Strategic programmes director jobs

Role: National Programme Coordinator

Directorate:           Operations

Team: National Competitions

Manager:               Senior National Competitions Manager

Direct reports: N/A

Role purpose

The purpose of this role is to support the National Programme Team with the implementation of operational plans that deliver successful national skills competitions. This will include supporting the activities and actions relating to the national programme cycle, projects across diversity and inclusion and transfer of global standards to maximise local and national activity in the UK.

Key tasks and responsibilities

· To contribute to the successful delivery of WorldSkills UK’s strategic priorities and annual business objectives.

· To support skills competitions that raise standards of teaching and learning and serve as a key vehicle for practitioner development across the vocational education and training sector and the workplace, including Apprenticeship/Traineeships.

· To co-ordinate activities relating to requesting, tracking and quality assuring key documents required from our Competition Organising Partners (COPs), ensuring documents are received within set deadlines.

· To co-ordinate and support the planning and event delivery of national skills competition activity across the UK, including booking travel, venues, accommodation and catering.

· To administer and co-ordinate the local and national projects i.e. Competitor Support Fund, and Evaluations.

· To administer and co-ordinate project plans, reporting, finance, systems, processes (i.e. Quality Assurance) and document management.

· To support improved engagement in skills competitions by all Stakeholder groups and audiences.

· To support the organisation by producing reports and data requests using the organisational database and systems.

· To support the National Competitions Delivery Managers in the organisation of skills competitions, to include administration and research of new skills competitions.

· To co-ordinate and provide support on the implementation of the quality assurance process and ensure that accurate information is recorded at the bi-annual reviews with the COPs.

· To support the recruitment and briefing of volunteers as required for the national competition cycle.

· To organise and support communication with competitors, their organisations and COPs through monitoring the Competitions email inbox, allocating queries to team members and responding to requests for information and providing support to the team in answering queries from staff, external stakeholders and suppliers.

· To maintain and update competition management systems, records and files, handling confidential information in compliance with the organisations procedures.

· To effectively co-ordinate resources (including agencies, suppliers, contractors) so that all project elements are delivered to acceptable standards on time, to budget and meet the required specification(s)/objective(s) and assisting the team with financial processes such as raising purchase orders.

· To support activities/tasks in accordance with the agreed project plan to ensure delivery on time and to budget.

General:

In addition to the key tasks and responsibilities set out above, all employees at this level are expected to:

· Contribute to the successful delivery of WorldSkills UK’s strategic priorities and annual business objectives.

· Promote and comply with WorldSkills UK’s Employee Handbook and the policies contained therein with particular reference to those related to Health and Safety and on equity, diversity and inclusion.

· Carry out any other duty as may be reasonably assigned that is consistent with the nature of the job and its level of responsibility. Any significant changes will be made in consultation with the post holder acknowledging experience, education and ability.

Person specification

Key: [E] Essential / [D] Desirable.

Qualifications and experience:

· Demonstrable experience or qualifications relevant to project coordination or administrative support [E].

· Apprenticeship or other relevant project experience [D].

· Experience of providing support to programmes in the public sector [D].

· Experience of organising events [D].

· An understanding of basic project management principles [D].

Knowledge and skills:

· Intermediate to advanced Microsoft Office suite skills as well as using bespoke software programmes for data reporting [D].

· Highly developed administration skills [E].

· Good verbal, written and presentation skills [E].

· Knowledge of further education, apprenticeships and skills [D].

Personal qualities and attributes:

· Consistently dependable and acts with integrity in all professional matters [E].

· Able to work on own initiative with broad direction [E].

· Able to contribute to solving problems by offering practical or innovative approaches [E].

· Possess a strong work ethic and desire to achieve results [E].

· Flexible in working methods and ideas [E].

· Able to work collaboratively with others and contribute positively to team outcomes [E].

· Demonstrates commitment to the organisation’s mission and can support and encourage others [E].

· Respect for diversity and inclusion with practical ideas for their implementation within the scope of the post [E].

Special circumstances:

· Prepared occasionally to work outside normal hours [E].

· Prepared to travel within the United Kingdom [E].

· Able to spend time away from home [E].

Summary of terms and conditions

· Permanent.

· The salary for this role is £28,000.

· WorldSkills UK offers a maximum employer’s contribution to your pension of 6% of your basic salary, on the condition that you make an employee contribution to your pension of at least 3%. You may choose to contribute a higher percentage of your salary to your pension, subject to statutory limits.

· Group Death in Service (Life insurance) 3 x annual salary.

· Health Care Cash plan.

· Normal place of work is Third Floor, 52-54 St John Street, London EC1M 4HF. This role is office based (as above) but with flexible hybrid working. It is expected the postholder will attend the office at least once or twice a week.

· Full time working hours are a minimum of 35 hours per week, normal working hours are 09:00 to 17:00 Monday to Friday although we pride ourselves on having a flexible approach to our working practices and service delivery and are happy to discuss flexible working options, with suitable candidates.

· 25 days’ annual leave [which will increase by one additional day for each completed year of service up to a maximum of 30 days] plus public and bank holidays.

· The post is subject to six months’ probationary period with two weeks’ notice during the probationary period and one month thereafter.

· The offer of appointment will be subject to satisfactory references.

· Salaries are paid monthly by direct transfer on or about 21st of the month.

How to apply

WorldSkills UK is committed to making appointments on merit by fair and open processes and use a blind recruitment approach. Please ensure that you submit your application in Word (curriculum vitae and cover letter) to help us in this process.

Applications should be submitted by email and must include:

· Curriculum vitae outlining your full career history. Please remove any identifying information to support our anonymised recruitment process. This includes your name, email address, date of birth, nationality, languages spoken other than English, photographs, and links to personal profiles (e.g. LinkedIn). Applications that contain identifying information in the CV may not be considered.

· Supporting statement outlining your suitability for the role, addressing the points listed in the role description and person specification. Throughout the recruitment process we will be looking for clear examples and evidence of your experience, knowledge and skills.

· Separate document containing your name, contact details (email and phone number) and confirmation of your right to work in the UK.

Interview process and timeline

It is intended that the interview process will have two stages:

· Stage 1 – online via MS Teams. The interviews will be held on Wednesday 15 April 2026.

 · Stage 2 – in person. Candidates progressing to the second stage will be invited to attend an in-person interview at our office: Third Floor, 52–54 St John Street, London EC1M 4HF. This stage of the interview process will take place on Wednesday 22 April 2026.

Candidates will be asked to complete a 30-minute interview task, the details of which will be provided to those invited to the interview.

Reasonable adjustments will be offered to all candidates during the recruitment process. For further information please contact our Senior HR Manager.

Application deadline

The deadline for applications is Monday 6 April 2026 at 17:00. Please note that late or incomplete applications will not be considered.

​The Biochemical Society are seeking a Training Manager, on an 18-month Fixed Term contract to support the Biochemical Society Training programmes.

Training Manager role is an exciting opportunity to lead and deliver on agreed strategy across our current and future programme of training events, activities and resources, and plays a key role in taking the Society’s training programme forwards, focusing on the delivery and development of existing training programmes, the creation and implementation of exclusive members-only training opportunities to enhance our membership offering, and for devising and implementing new training courses by working with volunteers to develop appropriate content.

Reporting to the Director of Events and Training, this role will set up and lead all stages of delivering new training, from conception to delivery, working with subject matter experts to explore new ideas to provide surplus-generating training for existing and new training programmes by gathering insight from members, other organisations and wider markets to understand training needs and inform the design of programmes.

Suitable candidates will have experience delivering income generating science-based training programmes, using Learning Management Systems and have excellent interpersonal skills, working on complex projects involving multiple stakeholders.

For more information about the organisation, please visit our website.

Here is some information on our Benefits package.

Closing date: 27th March 2026

Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted.

Please note that this role is home-based and as such interviews will be virtual.

“We are interested in every candidate who is eligible to work in the United Kingdom. However, we are not able to sponsor visas.”

Please send a CV and covering letter. It is important that you DO NOT include your Personal Information i.e. name and contact details in your CV or Cover Letter. This is because the Society is committed to promoting a diverse and inclusive community - a place where we can all be ourselves and succeed on merit. We offer a range of family friendly, inclusive employment policies to support staff from different backgrounds.

The Society takes the security of your data seriously. It has internal policies and controls in place to ensure that your data is not lost, accidentally destroyed, misused or disclosed, and is not accessed except by our employees in the proper performance of their duties.

Please note that due to limited resources it is not possible for the Society to acknowledge receipt of applications. If you do not hear from us within two weeks of the closing date, please assume that your application has been unsuccessful on this occasion.

Centre 404 is seeking an experienced HR Business Partner to join our Central People and Culture team and support the Director of People in delivering Centre 404’s People Strategy and sector workforce priorities. The role focuses on embedding workforce planning, building management capability, and strengthening cultural development, ensuring the organisation is well placed to meet the challenges of the Adult Social Care Workforce Strategy and the new national pay deal.

 About Us

Centre 404 is a vibrant north London based charity committed to empowering people with learning disabilities and their families. We champion inclusion, choice, and wellbeing, and we’re proud to be driving sector-leading change in social care.

Key Priorities and Actions

· Deliver a management development programme with measurable impact

· Provide workforce analytics to inform strategic decisions and reduce agency spend

· Coach managers to resolve employee relations issues proactively

· Drive improvements in staff engagement, inclusion, and fair treatment

· Lead on Equality, Diversity & Inclusion (EDI) initiatives and quality benchmarking

· Embed co-production principles across HR processes

· Chair either or both of our EDI Working Group and Staff Forum, helping us rebuild and instil good engagement structures with staff

·  Run focus groups so we can properly understand themes and translate them into practical actions

· Work closely with recruitment and training colleagues to identify what support managers will need as we carry out rapid recruitment of support workers

· Deliver manager training, particularly on performance management, people management basics and new legal requirements linked to the Employment Rights Act

· Support with reviewing/refreshing relevant policies linked to those legislative changes

· Provide day-to-day employee relations support while also upskilling managers so they become more confident in handling issues themselves over time

What We’re Looking For

• CIPD Level 7 (or working towards) or equivalent
• Proven experience in workforce planning, leadership development, and cultural change
• Strong coaching, influencing, and analytical skills
• Commitment to inclusion, safeguarding, and the rights of people with learning disabilities
• Knowledge of CQC/Ofsted frameworks and sector reforms is a plus

Why Join Us?

At Centre 404, you’ll be part of a values-driven organisation that prioritises people. We offer a collaborative environment, meaningful work, and the opportunity to make a real difference.

We offer flexibility in terms to suit personal circumstances.  The role could be permanent or fixed term contract and could be split over four or five days per week.  The person is key and we are keen to make this hire fit both the requirements of the job and of the individual; that is when it works!

Centre 404 is dedicated to staff development and supervision and we will provide a detailed induction and on-going training and support. All offers of employment are subject to a DBS check, proof of eligibility to work in the UK and satisfactory references covering a five-year period.

Centre 404 is an equal opportunities employer and welcomes applications from all sections of the community. Charity ref number 299889 

The Director of Programmes & Learning (DPL) provides strategic, technical, and operational leadership for Amna’s programmes across all geographies, partners, and ecosystem levels. The DPL champions a culture of learning, quality, and continuous improvement, ensuring that all programme strategies and initiatives are designed to advance Amna’s global mission.

Please note that compensation will be benchmarked and weighted according to the cost of living and market standards in the country where the candidate currently resides

Our Second Home (OSH) is the UK’s youth movement for people with refugee backgrounds. We support young people to build community, become leaders, and flourish into adulthood in the place they call home.

Each year, hundreds of young people from dozens of countries and living in London & Bristol take part in our residential programmes, leadership training and youth hubs. Our residentials are often the first step – immersive, relationship-rich spaces where young people connect, reflect and begin to see themselves as leaders. From there, many move into leadership training and take on volunteer roles within the movement.

Our work is youth-led and rooted in lived experience. We are now implementing our 2025–2028 strategy, focused on strengthening quality, embedding learning and ensuring our growth is sustainable and safe.

The Head of Programmes is a senior leadership role, reporting to the CEO and managing two senior colleagues. You will hold responsibility for the quality, coherence and safeguarding of all programme activity.

Responsibilities (abridged - see attached job description)

Programme Leadership & Strategy in Practice

• Lead implementation of OSH’s 2025–2028 programme strategy.

• Oversee the design, quality and coherence of residentials, leadership training and hubs.

• Take operational responsibility for residential delivery, including participant referrals, recruitment of staff and freelancers, programme content and educational standards.

• Attend and lead approximately five residential programmes per year.

• Identify opportunities to strengthen youth engagement and leadership pathways as the organisation scales.

• Ensure programme data is accurately recorded and used to improve delivery.

Team Leadership

• Line manage the Communities Manager and Leadership & Volunteering Manager.

• Provide structured supervision, clear objectives and professional development support.

• Ensure strong coordination between hubs, residentials and leadership pathways.

• Build a culture of accountability, reflection and continuous improvement.

Safeguarding & Welfare

• Act as Deputy Designated Safeguarding Lead and serve as DSL at events as required.

• Ensure safeguarding practice is robust, consistent and embedded across all activities.

• Respond to safeguarding and behavioural issues appropriately and oversee safe recruitment processes.

Partnerships, Budget & Oversight

• Maintain referral partnerships and represent OSH externally where appropriate.

• Hold programme budgets within agreed limits and ensure financial discipline.

• Embed monitoring, evaluation and reflective practice across the programme team.

Experience & Competencies (abridged - see attached job description)

Essential

• At least 5 years’ experience in youth or youth-centred programming, including residential or intensive settings.

• Experience designing and delivering leadership development or informal education programmes.

• Strong facilitation and training skills.

• Demonstrable experience managing staff and developing teams.

• Strong understanding of safeguarding practice and willingness to act as Deputy DSL.

• Experience working with young people from refugee or asylum-seeking backgrounds, or strong understanding of the issues affecting them.

• Ability to balance strategic oversight with hands-on delivery in a part-time senior leadership role.

• Strong organisational skills and commitment to inclusive, youth-led practice.

Desirable

• Level 3 Safeguarding training.

• Experience managing programme budgets.

• Experience contributing to organisational strategy or scaling programme models.

• Familiarity with Google Workspace, Beacon CRM, MyConcern or similar systems.

• Lived experience of migration or displacement.

About us:

Anti-Slavery International is the world’s oldest human rights organisation. Our vision is freedom from slavery for everyone, everywhere, always. We believe that modern slavery is a contemporary issue of the highest importance, and we are determined to work with others to make sure people can be free from slavery across the world.

About the role:

To shape, lead, ensure resourcing and support delivery for all ASI's programme and advocacy work, so as to maximise the organisation's impact on modern slavery. The role combines strategic, advocacy, management and operational elements.

Key Tasks:

• identify how ASI can maximise its contribution to tacking modern slavery by identifying current needs and opportunities
• support Programme Managers in their ongoing delivery of programmes
• liaise closely with Programme, Fundraising and Comms Teams
• ensure proper design, management, monitoring and reporting on externally and internally funded work,
• with the CEO, to link with governments, external partners, businesses, networks universities/research centres and others to build the positive relations and shared activity needed to understand and tackle modern slavery and keep ASI strong
• external spokesperson on issues related to modern slavery
• work with Comms and Fundraising to identify stories and opportunities, promote the organisation and describe our achievements

Benefits

• 30 days annual leave
• 6% pension contribution
• employee benefits including employee assistance programme, cycle to work scheme, annual season ticket loan, eye tests

Mortlake Community Association is looking for an experienced Interim Director to join a vibrant and inclusive local charity in London Borough of Richmond upon Thames. The main purpose of the role is to maintain our growing profile as a community hub and support our range of varied activities. Experience of working with service users and volunteers in a local community setting is essential. The post is offered on a fixed term 9 month contract, starting in May 2026 to align with our Director’s maternity leave.

• Fixed term contract 

• £40k (Pro-rata) plus pension 

• 25 hours pw - Hours are flexible but we will require this post to be on site at least 3 days per week. 

The Interim Director is responsible for the effective day-to-day management of the charity and Mortlake Hall, including staff leadership and supervision, financial management, fundraising, partnership working, building management, and monitoring and evaluation. The role requires strong leadership and relationship-building skills to ensure MCA remains at the heart of community life in Mortlake; recognised as a model of good practice within the London Borough of Richmond upon Thames. 

Key Accountabilities: 

• Work with the Board of Trustees to implement the vision and strategic direction of MCA. 

• Take overall responsibility for the operational management and day-to-day financial management of the charity and Mortlake Hall. 

• Work closely with current Director of MCA in run-up to maternity leave and maintaining contact, especially during the statutory Keep In Touch days (KIT). 

• Maintain relationship with existing funders for the charity and ensure timely, accurate reporting. 

• Oversee building and facilities management, working closely with the Building & Facilities Subcommittee. 

• Ensure that the local community is engaged with the work of MCA through ongoing consultation, discussion and community planning activities/events. 

• Respond proactively to changes in the voluntary, statutory and wider sectors to ensure the charity’s sustainability while maintaining its identity and independence. 

Essential experience: 

• Senior leadership or management experience within a charity, voluntary, community or not-for-profit organisation. 

• Experience working with, reporting to, or supporting a Board of Trustees or equivalent governance body. 

• Proven experience of managing and supporting staff and volunteers. 

• Demonstrable experience of securing funding, including writing successful funding bids and managing funder relationships. 

• Experience of budget management and financial oversight, working closely with a Treasurer or finance lead. 

• Experience of overseeing projects or programmes, including monitoring, evaluation and reporting. 

• Experience of managing buildings, facilities or community assets (or the ability to develop this quickly). 

Desirable experience: 

• Experience leading a community centre or multi-use community facility. 

• Experience of partnership working with local authorities, statutory bodies and community organisations. 

• Experience of organisational development. 

• Knowledge of Mortlake community and/ or the voluntary sector within the London Borough of Richmond upon Thames. 

Mortlake Community Association is committed to building a diverse and inclusive organisation that reflects the community we serve. We welcome applications from people of all backgrounds and encourage applications from individuals who are underrepresented in the voluntary and community sector. 

Deadline: Tuesday 31 March 2026 

Interviews: 10 and/or 13 April 2026 (in person at Mortlake) 

The International Institute for Environment and Development (IIED), one of the world’s foremost independent international policy and research organisations, is seeking an outstanding fundraising and communications leader to work alongside our Executive Director and senior team.

Following the launch of our strategy - Manifesto for a Thriving World – and a recent organisational restructure, we decided to bring the functions of fundraising and communications together under a single Director. This is a tactical move, appreciating our funding sources, audiences, and how to reach them are quickly shifting, with the need to think differently about our brand, positioning, use of technology and relationships.

You will lead and shape our strategy in these areas, while also managing strong existing teams and being a key voice in IIED’s governing bodies. You will be the focal point for our institutional funding partnerships and take accountability for achieving a fundraising target and set of objectives. You will be at the heart of guiding IIED’s impact-focused communications, brand, marketing and influencing approach, as well as creating a reinforcing positive trajectory by connecting fundraising and communications. 

In joining IIED, you will have the opportunity to work with creative, innovative and committed colleagues striving to achieve IIED’s six propositions. You will be part of an organisation hosting the Chair of the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change, supporting the Least Developed Countries in international negotiations and delivering highly influential research, events and equitable partnerships tackling climate change, nature loss and inequality. 

About Us
IIED is an international policy and research organisation working to build a fairer, more sustainable world, in partnership with others across the globe.

• We stand up: challenging the systems and structures that perpetuate economic, social and environmental injustice – acknowledging our own role in this.
• We speak out: calling out the big blockers that prevent progress for communities and working to amplify voices, redistribute power and strengthen rights.
• We innovate: developing, co-producing and supporting evidence-based ideas to drive progress towards a thriving world for all.
• We collaborate: building connections at local, national and international levels, to support diverse partners to tackle the climate, nature and inequality crises so that people and the planet can thrive. Come and be part of this exciting journey with us

The Benefits
- Salary of £78,715 - £91,102 per annum dependent on experience
- 25 days' annual leave per year, plus bank holidays and additional leave over Christmas
- 7.5% employer pension contributions
- Enhanced maternity, paternity, and adoption pay
- Cycle-to-work scheme
- Employee protection scheme (life, critical illness, income protection)

This is a rare and exciting opportunity for a senior fundraising and communications leader with significant experience in an international NGO or charity settings to join our globally influential organisation at a moment of strategic transformation.

About You
To be considered as the Director of Fundraising and Communications, you will need:

• Significant experience leading fundraising functions, delivering multi-stream income generation strategies
• Significant experience overseeing a broad communications portfolio, including research communications, brand positioning, digital engagement and media, and internal communications.
• An impressive track record in securing large-scale funding and have exceptional communications and influencing skills across diverse stakeholders.
• Strong leadership experience in multi-cultural environments, building high-performing, values-led teams.
• The willingness and ability to travel internationally.

If you are ready for a career-defining role at a pivotal point for our organisation and the global community, we are waiting to hear from you.

The closing date for this role 24 March 2026.

IIED is a Global organisation that serves the Global Majority. We are committed to equity of opportunity, to being fair and inclusive, and to being a place where all belong. We therefore particularly encourage applications from candidates who are likely to be underrepresented in IIED’s workforce, including members of minority groups and those with lived experience of the work we do. Even if you don't satisfy all the criteria, we still encourage you to apply, as we will offer training and development to upskill the right candidate for the role.

So, if you want to become our Director of Fundraising and Communications, please apply via the button shown. This vacancy is being advertised by Webrecruit. The services advertised by Webrecruit are those of an Employment Agency.

About Us 

Inspire is a charity based in East London. We inspire children and young people across London and beyond, using data to understand the barriers they face and connecting them with a range of employers and opportunities to open doors to their success. 

We have over 30 years of experience in delivering high quality services and programmes to children, young people, schools, local authorities and employers. Working alongside our large network of employer volunteers, we design and deliver programmes that inspire and support children and young people to create a positive future for themselves in their journey from the classroom to workplace.  We provide them with independent careers guidance, high aspirations and strong employability skills. 

The Opportunity 

Are you passionate and enthusiastic about advancing social mobility and ensuring all young people have access to the opportunities and inspiration they need to achieve their full potential? If so, this role is for you. 

We are seeking a Senior Business Development and Partnerships Manager to join us in a pivotal role in our Business Development Team. This is a new role for our charity that will make a significant contribution to delivery of our high quality services to children and young people, providing them with opportunities and inspiration to enable them to create a positive future for themselves and open doors to their success.

If you are self-motivated, enthusiastic and confident, with experience and a proven track record in successfully securing, managing and developing long term, five figure levels and above partnerships from initial prospect research through to contracting and ongoing management, then this role is for you. Working alongside our Director of Business Development and Partnerships, you will pro-actively manage business development activity, steward partnerships and raise funds for Inspire from a range of sources including corporate partnerships, community fundraising, trusts and foundations. 

Key responsibilities of the role include: 

1. Identifying and securing new business development opportunities in the corporate, trust and foundations sectors that align with our mission and objectives. 

2. Developing and maintaining a pipeline of prospects for new business opportunities, targeting five-figure level and above partnerships to deliver high-value, long-term partnerships and achieve financial targets and KPIs. 

3. Supporting creation and submission of funding applications to corporates, statutory bodies, trusts and foundations. 

4. Management and growth of Inspire's entry to mid-level corporate partnerships. 

5. Collaborate with colleagues to scale up existing, funded programmes and develop creative, dynamic and winning proposals. 

6. Supporting marketing and communications to promote Inspire and its programmes including development of marketing and social media materials. 

Benefits 

29 days annual leave plus 8 bank holidays 

3 volunteering days per year 

Family friendly policies 

Hybrid working arrangements. 

If you have the skills and desire to join our team, please see our job description for further details. 

Inspire is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people.The successful candidate will be required to apply for an Enhanced Disclosure via the Disclosure and Barring Service. 

Application process 

If you wish to apply for this role please provide your CV, a covering letter to demonstrate your skills and experience, and your answers to the following questions. Please keep your answers to a maximum of 250 words each: 

1. Strategic Partnerships: 

Describe a partnership you identified and secured that had a significant impact on your organisation’s growth. What was your strategy for engaging the partner and what measurable outcomes were achieved? 

2. Pipeline Strategy & Prioritisation: 

Highlight your experience in building a high performing pipeline that drives measurable income, how do you identify, evaluate, and prioritise new opportunities, markets, or partners? Please explain your decision making process — including the frameworks, criteria, and tools you use to qualify leads, assess commercial potential, and determine where to focus your efforts. 

Use of AI 

We use anonymised recruitment methods for shortlisting and do not use AI when reviewing applications or making hiring decisions. We understand some people may use AI when creating their application, however we value authenticity. Please ensure your application is an accurate, honest reflection of your own experience and skills - we want to get to know you during our recruitment process. 

Closing date 

While this application process has a closing date, we will review applications as we receive them and invite shortlisted applicants to interview on a rolling basis. We would therefore encourage you to submit your application as soon as you are able. 

Unfortunately, due to the number of applications we receive we are unable to contact unsuccessful applications.

Program Director (Youth Employment)

Prospectus is supporting an independent foundation seeking a Program Director (Youth Employment) who can complement the existing team by virtue of their experience in labor market economics, workforce development, value chain transformation, and/or the prioritization of public-sector investment in critical economic sectors.

Program Directors work with their government counterparts to design and support implementation of transformative programs, and many government counterparts are prioritizing youth employment. Program Directors are accountable to the CEO and are responsible for ensuring quality execution of programs; strengthening routine monitoring systems; leading evidence-based decision-making; and driving highly leveraged outcomes.

Program Directors each work on a variety of matters related to human capital development and contribute to programs in different African geographies. You can expect a dynamic environment and a culture of collaboration, innovation, and drive for highly leveraged outcomes.

Candidate Profile

• Extensive experience with complex and large-scale program ideation and implementation, ideally related to youth employment, labor market interventions, value chain transformation, and public-sector investment.
• Good understanding of how governmental departments work, ideally with direct experience working within government.
• Significant interactions at high policy levels within governments, with proven experience in managing complex and politically sensitive relationships with different stakeholders.
• Demonstration of methodical program oversight and management.
• Experienced in the use of programmatic tools such as dashboard creation, program monitoring and strategic planning.
• Demonstrated familiarity with and/or experience working in sub-Saharan Africa.

Terms

• £100,000 – £140,000 + benefits.
• The position is full-time. Staff members working in the London office attend the office five days a week. However, if you have a disability and need a different arrangement as a reasonable adjustment, please let us know. We are committed to supporting an inclusive and accessible workplace and will consider any requests in line with the organisation’s obligations.
• The position will require travel to sub-Saharan Africa
• Equal opportunities employer

How to Apply
To apply for the role, please upload your CV together with a supporting statement (no more than 500 words) onto the Prospectus website.

At Prospectus we believe passionately that a truly inclusive workplace leads to increased social impact. We are committed to supporting our clients build more inclusive teams. To understand how we are performing, we ask that you kindly complete the brief equal opportunities questionnaire when you submit your application via our website.

Recruitment Timetable (Subject to Change)

• Deadline for applications: 5th April
• Interviews with Prospectus: 13th – 14th April
• First stage panel interviews: w/c 4th May

Contract: Permanent, full time contract.

Hours: 35 hours per week (1 FTE) or 28 hours per week (0.8 FTE, part time option).

Salary: £44,000 - £46,000

Location: This is a hybrid role, anchored to the Cardiff Carers Trust office 1-2 days a week. Flexibility to work from other Carers Trust’s offices around the UK. This role will require occasional travel across Wales and other parts of the United Kingdom.

The Programme Lead for Wales is a key role within the Wales Team, essential to steering Carers Trust’s strategy and improving support for unpaid carers across the UK. The postholder will be responsible for planning, managing and delivering national programmes in line with agreed project budgets, risk registers and organisational priorities.

We are seeking a passionate programme specialist with experience in programme development and income generation. The successful candidate will be entrusted to build and influence strong relationships across a wide network of stakeholders; therefore, excellent communication and interpersonal skills are essential.

As the postholder you will:

· Develop clear, evidence‑led programme specifications for carers of all ages, creating a compelling case that drives cross‑sector partnerships.

· Monitor programme performance within our UK social impact framework, ensuring targets are met and learning is captured and shared widely.

· Play a leading and positive role as a leader within the Wales team.
 

Role Summary 

As our Global Director of Strategic Communications, you will turn ProVeg’s strategy into a unified, high-impact narrative that accelerates the protein transition. You’ll set evidence-based objectives, prioritise where we can win, and align teams across countries and functions to deliver measurable engagement with media, policymakers, industry, partners, and supporters. You’ll elevate the voices of our Senior Leadership Team while staying hands-on for high-stakes moments—balancing speed with quality, and clarity with nuance. You’ll build and lead a high-performing team, create clarity and trust, and enable others to succeed through transparent goals, timely feedback, and consistent follow-through. This role is ideal for someone who has a solutions-first mindset, is passionate about our mission, excited to shape the way the world eats, and motivated by turning bold ideas into lasting, real-world impact.

Job details

• Reports to: Global CEO

• Department: INT Communications

• Direct Reports: Media Lead, Advocacy Communications Manager, Social Media Manager

• Location: Remote, UK

• Hours: full-time

• Salary: £56k- £63k

• Start date: May 2026

• Application deadline: 22.03.2026

Responsibilities 

Leadership & Strategy Development

• Develop and execute a global communications strategy that drives narrative shifts, making plant-rich food systems a priority for decision-makers and addressing polarisation on food systems transformation.

• Oversee the development of strategic communications plans for ProVeg’s flagship Global Programmes – from insight and strategy to content, campaigns, stakeholder engagement, and measurement.

• Define how we measure the impact of our strategic communications on organisational and programmatic goals, working with Programme Leads and our Impact team.

• Collaborate with the Development team to develop compelling, mission-aligned content and narratives for major donor proposals, grant applications, and fundraising campaigns.

• Oversee the development and execution of our internal communications strategy, making recommendations on how we can improve communications with globally distributed employees.

Narrative Influence & Thought Leadership

• Use your existing network and develop new high-level media relationships to ensure ProVeg’s insights are front and center in top-tier global business and policy media outlets (e.g. FT, BBC, Guardian, NYT.).

• Act as a senior adviser to the Global CEO and SLT on reputation management and media appearances.

• Drive a "thought leadership" engine that positions ProVeg experts as the go-to source for food system transformation.

• Elevate ProVeg as an expert voice in the food system transition, leveraging our track record to secure high-impact presence at major national and global forums.

Brand Integrity & Editorial Direction

• Oversee and maintain the ProVeg brand, ensuring visual and verbal consistency across all global markets while maintaining a clear identity that resonates with key audiences.

• Provide clear guidance and capacity-building tools to international and programme teams on content narrative, positioning, and tone.

• Uphold the ProVeg Writing Style Guide and messaging frameworks across all platforms.

• Oversee the development and governance of owned channels, including the optimisation of the ProVeg website and global newsletters.

Team Leadership & Operations

• Build, lead, and inspire a high-performing global communications team, fostering a culture of excellence, creative-problem solving, and continuous improvement.

• Set OKRs, manage budgets, and streamline workflows to ensure maximum efficiency.

• Champion inclusive and effective communication practices that empower our 14 national teams.

Competencies 

Required:

• You are a strategic thinker with deep knowledge of how to influence B2B and policy actors through communications and a persuasive communications style.

• You have a proven track record of managing diverse, high-performing, globally distributed teams. You lead by example - you’re as comfortable directing a global launch as you are drafting a press release when the pressure is on.

• You bring an extensive network of international media contacts and a proven ability to craft narratives that break through the noise to secure coverage in top-tier outlets.

• You have experience of delivering results within a matrix structure, preferably within an international federated network.

• You prioritise open and honest communication, demonstrate excellent judgement under pressure, make decisions based on evidence, and are comfortable managing trade-offs and navigating crisis/risk communications.

• You bring strong alignment with and passion for ProVeg’s mission and vision, and familiarity with the food systems, climate, and/or public health spaces.

Preferred:

• Experience developing and executing communications strategies for programmes or portfolios.

• Experience of working with and overseeing  agency partners.

• You bring strong digital strategy expertise across web, email, SEO, and social; familiarity with CRM/automation and analytics tools.

• You have experience with crisis scenarios, misinformation dynamics, and reputation management.

• You speak additional languages.

Benefits of working with ProVeg

• A strong organisational focus on personal development, with a designated training budget.

• Provision of a work laptop.

• Flexible, trust-based working arrangements and home-office arrangements.

• Career development support.

• Mental health & wellbeing support via access to the OpenUp platform and a free Headspace subscription

• We are a workplace that encourages everyone to bring their whole selves to work. We are an inclusive workplace for our diverse employees around the world.

• Generous annual leave entitlement - 25 days increasing by one day a year to a maximum of 30 days (plus bank holidays)

• Enhanced maternity, paternity, shared parental, and adoption pay.

• Employee Assistance Programme including counselling

• Access to 24/7 virtual GP Service

• Access to the Wisdom app with exclusive perks and discounts

• Compassionate animal companion leave

• And, last but not least, become part of a great team and work with us towards a world where everyone chooses delicious and healthy food that is good for all humans, animals, and our planet!

RNCSF enables hundreds of vulnerable children each year to access the care, stability and education that prepares them for success in life--join our small and dedicated team to run the SpringForward programme for care-experienced post-18 success through university preparation and employment opportunities leveraging resources from the UK's top independent schools.

This role sits at the heart of Operation Smile UK’s five-year strategy to deliver transformational growth across all income streams. As Senior Lead - Acquisition and Digital Fundraising, you will be instrumental in delivering on three of our four core strategic priorities:

1. Build Regular Giving – laying the foundation for higher long-term value and stronger ROI across acquisition channels.
2. Drive All Donors to Legacy – recruiting quality donors who have the potential value to feed into legacy and long-term giving goals.
3. Maximise Growth Through Digital Fundraising Integration – leading the expansion and optimisation of digital acquisition within a cohesive fundraising strategy

The Senior Lead - Acquisition & Digital Fundraising role is responsible for delivering Operation Smile UK’s strategic individual giving acquisition programme. This role is key to driving income growth and expanding our supporter base across multiple channels, including digital, DRTV, dialogue fundraising and print.

You will lead the strategy, planning, delivery and evaluation of acquisition campaigns, including the onboarding process, with full accountability for managing significant budgets, agency partnerships and performance metrics. This is a senior, hands-on role suited to an experienced acquisition fundraiser with strong commercial acumen and a data-driven mindset.

Key Responsibilities

Strategic Campaign Leadership

• Develop and implement the multi-channel acquisition strategy, aligned with income targets and supporter growth objectives.
• Lead on the planning and delivery of campaigns across direct dialogue, digital, DRTV, and print channels.
• Lead on the planning and delivery of the onboarding process for all new recruits.
• Monitor and report on campaign performance, providing insight-driven recommendations to optimise results.
• Drive testing and innovation to expand existing channels and introduce new ones within acceptable risk and return parameters.

Budget Ownership & Performance Monitoring

• Take full responsibility for acquisition budget management, income forecasting and cost control.
• Set, monitor, and evaluate key performance indicators (KPIs), reporting against ROI, CPA, and long-term value across all acquisition channels.
• Collaborate with the Senior Database Manager and the Director of Data and Technology to develop and maintain performance dashboards (e.g., Power BI) and support strategic data analysis, including both short-term and long-term channel performance evaluation.

Agency & Partner Management

• Manage day-to-day relationships with external fundraising and creative partners.
• Lead briefings, content sourcing, agent training, stakeholder approvals, and quality assurance processes.
• Negotiate contracts and hold suppliers accountable for delivery and performance.

Cross-Team and Market Integration

• Represent the acquisition programme in cross-functional planning meetings and contribute to a unified team culture focused on strategic delivery.
• Deliver and optimise the onboarding and conversion programme for new donors.
• Develop CRO strategies and implement with support from the Communications team, whilst supporting the enhancement of web development
• Ensure consistent campaign integration across touchpoints and maximise thematic/creative cohesion, working in collaboration with the Senior Communications Manager to lead and develop the creative and content strategy for acquisition.
• Act as a key liaison with colleagues across Operation Smile global markets, sharing insights and exploring opportunities to align strategy, co-develop creative, or pilot cross-market initiatives.

Compliance, Risk & Best Practice

• Ensure all campaigns meet legal, ethical and data protection requirements (e.g., GDPR, Fundraising Regulator).
• Act as a key contributor to organisational risk assessments relating to income performance and supplier performance.
• Keep up to date with sector trends, innovations and benchmarks to maintain best practice.

Person Specification

Essential Experience

• Extensive experience (ideally 5+ years) in Individual Giving or fundraising acquisition roles.
• Proven success delivering multi-channel acquisition campaigns with strong ROI.
• Experience managing external agencies and suppliers to high-performance standards.
• Strong background in digital fundraising and paid media.
• Demonstrated experience managing and reporting on substantial acquisition budgets.

Skills & Attributes

• Strategic thinker with excellent campaign planning and execution skills.
• Highly numerate and confident using data for decision-making and optimisation.
• Strong project and stakeholder management abilities.
• Proactive, self-starting approach with high levels of ownership and accountability.
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills, able to represent the organisation externally.

Desirable

• Understanding of retention and supporter journey optimisation.
• Familiarity with CRM and data system Donorfy.
• Experience with Power BI or other reporting tools.

First-round interviews are set for the week of 23rd March 2026. We strongly encourage early applications.

Disability Confident Committed Employer

We're a Disability Confident Committed employer, so we guarantee an interview to any disabled applicant who meets the minimum requirements for the job.

At Operation Smile UK, we value individuals based on their performance and potential. We're dedicated to creating a diverse and inclusive workplace that supports everyone's needs. We're happy to make reasonable adjustments throughout the application and employment process, and we particularly welcome applications from diverse backgrounds.

If you need this document in a different format, require any adjustments, or need help with your application, please contact us (further details contained within the job description).

Equality, Diversity & Inclusion

Operation Smile UK knows fundraising could better reflect the diverse backgrounds and experiences of the people the charity sector supports. If you don’t meet every requirement but believe your transferable skills align with the role, we encourage you to contact us for a conversation. 

We want our team to reflect the diversity of the communities we serve, offering equal opportunities to everyone, regardless of, age, disability, gender reassignment, marriage and civil partnership, pregnancy and maternity, race, religion or belief, sex, or sexual orientation.

We celebrate diversity and encourage you to bring your authentic self to Operation Smile UK. We are committed to supporting all applicants and ensuring a fair hiring process. All appointments will be made solely on merit, and we are happy to make reasonable adjustments throughout the recruitment process.