We are working on behalf of a mission-driven, London-based organisation seeking an experienced and strategic Programme Manager to lead the delivery of a groundbreaking initiative aimed at improving the workplace experiences of Black employees across the UK.

This role will drive the development of a national Black Equity Index — a benchmarking tool designed to measure how UK employers are supporting, advancing, and retaining Black talent. The project will begin with a research-led deep dive into the lived experiences of Black employees and will culminate in a data-informed Index aimed at fostering long-term, systemic change.

This is a fixed-term role for 12 months, with a strong possibility of being extended or made permanent (though this cannot be guaranteed at this stage).

What You’ll Be Working On

The role will be delivered in two distinct project phases:

Phase 1: Research and Insight – Black Voices at Work Report

• Lead the design and delivery of a national survey capturing the experiences of Black employees across diverse sectors.
• Collect and analyse both quantitative and qualitative data on themes such as fairness, progression, inclusion, and workplace culture.
• Produce a comprehensive state-of-the-nation report, identifying key trends, disparities, and areas for change.
• Engage directly with employees, HR teams, and relevant stakeholders to ensure the research is grounded in lived experience and sector realities.

Phase 2: Development of the Black Equity Index

• Translate research findings into a credible, data-driven benchmarking Index.
• Engage with a wide network of employers (targeting 1,000–2,000 organisations) to gather organisational data across the following themes:
• Leadership commitment and policies
• Recruitment, progression, and retention
• Workplace culture and employee experience
• Data transparency and monitoring
• Training and awareness initiatives
• Employee voice and staff networks
• External engagement and community impact
• Shape a robust and meaningful framework that employers can use to measure and improve racial equity outcomes.

Working Arrangements

• This is a hybrid role based in London Bridge. The team meets in-person every Tuesday, with the rest of the week being remote.
• You will report to the Director of Communications and work closely with internal teams, external stakeholders, and a newly formed Advisory Group guiding the Index’s development.

Who We’re Looking For

We’re looking for a strategic, data-savvy individual who combines a deep understanding of race equity in the workplace with strong project leadership and stakeholder engagement skills.

The ideal candidate will:

• Have a research or data-led background, ideally with experience delivering similar benchmarking or policy-impact projects.
• Be confident in qualitative and quantitative research, data synthesis, and insight generation.
• Be skilled in building trust and engaging sensitively with participants on nuanced and personal topics.
• Demonstrate strong knowledge and commitment to Equality, Diversity & Inclusion (EDI) — especially around racial equity.
• Be comfortable liaising with a range of stakeholders including employers, HR teams, EDI leaders, and research institutions.
• Bring experience managing external engagement, facilitating roundtables, and shaping high-impact public reports.

Why This Role Matters

This is a unique opportunity to shape a national conversation around workplace racial equity and to design a tool that could influence organisational behaviour, inform public policy, and significantly improve outcomes for Black employees across the UK.