Programmes Officer

Cambridge; Cambridge; On-site; GBP 29,000 - 42,000; Full time

Job summary

A prominent educational institution in Cambridge is seeking a proactive Programmes Officer to coordinate events, manage communications, and support fundraising efforts. The ideal candidate will have robust experience in event planning and administrative support, along with strong organisational skills. This position offers a salary of £29,157 per annum and an opportunity to work in a supportive and dynamic environment.

Benefits

Working daily allowance for food and drinks

Free car parking

25 days holiday plus bank holidays

Discounts at restaurants and shops

Death in service benefits

Access to learning and development resources

Qualifications

• 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.

Responsibilities

• Support the VHI Director and senior colleagues in delivering the Institute’s strategic priorities.
• Coordinate communications, arrange meetings, and maintain strong relationships.
• Organise and deliver high-quality events.
• Support external communications and grant applications.

Skills

Event planning and delivery

Administrative support

Fundraising or donor engagement

Website and social media management

Organisational skills

Creative thinking

Sensitivity to diverse perspectives

Tools

Standard office applications

Job description

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.

As well as a great salary and friendly team you will also receive:

• 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 [e-mail].

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 @ [e-mail].

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.