Business and Programme Development Manager

£40,014 - £48,478 | fixed term for 12 months | 35 hours per week | London WC1H

The ACU is an international organisation dedicated to building a better world through higher education.

We believe that international collaboration is central to this ambition. By bringing universities together from around the world – and crucially the people who study and work within them - we help to advance knowledge, promote understanding, broaden minds, and improve lives.

We champion higher education as a cornerstone of stronger societies, supporting our members, partners, and stakeholders as they adapt to a changing world.

The Business and Programme Development Officer will play a vital role in our mission to support excellence in higher education for the benefit of individuals and societies throughout the Commonwealth and beyond. The role will enable the ACU to build an evolving and prosperous pipeline and deliver development impact, strengthening capacity within universities across the Commonwealth.

The post-holder will support the Head of New Business to identify and pursue new business opportunities that align with the ACU’s mission and benefit members, with a focus on preparing new bids for a range income generating activity that contribute to the financial sustainability of the ACU.

A key part of this role will be developing our programme activities. The ACU maintains a portfolio of innovative, high quality and high impact programmes that are bringing sustainable benefits to universities. Our current projects support early career academics, improve teaching practice and the use of online and blended learning, strengthen the management of research, and enhance the impact of development focused research. We are looking for an intelligent and dynamic individual who can create opportunities to drive this important work forwards.

Working closely with colleagues across the Programmes team, the External Engagement Group, and external stakeholders, the post holder will take a lead role in developing new project ideas and attracting funding to turn them into reality. She or he will, therefore, be expected to develop a keen interest in and an understanding of the broad contexts in which ACU projects and member universities operate.

Our benefits include 31 days holiday per year (including 4 Christmas closure days) plus bank holidays, competitive pension scheme (10% employer contribution plus 5% employee contribution), season ticket loan and excellent support for learning and development through a range of educational and networking activities.

At the ACU, we welcome and encourage applications from everyone regardless of gender, race, religion, marital status, disability, age, and sexual orientation.

As Business and Programme Development Officer you will be employed by ACU Trading Ltd, a wholly owned subsidiary.

How to apply
Closing date: 16th March 12pm
Interview date: tbc

Job profile

Applicants should submit their current CV and a detailed covering letter (maximum two pages). The covering letter must state what you can bring to the post and how you meet all the criteria of the role. Please also provide details of your current salary.

Applicants should also complete the Equality and Diversity Monitoring form

Please send the  covering letter, CV and completed Equality and Diversity Monitoring form by email to recruitment@acu.ac.uk by 12pm (GMT) on 16th March. Please indicate in the subject line of your email that you are applying for the post of Business and Programme Development Manager. Applicants may address the covering letter to the Head of HR.