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- Tasks: Lead the development and scaling of evidence-based education programmes to close the attainment gap.
- Company: Join the Education Endowment Foundation, a charity transforming education through research and evidence.
- Benefits: Enjoy flexible working, 27 days holiday, life insurance, and a supportive work culture.
- Why this job: Make a real impact on children's lives while shaping educational strategies in a collaborative environment.
- Qualifications: Experience in senior education roles and project delivery, with strong leadership and evaluation skills required.
- Other info: This is an 11-month maternity cover role with potential for secondments.
The predicted salary is between 60000 - 84000 £ per year.
Head of Programme Development & Scale-up (11 month maternity cover, secondment considered)
Central London (with hybrid working)
About Us
The Education Endowment Foundation (EEF) is an independent charity dedicated to breaking the link between family income and educational achievement.
We do this by supporting schools, colleges, and nurseries to improve teaching and learning through better use of evidence. We generate research evidence on effective practice in supporting learning outcomes and narrowing the socioeconomic attainment gap, and we work with education professionals to ensure this evidence is applied to achieve the maximum possible benefit for children and young people.
The EEFs reach and impact has been tremendous: the English education system is now one of the most evidence-informed in the world. Over half of state primary and secondary schools have taken part in an EEF-funded trial, and 70% of all school leaders use the Teaching and Learning Toolkit to inform their decision-making.
We are now looking for a Head of Programme Development & Scale-up to join us on a full-time basis, for an 11-month fixed term contract to cover a period of maternity leave (with an ideal start date 27th October 2025), with secondments considered.
The Benefits
- Salary of £72,250 per annum
- Flexible start and end working times (core hours between 10am and 4pm)
- Flexible working opportunities
- 27 days holiday a year (plus 8 bank holidays including 3 which can be taken flexibly)
- 2 festive season closure days
- 6% employer pension contributions, minimum 3% employee contribution
- Life insurance cover
- Interest-free season ticket loan and cycle scheme
- Enhanced maternity, paternity, adoption and shared parental leave pay (conditions apply)
- Confidential Employee Assistance Programme to help you deal with any personal and professional problems
This is an inspiring opportunity for a leader with strong programme design and evaluation experience to join our evidence-led and mission-driven organisation.
Youll have the chance to lead the development and scale-up of some of the UKs most promising education interventions, making a measurable difference in the lives of children and young people from disadvantaged backgrounds.
Whats more, with hybrid working, generous benefits, and a high-performing, collaborative culture, youll be empowered to shape strategy, guide innovation, and strengthen the sectors ability to use research and evidence for lasting educational impact.
The Role
As our Head of Programme Development & Scale-up, you will drive the development, evaluation, and strategic scaling of evidence-informed education programmes that help close the attainment gap.
Leading a cross-functional team, you will oversee a portfolio of early-stage programme development and pilot evaluations, ensuring alignment with our research agenda and wider organisational goals.
Youll guide the selection and structuring of promising interventions, oversee risk and quality management, and co-ordinate with other teams to support strong programme design and impactful research.
Additionally, You Will
- Manage and mentor a team of Programme and Evaluation Managers
- Oversee high-profile scale-up initiatives, including reporting and co-funding opportunities
- Lead the design of new project phases
- Contribute to the senior management team
- Represent us in national and international networks focused on evidence-based education
About You
To be considered as our Head of Programme Development & Scale-up, you will need:
- Substantial experience working in a senior education related role
- Extensive experience delivering or commissioning multiple projects in education or a related field
- A track record of delivery on collaborative projects requiring multi-disciplinary teams to deliver to timelines
- Strong knowledge of evaluation methods and theory of change design
- The ability to lead, motivate and manage a high-performing team
- A strong understanding of the education landscape
- An understanding of the evidence around strong programme design
- Familiarity with quantitative impact evaluation methods
All EEF staff are subject to a check by the Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS).?The level shall be a Basic level check.?
Application Close: 28th July 2025
First Round Interviews: 6th August 2025
Second Round Interviews: 13th August 2025
Other organisations may call this role Programme Development Lead, Strategic Programme Development Lead, Head of Programme Design, Senior Programme Strategy and Evaluation Lead, or Head of Education Programme Development.
Webrecruit and the Education Endowment Foundation are equal opportunities employers, value diversity and are strongly committed to providing equal employment opportunities for all employees and all applicants for employment. Equal opportunities are the only acceptable way to conduct business and we believe that the more inclusive our environments are, the better our work will be.
So, if youre looking for an impactful role as a Head of Programme Development & Scale-up, please apply via the button shown. This vacancy is being advertised by Webrecruit. The services advertised by Webrecruit are those of an Employment Agency.
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Head of Programme Development & Scale-up employer: Discover Wine & Spirits Academy
Contact Detail:
Discover Wine & Spirits Academy Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Head of Programme Development & Scale-up
✨Tip Number 1
Familiarise yourself with the Education Endowment Foundation's current projects and research. Understanding their existing programmes will help you articulate how your experience aligns with their mission during interviews.
✨Tip Number 2
Network with professionals in the education sector, especially those involved in evidence-based practices. Engaging with them can provide insights into the role and may even lead to referrals.
✨Tip Number 3
Prepare to discuss specific examples of your past leadership experiences in programme development and evaluation. Highlighting measurable outcomes from your previous roles will demonstrate your capability to drive impactful initiatives.
✨Tip Number 4
Stay updated on the latest trends and challenges in the education landscape. Being knowledgeable about current issues will allow you to engage in meaningful discussions during interviews and show your commitment to the field.
We think you need these skills to ace Head of Programme Development & Scale-up
Some tips for your application 🫡
Understand the Role: Read the job description thoroughly to grasp the responsibilities and requirements of the Head of Programme Development & Scale-up position. Tailor your application to highlight how your experience aligns with these specific needs.
Highlight Relevant Experience: Emphasise your substantial experience in senior education roles and project delivery. Use concrete examples to demonstrate your track record in managing multi-disciplinary teams and delivering impactful educational programmes.
Showcase Leadership Skills: Illustrate your ability to lead and motivate a high-performing team. Provide examples of how you've successfully managed teams in the past, particularly in the context of programme design and evaluation.
Craft a Compelling Cover Letter: Write a strong cover letter that not only summarises your CV but also conveys your passion for education and commitment to closing the attainment gap. Make sure to connect your personal values with the mission of the Education Endowment Foundation.
How to prepare for a job interview at Discover Wine & Spirits Academy
✨Understand the Organisation's Mission
Before your interview, make sure you thoroughly understand the Education Endowment Foundation's mission and how they aim to break the link between family income and educational achievement. Be prepared to discuss how your experience aligns with their goals and how you can contribute to their evidence-led approach.
✨Showcase Your Programme Development Experience
Highlight your substantial experience in programme design and evaluation during the interview. Prepare specific examples of projects you've led or contributed to, particularly those that involved multi-disciplinary teams and required collaboration across different sectors.
✨Demonstrate Knowledge of Evaluation Methods
Since the role requires a strong understanding of evaluation methods and theory of change design, be ready to discuss your familiarity with these concepts. You might want to prepare to explain how you've applied these methods in past roles to achieve measurable outcomes.
✨Prepare for Leadership Questions
As a potential leader of a cross-functional team, expect questions about your leadership style and how you motivate and manage high-performing teams. Think of examples where you've successfully led a team through challenges and how you foster collaboration and innovation.