Learning and development manager jobs

About Starlight

No one enjoys medical procedures, least of all children. From facing everyday vaccinations to the most serious of surgeries and chronic conditions, all children experience varying degrees of apprehension and fear. Feeling scared, powerless, or anxious in healthcare settings doesn’t just trigger a child’s emotions; it can create traumas that impact treatment success and that can have a life-long impact. Starlight’s aim is to transform children’s health through better experiences, by putting play at the heart of every child’s healthcare.

Evidence shows that play in healthcare can reduce anxiety, fear and even pain; it helps children engage and prepare for their treatment and cope better with procedures; it minimises trauma and contributes to a better experience; and supports children to have some sense of agency and control in an environment where these opportunities are limited. Play can also reduce the number of attempts to deliver treatment, the need for sedation and the need for repeat appointments. Prioritising children’s right to play in healthcare results in healthier, happier children who are involved in their own healing and recovery as well as more efficient treatment and care.

We work in over 900 healthcare settings across the UK with an ultimate vision to ensure that no child endures trauma in healthcare.

Our Strategy and the Professional Training & Development Manager role

Over recent years, we have been re-positioning Starlight from a wish-granting charity to a charity that supports children to experience the power of play in healthcare settings to improve their mental health and wellbeing. These changes have made an exponential difference to the immediate impact that we can achieve for children, as well as the opportunity to create real social value in the efficiency of treatment; and to our ability to advocate for long-term systemic change in the way children experience healthcare.

Central to improving children’s experience is having access to experienced and properly equipped play professionals. Through our Champions network and collaborative working across the healthcare sector, we have developed strong networks; shared best practice, offered opportunities for training and connection and raised awareness of the importance of play professionals and a culture of play in healthcare settings. Our Taskforce work with NHS England has also clearly outlined the need for workforce accreditation and development.

While we continue to advocate at a systemic level for the recognition of the play workforce and their need for a strategy for their development, this role is vital in providing more immediate and tangible support to the professionals who make our work possible. 3 The Professional Training & Development Manager will be integral in sharing Starlight’s knowledge of Play by training and developing key roles within health play settings to ensure Play becomes a foundation of every child’s health care journey. They will support wider understanding of the importance of a culture of play in paediatric healthcare.

Main purpose of the role

The main purpose of this role is to develop and maintain effective and mutually supportive relationships with health professionals, creating communities of practice and resourcing knowledge exchange across the sector. Through these relationships, you will deepen our understanding of the training and workforce development needs of play professionals and identify and develop opportunities for training and sharing of best practice, Working closely across the Children’s Services your work will contribute to raising awareness of the importance of a culture of play for children’s mental health and wellbeing and for the health and efficiency of the NHS.

You will report directly to the Head of Professional Training & Development and will line manage a coordinator.

Be the spark that turns creativity into impact.

​Help Age Exchange grow arts & heritage programmes that change lives in social care.

Age Exchange—embedded in social care and powered by the arts—is hiring a Business Development Manager to ignite partnerships and funding that deliver innovative programmes across the UK. If you come from museums, galleries, archives or cultural organisations and can spot opportunities, craft compelling bids and open doors fast, this is your stage. Lead the growth of projects that boost health, wellbeing, learning and social connection—so creativity reaches the people who need it most.

The role will require someone who can work from our head office in Blackheath and the role will include some national travel as and when required so the ideal candidate will be based within an hours commute of the Community Hub in Blackheath, London. 

What is The Deal for you?

• Flexibility! You will be working 35 hours per week over 5 days with some weekend work.
• Location: You need to be based within a commutable distance to our Community Hub in Blackheath, London.
• Benefits: retail discounts, holiday discounts, cycle to work scheme and travel discounts through our benefits app
• Best Lives Possible: You'll be working for an award winning charity who is passionate about ensuring our colleagues and the people we support lead the best lives possible 
• Development: We'll work with you to develop your career or to learn and experience new things. We're passionate about developing our people!
• Support: From our Employee Assistance Programme (available 24/7), financial support options, and wellbeing fund you'll have the support available to lead an easier (financial) life

This role will design and secure a portfolio of national and local strategically aligned, market-relevant and impactful programmes which use arts, culture and creativity to achieve a positive impact on our target audiences. These programmes will empower the health, wellbeing, learning, social mobility and social connection of people supported by Age Exchange and Community Integrated Care. The role holder will play an essential role in leading the growth, reach and sustainability of Age Exchange by generating funding and commercial revenue and new partnerships.

​What You'll do (list not exhaustive):

• Win funding & partnerships that fuel our programmes and core costs—trusts & foundations, corporates/sponsorships, individual giving, and earned income.
• Build and manage a high-quality pipeline—prospect, cultivate, write compelling bids/proposals, negotiate, and steward partners.
• Collaborate across the delivery team—aligning with colleagues so proposed projects and tenders are fundable, impactful, and on-brand.
• Report outcomes & learn—own quarterly KPI reporting and iterate approaches to hit clear income and partnership targets.

Our ideal Candidate:​

• Degree-level education or equivalent experience.
• Proven success in bid writing and securing projects/tenders of £250k+.
• Strong experience in fundraising, commercial development, and project management within a funded environment.
• Creative thinker with the ability to design innovative programmes aligned to strategic objectives.
• Excellent relationship-building and influencing skills, with experience engaging stakeholders at senior levels.
• Skilled communicator and presenter, able to craft compelling proposals and pitches.
• Proficiency in MS Office and project management tools (e.g., MS Project, Smartsheet).
• Bring proven success in the arts or heritage sector (e.g., museums, galleries, performing arts, creative health, community arts) with a track record of securing grants and/or sponsorships.
• Are a confident storyteller and bid writer who can turn creative ideas into fundable, strategically aligned propositions.

Why join us ?

• Be part of a nationally recognised charity making a real difference in people’s lives.
• Lead ground-breaking projects that combine creativity and social impact.
• Work in a collaborative, values-driven environment with opportunities for professional growth.

Success in this role means:​

• Meeting funding and growth targets.
• Delivering a diverse portfolio of innovative programmes.
• Enhancing the charity’s profile through impactful projects and partnerships.

Ready to make a difference ?
Apply now and help us shape a future where arts and creativity empower communities across the UK.

​Please note, if you are interested in this role, we welcome your application as soon as possible! Depending on the volume of applications received, the vacancy may be closed before the expected advertising end date.

​We’re really proud to be a Hive HR Employee Voice Certified organisation, a recognition that confirms our commitment to creating a culture where our colleagues are not only encouraged to share their thoughts, but where this feedback is actively sought and acted upon to drive positive change at every level.

In our 2025 Colleague Engagement Survey, 59% (nearly 3,800) of our people shared their feedback and insights, giving us an incredible Employee Net Promoter Score of +34.

The Employee Net Promoter Score is a measure of how willing our colleagues are to recommend us as a good place to work to their loved ones – and a score of +34 is considered a Very Good score when compared to global benchmarks set by hundreds of other organisations.

The Youth Endowment Fund   

Programme Manager 

Reports to: Programme and Impact Lead  

Salary: £44,200  

Contract: 12-month fixed term (Full-Time), dependent on co-funding being secured. 

Location:  Central London or Hybrid*(see below) 

Closing date for applications: 12pm Friday 13th March 2026 

Interview dates: Week commencing 23rd March 2026 

About the Youth Endowment Fund 

We’re here to prevent children and young people becoming involved in violence. We do this by finding out what works and building a movement to put this knowledge into practice.  

Every child should grow up safe from harm. Yet far too many are drawn into violence or live with the fear of it. This robs them of opportunity and damages whole communities. Even when violence doesn’t strike directly, we know that the fear of violence has a terrible effect on children’s lives.   

The Youth Endowment Fund exists to try and permanently change things. To succeed, we must build an exceptional body of knowledge about violence affecting young people and how we reduce it. This knowledge has to be both rigorous and highly relevant to those making decisions about how to support vulnerable young people. We need to find out what works and what doesn’t through evidence synthesis, data analysis and qualitative research into children’s lives. We need to convert this into highly accessible content on what works, how delivery organisations need to change their practice and how the systems they operate in need to be reformed. We then need to work with the right people that can make change happen, across systems, policies and practice, to have a real impact on reducing violence affecting children’s lives.   

Key Responsibilities 

Deciding which projects, we should fund and evaluate is key, as is making sure we deliver our funding and evaluations to the highest standards. Our Programme Managers are responsible for identifying, assessing, funding and supporting programmes designed to prevent youth violence.

Programme Managers at YEF come from all walks of life. We look for individuals who may have experience in the youth sector, children’s social care, policing, criminal justice, education or how to involve local residents in making decisions about their own neighbourhoods.

As a Programme Manager at YEF, you will work very closely with our evaluation team to make sure we learn from what’s being implemented and that the organisations we fund are prepared and excited to work with us to find what works.
 

To achieve this, you will: 

• Make sure we choose the best organisations to work with by assessing funding applications, critically appraising delivery plans and budgets and getting to know potential grantees. These assessments will help you form recommendations to our senior leadership team about which opportunities to pursue.

• Work closely with grantees, external evaluators and our own evaluation team to ensure that the activity we are funding will be evaluable to the highest standards. This requires you to support and advise grantees on how to work in the context of an evaluation – usually, a randomised controlled trial (you don’t have to have experience working on a randomised controlled trial in the past, but it helps!).

• Build strong relationships with our grantees and provide them with ongoing management and support through the life of their funding. You will also be responsible for monitoring the performance of grantees and ensuring targets are met and any project risks are effectively mitigated.

• Think carefully about how we find the best projects to fund and evaluate, ensuring we can best find what works to keep children safe. To do this you might need to work with colleagues to spot where there has previously been a lack of evidence about what works (we will help you with this!). You would project manage these projects so they are excellently delivered – on time, within budget, and to a high standard. You will help to determine what our commissioning and management processes aim to achieve and design grant application and management processes to achieve it.

• You’ll manage our engagement with potential grantees to make sure we are attracting a diverse and promising portfolio of organisations to apply.

• Report to our team and external stakeholders regularly on how well the projects we are funding are going, spotting where grantees need support and coming up with how we can best provide that support. 

• Represent the Youth Endowment Fund at external events, including reporting and presenting to our Grants and Evaluation Committee, who approve all our funding decisions. 

About You 

You are this sort of person: 

• You don't want your days to pass without making a difference. You want to play a significant part in a charity that is making a difference.

• You want to work in a job that makes young people safer. This issue matters to you. You don’t need extensive experience in grant making, you just have to be committed to learning it. You should be keen to learn about the sectors we work with, the challenges facing young people and what organisations face when implementing programmes.

• You have experience in one or more of the following areas: policing, education, criminal justice, social care or the youth sector. 

• You have a strong understanding of challenges that organisations face in delivering projects. You must also be a really good project manager, great at managing and developing people and external stakeholders, energised by tackling complex problems and really care about the YEF’s mission to build evidence of what works.  

• You have incredible judgement. You are able to reach sound and considered judgements about the viability and suitability of applicants based upon our given criteria, often using detailed written and financial information, and are able to deliver constructive feedback to organisations. You can also identify when things aren’t going to plan and be proactive with sharing observations and recommendations. 

• You are an optimiser. You look for solutions and think creatively to overcome challenges. You are curious, hungry to learn and always looking for ways to improve processes and increase efficiency and impact. 

• You love well-designed systems. You are committed to designing and maintaining the best systems to make sure we manage our commissioning processes well. You know this is critical to effectively managing multiple, large-scale funding programmes and competing priorities. 

• You are an excellent communicator. You have the ability to convey information clearly and effectively—both in writing and verbally. You understand the importance of strong communication in fast-paced decision-making and thrive in a busy, collaborative team environment. 

• You win people over. People tend to warm to you and respect you. You have built good relationships with people at every level inside and outside the organisation and have managed large networks of stakeholders with different interests and priorities. You are excellent at customer service and can professionally handle issues that come up within your grant portfolio. 

• You work very well in a team. You are not motivated by being the individual winner. You want the team as a whole to succeed. You don’t care who gets the credit as long as things get done. 

• You are committed to equality, diversity and inclusion. You believe and act in a way that celebrates and encourages a range of experiences, backgrounds and values. 
   

While it’s not a criteria, we are especially interested to hear from applicants who have lived experience of youth violence.

We’re also keen to hear from applicants with a strong understanding of evaluation methodologies—particularly Randomised Control Trials (RCTs)—and experience either directly supporting or overseeing programme delivery within an evaluation context. 

It’s important to us that the people we hire do not discriminate. We believe in being inclusive and giving everyone an equal chance to succeed. Applications are welcome from all regardless of age, sex, gender identity, disability, marriage or civil partnership, pregnancy and maternity, religion or belief, race, sexual orientation, transgender status or social economic background.

All appointments will be made on merit, following a fair and transparent process. In line with the Equality Act 2010, however, the organisation may employ positive action where candidates from underrepresented groups can demonstrate their ability to perform the role equally well.

This position will require a DBS check to be performed, but a record is not a block to performing this role. 

Funding and Start Date  

This role is subject to funding. We are currently in the process of securing the necessary funding for this work, which is expected to commence in April 2026. The successful candidate will need to be available to start within four weeks of receiving an offer. 

Hybrid Working Details  

The office is based in Central London, but you don’t have to be. Those living in London and within the 32 London Boroughs are expected to be in the office a minimum of 2 days per week. If you live outside of London and work remotely, you’ll be expected to work from the London office 2 days per month. As part of our commitment to flexible working we will consider a range of options for the successful applicant. All options can be discussed at the interview stage.

To Apply  

To apply, please send a CV and a cover letter answering the specific questions below, along with the completed monitoring form, by clicking the "Apply for this" button by 12pm Friday 13th  March 2026. 

If you have specific expertise in any of our sectors, we want to hear about it in your examples, when answering the following questions as part of your cover letter to be considered. 

Application Questions   

1. Tell us about your experience and understanding of the challenges organisations face in delivering projects and any experience you’ve had of this in the context of evaluations? (max 400 words).

2. The Programme Manager role involves overseeing several projects at once and juggling many different tasks simultaneously. Tell us about when you’ve had several competing priorities and how you managed those? (max 400 words) 

3. Tell us about your experience of managing multiple partners and resolving conflicting positions? (max 400 words) 

Interview Process 

This is likely to be a one stage process, with interviews taking place on the week commencing 23rd March 2026 

PLEASE NOTE: We do not sponsor work permits and you will be required to provide proof of your eligibility to work in the UK.  

Benefits Include 

• £1,000 professional development budget annually 

• 28 days holiday plus Bank Holidays 

• Employee Assistance Programme – 24hr phone line for free confidential support 

• Volunteering days - 4 half days per year 

• Death in service - 4 times annual salary 

• Flexible hours. Core office hours 10am – 4pm 

• Financial support including travel and hardship loans 

• Employer contributed pension of 5%. 

Personal Data  

Your personal data will be shared for the purposes of the recruitment exercise. This includes our HR team, interviewers (who may include other partners in the project and independent advisors), relevant team managers and our IT service provider if access to the data is necessary for performance of their roles. We do not share your data with other third parties, unless your application for employment is successful, and we make you an offer of employment. We will then share your data with former employers to obtain references for you. We do not transfer your data outside the European Economic Area. 

JOIN OUR WORK TO SUPPORT OUR COMMUNITIES TO THRIVE

We are looking for an ambitious and Wellbeing and Learning Development Manager to lead two of our flagship wellbeing and employment projects, aimed at supporting purposeful activity, health and wellbeing. You will provide expert leadership and support to a small team, creating a culture that best supports our friendly community-based services. You’ll have an excellent eye for systems and structure, understand the importance of person-centred services and be able to spot and capitalise on development opportunities, from partnerships to funding. You’ll be passionate about reducing health inequalities and community work. You’ll believe in the power of partnership working to deliver the best outcomes for our community. 

ABOUT US

Southmead Development Trust is a Bristol-based charity made up of staff, volunteers, and residents working together to keep power in our community. We work alongside local people and partners to improve health, wellbeing, employment, and local pride — while tackling social isolation and bringing investment into the area.

Guided by residents, our vision is a thriving and healthy community. We provide the support, spaces, and services our community needs through our two well-loved sites: the Greenway Centre and Southmead Adventure Playground (The Ranch). These venues host a wide range of activities including wellbeing services, youth and play sessions, fitness classes, community groups, and local celebrations.

We’re proud to be a Disability Confident employer and welcome applications from everyone. We’re committed to building a team that reflects the diversity of our community. If you need any adjustments during the recruitment process or in the workplace, just let us know — we’ll do our best to support you.

ABOUT YOU

· 3+ years experience in a role supporting holistic wellbeing, employability or health

· Experience leading a team

· Experience developing cross sector partnerships for joint aims including facilitating meetings and information sharing

· Experience contributing to fundraising applications or business cases

· Understanding of the importance of employability and the connection with health and wellbeing

· Interested in health system change to support prevention and community-based models of working

· Project management experience, including programming, reporting, budgeting, evaluation

· Excellent working knowledge and understanding of managing safeguarding issues and ensuring best practice for service delivery

· Proactive and creative, with an aptitude for building relationships and problem solving

· Understanding of equalities and health inequalities

· An understanding of the complexity that may affect the participants of our services

· Good inter-personal skills with the ability to relate to others and build strong relationships

· Most importantly, you embody our values of:

· Positivity – Integrity – Excellence – Welcoming – Entrepreneurial

ABOUT THE ROLE

You will be key part of our Wellbeing and Communities directorate, offering vital support and strategic direction to our Learning and Wellbeing team to achieve our vision and meet funder requirements and coordinating the development of a new partnership aimed at improving health and wellbeing for people across North and West Bristol. You will lead a team that combines wellbeing and health and employment support, as well as offering support and synergy to other teams in the directorate. This role will ensure support for wider social issues, such as debt, housing, family and health barriers faced to engage with employment and learning opportunities.

You will work closely with our Senior Wellbeing and Learning Coach to develop interventions to improve confidence, physical and mental health and employment prospects.

You will work closely with our Wellbeing and Communities Development Manager to ensure synergy between our wellbeing teams and develop our service offer.

DETAILS:

Location: Greenway Centre, Bristol, BS10

Contract: Permanent

Salary: £35, 455 - £36, 887 (with pending cost of living rise in April 2026)

Hours: fulltime, 37 hours per week

Reports to: Wellbeing and Communities Development Manager

Holiday: 33 days annual leave pro rata (inclusive of Bank Holidays), occupational pension, free membership to Greenway Gym and classes.

Sick Pay: 4 weeks over rolling year, pro rata

Training & Development Opportunities: All mandatory training and job specific training offered, e.g. First Aid, Safeguarding, Motivational Interviewing, Management and Leadership, Trauma Informed Practice and Reflective Practice.

Pension Contribution: Nest Pension Scheme, combined 7% (employer 3%, employee 4% as standard)

Benefits: free membership to Greenway Gym and classes, cycle to work scheme, cafe discount.

Sick Pay: 4 weeks at full pay over rolling year, pro rata

Pension Contribution: Nest Pension Scheme, combined 7% (employer 3%, employee 4% as standard)

Interview process: if you are successful in the shortlisting stage, you will be invited to an in person interview. This will consist of a series of questions, short presentation on your vision for the role and an admin task.

Deadline: 9am, Wednesday 4th March

RESPONSIBILITIES

Key Responsibilities:

Leadership and Partnerships

· To develop and contribute to forums and partnerships that support the growth of our work in North Bristol, including working closely with health partners (community health, Primary Care and acute services) and the learning and employment sectors to develop collaborative services.

· To oversee the Learning and Wellbeing Service and activities, ensuring they meet funder requirements, targets, and quality standards, and are safe, effective and well-managed, including oversight of reporting and budgets and providing leadership and guidance to the Senior Coach.

· To support the development and delivery of the Healthy Ageing Research Project and Community Consortium, working closely with the CEO and Wellbeing and Communities Development Manager.

· To deputise for the Wellbeing and Communities Development Manager at relevant meetings and support the ongoing development of the Communities and Wellbeing team to meet Southmead Development Trust’s strategic objectives.

· To embed community development principles across all work, including strength-based approaches, participant involvement, engagement, and the nurturing of volunteers to help build a resilient community.

· To ensure the safe and effective delivery of activities, interventions and services, including oversight of risk assessments, safeguarding processes, data recording and quality assurance, in collaboration with the Wellbeing and Communities Development Manager.

· To work alongside research partners to develop effective methods for evidencing the impact and effectiveness of interventions, activities and services.

Team Leadership and Line Management

· To lead and inspire the team to create a positive and collaborative culture.

· Coordinate, manage and supervise our Learning and Wellbeing team, and other practitioners as appropriate.

· To provide proactive performance management of staff via the Trusts’ processes, to include but not limited to, holding monthly one-to-one meetings, establishing development opportunities and training.

· To lead team meetings and ensure all practitioners have access to reflective practice and appropriate training

Systems and Marketing

· To work with SDT colleagues and others to improve systems and processes to best support services and other contractual obligations

· To be a key advocate for Beacon database

· To work alongside SDTs Communications Manager to ensure that our services and activities are known and understood by residents of Southmead and North Bristol

Relationship Development, Fundraising New Opportunities 

· Build relationships with external agencies, organisations and stakeholders to best support staff and participants and develop new opportunities for delivery and collaborative working. 

· Coordinate the Learning and Wellbeing steering group meeting, gathering feedback, advice and ideas to continually improve the service

· Work with teams across Southmead Development Trust to develop engagement and volunteering opportunities for participants.

· Produce content, with the support of the communications team, for social media, mail shots and other channels, to promote and celebrate our wellbeing and learning work

· To develop external funding bids and proposals to sustain and expand our programmes, working with colleagues from the Senior Leadership Team and across the Trust; supporting other income generating activities including supporting the development of tender responses to sustain health and wellbeing initiatives

General Responsibilities

All staff at Southmead Development Trust are expected to:

· Follow all Trust policies, procedures, and safeguarding requirements.

· Model our values: Positivity, Integrity, Excellence, Welcoming, Entrepreneurial.

· Work proactively, use initiative, and collaborate well with colleagues and the community.

· Maintain confidentiality, data protection standards, and a safe, inclusive environment.

· Take part in training, development, staff meetings and occasional evening/weekend work when required.

· Carry out any other reasonable duties to support the organisation.

PERSON SPECIFICATION

ESSENTIAL

· Passion, empathy and desire to support residents to lead healthier and happier lives through holistic, person‑centred, community‑based models.

· Experience of successfully developing and delivering community‑based wellbeing, health or employment services/interventions.

· Track record of developing proposals and securing funding for new wellbeing or health interventions.

· Experience implementing project plans, managing budgets, producing reports and meeting deadlines, and performance managing contracts or projects

· Experience of implementing systems and processes to improve service delivery and evidence.

· Experience of outreach, engagement and working directly with residents to shape and inform services.

· Excellent people management skills with proven experience of supporting, motivating and managing staff and volunteers.

· Experience implementing monitoring and evaluation systems and reporting to funders/stakeholders.

· Experience working holistically with people in 1‑2‑1 or group settings and achieving change.

· Excellent interpersonal, relationship‑building and communication skills with a range of stakeholders and diverse communities.

· Excellent IT skills including Word, Excel, email, web research and presentations.

· Understanding of health inequalities, complexity and barriers to employment/learning, and knowledge of community‑based interventions.

· Highly motivated with the ability to creatively problem‑solve.

· Capacity to work under pressure and adapt to changing workloads.

· Commitment to continual professional development and a personal drive for excellence.

· A flexible team player able to work collaboratively and adapt to changing needs.

· Ability to act as a positive role model and remain calm under pressure.

· Commitment to the charitable objectives and values of Southmead Development Trust.

· Willingness and ability to work outside normal office hours and across multiple sites when required.

· Flexibility to travel locally and work outside core hours as part of service delivery.

DESIRABLE

· Relevant employment, health or wellbeing qualification.

· Management and/or leadership qualification.

· Proven track record of working successfully with partner agencies (health, employment, GPs, NHS, VCSE partners) to deliver measurable outcomes.

· Up‑to‑date knowledge of public health, NHS service developments and funding sources.

· Knowledge of Southmead, North Bristol or similar communities and the issues facing residents.

Bioregional Learning Centre (BLC) is a place-based systems-change organisation rooted in South Devon. We work with communities, institutions and landscapes to grow the capacities needed for a regenerative, climate resilient, bioregional future.

We are seeking a Bioregional Learning Manager to help design and run a new learning programme in bioregional practice and to coordinate the emerging Bioregional Learning Alliance – an international community of practitioner-educators.

This is a new kind of role. We’re not looking for a ‘finished article’ or a conventional academic. We’re looking for someone who is values-led, curious and organised, and who wants to co-create something pioneering alongside others.

The role

You will:

• Co-design and evolve a practice-led curriculum in bioregional learning and leadership (online and in-person).
• Plan and manage courses and events, including a South Devon learning pathway and international partner offers.
• Coordinate the BLA, supporting meetings, communication and light-touch governance.
• Build and steward relationships with practitioners, communities and partner institutions (including universities and learning centres).
• Support communications, evaluation and programme administration (budgets, contracts, logistics).

Essential skills & experience

We expect you to bring most of the following:

• Deep alignment with regenerative, place-based and more-than-human ways of working
• Experience designing, coordinating or delivering adult / professional learning (formal or informal)
• Strong project and event management skills: planning, scheduling and managing multiple strands
• Confidence holding participatory online and/or in-person learning spaces
• Excellent written and verbal communication, comfortable engaging with diverse stakeholders
• Ability to work both collaboratively in a small team and independently
• Competence with digital tools for learning and collaboration (e.g. Zoom, Google Workspace, Mighty Networks, etc)

Desirable skills & experience

You might also have:

• Practical experience in bioregioning, regenerative design, community organising, landscape stewardship, or related fields.
• Experience partnering with universities, colleges or independent learning centres.
• Skills in monitoring, evaluation and learning (MEL), especially participatory approaches.
• Some experience of working with both the Global North and Global South.
• Experience with fundraising or developing paid learning offers.
• Familiarity with South Devon or another bioregion, and the ability to ‘read’ place.
• Arts-based, creative or storytelling practice connected to systems change or ecology.

If you don’t meet every single criterion but feel a strong resonance with the role, we warmly encourage you to apply.

What we offer

• The chance to help shape a pioneering bioregional learning programme with an active international network.
• A reflective, supportive working culture with mentoring from the Learning Programme Lead.
• Flexible, trust-based hybrid working.
• Significant scope for your own learning and practice development.

An exciting opportunity has arisen to join Westway Trust as our Adult Learning Manager, responsible for leading the Adult learning provision within a community setting.

You will work closely with the Senior Manager: Learning to ensure that the design and delivery of the Trust’s Learning Programme is innovative, creative and responsive to the creative, cultural, practical and wellbeing needs of community interest.

You will be an ambitious individual who will demonstrate an entrepreneurial flair in identifying and implementing opportunities to develop unique and distinctive learning opportunities specifically oriented to the communities of North Kensington.

You will also provide strategic and operational leadership to the programme team in the delivery of these objectives, and will lead and motivate a team of tutors to drive the programme’s success and meet our strategic goal of putting the community at the heart of what we do.

Key responsibilities of the role include but are not limited to:

Strategic Leadership and Curriculum Development

• Clear understanding of the national and local policy context of the Adult Education Sector with a focus on: impact on funding or impact on the future curriculum.
• Ensuring the curriculum aligns with educational standards, accreditation requirements, and community demands.
• Leading on the servicing and management of specific regulatory and statutory inspections.
• Develop and articulate a compelling purpose and identity for the Learning Programme to reflect the Trust’s strategic objectives, ensuring that all activities are aligned to this purpose and driving performance.

Programme Management

• Contribute to RBKC self-assessment process, including supporting the Senior Manager: Learning in analysing data and drafting appropriate sections of the Self-Assessment Report (SAR) and Quality Improvement Plan (QIP).
• Offer clear academic and managerial leadership to all teaching staff involved with the programme and to deploy and organise the team in a way that makes the most effective and efficient use of all team members.
• Working with the team to foster a culture of pride and ownership, setting high expectations and supporting operational discipline and best practice.
• Ensure the effective management of the Adult Learning budget.
• Provide timely and impactful information to the Board of Trustees committees and in support of funding bids as required.
• Co-ordinate the assessment and internal verification process where appropriate, including liaison with the external verifier and preparing for the External Verifier visit.
• To carry out internal verification as required and adhere to quality frameworks, such as the Education Inspection Framework, Internal Quality Assurance and External Quality Assurance requirements.

Quality Improvement

• Working to ensure the highest quality of experience is at the heart of what we do and ensure compliance as required for external regulators.

Talent management and team development

• Working to foster a culture of engagement, ownership and co-creation in the team, cultivating high expectations of themselves and others within a peer support environment.
• Identify and develop the skills and capabilities within the team to deliver its objectives.

External Advocacy

• Represent and advocate for the Trust externally to cement and raise profile and internally when collaborating to meet organisational objectives.
• Help raise the profile of the Westway Learning programme with the wider community.

Essential Experience, Skills and Attributes

• A minimum of 2 years’ experience and up-to-date knowledge of policies, funding frameworks, initiatives and developments of Adult Education.
• Designing and delivering an innovative and distinctive creative/cultural practice curriculum programme in response to identified market needs and to successfully attract new students.
• Managing a diverse team in an educational setting or learning environment, proactively creating a positive working environment and effectively leading a high performing team that contributes to organisational success.
• Working with awarding and Quality Assurance bodies to ensure compliance with identified standards.
• A track record of working with external audit organisations e.g. Awarding Bodies and Ofsted
• Knowledge of the Education Inspection Framework and funding methodologies and their impact on courses and programmes of learning.
• Knowledge of national, regional and local priorities for adult and community learning services.
• Excellent communication skills and an ability to adapt approach to engage with a variety of internal and external stakeholders.
• Resilience and able to work under pressure.

Desirable:

• Ideally the post holder will also have a background in ESOL.
• A good understanding of the local area (North Kensington).

Qualifications:

• Teaching qualification or relevant equivalent qualification/experience.
• Educated to degree level or can demonstrate relevant equivalent experience.
• Level 4 TAQA qualification in the Internal Quality Assurance of Assessment Processes or equivalent qualification.

The application deadline is Sunday 8 March 2026 when applications will be reviewed and shortlisted for interview. However, we reserve the right to close the application early. An early application is strongly recommended.

Please kindly apply directly from our website.

The role

This is a very exciting opportunity to join our thriving organisation at a time of growth. We are seeking an experienced Head of Training, Learning and Development to provide strategic leadership of APIL’s legal training and events portfolio. Reporting directly to the Chief Executive and sitting on the Senior Management Board, this role will shape and deliver a high-quality, commercially successful programme of conferences, accredited courses, webinars and in-house firm training. The postholder will be responsible for strengthening APIL’s position as a leading provider of legal education within personal injury and clinical negligence and ensuring our offer remains relevant, innovative and aligned with the needs of the legal profession.

The role involves leading and developing the Training, Learning and Development team, building strong relationships with law firms and stakeholders, and ensuring robust quality assurance across all training activity. You will use data, market insight and engagement with the sector to identify emerging training needs, create clear career-stage learning pathways and maximise income from training, sponsorship and events, while maintaining effective budgetary control.

You will be a credible senior professional with significant experience in training, learning and development, ideally within the legal sector. You will bring strong leadership and commercial skills, and be confident operating at both strategic and operational levels.

About APIL

APIL is a not-for-profit membership organisation working to improve access to justice for people who are injured through negligence. We are a values-driven organisation with a strong commitment to equality, diversity and inclusion, and we play a leading role in professional training and development within personal injury and clinical negligence.

Equality, diversity and inclusion

APIL is serious about equality, diversity and inclusion. We want our organisation to reflect the communities we serve and for everyone to feel valued and able to thrive. A commitment to this agenda is essential to this role.

About Us: 

Enable is a charity dedicated to improving people's wellbeing and strengthening local communities. We work with councils, charities and other local organisations to deliver health, leisure, community services and events that enrich people’s lives and strengthen our local community.

At Enable, we value our employees and our culture, focusing on embracing diversity and fostering an inclusive, flexible and fun environment for employees to perform at their best. On top of a competitive salary and flexible working environment, employees will also receive:

Benefits: 

• 30 days of annual leave (plus 8 bank holidays)
• Life Insurance
• Reward Schemes (RewardHub Membership, wellbeing budgets and cycle to work)
• A variety of social and wellbeing activities each month
• Mental Health & Wellbeing Perks (Monthly talks, Wellbeing Hour, etc)
• Gym Membership

Reports to: HR Business Partner

Based: Battersea

Salary: £35,000

Contract: Permanent, Full Time

Work Arrangement: 40 hours per week

DBS: Not Required

Role Overview: 

Are you passionate about helping people grow, upskill and thrive in their roles? 

Do you believe that developing individuals is key to organisational success? 

At Enable, we know that hiring the right people is just the start. That’s where you come in. As our Learning and Development Partner, you’ll play a central role in building an environment where our people – and our managers – feel supported, confident and capable of delivering their best.

Reporting to the HR Business Partner, and working closely with the Talent Partner and HR Advisor, this role will lead on designing, delivering and evaluating learning and development initiatives that help Enable’s diverse teams reach their full potential. The role will require close collaboration with the wider HR team to support with operational needs. 

You’ll bring a blend of creativity, structure and emotional intelligence – someone who understands the needs of operational teams as much as senior leaders, and who’s always looking to make learning meaningful and impactful. 

The Central Services Team ensures the company operates smoothly and assists in working towards Enables strategic direction. Supporting the various services that make up Enable, Central Services consists of small and high output teams including Human Resources, Marcomms, Operations and Finance. Together, these teams make up the foundation of our business, driving our mission and fostering growth and development.

Main Duties/Responsibilities:  

• Develop and deliver Enable’s learning and development strategy, aligned with organisational priorities and future workforce needs 
• Identify capability gaps across the organisation – and design interventions that build confidence, consistency and compliance 
• Lead on all aspects of internal training, including; Mandatory and compliance-based training; Management Development; Skills Based & Professional Development & Soft Skills and resilience-building workshops. 
• Partner with the Talent Partner to ensure new joiners experience a seamless onboarding journey into Enable’s learning culture 
• Create toolkits, frameworks and learning pathways that are accessible, flexible and inclusive 
• Build a blended learning offer using face-to-face, digital, self-led and social learning approaches 
• Evaluate learning impact using feedback, performance data and insights to inform continuous improvement 
• Support individual development planning, particularly for high-potential staff and those seeking career progression 
• Maintain strong relationships with external learning providers and ensure best value from third-party training options 
• Promote a culture of learning where staff at all levels take ownership of their development and feel supported in doing so. 
• Support the wider HR team as required, contributing to cross-functional projects, operational priorities and the delivery of a cohesive People service. 

Skills and Experience:  

• Proven experience designing and delivering impactful learning and development strategies within a multi-site or community-focused organisation. 
• Previous experience working within an HR or People function, with an understanding of core HR processes and how L&D aligns with the wider employee lifecycle. 
• Demonstrated success in developing and running manager capability programmes. 
• Confident facilitator with experience delivering workshops or training to both frontline staff and senior managers. 
• Able to identify learning needs through observation, feedback, data and performance trends. 
• Knowledge of modern learning practices and digital tools/platforms (LMS, e-learning, blended learning etc). 
• A proactive, relationship-focused approach – comfortable working across diverse teams and adapting your style. 
• A continuous improvement mindset – always looking to evolve and strengthen learning impact. 
• Strong organisational and project management skills, able to manage multiple priorities with attention to detail. 

This is an exciting opportunity to be a part of a company that positively impacts the community around them! If you are someone that is motivated by a desire to enrich the lives of others and make a genuine difference, then please Apply Now and follow the prompts. 

Enable is strongly committed to creating a diverse and inclusive workplace and is an equal opportunities employer. We value diversity and encourage applications from candidates from all backgrounds. We believe that the more inclusive we are, the better our work will be. To find out more on our approach to Equality, Diversity and Inclusion, please visit our website. 

Context:
Kinship provides direct support to, raises awareness of and campaigns for the rights of kinship carers across the UK. Kinship carers are navigating complex family relationships, trauma, poverty, discrimination. The children that they care for have frequently experienced abuse or are at risk of harm. Safeguarding concerns can be disclosed by kinship carers at all contact points with Kinship. 

Safeguarding children and adults at risk of abuse or neglect is a collective responsibility and requires a safeguarding approach that is aligned to statutory frameworks, is professional, consistent, trauma-informed and proportionate to level of risk.

The designated safeguarding officer holds organisational responsibility for Kinship’s safeguarding framework and actions. The role works collaboratively with a team including a Safeguarding Trustee and a group of Deputy Designated Safeguarding Leads drawn from key service areas across the charity.

The role provides expertise, professional guidance and clear direction across the organisation, supporting staff and volunteers to make sound safeguarding decisions within a framework.

Purpose of the role:
The Designated Safeguarding Manager works closely with all teams across Kinship to embed proactive, person-centred, and partnership-driven safeguarding practice to protect children and adults at risk of harm.

The role provides professional oversight to Deputy Designated Safeguarding Leads through individual and group reflective practice and supports high-quality and defensible safeguarding decision-making. The role drives contextual safeguarding approaches, promote professional curiosity, continual professional development and ensures safeguarding responses are informed by lived experience and the realities of kinship care.

At Kinship safeguarding concerns come from risks of harm to adults and children often with risks of harm to multiple people in the same family context.

This requires careful, trauma-informed decision-making and support for staff responding to complex safeguarding situations.

How the role works:
Reporting to the Head of Programmes, the Designated Safeguarding Manager holds responsibility for safeguarding practice across the organisation and provides expert oversight and organisational assurance ensuring safeguarding is embedded consistently, proportionately and in line with best practice.

This role will require flexibility for occasional travel in England and Wales.

Key responsibilities:

Organisational safeguarding accountability and assurance

• Act as Kinship’s Designated Safeguarding Officer, holding organisational authority for safeguarding decision-making and escalation.
• Hold organisational accountability for safeguarding practice, ensuring responsibilities are well defined, understood and embedded across the organisation.
• Maintain and assure a robust safeguarding framework, including defined roles, escalation routes, decision-making thresholds and accountability arrangements and balance safeguarding rigour with compassion and proportionality.
• Provide safeguarding oversight and assurance during service development, mobilisation and organisational change to ensure risks are identified, assessed and mitigated.

Trauma-informed safeguarding practice and oversight

• Embed trauma-informed safeguarding practice, ensuring all decisions, interventions, and organisational processes:
  • Recognise the impact of past and ongoing trauma on children, kinship carers, and families.
  • Prioritise emotional and psychological safety while balancing protection, autonomy, and empowerment.
  • Integrate trauma-awareness into risk assessments, safety planning, case management, policies, and service design.
• Support staff through reflective supervision, guidance, and training to respond effectively.
• Provide professional oversight and reflective practice support to Deputy Designated Safeguarding Leads.
• Provide expert safeguarding advice and consultation to staff and managers, supporting the assessment of concerns, threshold decisions, appropriate escalation, and proportionate, trauma-informed decision-making.
• Quality-assure safeguarding practice and decision-making to ensure actions are proportionate, person-centred, trauma-informed, and defensible.
• Maintain appropriate oversight of safeguarding records, risk assessments, and safety planning.

 Policy, compliance and organisational assurance

• Develop, review and maintain safeguarding policies, procedures and guidance in line with legislation, statutory guidance and Charity Commission expectations.
• Ensure safeguarding systems, processes and recording arrangements are robust, accessible and consistently applied.
• Provide regular safeguarding assurance, analysis and learning reports to senior leadership and the Board of Trustees.

Culture, capability and continuous improvement

• Embed trauma-informed, contextual and culturally responsive safeguarding practice across the organisation.
• Promote professional curiosity and reflective practice, supporting staff to exercise sound professional judgement and avoid overly procedural responses.
• Design and deliver safeguarding training and guidance for staff and volunteers, building organisational capability and confidence.
• Lead learning reviews following safeguarding incidents or near misses, ensuring learning informs service and practice improvement.

Equity, inclusion and anti-racist safeguarding

• Ensure safeguarding practice actively considers how race, ethnicity, racism and intersecting inequalities shape risk, vulnerability and access to support.
• Support teams to identify and challenge bias and assumptions through reflective practice, supervision and learning.
• Embed equity, inclusion and anti-racist principles within safeguarding frameworks, policies, training and quality assurance processes.

Partnership working and external accountability

• Work collaboratively with statutory partners and external agencies to support effective safeguarding responses.
• Represent Kinship in multi-agency safeguarding forums, reviews or regulatory engagement as required.

Experience (Essential)

• Significant experience in adult and child safeguarding practice, including oversight of complex, high-risk, and multi-agency safeguarding situations.
• Experience providing professional oversight, reflective supervision, and structured learning support to safeguarding practitioners or leads, without direct line management responsibility.
• Experience embedding contextual safeguarding approaches and promoting professional curiosity in decision-making.
• Experience of working confidently with complexity, challenging constructively and supporting teams to do the right thing in difficult situations.
• Experience developing, reviewing, and embedding safeguarding policies, procedures, training, and learning frameworks.
• Substantial experience working with dispersed or multi-disciplinary teams, supporting wellbeing, professional development, and reflective practice.
• Experience working in voluntary sector, community-based, or service delivery organisations, particularly where safeguarding concerns arise through multiple routes.

Knowledge (Essential)

• Strong working knowledge of adult and child safeguarding legislation, statutory guidance, and recognised safeguarding frameworks, with the ability to apply them proportionately in practice.
• Up-to-date knowledge of children’s and adult social care systems.
• Understanding of trauma-informed, strengths-based practice in work with adults, children, and families.
• Awareness of how racism, inequality, and structural disadvantage can increase risk and shape safeguarding experiences, particularly for Black and minoritised communities.
• Understanding of organisational safeguarding governance, including accountability, assurance, escalation, and risk management.
• Knowledge of safeguarding responsibilities within the voluntary and community sector, including Charity Commission expectations, trustee duties, and regulatory requirements

Skills and abilities (Essential)

• Strong professional judgement, with confidence in making and defending complex safeguarding decisions.
• Calm, credible, and reflective approach in ambiguous or high-pressure situations.
• Ability to support and challenge colleagues constructively through reflective discussion, learning, and coaching rather than directive management.
• Clear, compassionate, and adaptable communicator, able to translate safeguarding complexity for diverse audiences, including operational and service delivery teams.
• Highly organised, able to manage multiple safeguarding priorities while maintaining attention to detail.
• Ability to work collaboratively across wide-ranging professional teams and external partners.
• Values-led, with a demonstrable commitment to equity, inclusion, anti-racist practice, and culturally responsive safeguarding.

Qualifications (Essential)

• Relevant professional qualification (e.g. social work, health, or related field), or equivalent professional experience.
• Evidence of ongoing professional development in safeguarding children and adults.
• Permission to work in the UK.

Attributes and general characteristics (Essential)

• Commitment to the values, aims, and objectives of Kinship.
• Respectful, empathetic approach to working with individuals from diverse backgrounds.
• Flexible and willing to travel across England as required.
• Excellent written and spoken English.

Desirable

• Lived experience of kinship care.
• Experience using Salesforce, Asana, Notion, and/or general AI tools for case management, project management, or documentation.
• Experience in innovation and continuous improvement within safeguarding practice or organisational culture.

How to apply:
Please apply for the role of Designated Safeguarding Manager by sending a tailored CV and responding to these 5 questions below in the online application process. Please read the guidance notes in the job pack. 

Closing date is 9am on Mon 2 March, with a first interview (30 mins online) that week and a second interview in person on Tues 10 March 2026. 

For all questions, please provide a maximum of 250 words per answer.

1.Alignment with Kinship: Why do you want to work for Kinship, and why does this Safeguarding Manager (Designated Safeguarding Lead) role matter to you at this point in your career?  Please refer to Kinship’s work and services in your answer, and explain what specifically about this role you are drawn to. 

2.Trauma informed practice: Describe a specific example where you have led or overseen a safeguarding concern using a trauma-informed approach.

3. Contextual safeguarding and professional curiosity: Tell us about a time you applied contextual safeguarding or professional curiosity to a situation where the initial concern did not tell the full story. What did you notice, what questions did you ask, and how did this change the safeguarding response? 

4. Reflective practice and supporting others: Give an example of how you have supported others to improve safeguarding decision-making through reflective practice (for example group reflection or one-to-one discussion). What was the issue and what changed? 

5. Equity, racism and safeguarding: Describe a situation where race, ethnicity or structural inequality affected safeguarding risk or decision-making. How did you recognise this and what did you do to ensure a fair and proportionate response? 

What we offer you:

• Flexible working - we understand how important it is to balance family and work life.
• ​30 days annual leave, plus bank holidays (1 April to 31 March) pro rata (3 to be taken at Christmas shutdown)
• Employee Assistance Programme (24/7 confidential advice line and counselling)
• Charity Worker Discounts. 

Benefits

• Flexible working arrangements 
• 40 days paid leave per year: 25 days annual leave, 8 bank holidays, 3 days between Christmas and New Year and 4 wellbeing days
• Strong commitment to professional development with a dedicated training budget
• Annual performance and pay progression reviews
• Up to 5% pension contribution
• Cycle to work scheme
• Employee Assistance Programme offering access to free therapy
• Work phone and laptop
• A supportive and inclusive culture with regular team social events
• Scope to take real ownership in a fast-growing charity   

Personal development programme: 

• You will have a line manager dedicated to growing your strengths and supporting your professional skills development 
• You can work with your manager to set your own objectives within the scope of the job description 
• You will have a dedicated buddy within the team 
• You will take part in external and internal training to help grow your knowledge and skills

Please note that care-experienced applicants who meet the essential criteria will be guaranteed an interview. We are actively trying to increase the diversity of our team and we encourage applications from people from minoritised ethnic backgrounds. We are dedicated to being a workplace where everyone feels a sense of belonging and where diversity is celebrated. In our last staff survey, 95% said they feel a sense of belonging at Settle. Please see our website for more information on our approach to Equity, Diversity and Inclusion. 

We’re on the hunt for a Programme Manager to join us at this exciting stage of Settle’s development. Over the next few years, we hope to grow the number of young people we are working with and develop new services to support young people with a range of support needs.

The Programme Manager will report to our COO. You’ll be managing a team of Settle Coaches working on the frontline, delivering one-to-one sessions with care-experienced young people across London. You’ll use your skills to ensure that the Settle Programme is the best it can be, coach our frontline teams and ensure high quality delivery is maintained for the young people we work with.

You will work with our COO and wider Programme Management team to deliver and develop our safeguarding practice and ensure that the frontline perspective and young people’s experiences are embedded across the organisation. You’ll manage existing referral partnerships and help develop new partnerships as and when needed, as well as share best practice with the partners you manage. You will also have the opportunity to be involved in strategic projects across the organisation.

We are seeking a dedicated Site Manager to join our service based in Basildon, Essex. The service engages young people in learning through vocational teamwork and social development, focusing on KS3 and KS4, with a person-centred approach that celebrates individuality and uses humour, patience and support to get meaningful outcomes for our students. We work with we work with a wide range of young people, the majority with additional needs (SEN, SEMH, EBSA), helping them to achieve L1 BTEC qualifications in order to avoid NEET outcomes.

As the Circles Study and Salon Site Manager, you will be responsible for overall leadership of the service, day to day operations and development of the future provision. In this role you will lead the tutors, empowering and enabling them to deliver high quality support for our students by setting high standards for work and reflecting this to our external partners through effective communication, evidencing outcomes that are in line with, and exceed, contractual requirements. Additionally, you will complete all time critical evidencing for the site and monitor and feedback on the supporting documentation from tutors and students, while actively promoting diversity, inclusion, and equality, fostering a safe and supportive learning environment in which all individuals feel valued and respected.

Key responsibilities

• Oversee the daily running of the site
• Liaising with external organisations and stakeholders
• Recruitment of new members
• Management of staff, through regular appraisals and by setting SMART goals
• Maintain accurate records of performance, evidencing completion of contracted targets
• Manage and monitor site and project budgets,
• Develop the site and service, maintaining and improving our offer and standards
• Motivate & inspire staff and students
• Create a safe, supportive, and inclusive environment

Person Specification 

• Strong leadership skills to motivate, support, and manage staff effectively
• Experience in an education/alternative provision setting, ideally as a DDSL
• Ability to set clear goals and support staff development
• Excellent organisational skills
• Strong time-management and ability to prioritise
• Clear and confident verbal and written communicator with good attention to detail
• Financial and budgeting planning skills
• Current understanding of equality, diversity, and inclusion principles
• Confidence in handling challenges calmly and professionally, with previous experience in conflict resolution
• Competent in the use of Microsoft Word, Excel, and email

As part of our process, we complete an enhanced DBS check and some roles may require further vetting. Please make sure that the application form is completed along with a cover letter, to ensure that your application is reviewed.

We are looking for an experienced museum and heritage professional with a curatorial and/or learning and engagement background to ensure our collection, archive and content development has relevance for diverse audiences and partners.

The role of Head of Content, Learning & Engagement offers a hugely exciting opportunity to join a young and ambitious charity at a pivotal moment in its evolution.

You will develop our work across the collection and archive, including having curatorial oversight for Crystal Palace Museum, ownership of which will be transferring to the Trust during 2026. You will also lead our learning and engagement programmes, ensuring all activity is audience-driven and rooted in our mission, values and strategic principles and taking inspiration from our rich heritage and landscape and fascinating creative, cultural, and sporting legacy.

Location: Hybrid (London-based)

Contract: Full-time

Salary: up to £38,000 per annum (dependent on experience)

We’re seeking an experienced, motivated Programme Manager with a passion for music and culture, and the confidence to drive projects forward in a small, collaborative team. 

This is an exciting time to join CDR as we grow nationally and you will play a pivotal role in shaping and scaling three of our core programmes at a time of real momentum.

The ideal candidate will have 5+ years experience in delivering music education programmes, be highly organised, and proactive.

CDR is an organisation committed to equity, diversity and inclusion in everything we do, from our programmes to our hiring practices. We particularly welcome and encourage applications from Black people and others who are currently underrepresented in the music and cultural industry. 

About CDR

CDR is a community-first music organisation working towards an equitable music industry for producers and artists. Founded in 2002, we have a 20-year track record of nurturing independent music makers and pushing UK electronic music forward.

We connect education with modern music culture, empowering people to create new music, define their sound, and release music on their own terms. Our programmes span schools, youth centres, grassroots venues and international collaborations — from Newham to Nairobi.

As a Black-led, London-based National Portfolio Organisation (Arts Council England), we are building the CDR Pathway: a cohesive journey that unlocks creativity in people at a young age and supports them to develop their creative practice throughout their lives.

This is an exciting time to join CDR: after recently becoming an Arts Council National Portfolio Organisation, we are rapidly growing our projects around the country. Building on 20 years of heritage in the UK underground music scene, there is a significant opportunity to push on further and grow CDR’s profile to establish ourselves as a leading music and education organisation nationally.

The Programmes You’ll Lead

Music Producer Club (MPC) – digital music-making for young people aged 12–18, delivered in schools, youth centres and online. Taught by ‘producer educators’ - working music producers we train to educate the next generation -, MPC builds creativity, skills and confidence while connecting participants with electronic music culture and the national curriculum.

Process – a development programme for women, non-binary and trans+ music makers. Structured across three strands for different abilities (Create, Define, Release), Process combines workshops, mentoring and masterclasses to build skills, confidence and community for underrepresented producers.

Out The Box (OTB) – hands-on analogue mixing workshops in leading London studios, giving emerging producers practical experience with desks, outboard gear and professional engineers while bridging digital and analogue production techniques.

Key Responsibilities

Programme Management

• Lead planning, scheduling and delivery of MPC, Process and Out The Box programmes and events.

• Manage a growing team of freelance staff who help deliver and coordinate our projects.

• Manage budgets and ensure all programmes are delivered within budget

• Build and maintain relationships with all programme stakeholders and partners, acting as the main point of contact.

• Work in partnership with the Communications Manager on refining marketing strategies and promotional materials

• Lead recruitment and selection of programme participants and act as the main point of contract for participants, providing pastoral support where relevant

• Build strong, ongoing relationships with participants, ensuring CDR remains responsive to their creative development and continues to build our community

• Contribute to the development of online/digital delivery models that complement in-person programming and expand access to underrepresented communities.

• Represent CDR at events, conferences and networks.

• Review and manage all relevant invoices in collaboration with Operation Manager

• Complete administrative tasks where necessary

Quality Monitoring & Evaluation

• Collect and analyse participant data, case studies and feedback, and drive solutions in response to pain points.

• Support continuous improvement by feeding programme insights into CDR’s evolving evaluation framework, learning outputs, and communications strategy.

• Ensure safeguarding, risk assessments and health and safety are adhered to across all programmes. Implementing training, good practice and further planning where necessary.

• Ensure programme curriculums are adhered to and quality is upkept across all programmes

• Oversee evaluation processes for participant progress.

• Report to funders, trustees and stakeholders.

• Contribute to programme design improvements.

• Ensure programmes are inclusive, culturally relevant and aligned with CDR’s strategic objectives.

• Monitor accessibility needs

• Organise annual training for MPC educators
   

Strategic Development

• Work with senior management to scale and embed programmes nationally.

• Ensure programmes align with and contribute to the CDR Pathway, supporting participants to progress from entry-level engagement to sustained creative practice and professional development.

• Support the Communications & Partnerships Manager with documentation of programme impact through stories, media, or participant content, contributing to CDR’s growing digital archive and visibility.

• Work with the Communications & Partnerships Manager to develop new partnerships to increase our programme’s reach and impact

• Identify and pursue growth and collaboration opportunities.

• Support fundraising and development

Person Specification

Essential

• Track record of managing and growing programmes in education, youth, or the arts.

• Strong organisational and time-management skills.

• Experience working with schools, youth centres, studios or community partners.

• Safeguarding knowledge and practice.

• Experience working directly with young people.

• Experience managing freelance or creative teams.

• Excellent relationship-building and communication skills.

• Strong digital literacy, with confidence in using tools for asynchronous planning, comms, and evaluation (e.g. Google Drive, SmartSuite etc.).

• Commitment to equity, diversity and inclusion.

• Interest in electronic music, grassroots culture, and community-focused work

• Proactive self starter, comfortable working in a small, dynamic team.

Desirable

• Knowledge of music education or digital music production.

• Report-writing or fundraising experience.

• Familiarity with major funding  reporting requirements - i.e. Arts Council England and PRS

• Understanding of talent development models and pathways into the music industry.

Terms & Benefits

• Full-time, hybrid working with a London office base.

• 25 days annual leave + bank holidays + office closure (Christmas week).

• Pension scheme.

• Training and professional development opportunities.

Reports to: CEO

Start Date: Mid/End March

Equity, Diversity and Inclusion at CDR

CDR is committed to equity and inclusion in everything we do, from our programmes to our hiring practices. We believe a diverse team is essential to a thriving music and cultural industry.

We particularly welcome and encourage applications from Black people and others who are currently underrepresented in the music and cultural industry. In line with the Equality Act 2010, we guarantee equal opportunity regardless of any protected characteristic.

Accessibility and reasonable adjustments 

We provide reasonable adjustments for all candidates. If you require support or specific arrangements for the application or interview process, please contact us via email. We are here to ensure you can perform at your best during the recruitment process.

Learning Disability Community Leader, L'Arche Manchester

ABOUT THE ROLE

Hours of work: 37.5 hours per week (including some evening and weekend working, and regular on-call)

Salary: £47,946 per annum

Reports to: L’Arche UK Regional Leader

Place of work: L’Arche Manchester Community, Manchester M20 4AW. Some travel and overnight stays will be required within the UK

Contract type: Temporary 12-month appointment to cover maternity leave

Closing date: Monday, 2nd March at 12 pm.

Main purpose of the role

The Community Leader is responsible for ensuring that the Community is living the mission of L’Arche, by providing excellent and sustainable care and support services, support for  spirituality, and engaging with our neighbours and the wider community around us.

The Community Leader will:

• Lead the Community by responding to the needs, choices and context of our members while being faithful to the L'Arche UK Vision and Values, the L'Arche International Identity and Mission Statement, and to a co-created Community Mandate and plan;
• Maintain and enhance high-quality, person-centred care, support, and housing for people with learning disabilities, both at home and in our day services in partnership with the Registered Manager, the local and national teams, individual circles of support, and external partners. 
• Ensure the Community’s financial sustainability through robust financial planning and management. This includes setting budgets and controlling spending, maximising housing occupancy, supporting the negotiation of care contracts, growing our day services and spotting fundraising opportunities. 
• Foster a culture that maximises the voice and power for people with learning disabilities, and builds listening and collaboration between Community members. This will include working with an active Community Support Group, Community Gatherings, listening groups, and other forums. 
• Lead and manage a committed and engaged leadership team to achieve objectives, set a positive culture, and support the personal and professional growth of our teams. 
• Cultivate an open, creative, and inclusive spiritual life, inviting everyone in the Community to deepen their connections. 
• Model, advocate for, and embrace the L’Arche ethos of deep, long-term, and mutually transforming relationships between people with and without learning disabilities. Plan and lead a regular calendar of events that build community belonging and help keep people connected. 
• Contribute to the national work programmes of L’Arche UK, as part of the National Council, collaborating with Community Leaders of other L’Arche Communities, to share skills, best practice and resources. 
• Be a visible representative of L’Arche locally in the wider community, with stakeholders like local authorities, professional organisations, schools, faith communities, and L’Arche world wide.

Key essential criteria

• Senior leadership experience in support to adults with learning disabilities (or transferable skills and experience in a closely-related field). 
• Experience leading and managing an organisation or large teams to deliver results, maintain compliance and quality, and to respond to risks and opportunities. 
• Experience leading and developing diverse teams to flourish, individually and together. 
• Good financial planning skills and experience successfully managing a substantial budget. 
• Evidence of the ability to think strategically, and work collaboratively to develop and implement community plans. 
• Experience of living or working alongside people with learning disabilities and/or autistic individuals

This role is subject to an enhanced DBS criminal record check. 

You may have held these job titles in the past: Registered Manager, Service Manager, Head of Care, Senior Operations Lead, Community Director, Head of Community Services, Country or Regional Lead, Learning Disability Services Manager, Head of Mission and Community Life, Health & Social Care Manager, Local Authority Commissioning Lead;

You can find more details about L'Arche and the Manchester community on our website. 

Why join L'Arche?

As well as joining a friendly Community, where you will be well supervised and supported, and benefit from L’Arche’s mentorship programme, these are some other benefits you get by working for us:

• Joining shared meals since cooking and having a meal together is what we are all about
• Enhanced Maternity, Adoption/Surrogacy, Paternity Pay (depending on length of service, details available on request) 
• Enhanced sick pay
• Interest free loans and salary advances available
• Free DBS / PVG checks
• Free Employee Assistance Programme available to everyone
• Up to 5 days paid compassionate leave
• Up to 6 days paid (pro rata) for time off for emergency dependents leave
• Specialist bereavement counselling for employees and their family members
• Life Assurance
• Access to the Bike to Work scheme

Discover what makes L’Arche a rewarding place to work—explore  more of our employee benefits on our website.

A full job description and person specification can be found in the Recruitment Pack.

To apply, please submit your CV and answer the questions from our online application form. 

The closing date is: Monday, 2nd of March at 12 pm.

First interviews (online via Microsoft Teams) are expected to take place during the week beginning the 9th March 2026.

Second round interviews will take on the place week beginning 16th March 2026 and will take place within the Community.

We encourage you not to wait until the closing date to submit your application, as we may begin interviewing strong candidates before then.
We also reserve the right to close the advert early if we receive enough suitable applications.

Please also read our privacy notice for job applicants.