We are looking for someone with strong initiative, ownership and delivery instincts, who thrives in fast-moving environments, sees gaps before others do and naturally steps in to make things happen.

You will be a central operational force across a portfolio of innovation programmes connected to:

• AI and emerging technologies
• Entrepreneurship and start-up growth
• University innovation and knowledge exchange
• Regional economic development
• Founder communities and employer engagement
• Ecosystem building across Sussex and beyond

What success looks like:

This role is outcome driven. Your success will be measured not by simply “supporting projects”, but by your ability to help programmes run smoothly, professionally, and at a high standard. You will:

• Ensure exceptional operational coordination across multiple programmes simultaneously
• Coordinate well-managed workshops, founder sessions and stakeholder activities
• Maintain strong communication and follow-through across partners and participants
• Keep project tracking, reporting and operational visibility consistently accurate
• Improve systems, processes and delivery efficiency as programmes grow
• Maintain consistent momentum across fast-moving projects with multiple stakeholders

What’s in it for you:

We are an organisation that values our teams’ abilities, voices and unique differences. We have an inclusive and open culture driven by our values to support, educate and develop our people, embracing and prioritising diversity of talent, creative thinking and employee wellbeing.

Alongside our salary offer, we provide a competitive package of benefits, including flexible working options, “work from anywhere” days, 25 days’ paid holiday per year increasing with service, dedicated training and volunteering days, private health insurance, life assurance, and staff discounts on any of the available on-site services such as Sussex Sport. University campus facilities also include an Ofsted-rated ‘Outstanding’ nursery Little Pioneers, which is located directly opposite Sussex Innovation.

Sussex Innovation is proud to be an equal opportunity employer. All applicants will receive equal consideration irrespective of any protected characteristics. We celebrate diversity and are committed to creating an inclusive environment for all employees. Please note that you will be required to demonstrate your right to work in the UK.

We are a Disability Confident Committed employer and welcome applications from disabled people. If you require any reasonable adjustments to support you through the recruitment process, please don’t hesitate to get in touch with the team by email or by phoning us on 01273 704400 and speaking with our People, Culture & Operations Manager.

How to Apply:

Please send your CV and cover letter to Maria Bedoya-Toro, Head of Programmes and Operations. We know that AI can help write a polished CV or cover letter, and that’s completely fine. But what we genuinely care about is you: your ideas, energy, experience and the way you think.

Every application will be reviewed personally on a rolling basis, with a final deadline of 4pm on June 12, 2026. The expected start date for this role is mid-July 2026.

We are looking for someone with proven experience in project coordination, programme delivery or operations. What matters most is demonstrable ownership and delivery, not time served.

You may have come from a background in innovation support, startups, accelerators, entrepreneurship programmes, universities, events, consultancy, community building, or other fast-paced operational environments. Most importantly, we are looking for someone who:

• Takes ownership and has initiative
• Is highly organised and thrives managing multiple moving parts
• Communicates confidently with diverse stakeholders
• Learns quickly, adapts fast and stays calm under pressure
• Sees gaps before others do and steps in to solve problems
• Genuinely enjoys making ambitious projects happen