Academic ConnectDirector of International Summer Programme and Lifelong Learning
About us
Our mission is to enable professional and continuing education throughout life, and to widen access to higher education. We design, deliver and curate a portfolio of world leading short courses and award bearing qualifications in a broad range of disciplines.
Our International Summer Programme and Lifelong Learning Division is at the heart of our educational activity. It is responsible for the delivery of the highly recognised and growing annual International Summer Programme, the University of Cambridge's official annual summer programme. It also delivers a diverse series of accessible yet academically rigorous residential weekend courses. The division is responsible for 1,800 course enrolments each year, representing a £3m turnover, and is supported by 9 members of staff.
Our activities primarily take place at Madingley Hall which acts as the host for our weekend courses, while our International Summer Programmes takes place in University facilities in central Cambridge.
The Role
We seek to appoint a Director of International Summer Programmes and Lifelong Learning to lead the International Summer Programme and Lifelong Learning division. They will have considerable scope and flexibility to develop the Division. The Director of ISP and LL will work closely with other colleagues on the Institute's Operational Leadership Team to design and implement ISP and LL's student recruitment, marketing and institutional partnership policy, as well as ensuring that ISP and LL's academic agenda is aligned with the Institute and the wider University, that academic quality is maintained to the highest standards commensurate with Cambridge, and where appropriate PACE academics are actively engaged on ISP and LL taught courses.
The successful candidate will be an important advocate for the Institute's vision and mission within the University and beyond. They will have a broad remit, undertaking divisional duties associated with formulating and implementing strategic direction, financial accountability, day-to-day management of activities and staff, change and process management, and liaising with staff at all levels (academic and administrative), as required. The Director of ISP and LL will be an integral part of Operational Leadership Team, reporting to and advising the Director of Professional & Continuing Education.
Your skills
The successful candidate will be a highly successful senior leader with knowledge and experience of the higher and continuing education sectors, with particular skills in the following areas:
- Strategic decision-making to support the ongoing development and growth of our educational mission.
- Curriculum development and management, specifically related to continuing education and across a broad range of subject areas, to ensure the long-term sustainability of our ISP and LL provision.
- An effective communicator, able to develop a strong rapport with ISP and LL students, and to build lasting and positive working relationships across the University of Cambridge and beyond to support the delivery of ISP and LL.
- Effective management, delegation and organisation, to ensure staff are supported to deliver divisional objectives and that budgets are well managed.
Informal enquiries are encouraged and can be made to Kirsty Allen, Interim Director of Professional and Continuing Education on Kirsty.Allen@pace.cam.ac.uk
Enquires about the application process should be directed to HR@pace.cam.ac.uk
Please ensure that you upload your CV and a cover letter (the length of which must not exceed two pages)
The closing date for applications is 18 January 2026. Interviews will take place on 3 and 4 February 2026.
The funds for this post are available for 2 years in the first instance.
Applications are welcome from internal candidates who would like to apply for the role on the basis of a secondment from their current role in the University.
Click the 'Apply' button below to register an account with our recruitment system (if you have not already) and apply online.
Please quote reference EA48089 on your application and in any correspondence about this vacancy.
The University actively supports equality, diversity and inclusion and encourages applications from all sections of society.
The University has a responsibility to ensure that all employees are eligible to live and work in the UK.
Key information
Department/location
University of Cambridge Institute of Professional and Continuing Education
Salary
£69,488
Reference
EA48089
Category
Date published
1 December 2025
Closing date
18 January 2026
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