Programme Manager - European City Leadership Initiative (gn)

About Executive Education at the Hertie School

Our   Executive Education   department develops customised training programmes for high-profile international delegations and conducts capacity-building and consulting projects for clients in the private, public,   and NGO sectors.  

About the Bloomberg LSE European City Leadership Initiative

The Bloomberg LSE European City Leadership Initiative is a pioneering programme to help mayors and their teams across the continent strengthen leadership skills, drive public sector innovation, and tackle complex urban challenges to deliver tangible results for residents in new ways. The initiative, established by Bloomberg Philanthropies, is delivered by LSE Cities in collaboration with the Hertie School.

To support the planning and operational implementation of the European City Leadership Initiative (ECLI), we are seeking a:

Programme Manager - European City Leadership Initiative (gn)

on a full-time basis (40 hours/week), with a contract initially limited until 30 June 2027, and the opportunity to extend for further years within the project duration.

The Programme Manager will be a vital member of the ECLI programme team within the Hertie School’s Executive Education department, overseeing the operational delivery of the annual four-day Senior Leaders executive training track.

Your tasks:

  • Lead the operational delivery of the Senior Leaders track within ECLI at the Hertie School, ensuring high-quality execution across all programme phases (planning, preparation, delivery, and follow-up), in close coordination with the broader ECLI team.
  • Act as a central coordination point across the Hertie School and LSE Cities, ensuring aligned and integrated delivery of the ECLI programme across both institutions.
  • Coordinate programme logistics and delivery planning, acting as the central coordination point between the Hertie School delivery team, the Bloomberg-managed events team, and relevant external service providers, ensuring seamless implementation across all programme components.
  • Support the planning and delivery of additional ECLI activities throughout the year, including annual reunions, CGI Summit, and other alumni-focused engagements, ensuring consistency and alignment across the initiative.
  • Drive internal workflows and cross-functional coordination (faculty/academic, operations, finance, communications) required for effective and timely programme implementation.
  • Work closely with the ECLI Executive Education team and faculty to align academic content, operational planning, and participant experience.
  • Ensure close operational alignment with initiative partners, including Bloomberg Philanthropies, on delivery priorities, milestones, and programme implementation.
  • Manage programme timelines, milestones, and deliverables, ensuring operational readiness and quality assurance throughout.
  • Support financial and contractual management of the programme in coordination with the finance manager.
  • Track costs, maintain accurate documentation, and contribute to internal and external reporting requirements.
  • Ensure continuity of programme operations across the Senior Leaders track and broader ECLI activities through structured documentation, knowledge management, and process improvement.
Your profile:

  • Master’s degree, preferably in the fields of social or political sciences; an international academic and professional background is a plus.
  • At least five years of relevant professional experience, ideally in international cooperation and development, urban governance, the public sector, civil society, or a higher education institution.
  • Excellent organisational skills, an analytical mindset, and a proactive, detail-oriented, and efficient work style.
  • Knowledge of budgeting and project reporting.
  • Excellent time-management skills and a solid understanding of international project management.
  • Ability to work with diverse, international, and multidisciplinary teams as well as high-level international groups.
  • Excellent Microsoft Office skills (especially Excel).
  • Excellent command of English (written and spoken); German language skills are desirable. Additional languages are welcome.   
We offer:

  30 days paid holidays per year and up to 20 days workation possible

  Flexible Working Hours

  Good Traffic Connections

  International and diverse work environment

  Commuter Ticket

  Mobile working possible

A unique opportunity to shape a pioneering programme with substantial impact on European urban governance. A stimulating, international, and diverse environment in multiple areas of social science, high-quality teaching, and public policy. The Hertie School is a vibrant academic community that emphasises excellence in research and teaching as well as an interdisciplinary perspective. Our school offers a family-friendly work environment in higher education and is an equal opportunity employer.

The deadline for full consideration is 14 April 2026. To apply, please submit an up-to-date CV, a short cover letter, and references. Applications will be considered on a rolling basis, so we encourage you to apply early. 

Please contact Frank Garrison, Deputy Head of Operations and Programmes | Executive Education, for further information about the position.

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