Senior Manager, Advanced Manufacturing and Physical AI (Programmes) in Coventry

WHO WE ARE

Plug and Play Tech Center is the ultimate innovation platform, bringing together the best startups and the world's largest corporations to create the most meaningful connections that bring innovation to anyone, anywhere. We are on a mission to bring the benefits of Silicon Valley to all corners of the world. Each year, hundreds of entrepreneurs join our vertical-specific accelerator programmes to team up with our corporate members or receive a direct investment from Plug and Play.

Plug and Play has over 60 locations across the world and our corporate members include: Prologis, Walmart, Coca Cola, Eli Lilly, University Hospitals, Zimmer Biomet, Duke Energy, Tavistock, Guidewell, Doosan Bobcat, UCF, and over 500 more. Plug and Play's corporate members utilize Plug and Play to identify the best startups to meet their challenges. Plug and Play's proven investment track record includes Honey, Dropbox, Lending Club, Kustomer, Einride, and many more.

WHO WE ARE LOOKING FOR

We are seeking an experienced and highly motivated Programme Manager to lead the delivery, quality, and continuous improvement of our accelerator programmes and Venture Clienting platform, while supporting the growth of the wider innovation ecosystem. The successful candidate will be responsible for ensuring programmes are delivered to a consistently high standard, driving progress against key milestones, coordinating cross-functional stakeholders, and supporting team members to achieve shared objectives.

By optimising programme processes, fostering strong relationships with internal and external stakeholders, and proactively identifying and resolving challenges, the Programme Manager will play a key role in ensuring the long-term success and impact of our programmes. The ideal candidate is an experienced Agile Programme Manager and Scrum Master with a proven ability to drive complex, cross-functional projects from planning through execution and completion. They are comfortable managing diverse stakeholder groups with competing priorities, aligning teams around shared objectives, and maintaining momentum in a fast-paced environment. A background in strategy consulting or a similarly structured, project-driven environment is considered a strong advantage.

RESPONSIBILITIES:

Programme PMO and Execution

• Drive the day-to-day growth and development of a large and complex programme, involving multiple stakeholders and tight timelines.
• Maintain a focus on the details of each project and stakeholder, while having an understanding of the broader strategic goals.
• Maintain progress against clear deliverables and impact metrics.
• Implement an evaluation method to assess programme strengths and identify key areas for continuous improvement.
• Manage the tracking of startup success, ensuring the creation of detailed case studies and reports for high-level stakeholders.
• Manage and track corporate satisfaction
• Coordinate programme operations, including key milestones, events, and team meetings, ensuring effective planning, communication, and cross-functional collaboration.

Strategic Ecosystem Development

• Support the growth and engagement of the mentor, startup, corporate, and institutional ecosystem by developing and delivering initiatives that strengthen relationships and enhance programme value.
• Build and maintain strong relationships with startups throughout the programme, acting as a trusted point of contact and proactively addressing issues to ensure a positive participant experience.
• Coordinate the introduction of relevant startups to corporate partners, facilitating high-quality matches that create meaningful collaboration opportunities.
• Plan and deliver networking activities, including meetups, workshops, and events, to foster engagement, collaboration, and a strong sense of community across programme cohorts.
• Work closely with internal teams, mentors, and external stakeholders to coordinate and deliver value-added programme activities, including pitch coaching sessions, reverse pitches, workshops, and other initiatives that support startup success.

External Communications & Operational Oversight

• Represent the programme at selected industry events, conferences, and networking opportunities, building relationships and promoting relevant.
• Collaborate closely with the Marketing team to support programme communications, including social media content, news updates, and the coordination of the monthly community newsletter.
• Work with event organisers and partners to coordinate co-marketing activities that increase programme visibility and stakeholder engagement.
• Manage communications with startups, corporate partners, mentors, and other stakeholders, ensuring regular updates, effective coordination, and the timely resolution or escalation of issues.
• Oversee the preparation, quality, and brand consistency of programme materials for key milestones and events, including Selection Day, Orientation Day, and Demo Day/EXPO.

TYPICAL BACKGROUND

• Master's degree (MBA or equivalent) strongly preferred. Bachelor's degree in Business, Finance, Engineering, or a related field required.
• 5+ years of experience in programme or project management, including PMO and Agile/Scrum methodologies.
• Proven experience managing complex, cross-functional projects and engaging with diverse stakeholder groups.
• Scrum Master certification or equivalent Agile experience is a plus.
• Previous experience in strategy or management consulting is considered an advantage.
• Strong organisational, analytical, communication, and stakeholder management skills.
• Fluent in English; additional business-critical languages are a plus.