We are seeking an Assistant Director – Digital and Innovation to play a central role in shaping how Villiers Park delivers and develops its programmes at a pivotal point in the implementation of our 2025-30 strategy. This role represents an exciting opportunity to lead on the development of our digital education offer and innovation work, ensuring it enhances both the reach and depth of our programmes for young people across the UK.
Villiers Park is a national social mobility charity with a strong track record of delivering impactful programmes that support young people from under-represented backgrounds to fulfil their potential. As we continue to grow, digital provision and innovation are increasingly important in enabling us to reach more students, and to do so in engaging and inclusive ways.
Digital learning and programme innovation will be critical to the next phase in our strategy, building on the foundations we have already established, including the development of our learning platform and programme model. Alongside this, Leadership Challenge continues to expand as a key national outreach and social action programme, and this role will be instrumental in ensuring its quality and impact.
Our work is possible because of a brilliant team of staff, trustees and volunteers and committed funders and partners who believe in what we do and want to make the greatest possible difference. The Assistant Director – Digital and Innovation will work closely with colleagues across programmes, partnerships, communications and fundraising, as well as external partners, to ensure our digital and programme offer is coherent, forward-thinking and aligned with our mission.
This is a unique opportunity to combine strategic leadership with practical delivery, helping to translate ambition into impact for the young people we serve.
Sarah Chick
Head of Programmes
Job purpose
The Assistant Director - Digital and Innovation leads the development, implementation and ongoing improvement of Villiers Park’s digital education provision. This includes the design and delivery of online learning experiences, the development of digital and physical resources for use across programmes, and ensuring that digital delivery is accessible, safeguarded and aligned with the organisation’s mission.
The role also provides strategic and operational leadership for Leadership Challenge, Villiers Park’s national student outreach and social action programme. This includes programme design, partner engagement, monitoring and evaluation, and ensuring the programme is effectively resourced and financially sustainable.
Working closely with the Head of Programmes, Senior Leadership Team (SLT), Communications and Fundraising teams, and external partners, the postholder supports the development of digital innovation, programme resourcing and Leadership Challenge activity to enhance reach, impact and quality.
Key responsibilities:
- Provide strategic leadership for the development, implementation and continuous improvement of Villiers Park’s digital education provision, ensuring alignment with our Theory of Change, priorities and values
- Lead the design and evolution of high-quality digital learning experiences, content and pathways for students, schools, parents/carers and volunteers
- Oversee the adoption and integration of digital platforms and tools, ensuring accessibility, safeguarding, GDPR compliance and scalability
- Drive innovation in digital delivery by monitoring sector trends and embedding relevant approaches to enhance reach and impact
- Ensure digital provision complements and strengthens face-to-face delivery across programmes, working closely with the Head of Programmes and Assistant Directors
- Provide strategic oversight of the use of AI within programmes, ensuring its application enhances learning experiences while maintaining safeguarding and ethical standards
- Provide strategic oversight of the development and ongoing review of physical resources, ensuring consistency, quality and alignment across programmes
- Ensure all resources are inclusive, engaging, curriculum-aligned and reflect organisational standards and brand expectations
- Maintain a coherent approach to resource development, ensuring materials support programme delivery and learning outcomes effectively
- Lead the strategic and operational development of the Leadership Challenge programme, ensuring it is high-quality, sustainable and aligned with organisational priorities
- In collaboration with the Senior Leadership Team, develop and strengthen partnerships with charities, corporates and universities to support programme growth and delivery
- Oversee the development of an appropriate recognition or award framework for participants
- Establish and oversee robust quality assurance and evaluation processes for digital and physical content and delivery
- As a member of the Senior Leadership Team, contribute to strategic planning, budgeting and risk management, and provide quarterly updates to the Board of Trustees.
- Work collaboratively with Fundraising and Communications teams to support income generation, bid development and programme promotion
This list is not exhaustive, and the post-holder will be required to undertake other tasks relevant to the role and within their capability.
Skills and experience:
- Significant leadership experience in education, youth or social mobility sectors
- Knowledge of school and college curricula and the needs of learners aged 13–19
- Proven experience in designing and/or delivering digital learning
- Strong understanding of safeguarding, digital accessibility standards and inclusive design
- Experience developing high‑quality educational resources (digital and physical)
- Ability to lead programmes, manage projects and deliver to deadlines
- Ability to build relationships with colleagues and external stakeholders to further organisational aims and fundraising objectives
Personal attributes:
- A genuine commitment to and care for social mobility and young people’s futures
- Organised and proactive, effectively, prioritising workload and delivering outcomes independently
- Strategic and forward-thinking, with an ability to see the bigger picture
- Collaborative and able to work effectively with colleagues, partners and stakeholders across different functions
- Willingness to learn and develop your own practice and experience
Additional Information:
- The postholder will be required to travel regularly to schools, events and partner organisations
- An enhanced DBS check will be required
- The postholder will hold responsibility to be one of the Deputy Designated Safeguarding Leads
- The postholder will require a full UK driving licence
- Evening work and overnight stays may be required
- Hybrid – location local to our Cambridge office or near to one of our Regional Hubs
Employee Benefits
- 26 days annual leave plus bank holidays (pro rated) and additional leave over Christmas.
- A dedicated wellbeing day for you to take at any time and three days (pro-rated) paid leave for volunteering or study each year.
- Training and professional development, including termly staff development days.
- Support from our wellbeing working group and access to an employee assistance programme.
- Opportunity to join working groups with other colleagues from across the organisation as well as wider networks such as the Fair Education Alliance.
- Flexibility in working hours.
- Additional sick pay and compassionate leave policies.
Safeguarding
Villiers Park Educational Trust is committed to safeguarding and to providing a safe and supportive environment, which secures the well-being and best outcomes for the young people with whom we work.
Safeguarding is embedded in all aspects of Villiers Park's work and integral to the commitment we make to our schools, partners and the young people and communities we serve and work with. All employees and volunteers are expected to share this commitment by adhering to our organisational safeguarding procedures, attending regular in-house training and keeping up to date with developments in policies and legislation.
All employees and volunteers will also agree to undergo an Enhanced Disclosure and Barring Services check and successfully complete our mandatory online training courses including NSPCC Safeguarding in Schools and PREVENT training.
21 - 50
The client requests no contact from agencies or media sales.
Thank you!
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Be Part of Meaningful Change
Rape Crisis South London (RCSL) is entering an exciting new chapter. With a new CEO, refreshed Senior Leadership Team, and an ambitious vision for the future, we are laying the foundations for a bold new organisational strategy.
Applicants must have the right to work in the UK.
This role is offered on a consultancy/project basis rather than as a salaried position. Renumeration will be agreed as a total project budget, not a salary, and will reflect the scope and deliverables of the assignment.
There are no fixed weekly working hours. The consultant will have up to three months to complete the agreed deliverables and may determine how and when the work is undertaken within this timeframe (for example, delivering the work in a shorter period if preferred).
The role is not office-based. Meetings will take place as required with the Director of Programmes, either virtually or in person, to support progress and delivery.
About the Role
We are now seeking a Frontline Programme SOP Freelance Writer to join our Programmes Department on a temporary basis at this pivotal time for the organisation.
The successful candidate will be a highly skilled and sensitive Programme SOP Writer, responsible for developing clear, ethical, and trauma‑informed Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) across our services, ensuring consistency, safeguarding, and best practice in service delivery.
This role is critical to ensuring safe, consistent, and high-quality support for survivors, while strengthening safeguarding, compliance, and operational excellence.
You will work closely with frontline staff, safeguarding leads, and leadership to document and improve processes across support services, ensuring all procedures reflect feminist principles and survivor-centred care.
Interview Process
Shortlisted applicants will be invited to an interview, conducted via MS Teams.
Stage one: MS Teams with the Director of Programmes and two other panel members.
The whole process from advertisement to appointment, may take up to 1 - 3 weeks.
Due to the urgent need for support, applications will be reviewed and interviews arranged on a rolling basis, so early applications are encouraged.
Our vision:
A world free from sexual violence, where survivors are believed, respected and supported.
Our mission:
To provide high‑quality, specialist support and to challenge the structures that enable sexual violence.
What You Will Do
- Map and document end-to-end processes across all four frontline support services (e.g., intake, risk assessment, case management, referrals, crisis response)
- Develop trauma-informed, survivor-centred SOPs that prioritise safety, dignity, and confidentiality
- Collaborate with frontline practitioners to capture real-world workflows and best practices
- Ensure SOPs align with safeguarding policies, legal requirements, and ethical standards (e.g., data protection, confidentiality, consent)
- Standardise documentation formats, language, and terminology across programmes
- Identify gaps, risks, and inconsistencies in current processes and recommend improvements
- Support the integration of feminist principles into operational procedures
- Produce practical guidance documents to support staff training and onboarding
- Create processes for regular reviews and updates of SOPs to reflect evolving best practice and legislation
About You
Person Specification - Essential
- Proven experience writing SOPs, operational manuals, or process documentation in sensitive service environments
- Strong understanding of trauma-informed practice and survivor-centred approaches
- Experience working with or within services supporting survivors of sexual violence, domestic abuse, or similar contexts
- Excellent written communication skills with the ability to handle sensitive subject matter appropriately
- Strong stakeholder engagement skills, particularly with frontline practitioners
- High attention to detail and ability to maintain confidentiality and ethical standards
Desirable
- Comprehensive, trauma-informed SOPs for all key programme areas
- Process maps and workflows for service delivery pathways
- SOP templates and documentation standards
- Recommendations for strengthening safeguarding, consistency, and service quality
What You Bring
- Commitment to feminist, survivor‑led practice
- Anti‑racist and anti‑discriminatory values
- Ability to work independently and collaboratively
- Commitment to learning, reflection and self‑care
Safeguarding and Safer Recruitment
Rape Crisis South London is committed to safeguarding survivors, children, young people and adults at risk. All staff have a shared responsibility for promoting safety and wellbeing.
This includes:
- Promoting the safety and wellbeing of service users
- Identifying and reporting safeguarding concerns
- Following organisational safeguarding policies and procedures
- Supporting a culture where everyone feels safe, respected and supported
Our safer recruitment processes include:
- Values‑based interviews
- Verification of identity, qualifications and employment history
- Reference checks
- DBS checks (enhanced or basic, depending on the role)
Safeguarding training and ongoing supervision
Equality, Feminism and Inclusion
RCSL is an equal opportunities employer. Our work is rooted in feminist principles that recognise sexual violence as both a cause and consequence of gender inequality. We centre survivor voices and prioritise empowerment, inclusivity and intersectionality.
We particularly welcome applications from women who are under‑represented in roles within the Violence Against Women and Girls (VAWG), charity, social impact sector.
Intersectionality and Reasonable Adjustments
We recognise that experiences of sexual violence are shaped by intersecting factors including:
- Race and ethnicity
- Disability
- Sexuality and gender identity
- Socio‑economic background
- Immigration status
- Faith and culture
We are committed to removing barriers and creating an inclusive workplace.
Applicants are encouraged to tell us if they require reasonable adjustments during the recruitment process, such as:
- Alternative interview timings
- Additional time for written tasks
- Support relating to disability, neurodivergence or health needs
Learning and Development
As a charity undergoing growth and transformation, we welcome colleagues who are committed to ongoing learning and professional development. We provide induction, supervision, and development opportunities appropriate to the role.
The interview will explore experience and approach to:
- Safeguarding
- Equality, diversity and inclusion
- Feminist and trauma‑informed practice
- Role‑specific responsibilities
- Role‑specific assessment details
Post holder will be required to undertake either Enhanced or Basic DBS
This post is open to women only and is a Genuine Occupational Requirement under Schedule 9, Paragraph 1 of the Equality Act 2010 (where applicable).
How to Apply
Please submit:
- Your CV
- A cover letter outlining your suitability for the role Applications should be sent in PDF format to (no more than a 1000 words)
- Closing date: until filled
- Interview date(s): on a rolling basis
Thank you for your interest in RCSL. If you have not heard from us within one month of the closing date, please assume your application has been unsuccessful.
We encourage you to follow us on LinkedIn @rapecrisissouthlondon for future opportunities and updates.
AI in Job Applications
We understand that some candidates use AI tools when applying. While we welcome technology to support clear communication, your application should reflect your own skills, knowledge and experience.
Registered Charity
Providing specialist support to women and girls who have experienced rape and/or childhood sexual violence and abuse.
The client requests no contact from agencies or media sales.