PUBLIC is committed to building a diverse and inclusive workplace. We are an equal opportunity employer and welcome applicants of all different backgrounds, experiences, and perspectives. Candidates from non-traditional backgrounds and underrepresented groups are strongly encouraged to apply.

PUBLIC is seeking a Programme Manager to deliver a challenge based programme focussed on finding, assessing and deploying technology startups addressing the most pressing challenges in our societies.

The Programme Manager will be the key figure representing PUBLIC to the customer and other external stakeholders during the programme, whilst maintaining strategic oversight of operations. 

As Programme Manager, your main responsibilities will fall within the challenge based programme, specifically:

• Sourcing and selecting the most applicable startups and SME’s to solve each challenge.
  

  
  This would include operations, digital marketing, outreach to networks in the investor and accelerator communities. This would also utilise the Market Engagement events. Once a pipeline is generated, the Programme Manager will have to deploy a thorough appraisal process of prospective SMEs including a written application, a screening call, an interview with external reviewers, a due diligence process and a final 'investment committee' to decide on selected SMEs.
  

• Executing a mentorship based programme to support each company in solving each challenge.
  

  
  Once each company is selected, the Programme Manager will be involved in designing, and in charge of executing, a mentorship based programme of subject matter experts for each company, tailored to ensure the best possible success from each challenge. For each of these items, they will have the opportunity to draw upon the resources and expertise of the broader PUBLIC team and recruit specialist business mentors.

• Being the main point of contact for the customer, providing comprehensive reporting on the programme.

  The Programme Manager will be responsible for liaising and managing relationships with the customer throughout the programme, ensuring timely communication on progress and upcoming schedule.

  This will include running steering meetings, providing weekly and monthly reporting and compiling a final summary report upon completion of the project.

Additionally, with other exciting activities in the pipeline, there will be ample opportunity for the Programme Manager to support other business lines and learn from experts in startups, investing, technology and government.

What you will bring to PUBLIC

• Excellent knowledge of the startup and SME ecosystem, including having an understanding of key companies, investors, events and conferences and individuals.

• Experience of working in, or with startups or SMEs.

• Extremely strong interpersonal skills, and the ability to excite people in PUBLIC’s mission and the potential of the accelerator.

• Demonstrable interest in startups and SMEs with public sector applications.

• The ability to deliver on a high-volume of diverse tasks.

• Past experience in managing projects or events to a high level organisation and presentation. (This can be in a professional, academic or extra-curricular context).

• A high level of resourcefulness and determination. 

• Enthusiasm for working in a dynamic and fast-paced environment.

Desirable skills

• Experience working in a technology focussed accelerator.

• Strong public speaking skills.

What you don’t need 

• A traditional educational background.

Selection Process

To be selected for the role, candidates will have to complete:

• A competency based interview testing the potential fit for the role, in the week of January 18th.

• A culture based interview - testing the potential cultural fit within PUBLIC.

• The completion of a short task outside of the interview. No prior knowledge will be required to be successful at this task.
  

PUBLIC helps technology startups transform public services. We help entrepreneurs with the brightest and most innovative ideas transform the public services we all benefit from, providing them with the insight, support, networks and capital they need to progress their business and improve the lives of citizens.


We are a team of passionate problem solvers with a diverse range of skills and backgrounds aiming to use technology to solve major public and societal problems.
PUBLIC was founded by Daniel Korski CBE, a former adviser to the British Prime Minister, and Alexander de Carvalho, a venture investor, and is backed by prominent investors such as Brent Hoberman, Robin Klein and Charlie Songhurst and high-level advisers like, former Chief of Defence Staff General David Richards and Lord Mark Malloch-Brown, the former Deputy UN Secretary-General. 

PUBLIC runs an accelerator programme (GovStart) which supports ten companies annually in London and  Berlin and runs city-based challenge competitions for example with the Danish government. The company also incubates and invests directly in startups and runs an in-house think tank which produces publicly-available reports on innovation in public services. Since its creation in 2016, PUBLIC has made investments in over forty startups - including startups working on improving midwifery services, social care, border management and traffic control.