Programme Designer

Role: Programme Designer

Location: UK, London

Job type: Full time, permanent – hybrid  

This position offers a hybrid work model, allowing flexibility between working from home and our office. Typically, employees are expected to work 2 days in the office per week.

Why QS?

At QS, we believe that work should empower you. That’s why we foster a flexible working environment that encourages every employee to own their career whilst flourishing personally and professionally.

Our commitment to people development is recognised globally: QS is a Gold-accredited Investors in People organisation, placing us among the top 28% of workplaces worldwide. Our company values underpin everything we do – we collaborate, respect and support each other.

It’s our mission to empower motivated people around the world to fulfil their potential through higher education, ensuring that everyone has access to opportunities that change lives.

Our diversity makes us stronger. By sharing our experiences, we learn from one another and achieve more together, driving progress across the sector.

At QS, you’ll be responsible for implementing real change in the international higher education landscape. You’ll take on meaningful challenges that see a positive impact across the business and the wider sector.

We’re confident you’ll feel right at home here. QS was named as one of Newsweek’s Top 100 Most Loved Workplaces® in the UK (October 2023), recognising the respect, trust and appreciation that drive our culture every day.

As a Programme Designer, this is what you’ll be doing:

At QS, we bring together thousands of higher education leaders, government officials and industry experts to discuss emerging trends, build networks and partnerships, and share brand-new ideas through our suite of sector-leading Conferences and Summits.

As Programme Designer, you will play a pivotal role in shaping and delivering high-quality agendas for the suite of QS higher education Summits. This role requires a highly organised, proactive professional who can manage multiple workstreams, cultivate strong stakeholder relationships, and contribute ideas and action into thought-led Summit agendas. The Programme Designer will work closely with Content team, Conferences and Events team, Marketing, Regional Sales and Consulting teams, and external stakeholders to shape highly-engaging and insightful conference programmes. 

This role suits someone who thrives in a fast-paced environment, can take initiative, and brings knowledge of the global higher education sector. You’ll help shape high-profile global events that bring together leaders and innovators from across higher education. You’ll play a direct role in influencing agendas, curating speakers, and contributing to the narratives that guide sector conversations, making this a role with clear, visible impact. 

You’ll also gain valuable exposure to international trends, cross-functional collaboration, and strategic content development. With opportunities to take initiative, propose ideas, and grow your expertise, this role offers an exciting blend of creativity, relationship-building, and project ownership within a globally recognised organisation.

Role responsibilities

Developing Summit agendas, supporting ideation of panel topics, session themes, and regionally relevant content. 

Identifying potential speakers, contributors and thought leaders; manage outreach, invitations, and follow-up communication. 

Supporting speaker curation by preparing briefing notes, gathering bios and slide decks, and managing speaker preparation. 

Contributing ideas for content-led sponsorship opportunities. 

Conducting research on global and regional higher education trends to inform agenda planning and content positioning. 

Maintaining clear project timelines and trackers for each Summit, ensuring all planning milestones are met. 

Supporting Summit reporting processes including analysis of internal and delegate post-event feedback surveys. 

Supporting the development and management of the Summit proposal submission system, including tracking submissions and liaising with reviewers. 

This role will require some international travel to support on-site delivery of QS Summits, forums and conferences. 

Any other duties in line with the scope of the role.

Key skills and experience

Proven ability to manage complex programmes or multi-stream events, including planning, coordination and delivery. 

Stakeholder management capability, including experience working with senior leaders, external speakers, partners or cross-functional teams. 

Strong stakeholder management skills and confidence working with senior leaders and external speakers. 

Ability to work well under pressure, particularly during pre-Summit periods. 

A proactive, self-starting attitude with the confidence to take ownership of workstreams and implement improvements for future programme development.  

Strong writing and communication skills for content summaries, social posts, and briefing materials. 

Collaborative team player who works well across departments and cultures. 

Knowledge of the global higher education sector, including emerging trends and regional challenges. 

Familiarity with marketing or communications processes, including social media scheduling, asset coordination, or campaign inputs. 

Experience managing speaker engagement and identifying opportunities for content partnerships or collaborating with external organisations. 

Please note, if you don't meet all the criteria but believe you have the skills and passion to thrive in this role, we encourage you to apply.

So, who are we and what do we do?

QS is the world leader in higher education services, analytics, insights and intelligence. From consultancy to student mobility, academic partnerships to branding solutions, our services power both institutional and individual success.

We’re behind the world’s most widely read university rankings. With an 85% share of all Google searches for university rankings, the QS World University Rankings® reach hundreds of millions, shaping decisions and guiding futures.

Since launching in 1990, our impact and influence have only grown. Today, we work with more than 2,000 of the world’s leading higher education institutions, over 12,000 employers, and governments seeking change and socioeconomic development through higher education – while helping more than 75,000 students enrol each year.

Join QS and you’ll join an 800-strong community of problem-solvers, creators, collaborators and change-makers based in 40+ countries and 11
international offices, including Australia, Malaysia, India, Romania, Singapore, France, Germany, the USA and our headquarters in London.

With every talented new hire, business acquisition and bold initiative, we’re strengthening our reach and delivering even greater value to institutions and learners worldwide. Are you ready to shape the future of higher education?

We take investing in our people very seriously.

As standard you will have:

Competitive base salary

Access to an annual bonus scheme (for qualifying roles only)

25 days annual leave, plus bank holidays – increasing to 27 days after 5 years’

Access to a Buy Holiday scheme allowing you to buy up to 5 additional holiday days per year

Enhanced maternity and paternity leave

Generous pension through Royal London

Comprehensive private medical insurance and wellness scheme through Vitality

Cycle to work scheme

A vibrant social environment and multicultural and multinational culture

But that’s not all. Outside of these standard benefits we also offer resources to allow professional growth and wellness initiatives to nurture a healthy mindset:

Free subscription to the Calm App – the #1 app for sleep, meditation, and relaxation

A focus on welfare which is led by our global wellness team, with mental health first aiders globally

Access to a variety of diversity and inclusion initiatives and groups

Strong recognition and reward programs – including a peer-to-peer recognition platform, quarterly and annual QS Applaud Awards, Connect with your Career annual PD event

Support for volunteering and study leave

Free subscription to LinkedIn learning – with over 5000 courses and programmes at your fingertips

Options to join our outstanding global Mentorship programme

Like what you’ve heard? Great, apply now!

As a candidate, we know the application and interview process can be daunting and so it’s important that you have a great experience with us. Our dedicated Talent Team will work hard to ensure you are fully informed at all stages and you are really excited by this opportunity to do meaningful work in the education space.

Equal opportunities

QS Quacquarelli Symonds is proud to be a fair and equal organisation where everyone has the same opportunity to achieve their full potential, irrespective of their background or personal attributes. We celebrate our diversity and believe through sharing our experiences we can learn from one another, be stronger together, and enable our business to thrive. 

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