169 Programme and partnerships development director jobs

Keeping Young People Safe:

At Young Enterprise, safeguarding is at the core of everything we do. We are committed to promoting the welfare of children and vulnerable adults. All successful applicants will receive ongoing safeguarding training throughout their employment and be expected to uphold excellent safeguarding practice at all times.

Are you passionate about helping young people build brighter futures?

Do you love bringing programmes to life, bringing people together, building relationships, and making things happen? If so, we’ve got an exciting opportunity to join the Young Enterprise team as a Senior Programme Manager.

Who We Are:

We’re Young Enterprise – a national charity with a bold mission: to give every young person the skills, confidence, and mindset to thrive in the changing world of work.

For over 60 years, we’ve empowered more than 7 million young people through hands-on enterprise and financial education programmes. Whether it’s launching a student business or learning how to manage money, we help young people develop key life skills—teamwork, leadership, problem-solving, and resilience.

We’re a passionate, down-to-earth team of 90+ staff and 2,000+ volunteers who believe that every young person, regardless of background, deserves a fair start in life.

Why Join Us?

We think Young Enterprise is a great place to work-and we’re proud of our people-first culture. Here’s what you can expect:

• A friendly and supportive team where your voice is heard
• A strong commitment to diversity and inclusion-we want everyone to feel they belong
• Generous holiday allowance and flexible working
• Cycle-to-work scheme, life assurance, and NHS top-up plan
• Ongoing learning and mentoring opportunities
• A chance to directly impact the lives of young people every single day.

About the Role:

As Senior Programme Manager, you will lead a team responsible for delivering a portfolio of national education programmes that support thousands of educators and young people across the UK. Combining leadership, operational oversight and practical support, you'll help ensure programmes deliver high-quality experiences and meaningful impact.

This role is focused on providing leadership, oversight and guidance to an established team of Programme Managers, rather than personally leading the day-to-day delivery of every programme. However, you'll also be comfortable stepping in with practical operational support when required, helping the team navigate challenges, manage risk, maintain momentum and ensure successful delivery.

Working closely with colleagues across Young Enterprise, you'll use insight and evidence to drive improvement, support the ongoing development of our programmes, and help ensure they continue to deliver strong outcomes for young people. This is an opportunity to develop talented people, lead at scale, solve complex challenges and make a tangible difference to the lives of young people across the country.

You’d love this role if you:

• Enjoy leading and developing people, helping others perform at their best.
• Are equally comfortable leading strategically and stepping into operational detail when needed to support successful delivery.
• Like turning data, insight and feedback into practical improvements.
• Have experience overseeing complex programmes and know how to balance support, challenge and accountability.
• Can prioritise effectively and focus on the activities that will have the greatest impact.
• Build strong relationships quickly and enjoy working with a wide range of stakeholders.
• Are energised by improving services and finding better ways of doing things.
• Want to use your skills and experience to make a tangible difference to young people's lives.

Key Responsibilities:

• Lead and develop a high-performing team of Programme Managers, helping them deliver their best work and grow their impact.
• Provide oversight and support across a portfolio of national education programmes, ensuring high-quality experiences for educators and young people across the UK.
• Use performance data, insight and evidence to drive decisions, improve outcomes and maximise impact.
• Provide expert support and leadership when it matters most, helping teams navigate challenges, manage risk and maintain momentum.
• Develop and maintain effective relationships across education, funding and delivery networks to support programme success.
• Help shape the future of Young Enterprise's programmes and services, influencing how we support educators and equip young people with the skills they need to succeed.

A few practical things:

• This is a hybrid role based in London, with a minimum of 8 office days per month
• You’ll have the opportunity to visit some of the participating schools and colleges across the UK
• Full details can be found in the Job Description

How to Apply:

If you’re ready to help shape the futures of young people, we want to hear from you!

Please send your CV and a separate document answering these three questions (max 250 words each). When applying, please let us know whether you are applying for the role on a full-time or part-time basis.Applications must be submitted by 23:30 on 28 September 2026.

1. Leadership

Tell us about a time when you led a team to deliver a complex programme, project or portfolio. How did you support and challenge the team while ensuring successful delivery?

2. Performance, Improvement and Impact

Tell us about a time when you identified an opportunity to improve the performance, effectiveness or impact of a programme, service or initiative. What evidence or insight informed your thinking, what actions did you take, how did you engage others in the process, and what was the outcome?

3. Navigating Challenge

Tell us about a challenge you faced within a team you were leading. What was the situation, how did you approach it, and what was the outcome? What did you learn from the experience?

Please note that applications without answers to the questions will not be considered.

Please note that we may close this vacancy early if a suitable candidate is found.

We understand that candidates may use AI tools to assist with their applications. While these can be a helpful resource, we want to hear about your personal skills, experiences and insights that highlight your unique strengths and perspective.

First Interviews will take place at our Central London Office on Tuesday 6 and Wednesday 7 October 2026.

We’re committed to ensuring our recruitment process is inclusive and accessible to everyone.

If you have a disability, a long-term health condition, or any other need that requires adjustments, please let us know. We’re happy to make reasonable adjustments at any stage of the process - whether that’s providing application materials in a different format, arranging wheelchair access, offering extra time for assessments, or any other support you may need.

You can contact us directly to request a reasonable adjustment.  Contact details are available when you apply for role. All requests will be treated with sensitivity and confidentiality.

At Young Enterprise we are passionate and committed to keeping your data safe and secure.  Full details can be found in the YE People’s Privacy Notice

Join us – and help us give every young person the chance to thrive.

Love meeting donors, building relationships and securing meaningful funding for a compelling cause? 

At Target Ovarian Cancer, we're looking for a talented relationship fundraiser who thrives on connecting passionate supporters with causes that change lives. 

This is an exciting opportunity for an experienced major donor fundraiser who enjoys being out meeting people, uncovering opportunities, securing significant gifts and developing long-term partnerships that make a real difference. 

You'll inherit and grow a portfolio of high-value supporters, develop new donor relationships, and work with philanthropists and trusts and foundations who want to help stop ovarian cancer devastating lives. 

If you're energised by donor meetings, comfortable leading funding conversations, and motivated by turning warm relationships into transformational gifts, we'd love to hear from you.

About the role 

As our Senior Philanthropy & Partnerships Manager, you'll play a pivotal role in growing income from major donors, trusts and foundations, and strategic funding partners. 

Working closely with the Head of Philanthropy & Partnerships, Director of Fundraising & Engagement, Chief Executive and Trustees, you'll identify and cultivate new opportunities, develop compelling funding propositions and deliver outstanding stewardship that inspires long-term support. 

A significant proportion of this role is externally focused. You'll spend time meeting donors and prospects, building relationships, understanding motivations, presenting opportunities and making asks. 

To be successful, you'll be supported by a dedicated Philanthropy & Partnerships Programme Manager who leads on donor events, reporting, stewardship support and CRM optimisation, allowing you to focus on building relationships and generating income. 

Why join us? 

For the right candidate, this could be a career defining role at an organisation that has the credibility, leadership and propositions to deliver transformational funding growth. Working in a supportive but driven department, with two experienced high value fundraisers within the senior leadership team and a supportive board, this is a real opportunity to make your mark.

About School of Hard Knocks

School of Hard Knocks (SOHK) is one of the UK’s leading education charities, working in 29 secondary schools across England, Scotland, and Wales. Using rugby as a key delivery tool, we support young people who are struggling to engage in early secondary education - often because of anxiety, low confidence, disrupted home lives, or behavioural challenges rooted in trauma. For many of the children we support, life has already brought more hardship than most adults experience in a lifetime. Our purpose is clear: to help young people facing complex challenges break the cycle and move towards a safer, stronger, more hopeful future.

The SOHK Schools Programme is a two-year intervention working with cohorts of around 20 pupils from Year 7 through to Year 9. Pupils are selected by the school and are typically among the hardest to reach young people. Each week, we deliver half a day of rugby training and classroom sessions built around our 3Cs framework, covering topics such as growth mindset, goal setting, and decision-making, alongside monthly one-to-one sessions with every pupil. The programme’s impact is evaluated by SOHK staff, teachers, parents, and the pupils themselves.

90% of our participants report feeling more confident and more engaged with school after taking part, with long-term effects on attendance, attainment, and life outcomes. Find out more about our Schools Programme.

Since 2023, SOHK has been proud to partner with Impetus, a charity that invests in and supports organisations helping young people from disadvantaged backgrounds succeed. This partnership combines investment with strategic and organisational development support, helping to strengthen our impact and set SOHK up for sustainable growth.

We are proud to be delivering long-term programmes that meaningfully reach hundreds of young people each year - but the societal need is vast. Our ambitious four-year strategic plan targets growth, aiming to bring our impactful programme to hundreds more young people each year.

“Despite the usual challenges that every education or sport for development charity faces, School of Hard Knocks really is unique. It is not so much what we deliver at a programme level (which is of course brilliant) but who we are as a team. If you are a values-led leader and love the idea of ‘team’, then School of Hard Knocks is the place for you.”

- Ken Cowen, Founder and outgoing CEO

The Role

The CEO is the public face and leader of SOHK, responsible for the overall strategic direction, vision, and management of the charity - ensuring SOHK meets its mission and strategic objectives while maintaining strong relationships with Trustees, staff, supporters, and the wider SOHK community. We’re looking for a mission-driven charity leader and effective fundraiser, capable of building a sustainable growth model.

Strategy and Direction

● Be the face and voice of the charity - its principal ambassador

● Lead the development and periodic review of SOHK’s strategy with the Trustees and Senior Management Team

● Translate the 2026-30 strategy into organisational priorities, plans, and goals

● Ensure safeguarding, wellbeing, and the lived experience of young people remain central to every decision and growth plan

Programme Delivery, Quality and Impact

● Hold a high bar for programme quality and outcomes for young people

● Line-manage and support the Director of Programmes, working with delivery teams and partners to build a world-class, evidence-based intervention

● Ensure SOHK can evidence the impact of its programmes, with insights feeding back into constant improvement

Income Generation, Fundraising and External Relations

● Lead income generation across trusts and foundations, corporate partnerships, individual giving, and challenges and events

● Line-manage and support the Head of Fundraising in executing a comprehensive fundraising strategy

● Hold senior relationships with funders and partners, building SOHK’s brand, reputation, and profile

Leading People, Culture and Operations

● Build and lead a high-performing Senior Management Team

● Foster a positive, inclusive, high-performing culture aligned with SOHK’s values

● Line-manage and support the Director of Finance & Operations, ensuring operational excellence

Governance and the Board

● Act as the primary link between the organisation and the Trustees

● Attend all Trustee meetings (held quarterly) and provide timely, accurate reporting

● Ensure compliance with all legal, regulatory, and Charity Commission requirements

About You

Essential

● Proven senior leadership experience in the charity, education, youth, or social impact sector - whether as CEO or as part of an executive team - including working directly with a Board of Trustees

● Demonstrated success in building or significantly growing an organisation, programme, or initiative

● A collaborative and values-led leadership style, with the ability to inspire trust, hold people to account, and build high-performing teams

● Strong track record of income generation, including securing significant funding from trusts, foundations, corporates, or major donors

● Experience of financial oversight, budgeting, and organisational planning at a senior level

● Strategic thinker, able to translate vision into clear plans and delivery

● Strong relationship-builder and communicator, confident with a wide range of stakeholders

Desirable

● Previous charity CEO experience - a bonus, but not essential; we know brilliant candidates come from a wide range of backgrounds

● Direct classroom, youth work, or education leadership experience

● Knowledge of the UK education system and youth policy landscape

● Experience of scaling a multi-site delivery organisation and working with local authorities

Personal Attributes

● Deep commitment to improving outcomes for young people, especially those facing disadvantage

● Resilient and persistent, able to work under pressure and navigate setbacks

● Collaborative, open, and reflective leader who seeks feedback and learns from it

Terms of Appointment

Contract type

Full-time, permanent

Location

Greater London, with offices in Edinburgh & Cardiff

Salary

£85,000 – £90,000 per year + £5,000 PRP

Reports to

Chair of the Board of Trustees

Direct reports

Director of Programmes; Head of Fundraising; Director of Finance & Operations

Travel

Regular UK travel, primarily to Edinburgh and Cardiff. Occasional evenings for stakeholder engagement and fundraising events

Trustee meetings

Quarterly, in London, in the evening, plus ad hoc subcommittees

London Play is looking for an experienced and proactive Network Manager to lead the development of the Wilder Play Network, an ambitious initiative bringing together six adventure playgrounds across London to strengthen their role as community green spaces.

This is an exciting opportunity to work at the intersection of play, community engagement and environmental improvement, supporting organisations that make a real difference to children and communities in some of London's most disadvantaged neighbourhoods.

About the role

As Wilder Play Network Manager, you'll be responsible for building and coordinating a network of partner organisations, supporting collaboration, learning and shared action across the programme.

Working closely with playground staff, local communities and strategic partners, you'll help deliver environmental improvements, support biodiversity projects, coordinate learning opportunities and ensure the programme creates lasting impact.

You'll also play an important role in helping establish the Wilder Play Network as a recognised voice for adventure playgrounds within London's green infrastructure and play sectors.

About you

We're looking for someone who can build strong relationships and bring people together around a shared vision.

You'll have experience managing projects involving multiple stakeholders and be comfortable coordinating activity, monitoring progress and supporting partners to achieve their goals.

You'll also bring:

• Excellent partnership and relationship management skills
• Strong project management and organisational abilities
• Experience working with communities, voluntary organisations or community-led projects
• Strong written and verbal communication skills
• The ability to manage competing priorities and work collaboratively across a range of organisations
• A commitment to equality, inclusion, community action and the value of play

Why join London Play?

London Play is a small but influential charity championing children's right to play and helping create neighbourhoods where outdoor play can thrive.

This is a unique opportunity to contribute to a high-profile programme that combines environmental action, community engagement and children's play, while helping build a stronger future for London's adventure playground sector.

ClientEarth is hiring! We are looking for an experienced Lead, International Programme Management professional to help teams across ClientEarth deliver ambitious programmes that drive environmental change.

In this role, you will work closely with colleagues across different regions and teams to make sure our programmes are well planned, properly resourced and delivering meaningful results. You will also act as a link between strategy and delivery, strengthening programme management practices, supporting effective decision-making and helping ensure our work is coordinated, impactful and set up for success.

Important dates to note:

• Deadline to submit an initial application: 21 September 2026.
• If your profile passes initial screening, you will be asked to submit additional information in the form of three additional questions. 
• The deadline to submit your answers is the 24 September 2026.
• If we do not receive a response to these questions by the deadline we will assume you are no longer interested in the role. 
• Interviews will take place the from the 5th of October

Please also review the "Our Hiring Process" section at the bottom of this advert to learn more about the stages involved for this specific role. 

Key Responsibilities

• Provide strategic and people leadership to a team of three Programme Managers supporting the Europe portfolio, with clear decision making rights for delivery, performance management, and continuous improvement
• Provide strategic and operational programme management guidance to regional leaders in the Japan & Southeast Asia Region and the Africa Partnerships region.
• Provide oversight and, where needed, coordination of cross-regional grants implementation: as business partner to relevant global and regional programmatic leaders and fundraising colleagues, support/coordinate the planning, financial and programmatic monitoring, and closure of cross-regional and ClientEarth Group (CE Group) international grants (restricted and unrestricted), in close collaboration with relevant Regional/System programme management and fundraising colleagues. 
• In coordination with the Deputy Chief Programmes & Impact Officer (DCPIO) and the Impact & Learning team within the Programme Quality community, lead the implementation of programme management standards, tools, and templates ensuring they demonstrably improve programme effectiveness and accountability and work collaboratively with relevant regional staff to align with standards and processes 
   

See the job description for a full list of duties for this role.

Skills, Knowledge & Expertise

• Advanced specialist expertise in programme or portfolio management of complex, multi-country initiatives in the non-for-profit sector
• Experience in programme strategy development, project-cycle management, and adaptive programming including mastery of a range of portfolio and financial management techniques in planning, staff resource management, implementing, monitoring, and reporting within a complex & dynamic environment 
• Strong financial and grant oversight experience (seven figures)
• Excellent project and programme management skills including budget management and planning 

See the job description (below) for a full list of requirements for this role.

Note to candidates: We know that long lists of criteria can be daunting and that some candidates will not apply for a role unless they feel they are 100% qualified. If you feel you meet at least some of the essential criteria, we still encourage you to apply.

Job Benefits

Have a question about this job? Please visit our Careers site for advice on applying, FAQs, and more.
 

Flexible working:  We are proud to be a Flexa accredited Employer. Visit our Flexa Employer page for more information on our approach to flexible working. Our flexible working policy allows our people the choice to decide to work from home/another location in the country where their contract of employment is issued for 80% of their month, with the other 20% of their month being office-basedSee our Benefits page for more as well as our flexible working FAQ.
 

ClientEarth values diversity and inclusion and the benefits this brings. We aim to appoint the most suitable candidate at all times and welcome applications from people from all different backgrounds. See our equity, diversity and inclusion journey page for more.
 

Please note that ClientEarth is only able to employ those who have the pre-existing legal right to work in the countries listed at the top of this job advert.

Partnerships & Development Manager

Hours:  37.5 hours per week (full time)

Salary: £40k per annum

Contract: Maternity Cover Fixed Term Contract (currently until July 2027)

Reporting to: Executive Director of Strategic Partnerships

Youth Business International (YBI) is looking for a Partnerships & Development Manager who combines programme management expertise with partnership development and income generation.

This is an exciting opportunity for someone who enjoys working across effectively managing an established portfolio of global programmes, donor partnerships and identifying, developing new funding opportunities.

Working closely with the Executive Director of Strategic Partnerships, YBI’s global network, internal teams and external partners, you will help connect impact with investment – using insight from an effectively managed programme portfolio and stakeholder intelligence to help shape innovative partnership models.

You will need to be self-motivated, adaptable, very organised and comfortable working with high levels of autonomy and pace.

If this sounds like you, you can find the full information in the job pack and we look forward to receiving your application.

Please note you must have an existing right to work in the UK as YBI is not able to sponsor visas.

To apply

PLEASE ENSURE YOU ARE APPLYING FOR THE CORRECT ROLE YOU ARE INTERESTED IN AS WE HAVE TWO ROLES CURRENTLY LIVE.

• Please submit your CV (maximum 2 x A4) and a cover letter (max 2 pages).Your cover letter must address how you meet the person specification.
• You must ensure that these documents clearly demonstrate the expertise, skills, experience and competencies required for this role as they will be used to shortlist you.
• Closing date: Midnight 20th September 2026.

Citizens UK 

Location Hybrid · UK Hybrid · Home-based with some travel around the South East region and to London for team meetings.

Citizens UK is the UK’s biggest, most diverse and most effective people-powered alliance. We bring communities and local organisations together to work on issues that matter; from campaigning for zebra crossings on dangerous roads, to reforming the immigration system, to the Living Wage campaign. We have a track record of winning change through hundreds of local and national campaigns. We know everyday people have the ability to shape the world around them. We believe that through developing local leaders, we can drive nationwide change and create community-led solutions to big and small problems.

Living Wage Foundation 

The Living Wage movement began in 2001, after Citizens UK brought together communities in East London to discuss poverty and low pay. The campaign grew in momentum and soon required a mechanism to recognise employers who wanted to join the movement, which saw the establishment of the Living Wage Foundation in 2011.

Still part of Citizens UK today, the Living Wage Foundation continues to work with community organisations to make sure the voices of both workers and businesses are part of the Living Wage movement. We now work with over 16,000 employers, benefitting over 475,000 people and winning over £3bn of better wages for people who need it most.

Citizens UK works with a broad base of institutions across the political spectrum. At the Living Wage Foundation, we take the same deliberately broad-based approach and accredit all organisations who pay the real Living Wage to their directly and indirectly employed staff and are committed to tackling in work poverty.  As a team we work across a range of industries and sectors to achieve this mission. We seek pragmatic coalitions in order to progress specific campaigns, and partnership around a particular issue such as Living Wage, does not imply an endorsement of broader purpose and policies.

Purpose 

At Citizens UK, our organisers and project staff work within communities to develop leaders, strengthen organisations, campaign for change and organise across difference. There are various project roles and operational, communication, finance and HR roles that support the organisation and project staff and organisers to deliver on this mission and work. This work is rewarding and can be challenging; it requires a personal commitment to inclusion, a willingness to listen and disagree respectfully, and an interest in working in an organisation where our staff, member institutions and leaders will come from a diversity of backgrounds and often hold views that may be very different from our own. More information about how we operate within this context and build trusted relationships across difference can be found on our website and is covered in induction. Onboarding and navigating this relational culture, and type of work, is supported by line managers and further training. 

Main Responsibilities 

We are looking for a highly motivated and organised individual to coordinate our accreditation scheme. The role will work with our network of employers, and support new organisations through the accreditation process. 

The Programme Officer will support our work across the South East and support our managers to grow and deepen engagement with Living Wage Employers through our associated schemes. You will help to ensure our resources and publicity materials are well written and up-to-date, and to coordinate events to grow our employer network. 

Working as the Programme Officer for Citizens UK, reporting to a Programme Manager, your main responsibilities will include: 

Contribute towards the achievement of CUK and LWF’s strategic objectives

Understand how the role contributes to LWF’s purpose and the core mission of CUK

Reliably implement CUK’s and LWF’s policies, procedures, and values in own work

Work with CUK community organisers and leaders to promote civic engagement with and ownership of the Living Wage campaign 

Feed into the LWF strategy and objectives development 

Living Wage Accreditation 

• Support key contacts at potential LW Employers through the accreditation process, from dealing with initial enquiries to guiding them through the employer journey, to checking and processing their accreditation 

• Develop rewarding relationships with key employers, industry, and campaign partners within our networks to build interest in the Living Wage and deliver a high-quality experience to our accredited employers 

• With support from the wider team, develop plans and strategies to grow the number of accreditations in specific regions or industries 

• Collate and disseminate Living Wage criteria and policy issues through both internal and external facing guidance, whilst reviewing and monitoring its suitability 

• Support the development and implementation of projects to promote and grow Living Wage accreditations and develop the quality of service offered 

Build and manage projects and achieve work targets effectively

Successfully progress projects and tasks incl. tracking performance and expenditure 

Deliver agreed areas of the LWF’s work plan and leading on agenda items to report into team meetings.

Support the growth and development of new and existing Living Wage schemes incl.  Recognised Service Providers, LW Funders, LW Places, Living Hours, Global Living Wage and Living Work Consultancy 

Deliver personal work targets on time and to standard: 

• Respond to telephone and web-based enquiries by providing advice and support to employers and supporters 

• Provide administrative support for all aspects of the accreditation journey, incl. processing accreditations, recognitions, and renewals 

• Maintain LWF data on systems, incl. Salesforce employer database

• Support the maintenance of our systems to ensure efficient processes and develop reporting mechanisms for effective monitoring and evaluation of our impact and progress against plans 

• Coordinate and administrate Steering, Advisory or Leadership Groups as required, incl. coordinating agendas, sending out timely papers, taking minutes and following up on actions 

Learning &expertise

Keep abreast of new developments in the accreditation space

Apply new learning to work and respond effectively to feedback 

Work collaboratively with the LWF and franchise teams to share learnings and experience and ensure that we are meeting the expectations of our network and stakeholders 

Develop and manage external relationships 

Effectively develop and support a range of external relationships 

Respond effectively to queries or requests from stakeholders 

Engage with a diverse range of external stakeholders to support and develop projects as required 

Communications 

Communicate effectively within the LWF; ensuring that messages are reliably passed to those who need to know 

Represent the LWF coherently in writing and verbally 

Events and Communications 

• Plan and organise events to celebrate and grow our network of LW Employers, incl. playing an active role in the delivery of LW Week and assisting colleagues with event logistics 

• Represent and speak on behalf of the LWF at internal and external meetings and events 

• Develop or feed into employer resources incl. marketing materials, blogs, reports, templates, and guides 

Develop and manage internal relationships 

Work effectively with colleagues across Citizens UK 

Work collaboratively within the LWF team and actively participate in the team to ensure we meet the expectations of our network and stakeholders 

Generate income and resources

Contribute to plans and proposals to grow sources of income/resource.

Take personal responsibility for the careful stewardship of LWF’s resources 

 Personal Specification 

(D) Desirable, (E) Essential 

 Experience 

• Comprehensive experience in an administrative role (E) 

• Experience of building positive relationships (E) 

• Experience of learning, managing and updating Salesforce or similar databases (D) 

 Key skills and knowledge 

• Excellent time management skills with the ability to juggle a wide range of competing demands (E) 

• Understanding of database and systems management (E) 

• Ability to take in and interpret information and present in a succinct manner(E) 

• Excellent communication skills, both verbally and written, combined with the ability to liaise with senior stakeholders, both online and in-person (E) 

• Ability to act on own initiative to introduce and develop new systems as appropriate (E) 

• Strong attention to detail (E) 

• Strong IT skills to include MS Office and database software (E) 

• Understanding of the policy and campaign landscape in the UK (D) 

Personal qualities & values 

• A strong commitment to social justice and alignment with the Living Wage Foundation’s mission and Citizens UK’s values (E). 

• A proactive approach to all areas of work with a ‘can do’ attitude and a flexible approach to work demands (E) 

About the application process 

We work within diverse communities bringing people together. In line with our Inclusion value, we would love to see applications from LGBTQIA+ people, people from racialised communities, people living with disabilities and people of faith, all to better represent the communities we work in. We want our employees to have the working conditions that allows them to fully participate, be able to be their best authentic selves and thrive doing so, and we have employee networks to support staff. Even if you don’t quite meet all the required criteria still consider applying, as we invest in our employees and support them to develop the skills and knowledge required to deliver their role. 

For questions and reasonable adjustments regarding your application including information in a different format, or our recruitment process, please email us.

Interviews will be in person in the South of England region, week commencing 5th October – in person most likely at Head Office in Whitechapel.

Programme Manager (Strategic Delivery)
Canterbury
£45,012-£51,764 pa plus excellent benefits
Full-time, fixed-term contract for three years

Would you like to create meaningful change and lasting impact by helping to shape the future of mission and ministry across the Diocese of Canterbury? We’re looking for an experienced Programme Manager to lead, coordinate and deliver our strategic change portfolio.

Working closely with the Director of Strategic Development, you’ll bring people together, keep projects moving and turn vision into action - supporting flourishing parishes, sustainable ministry and church growth across the Diocese.

As Programme Manager, you’ll work with colleagues, clergy, parish leaders and partners across the Diocese to coordinate programmes, manage priorities and make sure great ideas become real outcomes.

We’re looking for someone who enjoys leading complex programmes and making things happen, is adept at building strong relationships and capable of bringing people together whilst being confident of managing priorities, risks, governance and budgets.

You’ll be a collaborative and organised programme professional with experience of working with multiple stakeholders, supporting senior leaders and delivering strategic change. You’ll also be a practising Christian (GoR applies under section 9 of the Equality Act 2010) with a good understanding of the Church of England and a passion for supporting its mission and ministry.

Canterbury Diocese is the oldest in England and spans a diverse region from Maidstone to Thanet and the Isle of Sheppey to Romney Marsh. With coastal towns, rural communities and urban areas side by side, it offers a rich and challenging mission context.

Our vision is Changed Lives, Changing Lives: a community transformed by encountering Christ and committed to transforming and blessing the families and communities we serve.

All appointments are subject to acceptable pre-appointment checks inclusive of Right to Work in the United Kingdom, references and relevant background checks applicable to the role.

Closing date: 11:59pm, Tuesday 6 October
Interview: Tuesday 20 October, Canterbury

We need a Programme Director to lead a tri-borough initiative tackling serious youth violence across Kilburn, Queen's Park and surrounding communities.

This is a challenging and a rewarding role where you will be exercising your considerable judgement, diplomacy and practical project management skills.

Shared Ground is an innovative, co-funded project, seeking to work for the benefit of young people at risk of serious youth violence, with buy-in from stakeholders including Local Authority senior leads and Central government.

If you have a passion for the value and importance of community-based work in supporting positive futures for young people, why not help ensure that this ambitious programme thrives?

See the job description for more details.

Location: Global Lumos role based in the UK 

Location type: Hybrid

Reporting to: Chief Programmes and Advocacy Officer

Annual salary: £90,000 – £100,000 GBP

Closing date: Monday, 12th October, 9:00 am CET

Background

Lumos Foundation works to realise every child’s right to a family by transforming care systems around the world. Our vision is a world in which all children grow up in safe and loving families within supported communities.

Founded in 2005 by author J.K. Rowling, Lumos partners with governments, civil society and young people with lived experience to transform care systems globally and advocate for family-based solutions that help children thrive. We ensure that families receive the support they need to stay together or reunite, and that children grow up in family-based settings such as foster or kinship care, not institutions.

Despite clear evidence of the harms of institutionalisation, more than five million children worldwide continue to live in institutions. And a much larger number of children are at risk of family breakdown and separation – those living in poverty, experiencing domestic violence and abuse, and living in countries affected by conflict.

We are ambitious for children’s safety. In the next ten years, Lumos will enable 500K children in care to return to family-based care, while preventing ten million more children from experiencing family breakdown and separation – so that they can thrive in their own families. Working with local, national, and global partners, Lumos supports government-led transformation of childcare systems across Asia, Africa, Europe, the Middle East, and Latin America- driving systemic and sustainable change.

Lumos’ ambition for children is significant and will require the organisation and its partners to work in new ways – with a pace, drive and urgency that this moment demands – and that children everywhere deserve.

Lumos’ success will continue to be based not just on what we do, but on how we do it – our values. We embrace collaboration. We strive for excellence. We show respect. We always care. And we are passionate. We are Lumos.

Purpose of role

We are looking for an exceptional programme leader to help us achieve our ten-year ambition. The Director of Programme Delivery leads Lumos' global programme portfolio, ensuring the organisation delivers high-quality and impactful programmes that contribute to sustainable systems change for children and families. The role is responsible for translating organisational strategy into effective delivery, strengthening programme quality and performance, and supporting Country Directors in achieving measurable results.

The postholder will also lead the continued evolution of Lumos' programme delivery model, strengthening localisation and national leadership, building organisational learning and evidence, and developing innovative approaches that extend Lumos' impact and influence beyond traditional country office structures. 

Reporting to the Chief Programmes and Advocacy Officer, the role provides strategic and operational leadership across Lumos' global programme portfolio.

Primary responsibilities

The job holder will have the following key responsibilities: 

Deliver a high-performing global programme portfolio

• Lead the continued translation of Lumos’ Ten-Year Ambition into clear programme and country priorities, plans, budgets and delivery approaches.
• Lead the global programme portfolio, ensuring high-quality implementation, measurable results and clear accountability for performance, financial stewardship and donor commitments.
• Maintain clear oversight of performance, organisational health and risk, and ensure ambition is matched by the people, as well as the funding and organisational capacity required to deliver it.

Continuing to strengthen our country leadership

• Lead, coach and develop Lumos’ Country Directors, strengthening national leadership and building clear accountability for programme, financial, people and organisational performance.
• Help country teams evolve into influential national and regional centres of expertise in care reform and systems change.
• Develop pathways towards greater national ownership, autonomy and localisation, while strengthening collaboration and learning across countries and regions.

Evolve how Lumos delivers impact at scale

• Lead the continued evolution of Lumos’ programme delivery model, turning strategic ambition into practical approaches, clear accountabilities and effective ways of working.
• Develop models combining sustained country engagement, nationally led partnerships and other approaches capable of supporting sustainable systems reform.
• Help Lumos increase its impact and geographical reach without relying solely on establishing traditional country-office structures.

Make evidence central to how we work

• Hold senior accountability for programme quality, monitoring, evaluation, accountability and learning across the global portfolio.
• Continue to strengthen Lumos’ ability to demonstrate system-level change, using credible evidence and data to understand what works and how successful approaches can be adapted or scaled.
• Ensure evidence and learning from delivery, inform programme strategy, advocacy, partnerships, fundraising and future investment.

Lead across the organisation and beyond

• Work closely with Finance, People & Operations, Safeguarding, Safety & Security and other specialist functions to ensure programmes are effectively supported, responsibly managed and delivered safely.
• Champion meaningful participation and leadership of children, young people and people with lived experience across programme design, delivery and learning.
• Act as a senior organisational leader and member of the Executive Team, working closely with the Chief Programmes and Advocacy Officer, representing Lumos with governments, partners and funders, and contributing programme and country perspectives to wider organisational decisions.

What success looks like

• Exceptional delivery - a high-quality global portfolio delivering measurable results with strong financial, organisational and donor accountability.
• Strong country leadership - confident and accountable Country Directors with the authority, capability and support to lead effectively.
• A delivery model built for scale – stronger, locally led approaches and new ways of working that enable greater impact and geographical reach.
• Countries as centres of expertise - national teams increasingly leading systems change, generating evidence and sharing expertise across regions.
• Evidence that drives impact - credible learning about what works, informing programme improvement, influence, investment and future growth.

Profile

The following offers an aspirational view of our ideal candidate profile; however, we encourage applications from candidates with a wide range of experiences and backgrounds, especially those from underrepresented groups. 

Experience

• Significant senior leadership experience within an international organisation.
• Experience overseeing complex multi-country programmes.
• Experience leading senior programme or country leaders.
• Experience translating strategy into delivery and measurable results.
• Experience managing donor-funded programmes, grants and significant budgets.
• Experience leading programme or organisational change.
• Experience operating in international development, humanitarian or related sectors.
• Experience overseeing programmes delivered through different organisational and partnership models desired.
• Experience managing major institutional grants, such as those funded by government or multilateral donors desired.
• Experience supporting localisation or the transition of country operations towards greater national leadership and ownership desired.
• Experience coaching senior leaders desired.

Skills and qualifications

• Expert knowledge of programme management and programme delivery.
• Strong understanding of programme cycle management, including financial management, risk management, monitoring and evaluation.
• Knowledge of donor-funded programme management, compliance and reporting.
• Ability to provide strategic leadership while maintaining strong operational oversight and accountability.
• Excellent relationship-building and influencing skills.
• Knowledge of systems change and approaches to achieving sustainable impact at scale desired.
• Understanding of different international delivery models, including country offices, national organisations and programmes co-created with local partners desired.
• Knowledge of the international funding environment and major institutional donor requirements desired.
• Understanding of children’s rights, care reform or a related field desired.

Personal traits desired

• Strategic thinker with strong delivery focus.
• Collaborative and empowering leadership style.
• Strong interpersonal and networking skills.
• Credibility and authority to influence and direct senior leaders.
• Emotionally intelligent and able to build relationships.
• Commitment to Lumos' mission and values.
• Curious and open to testing new delivery models and ways of working desired.

Additional Information

Alongside the opportunity to contribute to a truly life-changing mission, you’ll enjoy excellent benefits, a supportive and inclusive culture, and a genuine commitment to your personal and professional development. Some of the benefits we offer include

• 30 days’ annual leave plus bank holidays. 
• Enhanced family-friendly leave (maternity, paternity, adoption, shared parental) and enhanced sick pay. 
• Hybrid and flexible working. 
• Competitive employer pension scheme. 
• Learning and development opportunities. 
• Access to our Employee Assistance Programme for confidential wellbeing support and advice. 

Safeguarding Statement

Lumos is committed to safeguarding children and adults at risk and expects all staff, associates and volunteers to uphold our safeguarding and PSEA standards. We have zero tolerance for abuse, bullying, harassment and sexual exploitation, and all appointments are subject to appropriate screening, checks and references.

Equality, Diversity and Inclusion Statement

Lumos is committed to equality, diversity and inclusion and to creating a workplace where everyone is valued, respected and able to contribute. We celebrate the diversity of our global teams and are committed to challenging discrimination and promoting inclusion in everything we do.

Our Values

• We embrace collaboration. 
• We strive for excellence.
• We show respect.
• We always care.
• We are passionate.

To apply for this role, please submit a copy of your CV/resume and a cover letter outlining your interest in the role and how you fulfil the requirements set out in the job announcement Please ensure you send your CV and Cover letter in the following format: full_name_CV_org_name_role and full_name_role_CL.

Please note: to ensure the security of your application and to ensure that your data complies with GDPR, applications via email will not be accepted.

·The deadline for applications is Monday 12th October, 9:00 am CET ·

Upsall International actively promotes equality, diversity, and inclusion. In recruiting candidates, we seek candidates with the proven skills required, irrespective of race, gender, religion or belief, age, disability, or sexual orientation.

The Programme Manager will provide leadership for the Meet N Match programme, ensuring the delivery of high-quality, inclusive services that support people with learning disabilities and autistic adults to build friendships, develop relationships and increase social connections. Meet N Match is our friendship and dating agency, supporting people to develop friendships, relationships and greater independence. Alongside relationship support, the programme delivers a range of inclusive social events that reduce social isolation and create opportunities for people to build meaningful connections. Now in its tenth year and funded by The National Lottery Community Fund, Meet N Match continues to respond to a growing demand for high-quality relationship and social opportunities.

Alongside leading a small team who provide the day-to-day delivery of Meet N Match, an exciting part of this role is the development of a new Partnership Network. This is an exciting opportunity to shape an innovative model that will enable other organisations to deliver inclusive social events using Spring into Action's framework, training and support. The successful candidate will play a key role in supporting the development of this model, with the long-term ambition of creating an accredited network that extends our reach, improves opportunities for people with learning disabilities and autistic people, and contributes to the long-term sustainability of the organisation.

This is an exciting opportunity for someone to help shape the future direction of Meet N Match while supporting Spring into Action's long-term sustainability.

UK Youth has launched an ambitious new strategy to widen the reach and deepen the impact of youth work and outdoor learning. At the heart of that strategy is a clear commitment: We Back Youth Work Leaders.

As our new Head of Network Development, you will turn that commitment into action.

You will lead the development and delivery of a powerful national offer that equips youth work leaders with the investment, support, relationships and connections they need to thrive. This includes leading our Grants+ approach—combining significant, multi-year grant funding with tailored organisational-development support—and developing partnerships that strengthen youth sector infrastructure locally, regionally and across the UK nations.

This role is about much more than managing a network. We are evolving towards a more relational way of working: listening deeply to youth-work leaders, understanding the realities they face, involving them in shaping our work and building relationships founded on trust, respect and shared purpose. You will ensure organisations can access the right support, expertise and opportunities—and that their insight continually shapes UK Youth’s work.

You will have the opportunity to lead the delivery of the £13 million UK Youth Fund, strengthen the resilience and effectiveness of grassroots youth organisations, and help create a more connected and equitable system of support for the wider sector.

We are looking for someone with deep knowledge and experience of youth work and the youth sector—someone who can talk the talk and walk the walk with youth organisation leaders. You will bring substantial experience of the youth work sector and infrastructure, organisational development and capacity building, alongside the strategic and operational leadership needed to deliver significant grant-making activity and complex partnerships.

You will be an inclusive and credible leader who can turn ambitious strategy into excellent delivery, bring people and organisations together, and remain focused on what youth work leaders need to succeed.

Across the country, youth workers are changing—and often saving—young lives. This is your opportunity to ensure the people and organisations doing that vital work have the investment, infrastructure and support they deserve.

Purpose of the job

The Head of Network Development will lead the operationalisation of UK Youth’s new We Back Youth Work Leaders strategic pillar. The role will turn our ambition to equip youth-work leaders with the skills, networks and confidence to deliver exceptional support into a coherent network development offer—leading our Grants+ approach of multi-year funding alongside tailored organisational development, and strengthening youth-sector infrastructure locally, regionally and across the UK nations.

Central to the role will be embedding UK Youth’s increasingly relational approach to its network: building trusted, mutually beneficial relationships with youth-work leaders; listening to and understanding their needs; involving them in shaping our support and connecting organisations to the right opportunities, expertise and infrastructure. Reporting to the Director of Network Delivery, the postholder will be responsible for translating this strategic ambition into high-quality, well-governed delivery, while ensuring that learning and insight from the network continually improve our work and contribute to securing sustainable investment in youth work and outdoor learning.

Why work at UK Youth?

Every young person deserves a youth worker. UK Youth exists to make that a reality. Our vision is a society that backs every young person - through each spark, struggle and success.

As the UK’s national infrastructure body for youth work, we strengthen and champion a diverse network of youth organisations, unlock investment, shape policy and build the evidence base for what works. At a time of growing need and inequality of access, our work has never been more important.

We are entering an exciting new phase of our strategy - focused on long-term resilience, income diversification and a transformational Capital Appeal to develop Avon Tyrrell as a national centre of excellence for outdoor learning. Joining UK Youth means being part of an ambitious, impact-driven organisation committed to strengthening youth work for generations to come.

Key responsibilities

 Portfolio leadership and delivery

• Lead the strategic and operational delivery of UK Youth’s network development portfolio, translating organisational strategy and funded commitments into clear plans, outcomes, budgets, milestones and accountabilities.

• Ensure programmes and services are delivered to a high standard, on time and within budget, with effective governance, performance management, risk control and escalation to the Director of Network Delivery.

• Mobilise new initiatives and partnerships, establishing proportionate delivery models, systems, teams and governance arrangements.

• Lead continuous improvement across the portfolio, responding effectively to evidence, partner feedback, changing needs and the external environment.

• Be a champion of UK Youth’s network across all of UK Youth’s work.

Grant making and organisational development

• Lead the delivery of UK Youth’s significant, multi-year grant-making portfolio, including the £13 million UK Youth Fund, ensuring responsible stewardship of charitable and restricted funds.

• Ensure effective management of the full grant lifecycle, including programme design, application and assessment, due diligence, decision-making, contracting, payments, monitoring, reporting, complaints and closure.

• Maintain robust and proportionate grant governance, financial controls, safeguarding assurance, risk management, data quality and compliance with funder and regulatory requirements.

• Lead an integrated organisational development offer alongside grant funding, enabling smaller youth and outdoor learning organisations to strengthen their financial sustainability, leadership, governance, workforce and resilience.

• Embed open, trusting, accessible and equitable grant-making practice, reducing unnecessary barriers while maintaining appropriate accountability.

Network and sector infrastructure support

• Develop and deliver UK Youth’s approach to engaging, connecting and supporting our national network, informed by the needs and experiences of youth work leaders and organisations.

• Create opportunities for peer learning, collaboration, knowledge exchange and access to relevant support across the network.

• Lead major initiatives that strengthen youth sector infrastructure locally, regionally and nationally, working with partners to improve the consistency, coordination and accessibility of support.

• Support regional and national partners to understand need, develop shared plans and approaches, and deliver locally relevant infrastructure and organisational support.

• Work with the Communications Team and relevant colleagues to ensure network communications are timely, accessible, coordinated and purposeful.

Experience we're after

• Substantial leadership experience within the youth sector, grounded in an in-depth understanding of youth work practice, youth work leadership and the realities facing youth organisations and their leaders.

• Experience of leading a complex, multi-year network development or comparable portfolio, translating strategy and funded commitments into successful delivery and managing significant budgets and risks.

• Experience of leading substantial grant making or onward funding activity, including governance, due diligence, financial oversight, risk and accountability.

• Substantial organisational development and capacity building experience, including diagnosing organisational needs and designing practical support that strengthens leadership, governance, financial sustainability, workforce and resilience.

• Experience of developing networks, partnerships or infrastructure across multiple organisations, regions or systems, with demonstrable credibility among youth organisation leaders.

What we can offer you

We offer a competitive range of benefits, good work/life balance, excellent learning and development opportunities and vibrant organisational culture:

• Flexible/Agile Working

• 27 days annual leave (24 days + 3 days winter closure) plus bank holidays (pro rata for part time employees)

• Funded training provided in; Safeguarding, GDPR, Information and Cyber Security & Equality & Diversity

• Other training available in support of your personal and professional development

• Pension scheme (currently UK Youth match employee contributions up to 5%)

• Membership of our life insurance scheme which would pay-out up to 4 times your salary

• Employee Assistance Programme to support employees both professionally and personally

• 20% discount off bookings at Avon Tyrrell, our New Forest Outdoor Centre, including camping, lodges and outdoor activities.

• IT equipment provided for the duration of contract

• CycleScheme and TechScheme

How to apply

If you would like to be considered for this fantastic opportunity, please complete an application via our completely anonymised recruitment system provided by Applied which looks to create a fair and unbiased application process for all. Scroll to the top of the page and start your application.

Closing date: 29th September 2026 at 09:00

Provisional First Stage Interview Dates: 5th & 6th October 2026

Provisional Final Stage Interview Dates (in person): 9th October 2026

As this role involves working in a regulated environment with young people, any offer will be conditional to satisfactory background checks, which include criminal record check and employment reference.

Please note CVs will be reviewed as the first stage of the recruitment process. Candidates who are shortlisted following the CV review will then have their sift questions assessed. Only candidates who meet the requirements at both stages will progress further in the recruitment process.

£70,000-£78,000 | Permanent | Hybrid (Head Office based in London) 

Prospectus is delighted to be supporting our client in the search for a new Director of Programmes. The organisation believes that science should be relevant, representative and connected to society. Through nationally recognised science programmes, the charity creates opportunities for people of all ages and backgrounds to engage with, influence and benefit from science and research.

This is an exciting opportunity for an accomplished senior leader to join the Executive Team and take strategic ownership of a significant and diverse programme portfolio spanning education, community engagement, festivals and grant-making. Reporting to the CEO and leading three experienced Heads of Department, you will play a key role in shaping organisational strategy, driving operational excellence and ensuring programmes deliver sustainable impact at scale.

You will be a strategic and operational leader with experience of overseeing complex programmes, portfolios or services within a multi-stakeholder environment.

You may come from the charity, education, public engagement, cultural, research, consulting or wider not-for-profit sectors, and although a background in science is not essential, you will have a demonstrable track record of successfully balancing strategic thinking with operational delivery.

You will bring:

• Significant experience leading and developing complex programme portfolios, services or organisational functions.
• A proven ability to translate strategy into successful operational delivery within complex or evolving environments.
• Strong financial and operational capability, including responsibility for budgets, contracts, financial planning and resource management.
• Demonstrable experience of contract management and oversight of complex funding or grant agreements.
• Experience leading, developing and supporting high-performing teams, including through periods of growth, change or transformation.
• A track record of securing funding, building strategic partnerships and developing sustainable income opportunities.
• Excellent stakeholder management skills, with experience engaging senior funders, partners, trustees or boards.
• Strong attention to detail, with the ability to apply evidence, evaluation and insight to drive decision-making and organisational improvement.
• A commitment to equity, diversity and inclusion, and a leadership style that creates an inclusive and supportive working environment.
• A genuine enthusiasm for the charity's mission and a belief that science should be accessible and relevant to everyone.

Most importantly, you will be someone who enjoys working across multiple priorities, is comfortable operating with a high degree of autonomy, and is motivated by the opportunity to shape the future direction of a respected and ambitious national charity.

As Director of Programmes, you will:

• Provide strategic leadership across the charity's programme portfolio, including Education, Community Engagement and Festivals.
• Lead and support three Heads of Department, ensuring effective delivery, collaboration and alignment with organisational objectives.
• Oversee key funder relationships, including major strategic partnerships and contracts with organisations such as UK Research & Innovation (UKRI).
• Take responsibility for contract management, reporting, governance requirements, risk management and organisational compliance.
• Lead annual budgeting and financial planning processes across the Programmes Directorate, working closely with colleagues across finance and the wider Senior Management Team.
• Play a central role in fundraising, partnership development, bid development and the creation of new programmes and income opportunities.
• Support the ongoing growth and development of flagship initiatives, including opportunities for international expansion and commercial development.
• Act as a senior organisational leader, contributing to strategy development, operational effectiveness, safeguarding oversight and continuous improvement.
• Represent the charity externally and act as an ambassador for its mission, programmes and partnerships.

To Apply
Please submit your CV and a cover letter outlining how your skills and experience align with the essential and desirable criteria for the role.

At Prospectus, we invest in your journey as a candidate and are committed to supporting you with your application. We welcome candidates from a diverse range of backgrounds and are happy to make reasonable adjustments to enable all interested candidates to apply. If you require assistance with your application, please contact Shannon Sanderson, the lead consultant for this role. 

Please note that applications and CVs sent directly by email cannot be accepted and must be submitted through the application link to ensure they are properly recorded and considered. 

Business Development Manager

Hours: 37.5 hours per week (full time)

Contract: Fixed Term 12 months

Salary: £40k per annum

Reporting to: Executive Director of Strategic Partnerships

Youth Business International is a global network supporting young entrepreneurs to start, grow and sustain successful businesses. We bring together organisations around the world to deliver practical support, share expertise and create opportunities for young people to thrive.

We are looking for an ambitious Business Development Manager to help us grow and diversify our income and build new, long-term funding partnerships.

Working closely with the Executive Director of Strategic Partnerships, you will play a central role in identifying new opportunities across trusts and foundations, corporate partners and major donors.

We are looking for someone with a strong track record in fundraising, business development or partnership development, particularly in generating new opportunities and managing a pipeline through to successful outcomes.

If this sounds like you, you can find the full information in the job pack and we look forward to receiving your application.

To apply

PLEASE ENSURE YOU ARE APPLYING FOR THE CORRECT ROLE YOU ARE INTERESTED IN AS WE HAVE TWO ROLES CURRENTLY LIVE.

• Please submit your CV (maximum 2 x A4) and a cover letter (max 2 pages).  Your cover letter must address how you meet the person specification.
• You must ensure that these documents clearly demonstrate the expertise, skills, experience and competencies required for this role as they will be used to shortlist you.
• Closing date: Midnight 20th September 2026.
• Please note you must have an existing right to work in the UK as YBI is not able to sponsor visas.