Programme manager (Labour market innovation)

Nesta Programme Manager
Location London, UK
Application deadline 16 January 2019
Contract type Fixed term
Hours Full-time
Salary GBP38,000-GBP50,000 plus excellent benefits
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Nesta is a global innovation foundation. We back new ideas to tackle the big challenges of our time. Our mission is to spark and shape new ideas that improve how the world works for everyone. We use our knowledge, networks, funding and skills – working in partnership with others, including governments, businesses and charities. We are a UK charity but work all over the world, supported by a financial endowment.

Many people struggle to navigate their way through a life of work: finding out how to get the right job, gain new skills and cope with a labour market where jobs are constantly being created and destroyed. At Nesta, we think that some parts of this problem are solvable through mobilising labour market data and developing human-centered digital tools. The aim of Open Jobs is to bring these together into useful tools that can be used in practice, for example at the level of a city or region, to support everyone making choices about jobs and skills.

The role

Are you a collaborative and analytical individual with strong project and stakeholder management skills? If so, join Nesta as a Programme Manager and play a key role in the development of a new programme of work called Open Jobs that aims to transform the world of work and skills by bringing together labour market data in new ways.

Key roles and responsibilities

You will take the lead on the design and development of a number of programmes and pilots on Open Jobs and the day-to-day management and coordination of the programme. This will include proactively engaging with internal teams to understand what others are doing, contributing to reports, delegating to others and working with external contractors, where required. You will also be expected to:

  • Develop new partnerships and engage effectively with key stakeholders, including funders, policy makers, academics and practitioners working on Open Jobs or related initiatives
  • Undertake horizon scanning and qualitative research to support the development of Open Jobs’ pilots and programmes
  • Business development and bid writing
  • Organising and running events, roundtables and workshops
  • Writing content for Nesta’s website, including case studies and blog posts

Experience and skills

You’re probably currently working in a research, consultancy, think tank or public sector environment where you have proven your expertise in project and stakeholder management, including designing, planning and delivering programmes and pilots. A self-starter with strong communication, interpersonal and problem-solving skills, you will be able to get up to speed quickly with new subject areas and will be comfortable juggling both light touch short term and larger, in-depth pieces of work.

It would be ideal if you had practical experience of working on jobs, skills and/or related labour market projects and bid writing and business development capabilities, but it is your project management skills that will really be given a chance to shine in this role.