Director of Programmes
This role is an opportunity to lead programmes to identify and support talent that will shape the future of UK engineering and technology. It is an organisational leadership role in a charity seeking to work at the forefront of the responsible use of AI in assessment, the use of positive action to promote inclusive outcomes, innovative approaches to grant-making, and the use of rounded support packages to develop talent.
The Director leads on overseeing effective delivery of our research, education and inclusive skills programmes. The Director is also responsible for maintaining the Academy’s strong and trusted relationship with its primary government funders. They also lead the development of the Academy’s grant-making and monitoring systems. The Director leads and is supported by a department of about 40 programme management staff and is responsible for an expenditure of roughly £30m.
Application closing date: 02/11/2026
Interview date: w/c 23/11/2026
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.
