Through the appointment of a Strategic Programme Director (SPD), we have been given an opportunity to bring a step change in our mission and ministry across the Diocese of Coventry. With a history of innovative missional practice and a dedicated team of lay and ordained leaders across our diverse geographical area (Warwickshire, Coventry and part of Solihull), we are looking to appoint a strategic thinker who is solutions focused with experience in bringing impactful change. The SPD will join us at an exciting time in the strategic development of the Diocese of Coventry as our new diocesan bishop takes up her responsibilities with a vision to see all churches flourish. A highly consultative approach will be needed as we look ahead to the beginning of this new season.
The Strategic Programme Director will be responsible for contributing to and supporting the Bishop’s Senior Staff Team and key lay and ordained leaders in the delivery of the diocesan strategy. The role will ensure that the programmes, projects and workstreams within the plan are delivered on time, within scope and budget. The Programme Director will provide oversight of the strategic plan from inception of ideas through implementation to delivery of projects. Working collaboratively across the Diocese, the role will also ensure that key outcomes are well-defined, appropriately prioritised, delivered to plan and within budget. The role will include shaping and scoping the request for partnership/external funding.
Programme Development & Planning
- In the first year: To prioritise the clear articulation of a diocesan wide vision and direction of travel through working closely with the Bishop and the Bishop’s Senior Staff Team building on the work achieved in recent years.
- Work with key stakeholders to develop strategic initiatives aligned with the diocesan vision and strategy
- Ensure strategic proposals have clarity and viability
- Ensure effective communication with clarity, consistency and transparency
- Work with senior leaders to prioritise outline proposals
- Work with senior leaders to develop change proposals including detailed outcomes and the process by which those outcomes will be achieved
- Regularly assess the viability of development proposals
- Work with partnership funding bodies, including the C of E Vision and Strategy Team, to submit funding proposals and assure the quality of applications for any partnership funding
- Represent the Diocese in discussions with partnership funders
- Work with senior leaders to make the best use of central resources to support change
Programme Management
- Facilitate the launch of partnership-funded strategic projects, ensuring they are appropriately planned, resourced, measured and managed.
- Establish appropriate programme governance, including risk management, change management, regular reporting, and budget management
- Work with the communications team to ensure consistent and effective messaging
- Establish review and support processes to ensure projects are delivered successfully
- Ensure intervention processes are developed to pause, or if necessary, terminate projects that have demonstrated they will not deliver
- Capture and publish lessons learned, and support research studies
- Build consistent protocols for all significant strategic development initiatives
- Track progress against a detailed project plan, deliverables, outcomes and measures
- Manage changes in project scope, schedule and costs, escalating to BSIG as required
- Provide support for operational aspects of projects in liaison with diocesan colleagues
- Ensure project leads/managers regularly complete a quality project highlight report
- Address project issues and risks, escalating to BSST accordingly
- Report project status to BSST on a regular basis
- Oversee production of all necessary annual reports for the Strategic Investment Board
The client requests no contact from agencies or media sales.
We’re an award-winning charity running local learning centres in the heart of the communities where the young people we support live. Our centres provide a high-impact education programme which includes practical learning support, pastoral care, and motivational and confidence-building activities for young people aged 7-18. Our aim is to enable students from the least advantaged neighbourhoods to realise their ambitions and achieve their wonderful potential.
As the UK’s leading university access organisation, our staff team is helping 56,000 young people each year at its 44 learning centres and extension projects across England and Scotland, and we plan to scale-up our provision to 50 centres over the coming years.
We are looking for a high-calibre candidate to take on the permanent role of Regional Operations Manager for our centres in North West London (Brent, Hammersmith, Haringey, North Islington and North Kensington)
As a Regional Operations Manager you will line manage the Centre Leaders in your region to ensure that centres are working effectively, that the high quality of programme delivery to young people is maintained across the cluster, and that targets are monitored and met. And of course, you will need to have a genuine passion and enthusiasm for working with young people and helping them achieve their ambitions.
The role at a glance
Contract: This is a permanent role. This role can be either full-time or part-time (0.8 FTE) - responsibilities will be adjusted proportionally for part-time candidates.
Start date: As soon as possible
Working hours
Mon and Thurs: 09:30-18:00
Tues, Weds, Fri: 09:00-17:30
We are a delivery organisation providing frontline educational services for young people. We are an organisation with team members at different stages of their career, including many in their first roles: We are committed to nurturing talent and providing a developmental culture for all. Our team works in-person 4 days per week (or 3 days for a 0.8 FTE staff member) with 1 day working from home.
Location
The role would be based at one of our IntoUniversity centres in North West London with regular travel within London.
Salary
£42,600 per annum
Pro rata for part-time candidate.
Annual leave
Full-time staff entitlement, pro-rated for part-time staff: 33 days (inc bank & public holidays) + 3 closure days (two in December and one in July) + additional length of service entitlement (one day per year of service, up to 5 days)
Staff benefits
- Employer pension contributions of 6% (and up to 8% after two years)
- Year round ‘early finish’ Fridays at 4.30pm
- Summer working hours (finish at 1pm on Fridays for six weeks in the summer), pro-rated for staff joining after January in the same year
- Employee Assistance Programme including access to wellbeing and legal support
- Life Assurance scheme with Aviva including SmartHealth service with access to 24/7 online GP appointments
- Interest-free new starter loans of up to £1,000
- Cycle to Work Scheme and Travelcard Loan Scheme
- Enhanced maternity, paternity, shared parental and adoption pay and sick pay allowances
- Staff in FOCUS – rewards, competitions and prizes across the year
Application deadline - 9am Tuesday 6th May 2025
Interview day (in-person) - Monday 12th May/ Tuesday 13th May. Please make sure you are available on these dates.
IntoUniversity provides local learning centres where young people are inspired to achieve.





The client requests no contact from agencies or media sales.
Permanent with funding until 30th April 2026
£30,600.00 per annum
Location: Whaddon Youth Centre, Dart Road, Cheltenham, Gloucestershire
Supporting all services in the West Midlands (including Shropshire and Birmingham)
35 hours full time
When completing your personal statement please outline your specific skills, knowledge and experience that relates to those listed in the recruitment pack.
The Children's Society has been helping children and young people in this country for over 140 years. We run local services that support children when they are at their most vulnerable and in desperate need of help. We're there for children, every step of the way.
This role sits within our Youth Practice team, across Birmingham. The focus of the role is to develop a culture of youth voice & participation within services. Also to lead a programme of youth voice and participation work with children and young people in order that their views and ideas inform the work of services and The Children's Society.
We are currently looking for an individual that is passionate and energetic and committed to the values of youth voice and participation to join our dynamic, ambitious team.
A key part of this role will be your ability to
-develop relationships with young people and support them to have their voices heard.
-lead and develop groups.
-respond and adapt to new ways to amplifying young people's voices and addressing the barriers to those least likely to engage.
-have a clear commitment to intersectional approaches when working with young people and working with young people who experience multiple systemic oppressions.
-commit to continuous learning to enhance own practice and keep abreast of innovative practice.
-use your communication & influencing skills, both written and verbal to lead and inspire others and the ability to engage with young people.
-keep clear records of work and complete monitoring and evaluations.
KEY SKILLS AND COMPETENCIES
In order to be successful in this role, you must have:
-A minimum of 2 years experience in youth work
-Experience of facilitating participation activities with young people on a one-to-one basis and in group work settings.
-Experience of supporting young people who are dealing with complex and sensitive needs and providing pastoral support.
-Experience of working independently and as part of a team in the field of youth voice and participation.
-Experience of being a champion of youth voice and participation.
-Experience of developing inclusive practice.
Other requirements for the role:
-Regular evening working which are both face to face and virtual engagement.
-Regular weekend working which is on average once a month.
-Regular travel across the region to work with young people.
The Children's Society runs over 100 local services that help thousands of young people who desperately need our support. We campaign to get laws and policies changed to make children's lives happier and safer.
Every day we're changing the lives of children in this country for the better - and with your help, tomorrow we can be there for even more.
Benefits
Enhanced Annual Leave 28 days-length of service extra 2 after 2, 5 and 7 goes up to 36 days.
Free eye test-claim back via my finance-take form to dentist-eye test form can also claim for glasses.
Pension-match contribution up to 8% can opt out, have to auto enrolled every 2 years do get money refunded if opt out you contribute 4% and will be matched to 8%
Life assurance - death in service, 4x salary gets paid to nominated person.
Cycle to work 39% off bike cost can be spread across the year.
770 retailers discounts offered with YouStar App.
The Children's Society is committed to safeguarding and protecting the children and young people that we work with. As such, all posts are subject to a safer recruitment process, including the disclosure of criminal records and vetting checks. We ensure that we have a range of policies and procedures in place which promote safeguarding and safer working practices across our services.
Therefore, candidates applying for work in our Children and Young People's Directorate will be required to complete an “Employment history template” document prior to interview. The fully completed document should be uploaded by the candidate alongside uploading your CV.
Closing date midnight 7th May 2025.
Interviews will be held on the 30th May 2025.
Interviews will be in two stages:
Stage 1 Staff interview panel and Stage 2 Young People's panel both taking place on the same day.
Interviews will be held at Whaddon Youth Centre, Cheltenham.
IN1