The National Youth Agency is looking for a Programme Governance Lead.
Programme Governance Lead
Contract: Permanent
Hours: Full-time - 37 hours per week
Salary: £55,000 - £65,000 per annum (dependent on experience and qualifications)
Location: Home-based in England with occasional travel for meetings, workshops, and team activities. Head Office is in Leicester.
What we do
As the national body for youth work, the NYA has a dual function. We are the professional statutory and regulatory body (PSRB) responsible for qualifications, quality standards, and safeguarding for youth work and services in England. In line with our charity mission and aims, we also champion youth work through research, advocacy, campaigns, and programmes.
We work in partnership and believe in collaborative leadership, listening to youth workers and the youth work sector so that we can understand their needs and respond to the challenges they face. We are ambitious for youth work and for young people and integrate youth voice and influence across our work
About the Role
We are looking for Programme Governance Lead to manage and oversee the successful delivery of all programmes/projects within the Programmes Directorate by establishing and leading consistent governance and assurance. The postholder will strengthen programme governance, reporting and risk management ensuring programmes are delivered by agreed methodologies and in a consistent manner.
Key Responsibilities
As our Programme Governance Lead, you will:
- Define, implement and maintain an agreed methodology for programme/project lifecycle governance.
- Chair programme/project boards and ensuring decisions, and actions are documented and actioned.
- Identify risks, issues and dependencies which are not captured by Programme Portfolio Leads. Ensure consistent risk management across projects and programmes. Proactively identify cross-programme/project risks and issues (including those not visible to project/programme leads), implement mitigations, and escalate risks/issues to the Director of Programmes and COO as required. Assess programme/project risks against the NYA risk register and update the register accordingly.
- Produce and present monthly programme governance reports at the Directorate Programme Board, providing clear portfolio-level insight (milestones, deliverables, RAG status, KPIs, benefits, and financial/resource assumptions) to enable effective senior decision-making and assurance.
- Design and run governance routines (e.g., project start-up, weekly/monthly reviews, decision logs, change control) and support high-quality papers and actions for directorate governance forums; ensure timely escalation of material risks, issues and decisions to the COO.
- Support teams to evidence compliance with funder/contractual requirements; ensure appropriate documentation, approvals and version control are in place and accessible.
- Implement and maintain a robust lessons-learned process (during and post-delivery) and ensure findings are integrated into future programmes/projects through updated standards, templates, training and assurance checkpoints.
Why Work for NYA?
- NYA operates as a people-focused organisation, prioritising the well-being and needs of its employees.
- NYA offers an exceptional flexible working approach which encourages our team to balance professional responsibilities with their personal life.
- A remote based team, spread across England, fostering inclusivity and diverse talent. Despite geographical distances between team members, NYA maintains a highly motivated and connected team through the optimisation of digital tools.
- NYA is committed to supporting the continual personal and professional development of our team and helping them achieve their ambitions.
- We provide 25 days leave plus 8 days, life assurance scheme, 5% employer pension contribution and a comprehensive Employee Assistance Programme via Spectrum.life with unlimited specialist support available to all NYA employees.
Closing date: 23:59 Friday 3rd July 2026.
N.B. We would encourage you to apply as soon as possible as we may close the vacancy early if we receive a sufficient number of suitable applications.
Interviews: W/C 13th July OR W/C 20th July
Interested?
If you would like to find out more, please click the apply button. You will be directed to our website to complete your application for this position.
The National Youth Agency is an equal opportunities employer.
At NYA our inclusive culture means that we embrace individual differences and understand that we need a diverse team to achieve our organisations mission.
We wish to recruit candidates from all backgrounds to ensure our team reflects the rich diversity of the communities we serve. We encourage applications from anyone regardless of disability, ethnicity, heritage, gender, sexuality, religion, socio-economic background and political beliefs but we particularly welcome applications from global majority candidates and those from other minoritised ethnic groups in the UK as they are currently underrepresented in our team.
Please note: We use AI detector software, so applications or CV’s with high levels of AI generated content may be disregarded. We understand that AI tools can offer support to candidates who have learning differences, which is why we will accept applications with some AI assistance.
No agencies please.
Thank you!
Using Anonymous Recruitment
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- Job Title - Communications & Engagement Lead
- Responsible to - Chief Executive Officer
- Salary - £23,000 actual (based on £31,500 full time)
- Contract - Part-Time (28 hours per week) - From time to time, you may be required to work some evenings and weekends. These are usually communicated well in advance and the time will be given back to you in lieu. We expect team members to work in-person 60% of the time whether that’s at our office in MediaCity or at our delivery locations in Greater Manchester. This is a one-year fixed-term contract, with the likelihood of renewal subject to funding availability.
Important dates
- Applications to be received by 11pm on Sunday 5 July 2026
- Video Screening to be complete by 11pm on Thursday 9 July 2026
- Interviews held on Monday 20 and Tuesday 21 July 2026.
ABOUT YOUTH LEADS UK
Youth Leads UK is an award-winning charity that believes young people matter. We support young people furthest from opportunity to build skills, create change, and shape the decisions that affect their lives – from classrooms to communities to boardrooms. We run leadership programmes, deliver social action projects, and publish Youth Leads Magazine – a platform for youth voice and creativity.
Working with thousands of young people across Greater Manchester for over a decade, we are experts in enabling young people to step outside their comfort zones, build real-world skills and grow in confidence. We back young people to lead, in our programmes, in policy spaces and in shaping Britain's future.
Please see our website ‘About Us’ page for more information about our vision, mission and values.
WHY WORK WITH US?
At Youth Leads UK, we believe in creating an environment that helps you thrive both personally and professionally. We offer 30 days of annual leave (including bank holidays) and a part-closure over Christmas and New Year. Our wellbeing programme includes regular socials and time for mental health initiatives, and our base at MediaCity, one of Greater Manchester's most vibrant and sustainable locations, ensures a positive and connected working environment.
We are deeply committed to diversity, equality, and inclusion. That’s why we are a Living Wage Employer, signed up to the Greater Manchester Good Employer’s Charter, and the #ShowTheSalary campaign. It’s important to us that our staff team reflects the communities we serve. We guarantee interviews for our Youth Leads UK alumni, care experienced or disabled individuals, so please let us know in your application if you meet this criteria. We promote equal opportunities and we value the unique perspectives of diverse team members.
As a youth-led organisation, we prioritise employing individuals under 30, aligning with our mission to foster strong connections and relatability with the young people we support. This is in accordance with the Equality Act and reflects our belief in empowering young voices to shape our work.
ROLE SUMMARY
This is the lead communications role at Youth Leads UK - the person who holds our voice, shapes our stories, and makes sure the world hears what our young people are doing and why it matters.
Working closely with the CEO and eventually supported by two Youth Content Creators, you will own the communications and engagement function across all channels and audiences. You will set the tone, maintain the brand, lead our campaigns, and ensure everything we put out reflects who we are and what we stand for.
WHAT YOU’LL BE DOING
Strategy and brand
- Own the Youth Leads UK communications strategy, ensuring our channels, campaigns, and content are coherent, consistent, and purposeful
- Act as the guardian of our brand — maintaining voice, tone, and visual identity across everything we produce
- Work closely with the CEO to align communications activity with organisational priorities and the Generation:NOW strategy
- Analyse performance across channels and use insight to inform what we do next
Campaigns and content
- Lead the development and delivery of youth-led campaigns on issues that matter to our communities - from mental health and civic participation to cost of living and representation
- Oversee the planning and production of Youth Leads Magazine - three editions per year, created by and for young people
- Lead on long-form and strategic content including press releases, impact reports, website articles, and stakeholder communications
- Set the brief for social media content and oversee delivery by the Youth Content Creators, ensuring quality, consistency, and brand alignment
- Manage email communications including newsletters and stakeholder updates
Developing young people
- Provide day-to-day communications direction to two Youth Content Creators — setting briefs, reviewing content, and ensuring brand consistency
- Actively mentor and develop the Youth Content Creators, helping them build skills, confidence, and understanding of professional communications practice. The youth content creators will be line managed by the Head of Programmes, who you will work closely with
- Champion youth voice across all communications output, ensuring young people are authentically represented and genuinely involved in how we tell our story
Media and public profile
- Build and maintain relationships with journalists, editors, and media contacts across local, regional, and national outlets
- Draft and issue press releases, media statements, and reactive comments
- Identify and pursue opportunities to place youth voice in public debate - through opinion pieces, broadcast appearances, panel contributions, and more
- Support the CEO and young people to prepare for media appearances and public-facing engagements
Communicating our impact
- Work with the wider team to translate programme outcomes, data, and young people’s stories into compelling content for a range of audiences
- Produce materials that communicate Youth Leads UK’s impact clearly and powerfully to partners, funders, and the public
- Ensure our digital presence - website, social channels, email - reflects the quality and ambition of our work
OTHER AREAS OF RESPONSIBILITY
- Ensure young people play a strong leadership role across our work
- Keep up to date on new developments and trends within the youth sector
- Administrative duties as required, such as minute-taking, arranging travel and booking venues
- Representing Youth Leads UK at conferences and events
- Act as an ambassador for the organisation
- Ensure Youth Leads UK’s Health and Safety and Safeguarding and any other appropriate policies are adhered to where necessary
- Take reasonable care of your own health and safety and that of others who might be affected by your work as required by law and described in the relevant operating policies and procedures
- Be committed to safeguarding principles and be willing to put the welfare of children and young people at the forefront of your work
- An understanding and belief in the inclusion of all staff, partners and young people irrespective of race, gender, sexuality, age, religion, ability, identity and experience
- Actively promotes and embeds an understanding of equality, diversity, and an inclusive culture
- Able to take personal accountability for key work areas
KNOWLEDGE AND SKILLS REQUIRED
ESSENTIAL
- Strong writing skills - able to produce compelling content across formats, from social media captions to press releases to long-form articles
- Experience developing and delivering communications strategies or campaigns
- Solid understanding of brand, voice, and audience - and how to maintain consistency across channels
- Experience managing or overseeing social media channels for an organisation or campaign
- Ability to use analytics to evaluate performance and make informed decisions about future activity
- Experience writing press releases or supporting media and press engagement
- Confidence building relationships with journalists, media contacts, or external stakeholders
- Excellent organisational skills - able to manage multiple priorities, meet deadlines, and maintain quality under pressure
- Genuine commitment to youth empowerment, social justice, and amplifying underrepresented voices
- Experience with video content production or editing
- Understanding of safeguarding principles when working with young people (training provided)
DESIRABLE
- Proficiency in Canva for creating and adapting branded content
- Experience with email marketing tools and understanding of what makes an effective newsletter or stakeholder communication
- Experience using Adobe Lightroom, Photoshop, or similar tools (training available)
- Experience working in or with the charity, public, or youth sector
- Understanding of civic leadership, social action, or community engagement
- Experience directing, briefing, or supporting others to deliver communications work
- Familiarity with website content management systems
- Experience mentoring or developing junior colleagues or young people
We recruit based on potential, not polish - so don’t worry if one or two of the above are missing - most things can be taught!
ORGANISATIONAL INFORMATION
Youth Leads UK has a small yet mighty team, so you may be required to take on other duties and responsibilities from time to time.
All staff are expected to:
- Adhere to the policies and procedures in the Youth Leads UK staff policy handbook.
- Maintain confidentiality at all times in line with organisational policies.
- Successfully complete an enhanced DBS check and provide two independent references before appointment.
- Actively promote an inclusive and diverse culture within the organisation.
The post holder must have confirmation of eligibility to work in the UK (the successful candidate will be required to provide documentary evidence before a job offer is confirmed).
Registered Charity
6 - 10
Supporting 1,500+ young people a year to build skills, raise their voices, and lead change — from Greater Manchester to nationally
The client requests no contact from agencies or media sales.