Clean Slate is seeking an experienced and strategic leader to join our Senior Leadership Team as Head of Programmes on a maternity cover basis.
This is a pivotal role responsible for overseeing the delivery of impactful services across all operational departments, ensuring our programmes continue to improve the financial wellbeing, resilience and life opportunities of people on low incomes.
As Head of Programmes, you will provide leadership to managers across the organisation, maintain strong relationships with funders and commissioners, oversee organisational performance and reporting, support business development and programme growth, and ensure that our services remain safe, compliant, effective and sustainable.
This role will suit an experienced leader who combines strategic thinking with strong operational management skills and who is passionate about creating meaningful change for people facing financial hardship.
About Clean Slate
At Clean Slate, we believe everyone should be able to provide for themselves and their family without paying the extra costs associated with poverty.
Our mission is to create meaningful, measurable change for people on low incomes, helping them become better off financially and more in control of their lives through money guidance, employment support and digital inclusion.
Role Overview
As Head of Programmes, you will oversee the successful delivery, performance and development of Clean Slate's services nationally. Working as a member of the Senior Leadership Team, you will contribute to organisational strategy, support business growth and ensure programmes achieve both their social impact and financial objectives.
You will provide leadership and support to departmental managers, oversee organisational reporting and performance monitoring, maintain relationships with key funders and stakeholders, and ensure that systems, processes and compliance arrangements support high-quality service delivery.
A key element of the role will be identifying opportunities for growth, supporting funding and commissioning opportunities, and ensuring services continue to evolve to meet the needs of the communities we serve.
Key Responsibilities
Strategic Leadership
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Act as a member of the Senior Leadership Team, contributing to organisational strategy, planning and decision-making.
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Lead the implementation of organisational objectives across all programme delivery functions.
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Champion continuous improvement, innovation and service excellence.
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Support the development and implementation of policies, procedures and organisational systems.
Programme Oversight & Operational Management
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Oversee the delivery of all services and programmes, ensuring quality, compliance and impact.
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Support managers to achieve contractual targets, performance objectives and growth ambitions.
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Monitor programme performance, budgets and operational risks.
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Ensure sufficient staffing capacity and effective workforce planning across departments.
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Drive consistency, quality assurance and best practice across all service areas.
Leadership & People Management
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Line manage senior managers and support effective leadership throughout the organisation.
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Promote accountability, performance management and staff development.
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Support managers to identify training needs and implement development plans.
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Foster a positive culture that prioritises staff wellbeing, inclusion and professional growth.
Reporting, Data & Systems
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Oversee organisational performance monitoring and impact measurement.
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Lead reporting for commissioners, funders, trustees and senior leadership.
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Ensure the organisation's CRM and reporting systems are effectively managed and utilised to support performance, compliance and decision-making.
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Use data and insight to inform continuous improvement and organisational development.
Business Development & Partnerships
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Support the development of new programmes, services and funding opportunities.
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Work closely with the Managing Director and fundraising teams on commissioning opportunities, funding applications and growth initiatives.
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Maintain and strengthen relationships with funders, commissioners and strategic partners.
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Represent Clean Slate at external meetings, partnership forums and networking events.
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Support the organisation's reputation as a leading voice on financial wellbeing and poverty reduction.
Governance, Compliance & Risk
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Ensure compliance with safeguarding, health and safety, data protection and cyber security requirements.
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Oversee risk management processes and contribute to organisational governance.
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Ensure services operate in line with contractual, regulatory and quality standards.
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Promote a culture of accountability, safeguarding and continuous learning.
About You
We are looking for a strategic and collaborative leader with experience managing complex services, leading managers and driving organisational performance.
You will bring:
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Significant experience leading programmes, services or operational teams.
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Experience managing managers and supporting organisational growth.
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Strong strategic planning and organisational development skills.
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Experience working with funders, commissioners and external stakeholders.
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A track record of delivering impactful services and achieving performance targets.
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Experience overseeing reporting, monitoring, evaluation and quality assurance processes.
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Strong understanding of performance management, compliance and risk management.
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Excellent communication, relationship-building and influencing skills.
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Experience using CRM and reporting systems to support operational delivery and organisational performance.
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A commitment to Clean Slate's mission and values.
Desirable
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Experience within financial inclusion, employability, community development or related sectors.
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Knowledge of commissioning, fundraising or business development.
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Understanding of issues affecting people on low incomes, including financial exclusion and the poverty premium.
Why Join Clean Slate?
This is an opportunity to play a key leadership role within a growing organisation that is changing lives across the UK.
You'll help shape strategy, support talented teams, strengthen partnerships and ensure our programmes continue to deliver meaningful, measurable impact for the people and communities we serve.
We want to see a world where people can provide for themselves and their family, where it does not cost more to be poor.


The client requests no contact from agencies or media sales.
Corporate Partnerships Manager, Primary Science Teaching Trust
Key info:
- Salary £40,000 - £50,000 p/a (35 hours a week)
- Home based, The role will require regular travel to PSTT’s premises in Bristol (at least 1 day per month)
- Closing midnight Wednesday 15th July 2026
- Annual leave of 28 days, which can be taken flexibly throughout the year with 3 days to be taken at Christmas
- Enhanced maternity pay and adoption pay, contributory pension scheme (5% employer contribution), 24/7 access to an Employee Assistance Programme
Role
PSTT’s long term vision is: Excellent primary school teaching in every primary school in the UK.
The goal of PSTT is to make science more accessible and attractive to children of primary school age throughout the UK. Research has shown that children’s interest in science is shaped before they leave primary school. That makes it vital for them to have a positive experience of science from their early years onwards.
The Corporate Partnerships Manager is responsible for developing and implementing plans to maximise income from corporate partners and trusts and foundations There is huge scope to develop both income streams at PSTT as this is a newly created position with the responsibility for growing and further developing these income streams.
This is an exciting role for a candidate who wants to grow and shape the income stream, and demonstrate their personal impact on generating income, and providing partners with an incredible supporter experience. There will be an element of change as the organisation embeds an internal culture that effectively supports fundraising.
This specialist manager role would suit someone who is already operating at a senior fundraiser or manager level, or someone who can demonstrate experience of developing a corporate and/or trusts & foundations pipeline, creating operational plans and delivering income. PSTT is an organisation with big ambitions so a background that includes working within a smaller charity would be helpful for the candidate to have but isn't essential.
Please download the Candidate Info Pack provided for further information about the role, timelines and next steps.
Please note, we cannot shortlist candidates who have not had a screening call so please allow enough time to have a call before the closing date.
Closing date for applications: Midnight Wednesday 15th July 2026
Interviews are expected to be held on the week commencing Monday 20th July in person.