Company: Cranfield University, a specialist postgraduate university with global impact.
- Benefits: Flexible working options, competitive salary, and a commitment to diversity and inclusion.
- Other info: Join a supportive community focused on ambition, impact, respect, and collaboration.
- Why this job: Make a real difference in education while developing your leadership skills.
- Qualifications: Experience in programme management and client-facing roles, with strong organisational skills.
The predicted salary is between 40000 - 50000 £ per year.
The Cranfield University Commercial Team welcomes applications for the Project Leadership Programme. We are seeking candidates with substantial Programme Management experience within an Executive or Higher Education environment, particularly those with a strong track record of working with public sector clients.
About the Role
The Programme contract requires the delivery of consistently high standards of customer service to programme delegates, our client and partners, alongside effective support for internal stakeholders (primarily Faculty members and Associates delivering the Programme). In this role, the successful candidate will provide efficient, accurate and proactive programme support to delegates on the Project Leadership Programme, while also promoting their wellbeing throughout their time at Cranfield. The successful candidate will work specifically on this contract, focused on providing a fully integrated, cost-effective and progressive service in support of the Project Leadership Programme (PLP), aligned to the SLAs set out in the contract. They will work aligned with the PLP Programme Director and delivery team to build and maintain relationships with the key client, whilst ensuring all events are delivered on time and to a high standard.
About You
With prior experience of working in service delivery roles, you will be able to demonstrate a track record of devising and delivering relevant, well-planned, engaging and innovative events. You will have significant and relevant work experience in client-facing roles and will also be able to demonstrate your ability to lead and manage a team. Fully conversant with Microsoft Word, Excel and PowerPoint, you will also be experienced in using large customer contact databases and working with web software. Professional and credible, with a passion for delivering excellent customer service, you will also be able to demonstrate that you are able to work with a high level of accuracy to deliver our programmes on time and to the standards required. A background in Higher Education would be an advantage.
About Us
As a specialist postgraduate university, Cranfield’s world-class expertise, large-scale facilities and unrivalled industry partnerships are creating leaders in technology and management globally.
Our Values and Commitments
Our shared, stated values help to define who we are and underpin everything we do: Ambition; Impact; Respect; and Community. We aim to create and maintain a culture in which everyone can work and study together and realise their full potential. We are a Disability Confident Employer and proud members of the Stonewall Diversity Champions Programme. We are committed to actively exploring flexible working options for each role and have been ranked in the Top 30 family friendly employers in the UK by the charity Working Families.
Working Arrangements
Collaborating and connecting are integral to so much of what we do. Our Working Arrangements Framework provides many staff with the opportunity to flexibly combine on-site and remote working, where job roles allow, balancing the needs of our community of staff, students, clients and partners.
How to apply
For an informal discussion about this opportunity, please contact Louise Gardener, Acting Head of Business Operations, or Krystle Coles, Apprenticeship Operations Manager. Please do not hesitate to contact us for further details on peoplerecruitment@cranfield.ac.uk. Please quote reference number 5260. Closing date for receipt of applications: 12 April 2026.
Programme Manager - Project Leadership Programme in Cranfield employer: Cranfield University
Contact Detail:
Cranfield University Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Programme Manager - Project Leadership Programme in Cranfield
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to your connections in the higher education and public sector space. A friendly chat can lead to opportunities that aren’t even advertised yet.
✨Tip Number 2
Prepare for those interviews by researching Cranfield University and the Project Leadership Programme. Show us you’re genuinely interested and ready to contribute to our community!
✨Tip Number 3
Practice your pitch! Be ready to explain how your experience aligns with the role. We want to hear about your past successes in programme management and client-facing roles.
✨Tip Number 4
Don’t forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets the attention it deserves. Plus, we love seeing candidates who take that extra step.
We think you need these skills to ace Programme Manager - Project Leadership Programme in Cranfield
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your Application: Make sure to customise your CV and cover letter to highlight your Programme Management experience, especially in the Executive or Higher Education environment. We want to see how your background aligns with the role, so don’t hold back on showcasing relevant achievements!
Showcase Your Customer Service Skills: Since delivering high standards of customer service is key for this role, include examples of how you've excelled in client-facing positions. We love to see how you’ve made a positive impact on clients or stakeholders in your previous roles.
Be Proactive and Detail-Oriented: In your application, emphasise your ability to provide efficient and accurate support. Mention any experiences where you’ve had to manage multiple tasks or events simultaneously, as this will show us you can handle the demands of the Project Leadership Programme.
Apply Through Our Website: We encourage you to submit your application through our website for a smoother process. It’s the best way to ensure your application gets the attention it deserves, and we’re excited to see what you bring to the table!
How to prepare for a job interview at Cranfield University
✨Know Your Programme Management Inside Out
Make sure you brush up on your programme management knowledge, especially in the context of higher education and public sector clients. Be ready to discuss specific examples from your past experience that showcase your ability to deliver high standards of service and manage client relationships effectively.
✨Showcase Your Event Planning Skills
Since this role involves delivering engaging and innovative events, prepare to talk about your previous experiences in event planning. Highlight any successful events you've organised, focusing on how you ensured they were well-planned and met the needs of all stakeholders involved.
✨Demonstrate Your Customer Service Passion
Cranfield values excellent customer service, so be prepared to share stories that illustrate your commitment to providing top-notch support. Discuss how you've gone above and beyond for clients or colleagues in the past, and how you plan to promote delegate wellbeing during the Project Leadership Programme.
✨Familiarise Yourself with Their Values
Understanding Cranfield's values—Ambition, Impact, Respect, and Community—will help you align your answers with what they stand for. Think of examples from your career that reflect these values and be ready to discuss how you can contribute to their culture and mission.