At a Glance
- Tasks: Coordinate innovative projects and manage logistics for exciting events.
- Company: Join Sussex Innovation, a dynamic hub for creativity and entrepreneurship.
- Benefits: Enjoy flexible working, competitive salary, and 25 days holiday plus more!
- Other info: Inclusive culture with opportunities for personal and professional growth.
- Why this job: Be at the forefront of innovation and make a real impact in your community.
- Qualifications: Experience in project coordination and a passion for innovation is essential.
The predicted salary is between 27000 - 29000 £ per year.
Applications submitted through LinkedIn will not be considered, so please make sure to follow the application steps outlined at the end of the job description.
Role Type: Fixed term. 10 months with possibility of extension
Hours per week: Full-time (37.5 hours) or part-time (22.5 hours) opportunities available.
Workspace: Brighton and Hove, UK
Sussex Innovation is looking for a highly proactive Project Coordinator to join our Programmes & Operations team. We are looking for someone with initiative, ownership and strong delivery instincts. Someone who thrives in fast-moving environments, sees gaps before others do and naturally steps in to make things happen. You will become a central operational force across a portfolio of innovation programmes connected to:
- AI and emerging technologies
- entrepreneurship and startup growth
- university innovation and knowledge exchange
- regional economic development
- founder communities and employer engagement
- ecosystem building across Sussex and beyond
One day you may be coordinating a Deep Tech founder session; the next, managing logistics for an AI programme, supporting stakeholder outreach for a regional event, or helping scale a new employer-led initiative. Variety, pace and purpose are at the heart of this role.
What success looks like?
This role is outcomes-driven. Your success will be measured not by simply "supporting projects", but by your ability to help programmes run smoothly, professionally and at a high standard. You will:
- Ensure exceptional operational coordination across multiple programmes simultaneously
- Coordinate well-managed workshops, founder sessions and stakeholder activities
- Maintain strong communication and follow-through across partners and participants
- Keep project tracking, reporting and operational visibility consistently accurate
- Improve systems, processes and delivery efficiency as programmes grow
- Maintain consistent momentum across fast-moving projects with multiple stakeholders
What you'll be doing
Programme & Project Delivery. Your priority.
- Coordinate the day-to-day operational delivery of innovation and entrepreneurship programmes
- Manage timelines, actions, follow-ups and delivery milestones to keep projects on track
- Support the execution of workshops, founder sessions, accelerator activities and ecosystem events
- Maintain project tracking systems, reporting tools and programme documentation
- Work closely with Programme Managers and delivery partners to ensure operational excellence
- Help create a positive, high-energy experience for all programme participants and partners
- Support outreach campaigns for events, programmes and ecosystem initiatives
- Coordinate follow-ups with founders, partners and employers
Events, workshops and logistics
- Coordinate online and in-person sessions, workshops and innovation events
- Manage speaker logistics, attendee communications and operational preparation
- Support delivery teams during live programme activity
- Ensure all sessions run smoothly, professionally and to a high standard
Operational systems
- Use platforms such as Asana and HubSpot to maintain strong operational visibility
- Identify smarter ways of working and implement scalable delivery processes
- Support reporting, compliance and programme documentation requirements
Who we're looking for
We are looking for someone with proven experience in project coordination, programme delivery or operations. What matters is demonstrable ownership and delivery, not time served.
You may have come from innovation support, startups, accelerators, entrepreneurship programmes, universities, events, consultancy, community building, or other fast-paced operational environments.
Most importantly, we are looking for someone who:
- Takes ownership and has initiative
- Is highly organised and thrives managing multiple moving parts
- Communicates confidently with diverse stakeholders
- Learns quickly, adapts fast and stays calm under pressure
- Sees gaps before others do and steps in to solve problems
- Genuinely enjoys making ambitious things happen
Essential Skills & Experience
- Proven experience of 2 years in project coordination, programme delivery, operations or stakeholder management
- Excellent organisational and time management skills
- Strong written and verbal communication
- Ability to manage multiple priorities simultaneously with high attention to detail
- Confidence working independently and proactively
- Strong digital skills and comfort using operational tools and systems
Desirable Experience
- Experience in innovation, startup or entrepreneurship ecosystems
- Familiarity with Asana, HubSpot or similar project and CRM platforms
- Experience working with universities, founders or publicly-funded programmes
- Interest in AI, emerging technologies and regional innovation
What's in it for you?
We are an organisation that values our teams' abilities, voices and unique differences. We have an inclusive and open culture driven by our values to support, educate and develop our people, embracing and prioritising diversity of talent, creative thinking and employee wellbeing.
We offer a salary of £27,000–£29,000 FTE, depending on experience (pro rata for part-time appointments). We also offer a competitive package of benefits, including flexible working options, "work from anywhere!" days, 25 days' holiday increasing with service, dedicated training and volunteer days, private health insurance, life assurance, and staff discounts on any of the available on-site services such as Sussex Sport. University campus facilities also include an Ofsted-rated 'Outstanding' nursery Little Pioneers, which is located directly opposite Sussex Innovation.
Location: You will be based at our Sussex Innovation headquarters on the University of Sussex campus in Falmer (close to Brighton) with opportunities to work remotely.
Equal opportunities: Sussex Innovation is proud to be an equal opportunity employer. All applicants will receive equal consideration for employment irrespective of race, origin, colour, disability, age, religion or belief, gender, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, pregnancy or marital status. We celebrate diversity and are committed to creating an inclusive environment for all employees. Please note that you will be required to demonstrate your right to work in the UK.
Disability-Friendly Employer: As a Disability Confident Committed employer, we will ensure that a fair and proportionate number of disabled applicants that meet the minimum criteria for this position will be offered an interview.
Reasonable Adjustments: If you require any reasonable adjustments throughout the recruitment process, please don’t hesitate to get in touch with the team via or by phoning us on 01273 704400 and speaking with the hiring manager.
Ready to apply? Have questions?
If you’re interested, read this carefully:
- Please send your CV and cover letter to Maria Bedoya-Toro, Head of Programmes & Operations.
- We know AI can help write a polished CV or cover letter and that’s completely fine. But what we genuinely care about is you: your ideas, your energy, your experience, and the way you think.
- We’re not looking for someone who can simply coordinate projects. We’re looking for someone curious, proactive, resourceful and excited to make things happen. So don’t focus on sounding perfect. Focus on being authentic, specific and showing us what makes you stand out.
- Every application is reviewed personally.
- Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis, with a final deadline of June 12th, 2026 at 4:00 p.m. (UK time).
- Unfortunately, applications received after this deadline will not be considered.
- The expected start date for this role is mid-July 2026.
- Please note: applicants must have permanent right to work in the UK. Unfortunately, we are unable to offer sponsorship for this role.
Project Management Coordinator in Hove employer: Sussex Innovation
At Sussex Innovation, we pride ourselves on fostering a vibrant and inclusive work culture that champions creativity and employee wellbeing. Located on the picturesque University of Sussex campus in Falmer, close to Brighton, we offer flexible working options, competitive benefits, and dedicated training opportunities, ensuring our team members thrive both personally and professionally. Join us to be part of a dynamic environment where your contributions directly impact innovation and regional development.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Project Management Coordinator in Hove
✨Tip Number 1
Get to know the company inside out! Research Sussex Innovation and its programmes. This will help you tailor your conversations and show that you're genuinely interested in what they do.
✨Tip Number 2
Network like a pro! Connect with current employees on LinkedIn or attend relevant events. Building relationships can give you insider info and might even lead to a referral!
✨Tip Number 3
Prepare for the interview by practising common questions related to project coordination and operations. Think about specific examples from your experience that demonstrate your skills and initiative.
✨Tip Number 4
Don’t forget to apply through our website! It’s the only way to ensure your application is considered. Plus, it shows you’re following instructions, which is key for this role!
We think you need these skills to ace Project Management Coordinator in Hove
Some tips for your application 🫡
Read the Job Description Thoroughly:Before you dive into your application, take a moment to really digest the job description. It’s packed with info about what we’re looking for, and understanding it will help you tailor your CV and cover letter to show us why you’re the perfect fit.
Be Authentic and Specific:When writing your cover letter, don’t stress about sounding perfect. We want to see the real you! Share specific examples of your experiences that highlight your initiative and problem-solving skills. Show us what makes you unique!
Follow Application Instructions:Make sure to apply through our website as applications via LinkedIn won’t be considered. It’s super important to follow the steps outlined in the job description to ensure your application gets the attention it deserves.
Keep It Professional but Engaging:While we love a bit of personality, remember to keep your application professional. Use clear language, check your spelling and grammar, and make sure your CV is well-organised. We want to see your skills shine through!
How to prepare for a job interview at Sussex Innovation
✨Know the Role Inside Out
Before your interview, make sure you thoroughly understand the Project Management Coordinator role. Familiarise yourself with the key responsibilities and how they align with your skills. This will help you articulate how your experience fits the job and demonstrate your genuine interest in the position.
✨Showcase Your Organisational Skills
Given the fast-paced nature of this role, be prepared to discuss specific examples of how you've successfully managed multiple projects or priorities in the past. Use the STAR method (Situation, Task, Action, Result) to structure your responses and highlight your ability to keep things on track.
✨Communicate Confidently
Strong communication is key for this position. Practice articulating your thoughts clearly and confidently, especially when discussing your previous experiences. Be ready to engage with diverse stakeholders and show that you can adapt your communication style to different audiences.
✨Demonstrate Your Proactivity
The ideal candidate takes initiative and sees gaps before others do. Prepare to share instances where you've identified problems and taken steps to resolve them without being prompted. This will showcase your proactive mindset and ability to drive projects forward.
