Director of Programmes

Director of Programmes

Full-Time 60000 - 84000 £ / year (est.) Home office (partial)
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At a Glance

  • Tasks: Lead and scale impactful football programmes for young people across London.
  • Company: Join a fast-growing charity transforming lives through football.
  • Benefits: Enjoy flexible remote work options and a competitive salary.
  • Why this job: Shape a beloved product and ensure inclusivity for all young people.
  • Qualifications: Proven experience in scaling programmes and strong leadership skills required.
  • Other info: Applications from all backgrounds are encouraged for an inclusive experience.

The predicted salary is between 60000 - 84000 £ per year.

London (with flexibility for one day of remote working per week) £72,000 – £92,000 per annum. Our client is a fast-growing charity using the power of football to change lives. They run accessible, high-quality football programmes for thousands of young people across London, regardless of their background or ability to pay.

In just six years, they’ve grown from a bold idea to reaching 6,000 young people every week. Their ambition is to reach 20,000 by 2028. To get there, they need a strategic operator to lead the next phase of their growth.

They’re looking for a Director of Programmes with a proven ability to scale services, build systems that support consistent delivery, and ensure quality is never compromised. This is not a frontline delivery or coaching role; it’s a senior leadership position that combines strategic oversight, operational rigour, and cultural leadership.

You may come from a background in large-scale event operations, network-based service models, or high-growth commercial environments where building for scale was central to your role. Whether you’ve grown delivery infrastructure for a logistics platform, designed consistent customer experiences across digital and in-person touchpoints, or codified a service model for expansion, you’ll understand how to scale something complex with consistency and care.

At our client’s organisation, the product is the experience they deliver to thousands of young people each week, and they’re looking for someone who can ensure that experience remains exceptional as they grow.

You’ll lead a growing team, shape delivery strategy, and build systems that support high performance across all programmes. Football experience isn’t essential, but you’ll need to understand and value the role it plays in engaging and inspiring young people.

The successful candidate will bring:

  • Proven experience designing and scaling programme or product delivery in a fast-growth, impact-focused or operationally complex environment.
  • Strong operational and strategic leadership, with the ability to codify delivery models, build scalable systems, and maintain quality at pace.
  • A data-informed mindset, with confidence using insight, analytics, and digital tools to drive performance and decision-making.
  • Experience leading and developing teams, fostering a high-performance culture, and collaborating effectively across functions such as digital, marketing, fundraising, and partnerships.
  • A strong understanding of safeguarding, risk management, and quality assurance, particularly in youth or community settings.
  • Deep personal alignment with our client’s mission and the belief in sport as a tool for social change.

This is a rare opportunity to shape a much-loved product at scale and to ensure no young person is left behind because of where they’re from or what they can afford.

Recruitment Timeline:

  • Deadline for applications: Wednesday 26th June 2025
  • Interviews with Prospectus: w/c 30th June
  • First Interview with the Client: w/c 14th July (online)
  • Final Interview with the Client: w/c 21st July (in-person)

To learn more and see how to apply, please redirect to the role on our website. Prospectus is proud to support candidates throughout the recruitment process. Applications are welcome from all backgrounds, and we are committed to fostering an inclusive recruitment experience.

Director of Programmes employer: PROSPECTUS-4

Our client is an inspiring charity that harnesses the transformative power of football to create meaningful change in the lives of young people across London. With a strong commitment to inclusivity and personal development, they offer a dynamic work culture that encourages innovation and collaboration, alongside opportunities for professional growth as the organisation scales its impactful programmes. Located in London, with the flexibility of remote working, this role provides a unique chance to lead a passionate team dedicated to ensuring that every young person has access to exceptional football experiences, regardless of their background.
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Contact Detail:

PROSPECTUS-4 Recruiting Team

StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫

We think this is how you could land Director of Programmes

✨Tip Number 1

Research the charity's current programmes and their impact on young people. Understanding their mission and how they measure success will help you align your experience with their goals during discussions.

✨Tip Number 2

Network with professionals in the charity sector, especially those involved in programme delivery or operational leadership. Engaging with them can provide insights into the challenges and opportunities within the organisation.

✨Tip Number 3

Prepare to discuss specific examples of how you've scaled programmes or services in previous roles. Highlighting your strategic thinking and operational skills will demonstrate your fit for this senior leadership position.

✨Tip Number 4

Familiarise yourself with the principles of safeguarding and quality assurance in youth settings. Being able to articulate your understanding of these areas will show your commitment to maintaining high standards as the organisation grows.

We think you need these skills to ace Director of Programmes

Strategic Leadership
Operational Management
Programme Design and Scaling
Quality Assurance
Data Analysis and Insight Utilisation
Team Development and Leadership
Cross-Functional Collaboration
Risk Management
Safeguarding Knowledge
Performance Measurement
Customer Experience Design
Adaptability in Fast-Growth Environments
Understanding of Community Engagement
Passion for Social Change through Sport

Some tips for your application 🫡

Understand the Role: Take time to thoroughly read the job description for the Director of Programmes. Understand the key responsibilities and required skills, especially focusing on strategic oversight and operational leadership.

Tailor Your CV: Customise your CV to highlight relevant experience in scaling programmes or product delivery. Emphasise your operational and strategic leadership skills, and include specific examples that demonstrate your ability to maintain quality while growing services.

Craft a Compelling Cover Letter: Write a cover letter that connects your personal values with the charity's mission. Discuss your understanding of using sport as a tool for social change and how your background aligns with their goals. Be sure to mention any experience you have in youth or community settings.

Showcase Data-Driven Decision Making: In your application, provide examples of how you've used data and analytics to drive performance in previous roles. This will demonstrate your data-informed mindset, which is crucial for the position.

How to prepare for a job interview at PROSPECTUS-4

✨Understand the Organisation's Mission

Before your interview, take some time to research the charity's mission and values. Understanding how they use football as a tool for social change will help you align your answers with their goals and demonstrate your genuine interest in their work.

✨Showcase Your Strategic Leadership Skills

Prepare examples from your past experiences that highlight your ability to design and scale programmes. Be ready to discuss specific strategies you've implemented in previous roles that led to successful outcomes, especially in fast-growth environments.

✨Emphasise Data-Driven Decision Making

Since the role requires a data-informed mindset, be prepared to discuss how you've used analytics and digital tools to drive performance. Share instances where your decisions were backed by data and how that impacted the success of your projects.

✨Demonstrate Team Leadership and Collaboration

Highlight your experience in leading teams and fostering a high-performance culture. Discuss how you've collaborated with different functions like marketing and fundraising, and provide examples of how you’ve developed team members to achieve collective goals.

Director of Programmes
PROSPECTUS-4
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