Job Title: Christmas Lectures Project Manager
Location: Albemarle Street and other locations as needed
Contract type: Full time, Fixed Term Contract (June 2025 – Jan 2026) with potential for extension subject to funding
Salary: £40k - £42k pro rated for the term of the contract
The Royal Institution (Ri) is an independent charity which has been connecting people with science for over 200 years. The Ri has inspired generations of scientists over the years whose discoveries have helped shape our modern world.
The Ri has a clear vision that ‘Science is for Everyone’ and it is our belief that everyone should have equitable access to science. Through our packed event programme available in person or online, our UK schools outreach and social impact initiatives, and our global digital reach including over 1.6m YouTube subscribers we achieve our mission by connecting people with scientists to explore science together.
Started by Michael Faraday in 1825, and broadcast on national television every year, the CHRISTMAS LECTURES from the Royal Institution are the UK's flagship science series. The three-part series is filmed in front of a live audience in the Ri’s famous lecture theatre and watched by millions on the BBC over the festive period and on BBC iPlayer and the Ri YouTube channel afterwards. 2025 is especially significant as it is the 200th anniversary of the series.
Would you like to be at the heart of one of the world's most famous science lecture series?
We have an exciting opportunity for a Project Manager to lead the preparations and execution of the CHRISTMAS LECTURES series, working with academic researchers, a TV production company, multi-media content developers, science communication professionals and an ‘assortment of kids, animals and unpredictable props’
The CHRISTMAS LECTURES team is made up of about 20 people, a mix of Ri employees, interns and contractors; as Project Manager you will oversee and coordinate the team, the project schedule, and budgets and manage a Project Coordinator and PhD intern to deliver the series of events, activities and resources aimed at a 11 to 17-year-old target audience. You will work closely with the TV Production Company to ensure the detailed schedule for the entire production runs smoothly and with the Executive Producer to coordinate the development of the script.
Do you have;
- A track record of managing complex multi-stakeholder projects successfully to fixed deadlines– perhaps in a production/show environment
- Fantastic communication skills
- Meticulous attention to detail and ability to track status of tasks, risks, and issues
- Track record of managing key stakeholder relationships
- Ability to work across diverse teams and bring out the best in people
If so, and you’d like to be at the heart of one of the world's most famous science lecture series, we'd love to hear from you!
Interested?
Please review the full job description and person specification, and send your CV and a supporting statement (no more than 500 words) explaining why you are interested in the role and how your skills and experience meet the criteria set out in the person specification to recruitment@ri.ac.uk by 10.00am on Tuesday 22 April.
Interviews are planned for w/c 28 April