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Main Role & Responsibilities
The post holder is required to provide strategic leadership and oversight of all programme activity, ensuring all activity is delivered and evaluated effectively and in alignment with organisational goals.
The successful candidate will lead and develop programme teams and oversee engagement, planning and delivery, and monitor risk and opportunities. They will develop strong relationships representing the organisation externally, and ensure programmes demonstrate clear impact and meet quality standards.
Role Requirements
Duties will include but not be limited to:
Strategic Leadership & Direction
- Lead all programme activity and ensure alignment with organisational goals
- Translate vision and strategic goals into actionable programme, content and priorities
- Identify opportunities for growth, innovation, and impact
- Contribute to wider organisational strategy and oversee the operationalisation of strategic goals
- Work closely with other heads of services to support strategic development
Programme Development & Design
- Oversee the development and evolution of programmes, content, and resources
- Ensure programmes are evidence-based, relevant, and high quality, aligning with quality standards, working closely with the insights team
- Lead needs assessments and stakeholder consultations to understand programme needs
- Embed inclusivity, accessibility, and best practice in all programme design
Programme Delivery & Operations
- Oversee the planning, implementation and delivery of all programmes
- Develop systems, processes, and timelines for consistent execution
- Manage programme budgets and resource allocation
- Identify and mitigate risks to delivery
- Identify opportunities for commercialisation of products and services
Performance, Monitoring & Impact Measurement
- Define KPIs and success metrics aligned to organisational outcomes
- Analyse data to assess programme effectiveness and impact
- Use insights to drive continuous improvement and strategic decisions
- Report on performance to senior leadership, funders, and stakeholders
Stakeholder & Partnership Management
· Build and maintain strong relationships with:
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- Partners and collaborators
- Funders and commissioners
- Community or beneficiary groups
- Represent the organisation externally at meetings, events, and networks
- Identify and develop strategic partnerships to enhance programme reach
Team Leadership & Management
- Lead, manage, and develop the delivery leadership team
- Participate in strategic development and oversee work within delivery and impact portfolio
- Work closely with other heads of services to provide support to the SLT
- Set clear objectives, expectations, and performance standards
- Provide coaching, mentoring, and professional development opportunities
- Foster a collaborative, inclusive, and high-performing team culture
Quality Assurance & Governance
- Ensure programmes meet quality standards and organisational policies
- Maintain compliance with relevant regulations and safeguarding requirements
- Oversee documentation, reporting, and accountability processes
Resource & Content Oversight
- Ensure the development of high-quality programme materials and resources
- Oversee content consistency, branding, and alignment with organisational values
- Ensure resources are accessible and effectively utilised
Financial Oversight
- Manage programme budgets and ensure cost-effective delivery
- Monitor expenditure and ensure alignment with funding requirements
- Support fundraising and contribute to funding proposals as required
Innovation & Continuous Improvement
- Work with Insight and Innovation team to stay informed of sector trends and best practices
- Encourage innovation in programme design and delivery
- Pilot and scale new approaches based on evidence and feedback
· Oversee development of all programmes and associated content and resources
Person Specification
Essential
· Educated to degree level or have the equivalent experience
· A detailed understanding of education, Health and Social Care and family services and how to engage these sectors
· Confident leader with previous demonstrable experience in overseeing multiple programmes or portfolios with matrix management experience
· Proven track record of developing, delivering, and scaling programmes with measurable impact
· Experience working with a range of stakeholders, including partners, funders, and communities
· Experience managing budgets and resources effectively
· Experience of delivering regional and national programmes
· Strong understanding of programme design, delivery, and lifecycle management
· Understanding of partnership working and stakeholder engagement approaches
· Awareness of relevant policy, regulatory, and safeguarding requirements
· Strong strategic thinking skills with the ability to translate vision into actionable plans
· Excellent planning, organisational, and project management skills
· Ability to manage multiple priorities and complex programmes simultaneously
· Strong analytical skills with the ability to interpret data and drive continuous improvement
· Ability to define KPIs and measure programme success effectively
· Excellent interpersonal and communication skills, with the ability to influence and build relationships
· Proven ability to lead, motivate, and develop teams through coaching and performance management
· Strong commitment to quality, impact, and continuous improvement
· Collaborative and inclusive leadership style
· High level of integrity, accountability, and professionalism
· Adaptable and resilient in a dynamic and changing environment
· Passionate about the organisation’s mission and values
Desirable
· Experience of working in gambling harms prevention sector or another similar or related field
· Experience of operationalising strategic plans
· Experience in developing harm prevention programmes and or interventions
· Knowledge of sector trends, innovation, and best practice
· Leadership qualification
· An understanding of public health frameworks and approach to harm prevention
· An understanding of PSHE, PSE, Learning for Life and Work
Registered Charity 
21 - 50
The client requests no contact from agencies or media sales.
Thank you!
Today, 12 children and young people will be diagnosed with cancer. We’ll stop at nothing to make sure they get the right care and support at the right time.
- Directorate: Innovation, Policy & Systems Change
- Reporting into: Associate Director of Research, Learning and Systems Change
- Colleagues reporting into role: No direct reports at present. However, coaching and managing of volunteers and/or consultants is expected.
- Location: You can be home-based anywhere in the UK, with travel for meetings. You can also choose to work from our Bristol or London offices.
- Closing date: Monday 8 June at 12 midday
- Interview dates: Monday 15 June and Tuesday 16 June (please tell us in your application if you cannot attend interview on one of these days)
Change lives in a life-changing career
When a child or young person is diagnosed with cancer, their whole world can feel like it’s falling apart. Independence is taken and confidence is stolen. Stability no longer exists. The future suddenly feels uncertain.
The impact of cancer on young lives is more than medical. And that impact can be felt by entire family. That’s why we exist. Our specialist social workers help children and young people with cancer and their families navigate the emotional and practical impact of cancer.
We remove barriers, solve problems and prioritise well-being. And we stop at nothing to make their voices heard and their unique needs understood, so they can get the right care and support at the right time.
About the role
We’re looking for a Head of Research & Evidence to join our ambitious Research, Learning & Systems Change Team.
Young Lives vs Cancer has a strong and growing commitment to changing the system for children and young people with cancer, and their loved ones. Our North Star vision and Time is Now Strategy focus on influencing how the wider system works – from services and policy to practice on the ground – so that families get the support they need.
The Head of Research and Evidence sits in the Research, Learning & Systems Change team, within our Innovation, Policy & Systems Change Directorate. The role is responsible for ensuring our work is grounded in strong, credible and useful evidence, and that learning is actively used to shape decisions, practice and change across the system.
This is a leadership role within a small but ambitious team. You will set direction and provide thought leadership, but you will also be hands on – designing, commissioning, managing and using research alongside colleagues and partners.
Building trusted relationships and using evidence to influence thinking and action are central. You will work with colleagues, children and young people, families, and partner organisations (such as the North Star Cancer Collective) to learn, strengthen credibility and create change.
This role is subject to a Criminal Record Check. In the event of a successful application, a Basic Criminal Record Check will be completed. A previous conviction is not necessarily a barrier to employment. We encourage qualified applicants to apply, and we will consider each case individually.
What will I be doing?
No two days are the same at Young Lives vs Cancer. So, summarising your ‘day to day’ isn’t easy. You’ll work as part of a strong internal team, collaborating closely with colleagues across the organisation and with key external partners to generate, use and apply evidence that supports learning, influence and system change. Here are some of the main things you’ll be doing, but you’ll find more details in the job description and pack:
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You’ll be setting the direction for research and learning, leading a clear and purposeful research programme focused on the psychosocial experiences of children and young people with cancer. You’ll ensure research is high‑quality, ethical and impactful, including commissioning work with partners and contributing to research funding bids.
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You’ll be understanding needs and experiences to grow a strong, credible evidence base, building and using robust evidence on need, inequality, impact and progress to inform strategy, services, policy and system change. You’ll ensure children, young people and families meaningfully shape research and that insight is shared in clear, practical ways.
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You’ll be providing system insight and leadership, analysing how the system works, identifying trends and pressures, and using evidence to guide where change is most needed. You’ll build trusted relationships across the voluntary sector, NHS and research community, sharing learning and strengthening our credibility and influence.
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You’ll be turning learning into action and influence, helping teams apply research to real‑world practice and supporting testing, learning and improvement over time. You’ll put feedback and learning loops in place and assess how research‑informed change is affecting practice and outcomes.
What do I need?
Diverse perspectives and unique skill sets are at the heart of Young Lives vs Cancer. If you're passionate about making a positive impact and eager to learn, we encourage you to apply, even if you don't meet the criteria and person specification fully. Your potential is what matters most to us, and we’re committed to fostering an inclusive and supportive work environment to help you develop.
The key skills we’re looking for in this role are:
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Experience leading and delivering research, including setting direction, choosing methods, commissioning or carrying out research, analysing data, and ensuring high quality and ethical practice.
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Strong research and analytical skills, with confidence working with both qualitative and quantitative data and evidence, and turning insight into practical action.
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Experience using evidence to support change, such as shaping strategy, influencing policy, improving services or supporting system change.
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Experience working across organisations, building trusted relationships with colleagues, partners, and where appropriate, children, young people and families.
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Ability to communicate complex research clearly and accessibly to different audiences, in writing and in conversation.
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A collaborative way of working, with strong people skills, curiosity and a learning mindset, and a clear commitment to equity, inclusion and anti‑oppressive practice.
What will I gain?
For people to reach their full potential, they need the right environment. As a member of Team Young Lives, you’ll be made to feel supported, valued and appreciated. Here’s how we do it:
- Flexible working: we’re open to working hours outside of 9 - 5 and we can talk through your flexibility requirements at interview stage
- Well-being, Thinking & Growth Days: four days a year to to step back from the day-to-day and focus on your own learning and development
- Generous annual leave allowance
- Great family/caring leave entitlements
- Enhanced pension
- Access to our employee savings scheme
To find out more about our benefits package, have a look on our website.
Our commitment to Diversity, Equity, Inclusion and Belonging
At Young Lives vs Cancer, we recognise that opportunities for too many people remain a condition of their sex, ethnicity, class, gender identity, disability, sexual orientation – or a combination. This has never been acceptable to us as an organisation. We don’t just accept difference, we value it, celebrate it, nurture it and we thrive because of it.
We’re on a journey to be reflective of the diverse children, young people and families we support. We know we aren’t there yet, and we’re passionately committed to taking actions and making changes to be a truly diverse, inclusive and equitable organisation. This includes taking anti-oppressive action and removing barriers in our recruitment practices. Our Diversity, Inclusion, Equity and Belonging strategy will tell you more.
To ensure fairness and consistency to select the best candidate for this role, all our applications are anonymised up until an interview has been confirmed. We recognise the benefits of AI, but if you're considering using it to submit your application, we encourage you to reflect on the value AI adds. AI tools often lack the personal touch and authenticity that set candidates apart. We want to hear your unique perspective, experiences, and skills, so we encourage you to tell us about your skills and experiences in your own voice.
Accessibility
We’re committed to providing reasonable adjustments throughout our recruitment process and we’ll always aim to be as accommodating as possible. Please let us know in your application form of any adjustments or access requirements we could make to help you with the application process and interview.
To hear more about this role, please sign up to one of our informal drop in sessions taking place at 12:30pm on Tuesday 26th May and 17:30pm on Monday 01st June.
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