2 School partnership area director jobs in Bristol
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This organisation is scheduling interviews as applications come in. They're ready to hire as soon as they find the right person. Don't miss your opportunity, apply now!
Job Description:
The Head of Youth & Community Services will provide leadership, management and oversight across YMCA Brunel Group's youth and community services, including 10 Youth Clubs (supporting young people aged 10-19 years old, and up to 25 with special educational needs), and 2 Young Carers groups. The role will be responsible for ensuring the effective delivery, quality, performance and development of services, enabling positive outcomes for children, young people and communities, across the Mendip and South Somerset area.
The postholder will lead a team of approximately 33 permanent and relief staff, and line manage Youth Work Team Leaders, ensuring services are delivered safely, effectively and in line with organisational policies, safeguarding requirements and funding obligations.
The postholder will play a key role in shaping local responses to the needs of young people and communities, bringing partners together to influence priorities, develop collaborative solutions and improve outcomes across the Mendip and South Somerset area
The role will enhance the impact, sustainability and quality of youth and community services, strengthen partnership working and support the delivery of YMCA Brunel Group's charitable objectives.
The Candidate:
The successful candidate will be an experienced youth and community services professional with a strong track record of leading teams, developing services and delivering positive outcomes for young people and communities.
You will be a confident leader, capable of supporting and developing Team Leaders while ensuring high standards of service delivery, safeguarding, quality and performance. You will have excellent relationship-building skills, with the ability to work effectively with colleagues, partners and stakeholders across a range of settings.
You will be organised, proactive and resilient, with a strong understanding of the challenges facing young people and communities and a commitment to YMCA Brunel Group's values and mission.
Ideally, you will hold a relevant qualification in youth work, or community development or a related field, although candidates with significant relevant experience will also be considered.
Duties and Responsibilities:
Service leadership and delivery
· Lead the operational delivery, quality and continuous improvement of YMCA Brunel Group's Youth & Community Services, ensuring services are safe, impactful, financially sustainable and responsive to the needs of young people.
· Oversee the planning, development and evaluation of youth and community projects, ensuring consistency of practice, effective use of resources and delivery against agreed objectives and outcomes.
· Identify emerging needs, opportunities and trends affecting young people and communities, using insight and local intelligence to shape service development and ensure provision remains relevant, impactful and sustainable.
· Act as the departmental safeguarding lead, providing advice, oversight and support to Team Leaders and staff.
Young people and community engagement
· Champion participation and co-production, ensuring the voices of young people and communities influence service design, delivery and evaluation
· Support Team Leaders to engage, and create opportunities for young people, volunteers and community members to participate fully in YMCA services and activities.
· Ensure services are inclusive, accessible and focused on enabling individuals and communities to achieve their full potential.
People leadership
· Provide visible and effective leadership across Youth & Community Services, setting clear direction, priorities and expectations that support YMCA Brunel Group's objectives.
· Lead, motivate and develop Team Leaders, fostering a positive, inclusive and high-performing culture that reflects YMCA values and promotes accountability, collaboration and continuous improvement.
· Provide direct line management, supervision and support to Team Leaders, ensuring high standards of performance, safeguarding and professional practice.
· Recruit, induct and develop staff in accordance with organisational policies and procedures, supporting workforce planning, succession planning and professional development.
Partnerships, fundraising and influencing
· Develop and maintain strong relationships with local authorities, schools, parish and town councils, voluntary and community organisations, funders and other key stakeholders, positioning YMCA Brunel Group as a trusted partner within local communities.
· Represent YMCA Brunel Group within strategic partnerships, networks and community forums, championing the needs of young people and communities, influencing local priorities and helping to shape strategies that improve outcomes.
· Bring organisations together to develop collaborative approaches, identifying opportunities for partnership working, shared delivery and coordinated responses that maximise impact for children, young people and communities.
· Lead on income generation and securing funding across Youth & Community Services, increasing resources to sustain and grow in line with the needs of young people
Financial management
· Manage allocated budgets, authorise expenditure within delegated limits and ensure resources are used effectively and responsibly.
· Ensure accurate records, monitoring systems and reporting processes are maintained, producing timely reports for internal and external stakeholders.
· Oversee safeguarding, health and safety, risk management and compliance requirements across the Youth and Community department, ensuring adherence to organisational policies, legislation and funding obligations.
General
· Develop and maintain effective working relationships with colleagues across YMCA Brunel Group.
· Promote equality, diversity, inclusion and wellbeing throughout the organisation
· Comply with all YMCA Brunel Group policies, procedures and legislative requirements.
· Demonstrate YMCA Brunel Group values in all aspects of work.
· Undertake any other duties appropriate to the role as requested by the Director of Charity Operations.
Person Specification
- At least 2 years experience leading youth, community, or related services
- Experience of developing and maintaining partnerships with statutory, voluntary, community and education organisations
- Experience of leading and developing staff, including the ability to motivate and inspire others
- Experience of managing budgets and contributing to income generation
- Strong understanding of the needs and challenges facing young people and communities
- Knowledge of safeguarding legislation, risk management and best practice relating to children, young people or vulnerable adults
- JNC Youth & Community Work qualification or equivalent professional qualification
- Understanding of funding, commissioning and contract delivery within the charity sector
Location: At least 3 days a week based in one of YMCA Brunel offices (Bath, Wells, Frome or Street).
Hours: 37.5 hours per week, including occasional evenings and weekends
Salary: £40,000.00
Closing Date: 11th October 2026
Interviews: 21st October 2026
YMCA Brunel Group is committed to following safer recruitment practices. All candidates will need to provide a full employment history, two references, and undergo an enhanced DBS check. In line with the Asylum & Immigration Act 1996, applicants must be eligible to live and work in the UK.
Join us at YMCA Brunel Group and be part of something bigger!
Registered Charity
Inspiring and enabling transformative change in lives and communities, creating a future where potential is realised, and no one is left behind
The client requests no contact from agencies or media sales.
Thank you!
Actively Interviewing
This organisation is scheduling interviews as applications come in. They're ready to hire as soon as they find the right person. Don't miss your opportunity, apply now!
The Youth Adventure Trust is a youth development charity working with vulnerable young people aged 11 to 16 years old from Somerset, Wiltshire and Swindon. Our outdoor activity based YAT Adventure Programme enables young people to challenge themselves, experience success, learn to go beyond their own expectations and grow in confidence. Through a series of residential camps and day activities they are able to build resilience, self esteem and develop social and life skills. The YAT Resilience Programme works to the same outcomes through a year long programme of monthly activities, home-based challenges and reflective practice. Our Mentoring Programme works with those young people in need of some additional individualised support at the end of our other programmes. The Trust’s Bursary Programme is open to all those young people who have completed an initial programme, in order to assist their next steps into further activities. Our aim is to make a lasting improvement to the lives of vulnerable young people. All our services are provided completely free of charge to the young people who are nominated by schools and other youth organisations to take part.
The Role
We are looking for an experienced, dynamic and motivated Programme Manager to support, deliver and manage our outdoor based development programmes.
Responsibilities will include:
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Acting as the key point of contact to organise, deliver and oversee the programme to a group of young people, including managing and supporting activity days and residential adventures throughout the year.
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Recruiting young people to the programme, working in collaboration with our referral partners including schools and other organisations, ensuring all involved have an excellent understanding, relationship and experience with the Youth Adventure Trust.
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Working in partnership with the young people’s families to promote full attendance, effective participation and ensure they have all the information they require.
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Carrying out direct work with young people to help support their needs and fulfil the Youth Adventure Trust’s aims.
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Providing ongoing feedback to young people, parents, carers and schools.
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Supporting the effective monitoring of the programme and measurement of young people’s developmental outcomes.
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Working with the Mentoring Managers to select and support young people moving on to the Mentoring Programme, and promote take up of the Bursary Programme.
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Ensuring the highest standards of support, safety and safeguarding across the programme and all aspects of the Youth Adventure Trust’s work.
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Completing the day-to-day administration and management of the programme. This will include maintaining a database, producing written communications and reports, information leaflets, website updates, budget monitoring, booking and negotiating with providers, and an array of detailed record keeping.
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Contributing to organisational planning and development, including supporting the development of further opportunities for young people.
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Supporting the fundraising team through providing feedback, reports or event support.
You will also;
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Be involved in sector networking and awareness raising on behalf of the Trust.
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Act as an ambassador for the Youth Adventure Trust at all times.
The post is subject to a six months’ probationary period.
The Candidate
To be up to the challenge you’ll need an excellent understanding and a proven track record of relevant experience working with vulnerable young people. You’ll need demonstrable skills at building effective relationships with young people, parents/carers and professional organisations. You’ll need strong influencing and motivational skills; the capacity to get the best out of people and confidently deal with issues and challenges. You’ll be an excellent communicator, planner and problem solver, a strong team player and an exemplary role model.
We need someone with:-
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Commitment to safeguarding and dedication to promoting the welfare of young people.
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Relevant experience of managing young people, preferably in activity based and outdoor environments, as well as away from this.
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Experience in working in partnership with other professional organisations and parents/carers.
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Strong leadership and team skills to motivate, support and work alongside a team of volunteers, activity instructors and logistics staff.
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Self-motivation with the ability to work on their own initiative to plan and manage their workload.
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Strong IT skills including experience of MS Office, web based platforms and databases.
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Excellent administrative skills and a methodical and thorough approach.
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The ability to perform well and problem solve in high-stress and changing situations. Ability to be flexible and dynamic in approach.
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Excellent communication and interpersonal skills.
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A positive attitude, high energy and enthusiasm for the work of the Youth Adventure Trust; an understanding of the positive impact outdoor adventure can have on vulnerable young people, and a desire to help inspire young lives.
In addition:-
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The ability to work flexible hours, evenings and weekends as required is essential - the role includes attending occasional trips staying away from home, and monthly weekend days working on activities. If you are looking for a predictable 9-5 work environment, this won’t be the right fit.
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The role is home-based, located in or with close proximity to Wiltshire and Somerset
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A full current driving licence and access to your own vehicle is required.
Safer Recruitment
The Youth Adventure Trust is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of young people and requires all employees to share this commitment. The suitability of all prospective employees will be assessed during the recruitment process in line with this commitment and in compliance with current employment legislation, and relevant safeguarding legislation and statutory guidance.
Please be advised;
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a satisfactory Enhanced DBS Disclosure with Children’s Barred List will be required for this post;
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we will seek references on shortlisted candidates before interview, and may approach previous employers for information to verify particular experience or qualifications;
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if the applicant is shortlisted, any relevant issues arising from his or her references or application will be taken up at interview;
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in accordance with due diligence checks, online searches may be conducted as part of the selection process on shortlisted candidates;
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if the applicant is currently working with children, on either a paid or voluntary basis, his or her current employer will be asked about disciplinary offences relating to children, including any in which the penalty is “time expired” (e.g. where a warning could no longer be taken into account in any new disciplinary hearing), and whether the applicant has been the subject of any child protection concerns, and if so, the outcome of any enquiry or disciplinary procedure. If the applicant is not currently working with children but has done so in the past, then contact will be made with that employer who will be asked about these issues; and
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applicants should note that providing false information is an offence and could result in the application being rejected, or dismissal if the applicant has been selected, and possible referral to the police.
Please review our Safeguarding Policy available on our website.
How to Apply
Please complete the Application Form which includes the opportunity to outline why you think you are suitable for this role, making specific reference to the Role and Candidate Specifications above.
The Application Form should be returned to:
Abigail Hinds, Operations Coordinator
Applications Closing Date: Friday 9th October at 9am
Shortlisted candidates will be notified by 5pm on Friday 9th October
Interview Date: Thursday 15th October, Frome, Somerset
A second interview will be held for selected candidates on Tuesday 27th October in the Wiltshire area.
The Youth Adventure Trust sincerely thanks all those who apply, however only those considered for an interview will be contacted.
Registered Charity
11 - 20
We use outdoor adventure and one-to-one support to empower young people to fulfil their potential and lead positive lives in the future.
The client requests no contact from agencies or media sales.