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Head of Learning, Operations & Partnerships
We are seeking an experienced senior leader to oversee impactful outdoor learning and land-based education programmes across multiple sites in the South.
Position: Head of Learning, Operations & Partnerships (South)
Salary: £50,000 to £53,000 depending on experience
Location: Gloucestershire based with hybrid working considered and regular regional travel
Hours: Full-time, 35 hours per week
Contract: Permanent
Closing Date: Monday 25 May 2026
About the Role
This senior leadership role is responsible for overseeing the strategic delivery of learning programmes across a range of outdoor, farm-based and land skills environments. Working across multiple sites, you will lead regional operations, develop partnerships and ensure learning experiences are delivered to a consistently high standard.
You will work closely with senior colleagues to shape and expand the learning offer, support operational development and drive positive outcomes for learners, communities and partners.
Key responsibilities include:
- Leading and developing a regional learning team across multiple disciplines
- Overseeing Outdoor Learning, Farm Learning and Landbased Skills programmes
- Building partnerships with schools, training providers, community organisations and stakeholders
- Managing budgets, operational planning and programme performance
- Supporting development of accessible and modern learning environments
- Overseeing compliance across safeguarding, GDPR and health and safety
- Supporting apprenticeship, trainee and accredited learning opportunities
- Identifying funding opportunities and supporting grant-funded initiatives
- Developing opportunities for wider educational use of estates and learning sites
About You
You will be a strategic and collaborative leader with experience managing teams, operations and partnerships within education, environmental, agricultural or land-based settings.
To be successful, you will ideally have:
- Strong leadership and operational management experience
- Experience managing budgets, projects and compliance requirements
- A track record of developing successful partnerships and stakeholder relationships
- Knowledge of outdoor learning, environmental education or land-based training
- Excellent organisational and communication skills
- A passion for sustainability, learning and creating opportunities for young people
About the Organisation
This educational charity works to help people build stronger connections with nature through outdoor learning, environmental education and land-based experiences. Through collaborative partnerships and progressive land management, the organisation delivers impactful programmes that support learners, communities and the environment.
The organisation offers a supportive and flexible working culture alongside benefits including generous annual leave, pension contribution, life assurance and wellbeing support.
Other roles you may have experience of could include: Head of Education, Head of Outdoor Learning, Head of Operations, Learning Programme Manager, Education Operations Manager, Environmental Education Manager, Land-Based Learning Manager, Regional Learning Manager, Partnerships Manager, Director of Learning Programmes, Outdoor Education Lead.
Please note this role is advertised by the recruitment agency acting for the client – Not For Profit People.
Thank you!
About This Job
This is an exciting role within the Army Cadet Adventurous Training team responsible for ensuring all support elements are in place to facilitate the AT service for the Army Cadets and Combined Cadet Force.
We are looking for a training professional to bring their skills, enthusiasm, and personal credibility to the team to assist with strategic planning, budget management and HR matters. You will line manage the CCAT Facilities and Logistics Officers.
In conjunction with the CCAT Training Officer you will support the Centre Managers with planning and delivery of courses and expeditions.
From time to time, you will be required to deputise for the Head of AT or the Centre Managers which may involve travel throughout the UK and overseas, working some evenings, bank holidays and weekends.
Essential Skills
· Good level of general education (English, Maths and IT).
· Hold a level 3 qualification in leadership and management.
· UK driving licence (Cat B).
· Experience of managing a small team.
· Exceptional IT skills and extensive use of MS365.
· Experience of organising events, working with internal and external partners.
· Experience of supporting and mentoring.
· Demonstrable success in establishing effective working relationships across a range of organisations at all levels.
· Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
· Personal credibility, enthusiasm, flexibility, resilience and innovation.
Please refer to the attached Job Description for further information.
Our charity
ACCT UK is a national youth charity dedicated to improving the life chances of young people. The Combined Cadet Force Association (CCFA) is a charity dedicated to the promotion of the ideals and activities of the Combined Cadet Force in schools. Together we want to ensure that every young person has the opportunity to learn new skills, build confidence and be inspired through their cadet experience.
We want to develop the youth leadership and training abilities of adult volunteers whilst also helping young people to access cadet activities through fundraising, grant-making, developing new resources and direct support.
We strongly believe that everyone benefits when you help young people to develop their character and values through activities that stretch and mature them. We also know that when young people engage with others at a range of levels in their communities it builds confidence and improves empathy for other’s lives.
Who we are
By joining ACCT UK you will help us to reach more young people and make a greater difference and we look forward to working with you. We actively promote and encourage you to explore ideas that improve all aspects of the charity’s work in pursuit of its charitable aims.
The charities are proud of our diverse teams, with people on different working patterns, from different backgrounds and at different life-stages. Our experience has taught us that having people with different perspectives and different lived experiences leads to better outcomes for our beneficiaries. If you are wondering if our organisation is for someone like you, the answer is yes! Please apply and explain how you, your experience, your talent and your potential are the right fit for this role.
What we can offer you
In addition to your salary, we offer all staff:
· Flexible working arrangements (you agree a working pattern with your line manager).
· The ability to work both from home and from our Capel Curig office.
· Personal Accident Insurance, including loss of earnings cover and death benefit.
· 15 days of sick pay in any 12-month period (after 12 months employment - pro-rata for part time staff).
· A contributory pension scheme (you contribute at least 5% and we will contribute 10%).
· Good leave allowances (which are offered pro-rata for part time staff):
o 20 days annual leave plus Bank Holidays.
o Additional privilege leave, on set days each year, such as between Christmas and New Year.
o An additional five days of volunteering leave.
· Support for qualifications and personal development.
· Employee Assistance Programme.
· Season ticket loan.
· Railcard (if you are eligible)
· A caring and supportive team environment.
How to apply
Please send a CV and Cover letter that details how you meet the requirements of the job description by 2359hrs Sunday 31st May 2026.
Interviews will be held in person during the week commencing Monday 15th June 2026.
While AI tools can be beneficial, we value the personal touch and authenticity in job applications. We encourage you to highlight your unique experience, knowledge, skills, and abilities, ensuring all information is accurate. Please use AI tools responsibly and with integrity throughout the application and selection process.
Please note that as a charity dedicated to improving the lives of young people, we require staff to make a declaration about any relevant convictions, undergo both a Disclosure and Barring Service check and a Baseline Personnel Security Standard (BPSS) check (one of the requirements being that applicants must have been resident in the UK for 3 years). In addition, we will follow up references.
Please be advised that this position may close earlier than the stated deadline if a sufficient number of high-quality applications are received. To ensure your application is considered, we strongly recommend submitting it as soon as possible. Candidates will be notified of the next stage in the recruitment process if they are shortlisted.
Registered Charity
51 - 100
Army Cadet Charitable Trust (ACCT) UK aims to give all young people the opportunity to develop and achieve through Army Cadets activities.
The client requests no contact from agencies or media sales.
Thank you!
The Role
We're looking for an experienced community development worker to lead a portfolio of projects and support the wider Lost Woods team. Using an asset-based community development (ABCD) approach, you'll work with adults, children, young people and families — particularly those facing barriers to accessing nature.
Your lead projects will include:
- Woods on Prescription and sustainable community woodland wellbeing activities
- Five Ways to Family Wellbeing – building confidence to take children and YP into woodlands
- Networking for underserved groups engaging with woodland and nature
- Evaluating and legacy-planning for all lead projects by November 2027
Alongside the team, you'll:
- Engage communities, map needs and help overcome barriers to participation
- Support volunteer groups to develop their own sustainable woodland activities
- Work with landowners, local authorities and partners to improve woodland access
- Deliver training, events and networking for stakeholders
- Report accurately on outcomes and maintain GDPR-compliant records
- Represent AirS at events and through social media
- Contribute to fundraising for Lost Woods and future AirS projects
About You
Essential:
- Experience of community development, including asset-based approaches and mentoring community groups
- Experience delivering nature-based, outdoor or conservation activities across a range of ages and abilities
- Experience working with people from diverse backgrounds, including those with vulnerabilities or complex support needs
- Experience on multi-organisation partnership programmes
- Confident collecting, monitoring and evaluating data and writing funder reports
- Knowledge of ABCD and an understanding of barriers to community involvement, particularly in rural areas
- Strong interpersonal skills — able to influence and motivate volunteers, communities and stakeholders at all levels
- Good organisational skills and experience meeting monitoring and reporting requirements
- Qualified to GCSE level or equivalent; Forest School (level 2/3), Eco Psychology, Nature Connection or Counselling training also considered
- Current driving licence and use of own vehicle
- Outdoor First Aid trained, or willing to be — you'll lead risk assessments for woodland activities
Desirable:
- Accredited qualification or significant experience in community development or community organising
- Knowledge of rural Sussex, relevant statutory services and local conservation organisations
- Experience of line management or team leadership
- Coaching, mentoring or training facilitation skills
- Experience using social media to promote projects
Location: Lost Woods programme area (West, Mid & East Sussex) with home working Hours: 21 hours per week (some evenings/weekends – TOIL given) Salary: £30,833 pro rata Contract: Fixed term – programme ends November 2027 Annual leave: 28 days pro rata | Pension: 5% employer contribution
AirS is committed to equality of opportunity. This post is subject to a DBS check.
Registered Charity
11 - 20
To increase the capacity of rural communities to manage change for the benefit of all their constituents.
The client requests no contact from agencies or media sales.