Corporate Development Programme Manager

At Informa, no two days and no two people are the same, and you'll find the freedom, opportunity, and support of a fantastic community to make a real impact. We’re an international business that connects specialists with knowledge, helping them to learn more, know more and do more through live and on demand events, digital and data-driven services, and academic research. We are home to over 14,000 colleagues across 30 countries and are a member of the UK’s FTSE 100 group of leading public companies. In Global Support, we provide expert guidance and hands‑on support to the Informa Group and Informa’s many business teams. Across tech, finance, legal, corporate development, HR, communications, operations, and many other areas, we work collaboratively and flexibly to help our brands serve their customers and help the company succeed. Job Description This role is based in our 5 Howick Place office. Are you a programme manager who thrives on bringing clarity to complexity? Do you enjoy working through detail to uncover root causes and align stakeholders around practical, fact‑based solutions? If so, this could be your next challenge. We’re looking for an organised, collaborative, and solutions‑focused individual to join our Group Corporate Development team. In this pivotal role, you'll help drive some of the most significant initiatives in our organisation—from M&A to strategic disposals and integrations—ensuring they’re delivered effectively, with precision and accountability. This is an ideal opportunity for someone who enjoys influencing outcomes behind the scenes, coordinating cross‑functional activity, and ensuring that big‑picture strategies translate into structured, well‑managed delivery. Key Responsibilities As Corporate Development Programme Manager, you’ll play a vital role in ensuring our M&A activity and related strategic programs are governed, resourced, and executed with excellence. You'll work closely with senior stakeholders, divisional teams, and functional leads to make sure issues are surfaced, solved, and documented—while continually refining the frameworks that support delivery. You will serve as a central control point across Divisions and Group Functions, clarifying responsibilities, monitoring delivery, and escalating issues when needed. Maintain and evolve the Group’s M&A delivery framework, ensuring effective governance, communications, and cost management. Engage with stakeholders early in the deal cycle to align expectations and coordinate pre‑deal activity. Provide regular updates and briefings to over 30 internal stakeholders, ensuring clear and timely information flow. Onboard new stakeholders to the M&A process and help integrate them into our delivery approach. Integration and Disposal Oversight Monitor the progress of integrations and disposals, ensuring key operational activities stay on track, with delivery risks and process issues escalated for visibility and resolution. Lead weekly reviews with functional leads to identify, track, and escalation any issues or risks. Step into direct programme management roles on specific deals when required. Capability & Process Development Capture lessons learned from each deal to improve future performance and refine playbooks. Maintain and enhance tools, templates and methodologies that support delivery—ensuring they are scalable and user‑friendly. Continuously challenge and evolve our M&A operating model to support a wide range of deal types. Stakeholder Engagement & Advocacy Be a key point of coordination between Group Services and Divisions, ensuring a consistent and joined‑up approach. Help resolve conflicts by facilitating discussions, aligning interests, and documenting agreed outcomes. Support the Corporate Development leadership in responding to ad hoc queries, audit needs, and risk‑related matters. Resourcing & Support Support stakeholders in applying the M&A delivery framework effectively, acting as a coach and point of contact for tools, templates, and process queries. Where needed, provide cover and analytical support across the internal investment process. Help manage resourcing allocations for Group‑level M&A programmes. Support the wider corporate development agenda, including investment planning and transformation projects as required. Qualifications What We’re Looking For We’re looking for someone who is curious, resilient, and pragmatic—someone who enjoys working behind the scenes to connect dots, resolve issues, and drive clarity. You’ll need a blend of structure, emotional intelligence, and the ability to remain composed under pressure. Programme management experience in a large, complex organisation—ideally FTSE100 or equivalent. Familiarity with the M&A lifecycle (even if not a technical M&A expert). A natural coordinator—able to work across functions, manage stakeholders and bring structure to ambiguity. Proven problem‑solving ability—comfortable going deep into detail to get to root causes. Strong written and verbal communication skills, with the confidence to lead meetings and navigate sensitive conversations. A proactive mindset—driven by continuous improvement and a bias for action. Comfortable managing multiple workstreams, with excellent organisational skills. Why Join Us? This is a rare chance to work on some of the most important strategic initiatives in the organisation, while also shaping how we deliver them. You’ll work closely with senior leaders and have exposure across the Group, but in a role that values operational rigour over corporate theatre. You’ll have the opportunity to: Influence outcomes at a Group level Drive real change through practical delivery Grow your internal profile and strategic skillset Whether you’re looking to deepen your programme management expertise or step into a more strategic delivery role, this position offers scope to learn, shape, and make a lasting impact. Additional Information We believe that great things happen when people connect face‑to‑face. That's why we work in‑person with each other, or with customers and partners, three days a week or more. When you’re not spending time together in one of our offices or other workplaces – like at an Informa event – you get the flexibility and support to work from home or remotely. We work hard to make sure Life at Informa is rewarding, supportive and enjoyable for everyone. Here’s some of what you can expect when you join us. But don’t just take our word for it – see what we have to sayLifeAt.Informa.com Our benefits include: Great community:a welcoming culture with in‑person and online social events, our fantastic Walk the World charity day and active diversity and inclusion networks Broader impact:take up to four days per year to volunteer, with charity match funding available too Career opportunity:the opportunity to develop your career with bespoke training and learning, mentoring platforms and on-demand access to thousands of courses on LinkedIn Learning. When it’s time for the next step, we encourage and support internal job moves Time out:25 days annual leave, rising to 27 days after two years, plus a birthday leave day and the chance to work from (almost) anywhere for up to 4 weeks a year A flexible range of personal benefits to choose from, plus company funded private medical cover A ShareMatch scheme that allows you to become an Informa shareholder with free matching shares Strong wellbeing support through EAP assistance, mental health first aiders, a healthy living subsidy, access to health apps and more Recognition for great work, with global awards and kudos programmes As an international company, the chance to collaborate with teams around the world We’re not solely focused on a checklist of skills. We champion energy and ambition and look for colleagues who will roll their sleeves up, join in and help make things happen. If it sounds like a match and you have most – although not all – of the skills and experience listed, we welcome your application. If you would like to request reasonable adjustments or accommodations to assist your participation in the hiring process and, or in the advertised position, please inform the appropriate Talent Acquisition Partner for the role once they have been in touch. Your request will be reviewed and considered in confidence. At Informa, you’ll find inclusive experiences and environments where all perspectives and backgrounds are welcomed. As part of this approach and our diversity and inclusion commitments, we are also formally an Equal Opportunities Employer. This means we base decisions on relevant qualifications and merit and do not discriminate on the basis of key characteristics and statuses, including all of those protected by law. Ask us or see our website for full information. 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