Overview
Programme Manager (Centre Manager) – INTERNAL ONLY – Strand, London, WC2R 2LS
THIS VACANCY IS OPEN TO INTERNAL APPLICANTS ONLY
About us:
By 2050, one in four young people worldwide will call Africa home. This demographic shift gives the continent unprecedented potential to drive global progress and innovation. Yet too many young Africans still face barriers to quality education and meaningful employment.
Through a network of partners on the continent, the Aare Afe Babalola Centre for Transnational Education aims to expand access to high-quality education across Africa. By training educators and delivering flexible, innovative programmes, the Centre nurtures problem-solving and entrepreneurial mindsets, empowering talented individuals to become leaders who make lasting contributions to their communities and the wider world.
Through cross-border blended and online programmes, the Centre aims to make higher education more accessible to young people, whatever their circumstances.
Learn more: https://www.kcl.ac.uk/global/afe-babalola-centre
The Centre will develop and deliver a series of pilots and evaluate their impact over the next 2-3 years. Reporting directly to and working with the Centre’s Director of Strategy, the post holder will be responsible for overseeing and co-ordinating strategic planning and delivery of the Centre’s operations and evaluation.
The Afe Babalola Centre sits within International, Engagement and Service (IES) which is home to some of King’s most innovative and impact-driven programming including Sanctuary, One King’s Impact, and King’s Volunteering, among others, as well as our civic and place-based engagement in London, and across the world.
About the role:
The Afe Babalola Programme Manager (Centre Manager) will provide strategic leadership, programme coordination and stakeholder engagement for the operational delivery of the Afe Babalola Centre for Transnational Education at King’s College London. This includes managing complex multi-partner projects across Africa, ensuring regulatory compliance, stakeholder engagement, and delivery of scalable, technology-enabled learning. The postholder will play a pivotal role in shaping the Centre’s growth, supporting fundraising efforts, and ensuring alignment with institutional and international policy frameworks.
This is a full time (35 hours per week), and you will be offered an indefinite contract.
About you:
To be successful in this role, we are looking for candidates to have the following skills and experience:
Essential criteria
- A well-developed understanding of transnational education and development in the African context
- Proven experience of strategic programme management in higher education, international development contexts
- Strong leadership and stakeholder engagement skills and experience, including nuanced communication skills and experience working with relevant regulators and funders
- Excellent organisational and coordination abilities across complex, multi-stakeholder environments, especially in Africa
- Experience managing budgets and operational delivery of large-scale projects and programmes
- Evidence of a One King’s approach to working that demonstrates experience of successful working with interdisciplinary teams of academic & professional services colleagues from within and beyond King’s
- A demonstrable commitment to the mission of the Afe Babalola Centre and its vision for equitable access to education and healthcare workforce development
Desirable criteria
- Evidence of relevant postgraduate studies / research / award (e.g., Masters / PhD in Development; Level 7 PGLA)
- Experience of donor engagement
Downloading a copy of our Job Description
Full details of the role and the skills, knowledge and experience required can be found in the Job Description document, provided at the bottom of the page. This document will provide information of what criteria will be assessed at each stage of the recruitment process.
