PROGRAMME MANAGER

About Unfold

Unfold is an established local charity supporting young people and families to reach their potential by identifying and achieving their goals through mentoring. We support families and young people in Westminster and its neighbouring boroughs through mentoring programmes and peer support groups for women with children.

For over 35 years, we have provided support to families and young people at risk of social exclusion. Working with trained and DBS-checked volunteers, we offer mentoring to women and children, building independence and helping people get where they want to be. We’ve also developed specialised programmes for refugees, children excluded from school, those with care experience, and families facing homelessness.

About the Role

The Programme Manager is responsible for the development, management and delivery of Unfold’s Broadening Horizons mentoring programme and peer support groups for children and young people aged 10–25.

The role includes managing a team of four (Senior Programme Officers and Programme Officers), ensuring effective planning and delivery of mentoring programmes in line with agreed strategies and workplans. You will oversee the development of specialised programmes, including mentoring for refugees, young people seeking asylum, those excluded from mainstream education, and those with care experience.

The Programme Manager will monitor performance, manage resources, ensure compliance with Unfold’s policies and procedures, and report regularly to the Deputy CEO and Board of Trustees. You will prepare reports and case studies, analyse monitoring data, revise training materials, and use findings to inform programme improvement.

Partnership management is a key element of the role, including maintaining and developing relationships with local authorities, schools, funders, and community organisations to enhance programme delivery. The postholder will also lead the Youth Advisory Council, supporting members to contribute to Unfold’s strategy and direction.

As part of the Senior Management Team, the Programme Manager will contribute to wider organisational planning and development. The role may include occasional evening and weekend work, for which time off in lieu will be given.

About You

You will bring:

• Experience developing and managing projects involving vulnerable children, young people, and families.

• Proven management experience, including performance managing and motivating a team.

• Strong organisational skills and the ability to manage multiple priorities.

• Excellent written and verbal communication skills.

• Experience administering, monitoring, and evaluating projects effectively.

• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills.

• Experience developing programme strategy and workplans.

• Passion for supporting children and young people to improve outcomes.

• Ability to communicate with people from diverse backgrounds.

• Confident presentation and public speaking skills.

• Commitment to Unfold’s mission, vision, and values.

You’ll be a motivated, hands-on team player, empathetic to the experiences of vulnerable groups, and willing to work occasional evenings and weekends.

Why Join Us?

• Holidays: 25 working days (along with additional Christmas closedown days)
• Pension: We offer a generous pension provision. New staff are automatically enrolled for a pension after three months, and after six months, we will match your contribution up to a maximum of 8%.
• Team working: We are a small but brilliant team: we're supportive, diverse, and we help each other out. There are always opportunities to get involved in different aspects of the organisation, or lead on new initiatives.
• Training opportunities: We want to ensure that our team is continuously learning and building expertise in their field. For this reason, we offer each team member two days per year dedicated to professional development and training opportunities.
• Wellbeing - How we feel matters: Staff have access to a comprehensive Employee Assistance Programme, and our staff Wellbeing Champions are leading on the design and delivery of our wellbeing strategy, including the review of our quarterly wellbeing survey. Staff have regular supervision sessions to encourage reflection and discussion on our work and wellbeing. Additionally, we’re excited to introduce three days a year dedicated to team-building activities. These days are an opportunity to build skills, foster connections, and recharge as a team!
• Flexible working: We're happy to consider flexible working arrangements in line with the requirements of the role.
• Working Environment: We work in a beautiful, accessible, eco-friendly co-working space with a number of other charities, with plants, a leafy roof terrace and free hot and cold drinks. With comfortable spaces to read quietly or talk in a group, our workspace is somewhere you'll want to be.