At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead our digital strategy and enhance online presence for a mission-driven charity.
- Company: Join Chefs in Schools, a fast-growing charity focused on improving kids' health through better food.
- Benefits: Enjoy 33 days' holiday, hybrid working, and wellness support.
- Other info: Be part of a supportive team voted one of the happiest places to work.
- Why this job: Make a real impact on children's health while developing your digital skills.
- Qualifications: Experience in managing digital products and strong communication skills required.
The predicted salary is between 29700 - 36300 £ per year.
Chefs in Schools is a young, ambitious charity that's growing fast. Our mission is to improve kids' health through better school food and food education. We focus on areas of high deprivation, where more than a third of children are entitled to free school meals and diet-related disease is deepening inequality. We train and support school kitchen teams to serve the freshest, tastiest food possible, alongside meaningful food education — and we share what we learn so others can follow. Better is possible in school food. Kids are the future — let's feed them like it.
ABOUT THE ROLE
As our Digital Manager, you'll be the strategic anchor and driving force behind our online presence. You'll own the performance of our two flagship websites — the main Chefs in Schools platform and the national School Food Project resource and coalition hub — driving traffic, mastering SEO, and ensuring a secure, high-quality user experience against clear targets. This is a leadership role that bridges technical execution and creative strategy. You'll be the confident link between our external tech agencies and our internal content and programme teams, and you'll line-manage a small digital sub-team of 1–2 direct reports. We're looking for someone solutions-focused, collaborative and deeply analytical, who takes pride in helping a mission-driven organisation run at its best.
WHAT YOU'LL DO
- Own the strategy and performance of our two websites — UX, SEO, accessibility, uptime and security
- Set, monitor and report against clear targets for traffic, engagement, downloads and search rankings, using GA4 and Microsoft Clarity
- Act as the primary interface with our external web agencies, holding them to high-quality delivery on time and budget
- Line-manage, mentor and support 1–2 direct reports
- Work closely with our Comms, External Relations and Programme teams to align digital work with wider campaigns
- Oversee data integrity across our website, e-learning platform (LMS) and CRM, ensuring full GDPR compliance
- Build clear dashboards and reports for our Senior Leadership Team
WHAT YOU'LL BRING
- Proven experience managing digital products, websites or platforms, ideally at manager level in a charity, agency or fast-paced setting
- Confidence managing integrated CMS, CRM and LMS environments and multi-layered user permissions
- Foundational HTML and CSS to troubleshoot layout issues and brief developers
- Experience briefing and managing external technical partners to deliver on time and budget
- Experience managing and developing direct reports
- Outstanding communication skills — able to translate 'technical speak' for non-experts and write brand-aligned content
- A genuine commitment to equity, diversity and inclusion, and to our mission
Desirable: experience with online community moderation, and prior experience in the charity sector.
BENEFITS
- You'll join a friendly, supportive team that works hard but believes in a healthy work/life balance — we were voted one of CODE Hospitality's happiest places to work in 2024.
- 33 days' holiday (incl. bank holidays), plus 3 Christmas closure days and summer wellbeing days
- Hybrid working, Cycle to Work scheme, enhanced parental leave
- £250 towards elective training of your choice
- Bupa Dental Insurance, Income Protection, and the Aviva Smart Health platform (free online GP, counselling and wellbeing support)
- Free CODE app access for discounted restaurants and hospitality venues
Digital Manager employer: Chefs in Schools
Chefs in Schools is an exceptional employer, offering a unique opportunity to make a meaningful impact on children's health through food transformation in schools across the North West and North East of England. With a strong emphasis on employee growth, our supportive work culture encourages collaboration and innovation, ensuring that every Chef Trainer can thrive while contributing to a vital cause. Join us to be part of a passionate team dedicated to fostering a high-quality food culture and making healthy meals standard for every child.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Digital Manager
✨Dive into Digital Learning Communities
Join online forums and communities focused on digital education, like EdTech Meetups or LinkedIn groups. Engage actively—share ideas and insights, and you'll not only learn a ton but also connect with potential employers and thought leaders in the industry.
✨Showcase Your Teaching Skills
Create content that demonstrates your understanding of digital learning—think blogs, videos, or even free online workshops. This could catch the eye of companies like Chefs in Schools looking for innovative thinkers. Plus, it’s a great way to practice your presentation skills!
✨Utilise University Career Services
If you're still in education or have access to an alumni network, make the most of your university's career services. They often have exclusive job listings and workshops tailored to students wanting to break into full-time roles in education technology.
✨Apply Directly Via Company Websites
When you come across roles like Digital Manager at Chefs in Schools, make sure to apply directly through their website. It not only shows you're serious but sometimes you'll find positions listed there that may not be on job boards yet. Keep an eye on those!
We think you need these skills to ace Digital Manager
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Off Your Passion for Learning:When applying for a role in digital learning and education at Chefs in Schools, make sure to sprinkle your application with examples of your enthusiasm for teaching and learning technologies. Share specific experiences where you've used, designed, or implemented digital learning solutions, as this shows us that you truly get the field.
Highlight Relevant Education and Certification:In the digital learning space, having a strong educational background can set you apart. Don't shy away from showcasing your degrees, certifications, or relevant courses related to e-learning, instructional design, or educational technology. We love seeing candidates who have actively invested in their learning journey!
Tailor Your CV to the Role:Your CV is your first impression, so let's make it count! Focus on your skills directly related to digital learning, such as course development, learning management systems, and data analysis. Be sure to show measurable results from your past roles to demonstrate your impact and effectiveness.
Craft a Compelling Cover Letter:In your cover letter, express not just your qualifications, but your vision for the future of digital education. Discuss how your experiences align with the mission of Chefs in Schools and highlight any innovative ideas you might have for enhancing learning experiences. This is your chance to connect with us on a deeper level!
How to prepare for a job interview at Chefs in Schools
✨Get Hands-On with Learning Technologies
Familiarise yourself with common digital learning tools and platforms, like LMS systems or authoring tools that Chefs in Schools might use. Understanding these will give you an edge and show you’re ready to jump in from day one!
✨Showcase Your Creativity in Lesson Design
Prepare a portfolio of your past projects if you have them, or create sample lesson plans or digital content demos. Being able to discuss your creative approach to engaging students can really set you apart in a full-time role at Chefs in Schools.
✨Brush Up on Educational Trends
Stay in the loop with the latest trends in digital education, like gamification or personalised learning experiences. This will help you engage in meaningful discussions during the interview and demonstrate your passion for the field.
✨Prepare for Collaborative Scenarios
Expect to be asked about your experience working collaboratively with educators or other stakeholders. Consider discussing how you've contributed to a team effort in creating engaging educational content or improving student outcomes.
