Job Title:Senior Programme Manager, Regional Entrepreneurship
(maternity cover, up to 15 month contract)
Directorate:Enterprise
Reports to:Head of Enterprise Hub
Responsible for:Programme Managers x2
Overall Aim
To lead on the Academy's regional ideation programme. Contribute to the delivery of the Hub's ambition by playing a key role in growing the Hub's presence in the regions and cementing its reputation as the 'go to place' for engineering entrepreneurs locally.
The Regional Talent Engines programme currently consists of an entrepreneurship training programme delivered locally in five regions of the UK, supporting the retention and circulation of engineering talent within local ecosystems and helping ambitious individuals to launch new careers as entrepreneurs. The regions are Northern Ireland, Wales, North West England, North East England, and Yorkshire and Humber. The role holder will be expected to lead on iterating the programme to further embed and possibly expand relevant support for ideation-stage entrepreneurs in regions outside of London and the South East.
The role holder will be responsible for a team of programme managers based regionally and oversee the local delivery of programme activities. They will work closely with the Director of Enterprise, Head of Enterprise Hub, Regional Engagement team, and the Enterprise Committee.
The role holder will be responsible for building and maintaining relationships with local stakeholders to ensure the programmes are tailored to the environment they are operating in and best serve the individuals and communities in the region, while still ensuring each programme aligns with the wider objectives of the Enterprise Hub.
Key Responsibilities and tasks
Building a strong and credible network of engineering entrepreneurs, mentors, intermediaries, advocates, institutions, universities, accelerators and investors.
Growing the Enterprise Hub's reach in regions by promoting Enterprise Hub programmes to the local entrepreneurship and innovation community resulting in cementing the Hub's reputation as a 'go-to' place for engineering and technology entrepreneurs for their business startup and growth needs.
Developing value propositions for the Enterprise Hub stakeholders locally, assisting with efforts to deliver the Academy's strategy 2030.
Communicating Enterprise Hub messaging at events, representing the vision and mission of the Enterprise Hub at forums, meetups and conferences as appropriate
Leading and managing all strategic aspects of the Enterprise Hub's support for entrepreneurs at ideation stage.
Leadership and development
To oversee and manage successful delivery of the programme, including:
Lead on the development and delivery of the Academy's programme to support early-stage founders leading engineering and technology startups in regions of the UK
Ensure the programme is best-in-class, relevant and appropriate to the goals, values, brand and status of the Academy
Maintain a keen awareness of the evolving regional landscape of entrepreneur support activities, and continuously bench-mark and enhance the Academy's offer
Maintain focus on long term impact of the activities and promote the success stories and demonstrable impacts to the key audiences
Utilise the outputs, networks and relationships created through programmes to further the Academy's strategic objectives
Champion and represent the Hub at events and meetings as appropriate
Programme management
To oversee and manage successful delivery of the programme(s) including:
Implementation of agreed policies and adoption of best practice in grant management;
Financial forecasting, budget planning, monitoring and management;
Ensuring that all commitments to funders and reporting requirements are met;
Management of programme risks and issues;
Management of key partnerships, suppliers, fund
Application closing date: 25/02/2026
Interview date: w/c 02/03/2026
Interview location: London
Our location
Our light, spacious head office is based in a fantastic location in central London with views over St James's Park and close to the West End. We operate hybrid, flexible working practices with a baseline for office based working of a mandatory weekly team day plus further days each week as required for the role and the Academy.
Who are we?
Engineering matters. It shapes our everyday lives, from our ability to turn the lights on, have a hot shower and commute into work, to the mobile phones we rely on to keep connected. It also plays a vital role in addressing some of the biggest challenges facing society today, from climate change, to global health pandemics and cyber threats.
The Royal Academy of Engineering is a charity that harnesses the power of engineering to build a sustainable society and an inclusive economy that works for everyone. In collaboration with our Fellows and partners, we're growing talent and developing skills for the future, driving innovation, and building global partnerships, and influencing policy and engaging the public. Together we're working to tackle the greatest challenges of our age.
With a diverse workforce and an inclusive and supportive culture, we look to attract candidates from wide and different backgrounds who have a passion for the role engineering plays in society. Our aim is to make the Academy the best place to work for the staff we have and those we seek to attract.
Why work for us?
We're looking for people who are driven to make the world a better place. If you're passionate about what you do and want to work collaboratively with talented colleagues to make change happen now and for future generations, we want you to get in touch.
This is the perfect time to join us. We have a dynamic, visionary CEO, a strong leadership team and an ambitious and exciting strategy. The value we bring as experts in our field and change agents is highly recognised and makes the Academy a motivating place to be. Our work today builds on a long, proud history with a focused and ambitious future which we'd love you to be part of.
We are looking for talented people who want to make a difference, to join our team – is this you?
The Academy is committed to making reasonable adjustments to remove barriers that hinder applicants from applying or staff from working effectively and comfortably.