Find a job 
Featured Companies 
Featured Universities 
For Companies At a Glance
- Tasks: Coordinate events, manage communications, and support fundraising efforts at the Von Hügel Institute.
- Company: Join the friendly and dynamic St Edmund’s College, part of the University of Cambridge.
- Benefits: Enjoy 25 days holiday, free parking, and discounts at local shops and restaurants.
- Why this job: Make a real impact in higher education while developing your skills in a supportive environment.
- Qualifications: Experience in event planning, administrative support, and fundraising is essential.
- Other info: Embrace a diverse community that values collaboration and creativity.
The predicted salary is between 29157 - 41735 £ per year.
Overview
Salary: £29,157 per annum pro rata (full time equivalent of £41,735 per annum)
Location: Cambridge, St Edmunds College
Contract type: Maternity Cover – 12 months
We are seeking a proactive and organised Programmes Officer to join the Von Hügel Institute (VHI) at St Edmund’s College. This is an exciting opportunity to support the Institute’s strategic development by coordinating events, managing communications, researching funding opportunities, and building relationships with key stakeholders.
You will work closely with senior leadership and external advisors to help implement the VHI’s strategy, ensuring alignment between academic and development goals. The role also involves managing key events, supporting grant applications, and maintaining accurate records and databases.
Please note: occasional work outside standard hours may be required.
Key Responsibilities
- Support the VHI Director and senior colleagues in delivering the Institute’s strategic priorities.
- Coordinate communications, arrange meetings, and maintain strong relationships with internal and external stakeholders.
- Organise and deliver high-quality events, ensuring they run smoothly, within budget, and to a professional standard.
- Work with colleagues to complete risk and compliance documents, evaluate events, and implement improvements.
- Support external communications in collaboration with the College’s Senior Communications Manager.
- Work with the Development Team to research and engage potential donors, foundations, and trusts, particularly within Catholic contexts.
- Assist in drafting grant applications and maintaining accurate records and databases.
- Contribute to continuous improvement, promoting best practice and supporting a collaborative team environment.
About You
We are looking for someone with:
- Proven experience in planning and delivering events.
- Strong background in administrative support.
- Experience in fundraising or donor engagement.
- Familiarity with website and social media management.
- Understanding of global religious contexts, particularly Roman Catholicism, and their relevance to academic or charitable work.
Skills
- Strong IT proficiency across standard office applications.
- Outstanding organisational and time-management skills.
- Ability to work collaboratively within a small team.
- Creative thinking and a proactive approach to problem-solving.
- Sensitivity to diverse perspectives and alignment with the values of the Catholic intellectual and ethical tradition.
Benefits
- Working daily allowance for food and drinks*
- Free car parking (where available)
- 25 days holiday plus bank holidays (increasing with length of service)
- Discounts at restaurants, shops & more
- Death in service
- Access to LinkedIn Learning & Business Disability Forum
About St Edmund’s College
St Edmund’s College is one of the 31 constituent colleges of the University of Cambridge. Our vibrant student body is made up of around 420 post-graduates and 130 mature undergraduates. With over 260 senior members – academics working at the cutting edge of their field or eminent members of their profession – and around 100 staff, you will be joining a dynamic and growing College with an ambitious vision for our role in shaping the future of higher education and collaborative research.
The maturity of our community means that we have earned a reputation as the friendly college. Relaxed, non-hierarchical and diverse, we pride ourselves on being a place in Cambridge where people of all backgrounds are welcomed, will feel at home and can flourish. Therefore, we welcome all candidates regardless of their demographic characteristics such as gender, race, disability, neurodiversity, religion, age, sex & sexual identity to apply for our opportunities.
How to apply
Please send your Cover Letter and CV to the HR Team at hr@st-edmunds.cam.ac.uk.
Closing date for completed applications: 05 October 2025
If you have informal enquiries about the post, please email the Head of College Services, Sally Fallows @ hcs@st-edmunds.cam.ac.uk.
In applying for this role, you will provide personal data which the College will process in accordance with its data protection obligations and its Data Protection Policy: http://www.stedmunds.cam.ac.uk/data-protection.
Any offer of employment is subject to evidence of your right to work in the UK and the receipt of satisfactory references.
#J-18808-Ljbffr
Programmes Officer employer: St Edmund's College - University of Cambridge
Contact Detail:
St Edmund's College - University of Cambridge Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Programmes Officer
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to your connections on LinkedIn or at events. You never know who might have the inside scoop on job openings or can put in a good word for you.
✨Tip Number 2
Prepare for interviews by researching the organisation and its values. Tailor your responses to show how your skills align with their mission, especially in areas like event management and stakeholder engagement.
✨Tip Number 3
Practice makes perfect! Conduct mock interviews with friends or family to boost your confidence. Focus on articulating your experience in planning events and managing communications.
✨Tip Number 4
Don’t forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets noticed. Plus, we love seeing candidates who are proactive about their job search.
We think you need these skills to ace Programmes Officer
Some tips for your application 🫡
Craft a Compelling Cover Letter: Your cover letter is your chance to shine! Make sure to highlight your relevant experience in event planning and administrative support. We want to see how you can contribute to the VHI's strategic priorities, so be specific about your skills and achievements.
Tailor Your CV: Don’t just send out the same CV for every application. Tailor it to reflect the skills and experiences that align with the Programmes Officer role. Highlight your fundraising experience and any familiarity with global religious contexts, especially if you have insights into Roman Catholicism.
Showcase Your Organisational Skills: Since this role requires outstanding organisational and time-management skills, make sure to provide examples of how you've successfully managed multiple tasks or events in the past. We love seeing how you’ve kept things running smoothly!
Apply Through Our Website: We encourage you to apply through our website for a seamless application process. It’s the best way to ensure your application gets the attention it deserves. Don’t forget to double-check everything before hitting send!
How to prepare for a job interview at St Edmund's College - University of Cambridge
✨Know Your Role Inside Out
Before the interview, make sure you thoroughly understand the Programmes Officer role and its responsibilities. Familiarise yourself with the Von Hügel Institute's strategic goals and how your skills in event planning, administrative support, and fundraising can contribute to their success.
✨Showcase Your Organisational Skills
During the interview, be ready to discuss specific examples of how you've successfully organised events or managed communications in the past. Highlight your outstanding organisational and time-management skills, as these are crucial for the role.
✨Demonstrate Your Collaborative Spirit
The role requires working closely with senior leadership and external advisors. Be prepared to share experiences that showcase your ability to work collaboratively within a team. Emphasise your proactive approach to problem-solving and how you value diverse perspectives.
✨Engage with Their Mission
Understanding the Catholic context and the values of the College is key. Show genuine interest in their mission and how it aligns with your own values. This will demonstrate your commitment to the role and help you connect with the interviewers on a deeper level.
