At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead and support schools in implementing our transformative online reading volunteer programme.
- Company: Join Chapter One, a dynamic charity dedicated to closing the reading gap for children.
- Benefits: Flexible, term-time only work with opportunities for professional growth and travel.
- Other info: Diversity is celebrated; we encourage applications from underrepresented communities.
- Why this job: Make a real difference in children's lives while working with passionate educators.
- Qualifications: Experience in education or project management, strong IT skills, and data analysis abilities.
The predicted salary is between 30000 - 40000 £ per year.
Chapter One is a dynamic, growing charity with a vision of a world in which all children have the literacy skills needed to thrive. Our mission is to close the reading gap by providing children with one-to-one support at the time they need it most. We work in thirteen areas/regions of the UK and will support over 4,000 children in 2026-27.
Our unique Online Reading Volunteer programme pairs struggling five to seven-year old (Y1-3) readers with reading support volunteers who are working professionals. The volunteer ask is very focused: readers commit 30 minutes a week to read with a child using a bespoke digital platform for an entire academic year. The results are transformative, boosting children's reading confidence and ability.
From a school perspective, online reading volunteers provide direct, meaningful literacy support for up to 10 pupils per class. The programme is particularly suitable for communities where it might be challenging to find parents and other volunteers who can commit to physically visiting schools to boost reading.
Chapter One is seeking a London Programme Manager who is an excellent communicator and is able both to motivate and support schools and teachers to implement our online reading volunteers programme, and also to ensure that the programme’s impact and benefit to disadvantaged communities is maximised throughout the academic year.
The post is ideal for someone looking for full-time, flexible, term-time only work from a home base and who is able to travel frequently in and around North London. The postholder will be joining a team of established Programme Managers who work in different parts of the UK and will need to have some flexibility to work some additional hours during busy autumn weeks, and conversely to work fewer hours during quieter periods of the year.
Key Responsibilities:
- Effectively explain Chapter One’s online reading volunteer programme and its benefits to school leaders and teachers.
- Organise and conduct initial teacher training and follow-up.
- Fully understand the operation of the Chapter One platform and database and effectively communicate this to others as needed.
- Through regular visits to/contact with schools, provide on-going embedded professional learning and support to teachers throughout the year as needed.
- Proactively monitor classroom adherence/fidelity to the Chapter One model, including systematic review of data reports and volunteer feedback, taking proactive action to resolve problems that arise.
- Analyse and manipulate data (largely in Google sheets) to produce reports and identify trends.
- Create regular data summaries for all participating classrooms.
- Lead annual review meetings for senior leadership at participating schools.
- Coordinate in person and virtual school ‘visits’ of volunteer teams to classrooms where necessary.
- Weekly communication and status updates with Senior Programme Manager(s) and wider team.
- As a new school year approaches, secure commitments from returning schools and help find and target new schools to join Chapter One’s programme.
Essential Qualities:
- Proven track record of working at a senior level in education, project management or a related field.
- Highly IT literate, with excellent computer skills, able to troubleshoot software and technical hardware issues, adept with Google suite and Microsoft Teams.
- Ability to manipulate and analyse data to draw useful conclusions to improve programme delivery.
- Ability to drive and access to a car for work purposes.
Desirable Qualities:
- Two years of teaching/education experience with primary age children.
We value and celebrate diversity in backgrounds and experience and are deliberate about the kind of teams we are building. We especially welcome applications from persons who have experienced disadvantage and/or from those who are of Black, Asian and Minority Ethnic communities who are currently underrepresented in the organisation.
Chapter One is committed to safeguarding children and young people. All postholders are subject to satisfactory references and an Enhanced DBS check. Copies of our Safeguarding Policy and Safer Recruitment Policy are available on request.
Shortlisting is likely to take place week commencing Monday 1st June with phone screening from Monday 8th June.
Full Time Program Director in London employer: Chapter One
Contact Detail:
Chapter One Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Full Time Program Director in London
✨Tip Number 1
Get to know the organisation inside out! Before your interview, dive into Chapter One's mission and values. Understanding how they close the reading gap will help you connect your experience with their goals.
✨Tip Number 2
Practice your pitch! Be ready to explain how your skills in project management and education can directly benefit the online reading volunteer programme. Keep it concise and impactful.
✨Tip Number 3
Network like a pro! Reach out to current or former employees on LinkedIn. They can give you insider tips on what it’s really like to work at Chapter One and what they value in candidates.
✨Tip Number 4
Don’t forget to follow up! After your interview, send a thank-you email expressing your enthusiasm for the role. It shows you’re genuinely interested and keeps you on their radar.
We think you need these skills to ace Full Time Program Director in London
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Your Passion: Let us see your enthusiasm for literacy and education! Share personal stories or experiences that highlight why you care about helping children improve their reading skills. This will make your application stand out.
Tailor Your Application: Make sure to customise your application to reflect the specific requirements of the Programme Director role. Use keywords from the job description to show that you understand what we’re looking for and how you fit the bill.
Be Clear and Concise: We appreciate clarity! Keep your writing straightforward and to the point. Avoid jargon unless it’s relevant, and make sure your key points shine through without unnecessary fluff.
Check Your Tech: Since we’re all about tech at Chapter One, ensure your application is free from typos and formatting issues. A polished application shows us you’re detail-oriented and ready to tackle any technical challenges that come your way!
How to prepare for a job interview at Chapter One
✨Know the Mission Inside Out
Before your interview, make sure you fully understand Chapter One's mission and how their online reading volunteer programme works. Familiarise yourself with the impact it has on children and schools, so you can speak passionately about it during the interview.
✨Showcase Your Communication Skills
As a Programme Manager, you'll need to communicate effectively with schools and teachers. Prepare examples of how you've successfully motivated and supported others in the past. Think about specific situations where your communication made a difference.
✨Data is Key
Since the role involves analysing data to improve programme delivery, brush up on your skills with Google Sheets. Be ready to discuss how you've used data in previous roles to identify trends or solve problems, as this will demonstrate your analytical abilities.
✨Flexibility is Essential
The job requires some flexibility in working hours. Be prepared to discuss how you manage your time and adapt to changing circumstances. Share any experiences where you've successfully navigated busy periods or adjusted your schedule to meet demands.