Programme Manager - Autistic and OK

At Ambitious about Autism, we're currently looking for a Programme Manager – Autistic and OK to join our team.

We're seeking an exceptional Programme Manager to lead Autistic and OK through its next exciting chapter until August 2028. This is a leadership role with strategic influence, operational responsibility, and impact at scale. You'll manage delivery of the programme increasing reach across the UK, developing a whole school approach and building upon the success of phase one which has impacted 1000+ schools and over a million beneficiaries so far.

You'll manage the delivery of the Autistic and OK programme in line with Ambitious about Autism's strategy and vision and against the contract requirements, leading national scale-up and expansion across UK schools and FE settings including identifying new partners across devolved nations. You'll adhere to the highest values of co-design and participation, contributing to Ambitious about Autism's (AaA) aims to ensure that the voices of autistic children and young people are heard in the development of the project and resources

We are looking for someone who has:

• Proven experience in planning, delivering, and evaluating complex, multi-stakeholder programmes.
• Demonstrated ability to scale national programmes (ideally within education, mental health, participation or inclusion).
• Understanding of major policies, initiatives and legislation relating to education and related statutory services in the SEN sector.
• Skilled at forming and sustaining strategic relationships with partners across education, health and the voluntary sector.

In return, we offer great benefits including a generous holiday allowance and commitment to continued professional development (CPD), flexible, hybrid working and more!

This is a fantastic opportunity for an ambitious individual who would like to work for a forward-thinking, open and honest organisation and make a real impact to the young people we work with. Please find our full recruitment pack on the link below.

If you have any questions about the role or would like to have a confidential chat, please contact James Axford, Recruitment Officer.

Ambitious about Autism is committed to fostering equity, diversity, and inclusion at every level of our organisation. We warmly welcome applications from all qualified candidates, valuing the diverse backgrounds, experiences, and perspectives they bring. We encourage applications from individuals regardless of race, colour, nationality, ethnic or national origins, religion or belief, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, marital or civil partnership status, pregnancy or parental status, disability, or age.

Our recruitment process promotes equal opportunities, and we are committed to providing reasonable adjustments for candidates with disabilities or additional needs throughout the recruitment process. Please contact our Recruitment Team for accommodations. We recognise disability as a physical or mental impairment that significantly and long-term affects a person's ability to perform day-to-day activities, as defined by the UK Equality Act 2010. All applications will be considered solely on merit, aligned with our mission to support autistic children and young people.

Ambitious about Autism is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people and successful candidates will be subject to an Enhanced DBS check. As part of our Safer Recruitment checks, an online search maybe carried out in line with Keeping Children Safe in Education.

The Safeguarding responsibilities of the post as per the job description and personal specification.
Whether the post is exempt from the rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 and the amendment to the Exceptions Order 1975, 2013 and 2021. This means that when applying for certain jobs and activities certain spent convictions and cautions are ‘protected', so they do not need to be disclosed to employers, and if they are disclosed, employers cannot take them into account. Further information about filtering offences can be found in the DBS Filter Guidance.