Programme Director

Job Description

About the opportunity:We are looking for a motivational and inspiring Programme Director to lead a team of 45 staff across nine regions, with direct line management of seven Programme Managers and one School Onboarding Manager. The role has responsibilityfor oversight of the delivery of our tutoring programmes in schools, currently working towards a target of reaching nearly 8,500 disadvantaged pupils in 2021-22. The Programme Director will ensure programmes are delivered to a consistently high standard, drawingon evidence of best practice, willing to regularly reflect and learn to drive improvements. This team manages and oversees all delivery metrics, as well as school relationships (including renewals) and school recruitment. The Programme Director also sets functionalKPIs and milestones, ensuring progress towards these.The Programme Team works closely with the Impact and Quality Team, who hold responsibility for design, monitoring and evaluation of the programme, and with the Marketing and Communications Team, who leadon nationwide tutor recruitment. Given this, it is essential that the Programme Director can work collaboratively and is skilled in cross-team working, with outstanding communication skills. As a member of the Senior Management Team (comprising CEO and Directors),the Programme Director helps to set organisational strategy, define growth targets, and contributes to cross-functional problem solving to ensure progress towards organisational goals. The role interacts with the Board at quarterly meetings and has regularcontact with external stakeholders including headteachers, sector partners and funders. This year Action Tutoring has continued to grow its reach, particularly given the opportunity that the National Tutoring Programme has provided to access additional fundingto reach new schools and scale, enabled by the development of our online programme model. We are seeking new skills within our leadership team to spearhead the next phase of the organisations growth. The role would suit a dynamic, skilled people leader, whois goal orientated and delivery focused, thrives in a fast paced environment and has proven problem solving skills.Reports to: CEOPlace of work: London office: The Dock, Tobacco Quay, Wapping Lane, E1W 2SF.The role will require regular presence in London (approximately4-6 days a month); however we are open to appointing candidates based outside of London and ideally in one of our regions.Salary: £47,000 - £54,000 depending on experienceContract and working hours: permanent, full time (37.5 hours per week). For the rightcandidate, we are open to flexible working requests.Start date: January 2022Closing date and interviews: Sunday, 5th December 2021. Stage 1 interviews will be held from 13th December and stage 2 interviews will be held 20th and 21st December 2021.All ActionTutoring staff must have a DBS check. Should you be aware of any incidents, cautions or convictions that would appear on your DBS check, you should notify us with your application.Duties and responsibilitiesProgramme delivery Ensure programmes are deliveredto a consistently high standard, including strong satisfaction and rates of renewal from partner schools. Oversee management of programme delivery in schools to meet KPIs across all eight regions that Action Tutoring operates in. Oversee effective managementand renewal of existing partner schools (with associated income generation of c.£0.9m). Oversee recruitment and onboarding of new schools in line with annual growth targets together with the Programme Managers and the School Onboarding Manager, including thepotential of launching Action Tutoring in a new geographical area in accordance with future strategy plans. Work with others in the organisation to ensure that the operations of programmes run as effectively as possible. Be accountable to the Board for theperformance of the Programme Team, including providing effective reporting to the Board. Ensure the Programme Team adhere to Action Tutorings safeguarding, health and safety and GDPR policies and procedures.Organisational strategic direction: Work with theCEO, Board and Senior Management Team to define strategic priorities and targets. Define functional strategic priorities and areas for development for the Programme Team. Align the Programme Team around strategy, ensuring buy-in. Develop plans with the widerteam for how to extend Action Tutorings reach (including through expansion into new geographies) and ensure sustainability.Annual planning: Develop annual objectives for the Programme Team, aligned with organisational strategy with input from team members.Define structure and capacity/resource requirements for programme functions, looking ahead to how this changes over time to ensure future-proofing.People management and development: Direct line management of seven Programme Managers and one School OnboardingManager, supporting their development and delivery of KPIs and ensuring that the Programme Coordinators they manage are delivering effectively and flourishing in their roles. Maintain team morale, including ensuring adequate support is provided where needed.Work closely in collaboration with the Programme Team Administrator to ensure programmes all have the required administrative support to run effectively. Identify skills gaps/development needs for the Programme Team and work with the HR Manager to put in placetraining solutions and development opportunities. Oversee recruitment of Programme Team roles (internal and external), updating or adapting processes when necessary.Other: Seek to use and build networks for the betterment of the charity. Any other ad hoc responsibilitiesas deemed relevant by the CEO.Person specificationWe are seeking applications from individuals who have: At least four years experience in line management and developing others. Experience in people leadership, with high levels of emotional intelligence andresilience. Experience of theoretical and practical approaches to designing effective programmes, ideally within the education sector. Outstanding communication and people skills; strong written and numerical skills. Excellent stakeholder management; abilityto build effective relationships swiftly. Ability to think creatively, strategically and analytically to find effective solutions and with a proven track record of achieving results. Highly organised, able to multi-task and prioritise and complete all activitiesto a high standard and high attention to detail. Ability to inspire and motivate others. Goal orientated, able to work collaboratively to achieve results. Confident public speaker; experience presenting to a variety of audiences. Committed to equality, diversityand inclusion. Committed to the mission and values of Action Tutoring. Committed to promoting and safeguarding the welfare of children.Qualifications criteria: Undergraduate degree (or equivalent experience). A*-C in maths and En