At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead operational delivery and inspire a high-performing team at Agent Academy.
- Company: Join a people-first organisation dedicated to creating life-changing opportunities for young people.
- Benefits: Enjoy a 4-day working week, high-spec equipment, and generous leave during the festive period.
- Other info: Be part of a dynamic environment focused on continuous improvement and innovation.
- Why this job: Make a real impact by shaping education and employability programmes for future generations.
- Qualifications: 5+ years in senior leadership with strong operational and team management skills.
The predicted salary is between 45000 - 45000 £ per year.
We're looking for an experienced, values-led and highly proactive Head of Programmes to lead the operational delivery of Agent Academy.
This is a leadership role for someone who thrives on creating structure, driving high standards and ensuring programmes are delivered with excellence.
You'll be equally comfortable with developing robust processes, managing quality and compliance and solving operational challenges as you are with building trusted relationships with team and partners.
You'll be an experienced people manager with the ability to inspire, support and empower others to achieve their potential while maintaining a culture of challenge, collaboration and continuous improvement.
A strong set of personal values is essential - we're proudly people-first, and our values underpin everything we do.
You’ll understand that great operational delivery depends on both rigorous systems and strong partnerships.
Whether you’re working with learners, employers, funders or colleagues, you’ll build confidence through professionalism, responsiveness and integrity.
Commercial awareness is important. You’ll identify opportunities to strengthen existing partnerships and help shape our work to meet the needs of employers and funders.
Above all, we’re looking for someone with ambition, sound judgement and the ability to turn strategy into action, someone who can lead with both head and heart while ensuring Agent Academy continues to deliver life‑changing opportunities for young people.
- What you’ll be doing in this role
- Leadership & Operational Excellence
Operational leadership – lead the operational delivery of Agent Academy, ensuring our programmes continue to deliver exceptional outcomes for young people, partners and funders.
You will report regularly to the Board on progress, performance, impact, risks and future opportunities.
Team leadership – inspire, support and develop a high‑performing team, creating a culture of accountability, collaboration and continuous improvement.
You will manage performance, identify development opportunities, recruit outstanding people and empower the team to deliver our strategic ambitions.
Operational management – oversee the day‑to‑day operation of Agent Academy, ensuring programmes are planned, resourced and delivered efficiently.
You will continually improve systems, processes and ways of working to ensure delivery is consistent, scalable and of the highest quality.
Working closely with the team, you will oversee programme schedules, team capacity, budgets and delivery plans, ensuring projects are delivered on time, within budget.
Quality, compliance & evaluation – champion quality across every aspect of delivery, overseeing compliance, safeguarding, evaluation, reporting and quality assurance processes.
You will use data and insight to drive continual improvement and demonstrate social impact to partners and funders.
Strategic insight – maintain an understanding of the education, employability and skills landscape, interpreting national and regional policy to ensure Agent Academy remains relevant, innovative and responsive to changing needs.
Learner recruitment – oversee the recruitment of learners, ensuring inclusive outreach activity, strong referral partnerships and effective marketing plans that attract diverse and high‑quality applicants.
Partnerships & Growth
Relationship management – develop trusted, long‑term relationships with employers, funders, universities and strategic partners, ensuring projects are delivered successfully and partnerships continue to grow.
Business development – working alongside the Partnerships Director, you’ll identify opportunities to strengthen existing partnerships and develop new ones that align with Agent Academy’s mission and strategic objectives.
Employer engagement – work with employers to ensure our programmes continue to meet industry needs, creating meaningful opportunities that improve employment outcomes for our learners.
Marketing & communications – working with your team, you’ll offer direction and support for marketing and communications, ensuring messaging reflects our values, priorities and impact.
External relations – be a figurehead and representative of Agent Academy at external events, steering groups and boards.
Being a spokesperson at events and using your platform to lobby for change or align with external agendas will be crucial.
Creative innovation – encourage continuous improvement across the organisation, using feedback, evaluation and sector insight to evolve programmes, strengthen delivery and identify opportunities for future development.
- What you’ll need
- At least 5 years’ experience in a senior leadership or management role.
- Significant experience delivering education, employability or talent development programmes.
- Strong operational management skills with experience designing and improving systems, processes and programme delivery.
- Experience leading, motivating and developing teams.
- Excellent project management, organisational and prioritisation skills, with the ability to manage multiple programmes simultaneously.
- Experience managing quality assurance, compliance, reporting and evaluation processes.
- Outstanding relationship‑building skills with experience managing external stakeholders, partners and funders.
- Commercial awareness and the ability to contribute to partnership development and organisational growth.
- Excellent written, verbal and presentation skills, with the ability to communicate confidently with learners, employers, funders and senior stakeholders.
- A good understanding of the employability, education, creative and digital sectors.
- A genuine commitment to equity, diversity and inclusion, and a passion for creating opportunities for young people.
- A proactive, solutions‑focused approach with the ability to balance strategic thinking with operational delivery.
- Ambition, integrity and resilience, with the ability to lead through change while maintaining exceptional standards.
The salary for this role is up to £45k p. a., dependent on experience and ability.
Agent Academy is a people‑focused business, and it’s important to us that we reward our staff.
We do this by offering benefits, including
- 4‑day working week
- High‑spec equipment (Mac or PC)
- In addition to our standard annual leave allowance, we close from 24th December right through the festive period to allow the team time off
- #J-18808-Ljbffr
Head of Programmes in Manchester employer: Agent Academy
Agent Academy is an exceptional employer that prioritises a people-first culture, offering a supportive environment where you can thrive as the Head of Programmes. With a commitment to employee growth, we provide opportunities for professional development and a unique 4-day working week, ensuring a healthy work-life balance. Our focus on collaboration, innovation, and delivering life-changing opportunities for young people makes this a rewarding place to work.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Head of Programmes in Manchester
✨Get Involved Locally
Dive into local volunteer opportunities or social initiatives. This not only beefs up your CV but also connects you with like-minded folks in nonprofits. Plus, it shows your passion for social impact, which is key for getting noticed by Agent Academy.
✨Tap into Professional Networks
Join networks like the National Council for Voluntary Organisations (NCVO) or local charities to meet professionals in the sector. Attend events and workshops to build relationships and learn about potential openings at organisations like Agent Academy.
✨Showcase Your Commitment
When prepping for interviews, be ready to speak about your personal connection to social issues. Dive into specific examples of how you’ve contributed to community projects – this will resonate with the mission-driven vibe at Agent Academy.
✨Utilise Online Platforms
We’re all about making connections, so use platforms like Idealist and CharityJob to hunt for full-time roles. And of course, you should keep an eye on our website for exciting opportunities at Agent Academy. Apply directly through us to stand out!
We think you need these skills to ace Head of Programmes in Manchester
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Your Passion for the Cause:In the nonprofit sector, it's super important to demonstrate genuine passion for the mission of Agent Academy. Use your cover letter to showcase any personal experiences or volunteer work that connects you to their social impact initiatives. This emotional connection can really help your application stand out.
Highlight Relevant Experience:When crafting your CV, be sure to include any relevant projects or roles that showcase your skills in social impact. Whether it's community organising, fundraising, or advocacy, highlight what you've done and the difference it's made. Don’t just list tasks; quantify your achievements and the outcomes of your efforts.
Tailor Your Documents to the Role:For a full-time role like Head of Programmes, ensure your CV and cover letter specifically address the responsibilities outlined in the job description. Use their language to describe your skills and experience, making it easy for the hiring team to see how you fit into their vision.
Emphasise Teamwork and Collaboration:Nonprofits thrive on teamwork, so make sure to emphasise your collaborative experiences. Whether you've worked in a team setting, partnered with community organisations, or facilitated group projects, highlight these experiences in your application. Show them you understand the importance of working alongside diverse individuals to achieve shared goals.
How to prepare for a job interview at Agent Academy
✨Show Your Passion for Social Change
When we’re prepping for interviews in the nonprofit space, it's vital to demonstrate our genuine passion for social impact. Be ready to discuss not just your skills and experiences but also why you care about the mission of Agent Academy. Sharing personal stories or insights can really make us stand out.
✨Highlight Project Experience
We should focus on specific projects we've worked on that align with the goals of social impact. Whether that’s a community initiative, volunteering, or a class project, having solid examples that showcase our role and the outcomes will resonate well with the interviewers.
✨Familiarity with Relevant Tools and Practices
Let’s brush up on tools and methodologies commonly used in the nonprofit sector, like project management software or outcome measurement frameworks. Being able to speak fluently about these will show that we’re not just passionate but also knowledgeable and ready to hit the ground running.
✨Prepare for Scenario-Based Questions
Expect scenario-based questions that evaluate our problem-solving skills in real-world social issues. Think about how we’d handle challenges in the nonprofit environment and prepare stories that demonstrate our critical thinking and adaptability. Role-playing with a friend could help us feel more confident!
