Programme Manager – Discover Economics

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Job Summary

• Title: Programme Manager – Discover Economics
• Reports to: Head of Discover Economics
• Location base: Our offices are based in Westminster, Central London and we currently have a hybrid model of working. Mondays are work from office days. Occasional travel to meetings within the UK will be required. Full information can be provided on application.
• Salary: £35,000 PA
• Hours: 35 hours per week
• Job Type: 1 year fixed term contract, with potential to extend subject to funding

Job Overview

Building on the initial development of the Discover Economics (DE) Campaign, DE is moving into a new established phase of the programme. The Programme Manager coordinates the delivery of the programmes within the Discover Economics programme. The role will provide day to day management of a varied portfolio of activities, ensuring the capture of measurable outcomes to demonstrate the impact for key stakeholders. The postholder acts as the operational representative of the initiatives, strengthening existing partnerships and delivering activities to a high standard.

Society and Programme Background

Our purpose is to promote the study of economic science. With over 3,000 individual members worldwide and a dozen organizational members, we are one of the oldest economic associations in the world. We are a registered charity, and membership is open to anyone who shares our aims and objectives.

Increasingly we are focused on improving the public understanding of economics through engagement with schools and the wider public. Discover Economics is a Royal Economic Society programme to increase diversity in economics. We work to:

• Broaden the appeal of economics to potential students.
• Change their perceptions of economics and economists.
• Attract more students from under-represented groups (women, state school and further education college students, minoritised ethnic groups, members of the LGBTQI+ community and more).

The programme targets 15–17 year olds – young people who are making choices about what post-16 qualifications to take and what subjects to study at university. We work to transform perceptions of economics among students, particularly those attending schools where it is not provided as a subject. We also work to raise the voices of a more diverse set of economists and expose students to role models already working in the subject.

Overall the Society publishes two scientific journals – The Economic Journal and The Econometrics Journal – containing high quality peer-reviewed papers from an international authorship. Our popular annual conference provides a forum for research, debate, and networking. We also provide resources for economists and support for education and the training of students, teachers and researchers. Improving diversity, inclusion and professional conduct within the discipline is a key strategic priority of the Society.

Job Description

Key Responsibilities

• Leading the delivery of national outreach initiatives, including school engagement activities (Young Economist of the Year Competition), ambassador programmes, workshops and classroom/careers materials.
• Managing day to day relationships with partner organisations, funders and key stakeholders, including Academic Champions, to maximise the delivery and impact of the programme.
• Coordinate the development and delivery of virtual work experience programmes and other scalable outreach models that provide high-quality participant experiences.
• Working with the Head of Discover Economics and Communications Officer coordinate communications and outreach content, working with external suppliers and partners to ensure outputs meet brand, quality and accessibility standards.
• Using data, monitoring and evaluation insights to inform programme development, improve delivery and identify opportunities to expand reach and impact.
• Represent the programme at relevant external events, helping to strengthen partnerships and identify new collaboration opportunities to signal to the Head of Discover Economics.
• Working with the Head of Discover Economics, inform development of the programme objectives and sector priorities.
• Producing reports for stakeholders, funders and the Advisory Working Group to support effective planning and decision-making.
• Contributing to operational planning and programme management, including improving systems and processes, to ensure effective delivery across activities.

Person Specification

Essential Skills

• Degree level of education or equivalent.
• Experience delivering multiple outreach or educational engagement initiatives, to time meeting success criteria.
• Demonstrable experience managing partnerships relationships.
• Ability to support the development and delivery of new initiatives from concept to delivery e.g. virtual work experience programme.
• Strong organisational and operational planning skills including managing operational budgets and resources.
• A strong commitment to promoting diversity in education.
• Strong verbal and written communication skills with experience coordinating communications for a variety of initiatives.
• Ability to interpret and use data, monitoring, and evaluation insights to inform improvements, report on impact, and support programme planning and improvements.
• Experience representing a programme or organisation at external events.
• Experience of working independently with a flexible, can-do approach to work.

Desired Skills

• Knowledge and experience of the education (including higher education) sector.
• Understanding of diversity and inclusion in education.
• An interest in economics, social science, or education policy.
• Economics degree or equivalent.

Application Process

Please apply by sending your CV along with a personal statement outlining how you meet each person specification point. Applications that have not linked the personal statement to the person specification points will not be considered.

Applications should be emailed to recruitment@res.org.uk by 10am Friday 24 July 2026. Late or incomplete applications will not be considered. Shortlisting will be done on an ongoing basis with interview slots held both w/c 20th July (for early applicants) and 27th July.

Enquiries: For further information, or if you require any reasonable adjustments in submitting your application, please contact the Office Manager via e-mail at officemanager@res.org.uk. The Royal Economic Society is committed to equality and valuing diversity.

Please note, no agencies.

Safer Recruitment statement

Royal Economic Society is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people. The successful applicant will be subject to appropriate safer recruitment checks, which may include a DBS check, references, and verification of qualifications and employment history. All staff are expected to share our commitment to safeguarding and to maintain the highest standards of professional conduct when working with students.