Aviation Impact Accelerator Director in Cambridge

Join the Department of Engineering's Whittle Laboratory to help build the Aviation Impact Accelerator to drive forward the transition of critical sectors to net zero. The Aviation Impact Accelerator (AIA) is a leading research and knowledge exchange initiative. AIA's mission is to provide decision makers in government and industry with the whole system tools and insight necessary to map, understand, and embark on the pathways to net zero. AIA is based in the Engineering Department's Whittle Laboratory which is located in West Cambridge. The Whittle Laboratory, opened in 1973 by Sir Frank Whittle, is a Research Group within the Energy Division of the Department of Engineering. The Whittle Lab focuses on accelerating zero-carbon flight and land-based power.

To deliver AIA's ambitious mission we are looking for a highly motivated, experienced, and collaborative individual to lead the AIA team as the Director. Under this remit, the AIA Director is responsible for creating and delivering the initiative's strategy and delivering the services that fulfil AIA's mission, predominantly through research; first order modelling, development of interactive tools, strategic multi-stakeholder convening and stakeholder engagement.

The Director will routinely work with high-level executives including international CEOs, international policymakers, Government Ministers, Board members and senior executives, and senior functional specialists to deliver AIA's work. Engage with international academic partners (MIT, Imperial College London, UCL, University of Melbourne, TU Delft, University of Technology Sydney) and industry/government collaborators (e.g., Boeing, IATA, Rolls-Royce, Sustainable Markets Initiative, World Economic Forum, Royal Air Force, UK Government Department for Energy Security and Net Zero, Department for Transport). Build and maintain high-level networks and lead teams that deliver the work, influencing policy and practice.

The AIA is currently running collaborations with international partners and is already influencing UK policy in terms of the UK Sustainable Aviation Fuel Mandates. It is working with the EU and US on developing international policy. This underscores the level of engagement expected of the Director.

Candidate Profile / Qualifications

• Ability to produce high-impact, practical strategic and operational plans, ideally with experience in public, private, or university settings, through a collaborative approach.
• Excellent interpersonal, networking and communication skills to engage senior decision-makers, develop work programmes, and build stakeholder communities around a common vision.
• Ability to understand needs for improved knowledge exchange data, whole-system modelling, evidence and metrics, and to deliver complex work programmes to schedule.
• Strong commitment to driving evidence-led decision making and practice.

Terms

Fixed-term: The funds for this post are available for 18 months in the first instance.

How to Apply

Applications are welcome from internal candidates who would like to apply for the role on the basis of a secondment from their current role in the University. Click the 'Apply' button to register an account with the recruitment system and apply online. Include a CV and covering letter detailing how you meet the criteria in the person specification. Closing date: Wednesday 18 February 2026.

Informal enquiries: aia-ops@eng.cam.ac.uk. For queries about the vacancy or application process, contact the HR Office at hr-office@eng.cam.ac.uk or 01223 332615. Quote reference NM48734 in your application and correspondence.

Equality and Eligibility

The University actively supports equality, diversity and inclusion and encourages applications from all sections of society. The University has a responsibility to ensure that all employees are eligible to live and work in the UK.