At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead innovative education programmes and drive international expansion for a mission-driven charity.
- Company: Common Mission Project, a dynamic UK charity focused on entrepreneurship education.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, 28 days holiday, private health insurance, and hybrid working.
- Other info: Join a passionate team dedicated to creating sustainable educational opportunities.
- Why this job: Make a real impact in education while shaping the future of entrepreneurship across Europe.
- Qualifications: Experience in programme design, leadership, and business development in education or government.
The predicted salary is between 75000 - 85000 £ per year.
About Common Mission Project
The Common Mission Project (CMP) is a registered UK Charity that delivers Mission Driven EntrepreneurshipTM through our university education programmes. We base our university entrepreneurship courses on core principles of the Lean Launchpad in a fast-paced higher education module taught at universities across the UK and Europe. CMP is targeting £1m revenue by April 2027, active programmes in Poland and Ukraine, Nordic/Baltic expansion, and recognition as a trusted Whitehall partner. The Director of Programmes is central to delivering that ambition.
The Role
A senior leadership role owning programme quality, curriculum, international expansion, business development, and team performance. You report to the Executive Director, line-manage the programme team, and carry CMP's delivery reputation across all H4 variants and geographies. This requires commercial instinct alongside academic and operational rigour. You will identify new programme opportunities, convert prospects into contracts, and build the evidence base that underpins CMP's funding and influence. The role is a hybrid role, with regular travel to London, programme sites, and internationally alongside home working. The salary range for this role is £75,000-85,000 pa with 28 days holiday (plus bank holidays) and private health insurance.
Core Responsibilities
- Strategic Leadership and Growth: Shape CMP's programme strategy with the Executive Director, spotting opportunities across education, government, technology, and innovation to position CMP as a leading mission-driven education organisation.
- Programme Quality and Curriculum: Own quality standards across all H4 variants and countries; intervening when delivery falls short. Lead curriculum innovation aligned to HE sector standards and build a transferable educator-training framework for independent in-country delivery.
- International Expansion: Lead programme adaptation for Poland, Ukraine, and the Nordic/Baltic pipeline, building in-country partner capacity so programmes become self-sustaining.
- Business Development: Maintain an active pipeline of government and university opportunities; scope new propositions and convert them into signed agreements. Contribute to funding bids where programme evidence and design are central to the case.
- Impact and Evidence: Own CMP's impact measurement framework and build the evidence base (theory of change, measurement, independent evaluation) underpinning Whitehall influence and fundraising.
- Team Leadership: Line-manage and develop the programme team (currently three roles), holding direct reports to account against defined KPIs; ensure the team have agreed development plans.
- Innovation and Emerging Technology: Monitor developments across education, government, and technology, and integrate emerging tech including AI into programme design, keeping CMP responsive to future skills needs while fostering a culture of experimentation across complex, multi-stakeholder systems.
- HE Sector Engagement: Build relationships with Advance HE, UKRI, and relevant HE bodies; develop CMP's voice in the sector.
Person Specification
Essential:
- Significant experience in programme design, management, and quality assurance spanning higher education and/or government contexts.
- Commercial instinct and business development experience: shaping propositions and converting interest into contracts.
- Proven team leadership in a fast-paced, mission-driven organisation.
- Curriculum development and delivery experience.
- Excellent communication across academic, government, and public audiences.
- Strong stakeholder management, emotional intelligence, and ability to operate effectively in a small, growing organisation.
- Excellent communication and presentations skills and the ability to convey complex ideas clearly and concisely in oral and written communications to academic, government and public audiences.
- Experience of leading multiple work-streams and motivating a team to deliver on multiple programmes.
- The ability to command respect and to create a sense of community amongst the members of the team.
Desirable:
- Experience working with or within UK government, MoD, or defence-adjacent organisations.
- International programme development experience, particularly in European contexts.
- Familiarity with lean startup, design thinking, or problem-based learning methodologies.
Interested candidates should email their CV and a cover letter to arichmond@commonmission.uk (applications sent via LinkedIn will not be considered). CMP is committed to an inclusive culture and welcomes applications from all backgrounds.
Director of Programmes employer: Common Mission Project UK
At Common Mission Project, we pride ourselves on being a leading charity that fosters Mission Driven EntrepreneurshipTM through innovative university education programmes. Our dynamic work culture encourages collaboration and creativity, offering employees the chance to make a meaningful impact while enjoying competitive benefits such as 28 days of holiday, private health insurance, and opportunities for professional growth in a supportive environment. With a focus on international expansion and a commitment to inclusivity, CMP is an excellent employer for those looking to drive change in the education sector.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Director of Programmes
✨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 Common Mission Project UK.
✨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 Common Mission Project UK.
✨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 Common Mission Project UK.
✨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 Common Mission Project UK. Apply directly through us to stand out!
We think you need these skills to ace Director of Programmes
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 Common Mission Project UK. 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 Director 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 Common Mission Project UK
✨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 Common Mission Project UK. 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!
