Programme Associate - Rokos School of Government Charitable Trust

12-month fixed-term contract - 60% FTE

This is a rare opportunity to play a key role in the development of an ambitious new initiative at the University of Cambridge.

University of Cambridge Development and Alumni Relations is supporting the establishment of the Rokos School of Government Charitable Trust, which is being created to enable the long-term success of the Rokos School of Government. The School is a major new University initiative with ambitions to strengthen Cambridge's contribution to public leadership, policy and governance.

We are looking for a highly capable Programme Associate to help turn that ambition into an effective and sustainable organisation. Working closely with the Senior Director of Advancement Services, Trustees, University colleagues and external advisers, you will help establish the governance, systems, processes and ways of working needed to move the Trust successfully through its formative stages.

This is a role with considerable breadth. You will coordinate activity across a complex and evolving programme, maintaining integrated plans, ensuring actions and decisions are progressed, identifying and managing risks and keeping a wide range of stakeholders informed and engaged.

You will also provide analysis and planning support to help shape the future organisation. This will include evaluating options for organisational design and operational delivery, contributing to multi-year implementation planning and helping identify the resources and infrastructure required as the School develops.

We are looking for someone who is comfortable operating in an environment where not everything has been built yet. You will need to bring structure to complexity, exercise sound judgement, work confidently with senior stakeholders and be equally comfortable thinking strategically and making sure things actually happen.

You are likely to have experience of complex programme or project delivery, governance, or establishing new functions or initiatives. What matters most is your ability to understand the bigger picture while maintaining a firm grip on the detail.

For someone who enjoys building rather than simply maintaining, this is an opportunity to make a tangible contribution at an important point in the development of the Rokos School of Government and its supporting Trust.

Contract and working arrangements

The role is offered on a 12-month fixed-term basis at 60% FTE, with the working pattern spread across five days. The post-holder will be expected to travel to Cambridge and London as necessary.

As the Rokos School of Government and its supporting structures develop, there is a possibility for this role to become permanent, subject to future organisational requirements, funding and the necessary approvals. While this cannot be guaranteed at this stage, we want to be transparent with candidates about the potential for the role to continue beyond the initial fixed-term appointment.

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.

We encourage early applications as we will be shortlisting and interviewing candidates on a rolling basis. The vacancy may close before the advertised deadline if a sufficient number of suitable applications are received.

The closing date for this position is the midnight of Monday 31st of August 2026.

In line with the rolling recruitment, interview slots are being held on Tuesday 25th and Wednesday 26th of August.

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.

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