Are you a highly organised project leader with a track record of developing rigorous and impactful processes? Do you want to lead the delivery of the nationally-recognised accreditation transforming mental health in higher education? This could be the role for you.
We’re looking for a methodical and strategic Programme Manager (Award) to manage the end-to-end delivery of University Mental Health Charter (UMHC) Award and act as key spokesperson for the programme.
You’ll play a vital role in ensuring that the Award upholds its standards and values, and continues to develop and scale, supporting positive change for staff and students at universities across the UK.
About the role
- Lead the delivery of the nationally-recognised accreditation for mental health in higher education: the University Mental Health Charter Award.
- The UMHC Award recognises universities that promote the mental health and wellbeing of their university communities and supports them to continually improve.
- You will own the end-to-end management of a complex, high-profile and impactful programme, balancing administrative excellence and strategic development.
Key responsibilities
- Drive the Award lifecycle, from onboarding universities, coordinating our network of assessors and managing the Award panel.
- Scale and continually improve the Award process, ensuring it remains rigorous, impactful and values-led.
- Act as key spokesperson and point of contact for universities and other stakeholders.
- Responsible for budget, risk and line management.
What we’re looking for
- Proven track record of managing complex projects.
- Experience developing, maintaining and improving robust systems and processes.
- A rigorous approach to accuracy and quality control.
- Comfortable holding difficult conversations with stakeholders at all levels.
- A commitment to co-production, equality, anti-racism and an interest in mental health.
Find out more about the essential criteria for this role by downloading our Recruitment Pack from the documents section.
What you will gain
- The chance to contribute to a high-impact national programme supporting better mental health for university communities across the UK.
- Experience in a varied role with opportunities to learn and develop.
- A supportive and collaborative workplace culture that values wellbeing.
- Flexibility in how and where you work.
How to apply
If this sounds like a good fit, we’d love to hear from you!
- Click “Redirect to recruiter”, then scroll to the 'Vacancies and volunteering' section of our 'Join our team' page to access the job listing.
- Download the recruitment pack in the document section at the bottom of this page, where you’ll find more information about the role including responsibilities and person specifications.
- Download and complete our application form - instead of collecting CVs, we use an application form to ensure fairness and equal opportunity for all.
- Please refrain from including any identifying details in your application answers.
- Upload your completed application form as a word document.
- Please note that once you start your application on our portal, you will have 24 hours to upload your completed form. Before clicking 'Apply' and beginning the application process, make sure your form is fully completed and ready to upload.
- Complete the Equality Monitoring Form.
Student Minds is committed to building an inclusive team and welcomes applications from people of all backgrounds and walks of life.
Registered Charity 
11 - 20
Thank you!
Location: HMP Ashfield
Department: Prison delivery
Salary: £29,264
Hours: Full time (35 hours)
Contract Type: Permanent
Do you want to join an organisation committed to addressing low literacy levels amongst people in prison?
Shannon Trust are delighted to be working with His Majesty’s Prison & Probation Service (HMPPS) to provide peer-led learning programmes at HMP Ashfield. Working closely with the prison and their staff, people in prison, Shannon Trust volunteers and mentors, this post will lead the delivery and development of our literacy and numeracy programmes at HMP Ashfield, maximising opportunities for people in prison to learn. This role also includes providing daily assistance in the running of the prison library and of library outreach including facilitation of activity groups.
Ideally you will have some experience working within a prison environment, underpinned by the ability to build relationships and personal qualities that include resilience, determination and a problem-solving approach. You will have a love for reading and be able to help inspire others (including those who find reading difficult) to enjoy all of the benefits of reading for pleasure.
The role is prison-based. Employee benefits include a company contribution to pension scheme of up to 5%, 30 days holiday plus bank holidays, life insurance, paid volunteering days, discounts via Reward Gateway and an Employee Assistance Programme. The biggest benefit though is our culture – our people really want to work for the organisation.
?We welcome job applications from people with lived experience of the criminal justice system and do not routinely ask for details of any criminal convictions. These roles do require prison security clearance, so we will need to ask for details of any relevant criminal convictions before an offer of employment is finalised.
?Interviews are planned for 9th April 2026
REF-226 987
Thank you!
Hours: Various
Contract type: Bank
Location: Bristol Region (HMP Leyhill, HMP Ashfield, HMP Eastwood Park and HMP Bristol)
Do you want to join an organisation committed to addressing low literacy levels amongst people in prison?
Shannon Trust are delighted to be working with His Majesty’s Prison & Probation Service (HMPPS) to provide peer-led learning programmes across a number of prisons. To ensure the continuation of our programmes during times of staff absence, we are now seeking to recruit a Prison Facilitator/Library Assistant on a bank working basis to work across the Bristol region (HMP Leyhill, HMP Ashfield, HMP Eastwood Park and HMP Bristol). Working closely with prisons and their staff, people in prison, Shannon Trust volunteers and mentors, this post will support with the delivery and development of our literacy and numeracy programme in the area, maximising opportunities for people in prison to learn to read.
You will have experience working within prison settings underpinned by the ability to build relationships quickly and personal qualities that include resilience, determination and a problem-solving approach. You will also have a willingness to travel, sometimes at short notice, to provide short or long term cover within the prisons in this area.
This role will be prison-based. This is a bank role and so the number of days to be worked will vary and are not guaranteed. Employee benefits include a company contribution to pension scheme of up to 5%, 30 days holiday plus bank holidays, life insurance, discounts via Reward Gateway and an Employee Assistance Programme. The biggest benefit though is our culture – our people really want to work for the organisation.
We welcome job applications from people with lived experience of the criminal justice system and do not routinely ask for details of any criminal convictions. These roles do require prison security clearance, so we will need to ask for details of any relevant criminal convictions before an offer of employment is finalised.
We reserve the right to withdraw this role early if it is filled internally
Closing date: 12th March 2026
Applications for this role will be reviewed on a rolling basis, and interviews may be held before the closing date so early applications are encouraged.
REF-226 819