Programme Manager – Executive Education

​King’s Business School (KBS) is a vibrant business school with an ambitious strategy. We are rapidly expanding our executive education to engage with the business community and share our expertise with a professional audience. Based within a diverse and historic university, we are in a unique position to draw on the vast breadth of expertise across King’s College London to provide interdisciplinary education to executives and leaders across a wide range of organisations and sectors. Over the next 8 years we plan to grow our executive education business, enter the rankings, and become a hub of connectivity and practice within KBS 

KBS is seeking a highly organised, professional and motivated Programme Manager (PM) to join our expanding Executive Education team to work on a portfolio of Open and Custom executive education programmes.  

They will have oversight from the Senior Delivery Manager and line management of a Senior Programme Officer (SPO) to deliver programmes consistently against defined executive education standards and processes. The postholder will be the main project planner for several major executive education programmes.  

When working on Open programmes, the PM will proactively and independently project manage all aspects of the delivery delegated to their responsibility, working closely with Programme Directors and contributors to ensure client and participant satisfaction that leads to repeat business for KBS executive education.  

When working on Custom programmes, the PM will work closely and collaboratively with the Programme Director, King’s Professional & Executive Development (KPED) and the client directly to deliver the course as contracted, always presenting KBS and King’s positively to the client. They will proactively and independently manage all aspects of the delivery of programmes delegated to their responsibility, working closely with Programme Directors and contributors to ensure client and participant satisfaction. 

The PM will be responsible for providing a seamless, professional and efficient customer experience to everyone who interacts with KBS Executive Education via our courses, including participants, Course Directors, external contributors and partners and wider colleagues. The PM will ensure all aspects of a programme are in place, liaising with multiple stakeholders to do this in a timely and efficient way.  

Due to the nature of our programmes, some evening and weekend work will be required for which flexible working hours will be given. The role will also include some UK and overseas travel.  

Fixed term contract for 2 years – this role is being recruited to support specific projects and programme support that have arisen from higher than planned volume of executive education

The above list of responsibilities may not be exhaustive, and the post holder will be required to undertake such tasks and responsibilities as may reasonably be expected within the scope and grading of the post.

• Act as the lead project manager in supporting the Programme Director and teaching faculty in the design, planning and delivery of a number of concurrent major executive education programmes. Adapt and develop the service and provision to meet the needs of clients and programme participants and the stipulations of the contracts.
• Coordinate complex logistics, assessments, and collaborative working (teaching teams, careers, external coaches etc) necessary in executive programme delivery.  This will include organising venues and catering, leading and providing admin support, managing the virtual learning environment and communications to participants, organising and being present at in person and virtual delivery of courses and troubleshooting unforeseen issues.
• Be present at all relevant learning activities to provide logistical support and interact with participants to resolve queries and ensure a welcoming, positive experience of KBS
• Work closely with the Client Relationship Managers regarding open enrolment applicants to ensure a smooth handover for programme delivery. Support the Programme Director in recruiting a strong cohort where necessary.
• Oversee and fulfil additional duties that form part of specific executive education contracts e.g. handling participant selection processes or creating bespoke processes or systems relevant to the contract.
• Day to day supervision of the Senior Programme Officer working in the executive education team. Ensuring the tasks, quality and deadlines are met for each programme.
• Advise colleagues who may be less familiar with executive education delivery and helping to shape the experience and course to ensure success.
• Manage programme budgets with internal finance colleagues, the Senior Delivery Manager and Programme Directors. Ensure complementary budgeting, forecasting and reconciliation of the expenditure.
• Provide high-quality customer service to external and internal customers and high-quality engagement with participants and clients.
• Ensure evaluation process is followed for each of the programmes delivered.  Provide suggestions based on data to help drive change.
• Proactively identify and pursue improvements to processes and service delivery to continuously develop executive education at KBS
• Deputise for the Senior Delivery Manager during their absence as required.
• Prepare and manage participant communications, the KEATS (Moodle), and assessment processes.
• Deliver in-person briefings to participants where necessary
• Act with discretion, tact and professionalism when handling sensitive or personal or commercial information
• Assess and escalate queries to senior colleagues or Course Directors as required
• Be an active and engaged member of the Executive Education team and other relevant networks at King’s
• Build a network of internal and external contacts and stakeholders relevant to the role

Essential criteria

1.       Experience providing high-quality project management for short courses for executives or comparable learning activities.

2.       Excellent organizational skills with the ability to work on short-, medium-  and long- term projects and deadlines concurrently

3.       A proactive nature – spotting problems or risks and taking action to avoid/plan for issues before they happen and/or act quickly in response to unexpected events

4.       A clear and accurate communicator in both written and verbal formats, ensuring all published materials are high-quality and professional

5.       Analytical skills – able to collect and review data, feedback and advice to summarise findings and shape an action plan

6.       Numerate, able to manage budgets and track financial information accurately

7.       Excellent IT skills including Microsoft Word, Excel, Outlook, SharePoint, Forms and databases, Zoom/Teams and learning management systems such as Moodle

8.       A good understanding of what ensures excellent customer service in an executive education setting

9.       Able to oversee own activities with a level of personal accountability

10.     Able to form relationship and networks with key stakeholders to ensure an excellent customer experience

Desirable criteria

1.       Experience in a programme delivery role at a Financial Times ranked business school

2.       Experience working with professionals and senior executives

3.       Experience working on custom executive education projects with a long-term client or partner organisation