Executive Director, Demography and Natural Capital Initiative

Cambridge Judge Business School is establishing The Demography and Natural Capital Initiative (DNCI), a new interdisciplinary effort aimed at advancing global understanding of how population dynamics, economic systems and environmental sustainability interact. We are seeking an exceptional founding Executive Director to lead the development of this initiative, building its profile, partnerships and global influence, and shaping a platform that will play a critical role in guiding research, policy and practice in this important field.

About the role:

As the founding Director, you will set the strategic vision, intellectual agenda, and operational foundations of the natural capital thematic area within Judge Business School. Working closely with the Dean of CJBS and a panel of expert advisers, you will:

• Shape the strategy and intellectual agenda of the DNCI, driving innovative, multi disciplinary research and building the Initiative's global reputation.
• Lead applied research programmes in collaboration with CJBS faculty, University departments, and external partners from government, business, and international organisations, etc.
• Conduct applied research to generate outputs suitable for leading conferences and high-quality journals.
• Contribute to teaching and supervision across relevant CJBS programmes, including Master's projects and Executive Education, where appropriate.
• Oversee financial, administrative, and operational management, including budgets, reporting, staffing, and compliance with University policies.
• Build influential networks and partnerships, representing the Initiative to policymakers, regulators, industry leaders, donors, development agencies, and academic collaborators.
• Develop and deliver a communications and outreach strategy, ensuring that research outputs inform and influence practice in both specialist and non-specialist communities.

This is a high-impact leadership role with significant scope to shape an area of excellence within one of the world's leading universities.

About you:

You will have a strong record of research, policy influence, or executive leadership in fields related to natural capital, sustainability, development economics, ecological economics, demography, environmental policy, or related disciplines.
Essential experience and attributes include:

• A PhD in Demography or a closely related field and a profile consistent with leading a major research initiative.
• Extensive senior leadership experience, including strategic development and organisational growth.
• Deep expertise in natural capital and its economic, demographic, or ecological dimensions.
• A strong professional network spanning government, industry, academia, or the third sector.
• A demonstrable track record of engaging with policymakers, regulators, and international bodies at the highest level.
• Experience in representing an initiative or organisation publicly.
• Strong leadership, communication, and decision-making skills, including the ability to act entrepreneurially and collaboratively.

Why work for Cambridge Judge Business School?

We are the business school of the University of Cambridge, advancing knowledge and leadership through people who leave a mark on the world. Cambridge Judge Business School leverages the power of academia for real-world impact to transform individuals, organisations and society. Since 1990, we have forged a reputation as a centre of rigorous thinking and high-impact, transformative education, situated within one of the world's most prestigious research universities, and in the heart of the Cambridge Cluster, the most successful technology entrepreneurship cluster in Europe.

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To view more details about the role and person specification, please see the Further Particulars.

Closing Date: 24 April 2026

If you have any queries regarding the application process, please contact: hrsupport@jbs.cam.ac.uk. Please quote reference NS48099 on your application and in any correspondence about this vacancy.

Additional Information:

The University is supportive of hybrid working, where some work is undertaken on University premises and some in a remote working environment. The aim of our approach is to enable as many staff as possible to work in a hybrid way if they wish and where their role allows - we expect most colleagues to spend at least 50% of their time at their dedicated office location.

The University has a responsibility to ensure that all employees are eligible to live and work in the UK.

Apply online

Key information

Department/location

Judge Business School

Salary

£63,606-£67,468

Reference

NS48099

Category

Academic-related

Date published

10 April 2026

Closing date

24 April 2026