At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead impactful youth programmes and ensure high-quality delivery across Youth Zones.
- Company: Empower Youth Zones, dedicated to transforming young lives in Greater Manchester.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, professional development, and the chance to make a real difference.
- Other info: Join a passionate team committed to creating safe and inclusive environments for all.
- Why this job: Be a key player in empowering young people to reach their full potential.
- Qualifications: Strong leadership skills and experience in youth work or programme management.
The predicted salary is between 60000 - 80000 £ per year.
We are looking for an exceptional Director of Youth Work & Impact to lead our life‑changing work with young people. You will shape and drive the entire youth work offer across both Youth Zones, leading programme development, ensuring delivery is high‑quality and inclusive, and making sure our work has measurable impact on the lives of children and young people aged 8–19 (and up to 25 with additional needs).
You will establish and oversee a robust Monitoring & Evaluation framework to measure outcomes, track delivery against KPIs, and provide clear insights that inform strategic decisions by the CEO and Board. Alongside this, you will lead safeguarding as Empower’s Designated Safeguarding Lead, manage programme budgets, and provide line management to senior operational staff.
Through strong leadership, strategic planning and a commitment to high performance, you will ensure both Youth Zones deliver inspiring, impactful and safe experiences for every young person who walks through our doors, creating opportunities for them to have a voice and influence decisions that affect them. You’ll also be a visible leader across Greater Manchester, representing Empower Youth Zones at key events and meetings, strengthening partnerships and advocating for our work.
This is a rare opportunity to be at the heart of a growing movement dedicated to giving every young person the chance to realise their full potential and thrive.
WHAT WILL I BE DOING?
- Lead strategic and operational planning, delivery, and continuous improvement of youth delivery programmes across HideOut and Salford Youth Zones, embedding the national youth work curriculum into all programme areas.
- Through effective leadership and line management of the Heads of Youth Work, ensure programme design and delivery aligns with organisational objectives and meets the needs of young people.
- Establish a Monitoring and Evaluation framework across operational Youth Zone delivery to inform the CEO and Board, ensuring a high level of quality assurance, accountability and continuous improvement.
- Build and maintain strong relationships with delivery partners, funders, national and regional youth sector infrastructure organisations and other key stakeholders.
- Act as the charity's lead representative at local events, conferences and meetings to advocate for our work.
- Provide strategic leadership and management of every aspect of the Youth Zone’s services to young people, ensuring they meet performance and safeguarding standards.
- Take responsibility as Empower’s Designated Safeguarding Lead, ensuring safeguarding policies and procedures are upheld across all programme activities.
- Embed a pro-active planning culture throughout the organisation to execute the Charity’s strategic goals efficiently and effectively.
- Set and manage budgets effectively, ensuring financial accountability and value for money.
- Support the CEO to develop the risk register for the charity so trustees can easily identify major issues and ensure effective mitigation procedures are in place.
- Through effective Line Management, ensure staff have all the support and resources needed to enable the Charity to be fully compliant with all relevant reporting requirements.
- Work closely with the Director of People to develop, implement and regularly review a workforce development plan for all staff and volunteers.
- Integrate equity, diversity and inclusion principles and practice across programme delivery.
- Undertake any other reasonably required duties as instructed by someone acting on Chief Executive’s behalf.
WHAT ELSE WILL I NEED TO DO?
- Be a role model for young people and present a positive “can do” attitude.
- Take personal responsibility for own actions.
- Provide strong leadership to the programmes team, setting clear direction and fostering a high-performance culture.
- Represent Empower Youth Zones positively and effectively in all dealings with internal colleagues and external partners.
- Champion innovation and continuous improvement in programme delivery.
- Comply with all policies and procedures, particularly regarding safeguarding, codes of conduct, health and safety and equality and diversity.
- Promote a collaborative and inclusive working environment, both within the organisation and with external partners.
- Assist with any promotional activities and visits that take place at the Youth Zone.
- Actively promote the Youth Zone and positively contribute towards increasing Youth Zone membership.
Director of Youth Work & Impact employer: Empower Youth Zones
Empower Youth Zones is an exceptional employer dedicated to making a meaningful impact in the lives of young people across Greater Manchester. With a strong commitment to professional development, a collaborative and inclusive work culture, and a focus on high-quality programme delivery, employees are empowered to lead innovative initiatives that foster youth engagement and growth. The organisation offers unique opportunities to represent and advocate for youth work at key events, ensuring that every team member plays a vital role in shaping the future of the community.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Director of Youth Work & Impact
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Attend events and meet-ups related to youth work and community engagement. This is your chance to connect with key players in the field, so don’t be shy—introduce yourself and share your passion for making a difference!
✨Tip Number 2
Showcase your leadership skills! When you get the opportunity to speak or present, highlight your experience in managing teams and driving impactful programmes. Use real examples to demonstrate how you've made a difference in previous roles.
✨Tip Number 3
Be proactive in following up! After meeting someone or attending an event, drop them a message to thank them for their time and express your interest in collaborating. This keeps you on their radar and shows your commitment to the cause.
✨Tip Number 4
Apply through our website! We want to see your application, so make sure you submit it directly on our platform. It’s the best way to ensure your details reach us and that you’re considered for this amazing opportunity.
We think you need these skills to ace Director of Youth Work & Impact
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Your Passion:When writing your application, let your passion for youth work shine through! We want to see how much you care about making a difference in the lives of young people. Share personal experiences or stories that highlight your commitment to this cause.
Tailor Your Application:Make sure to tailor your application to the specific role of Director of Youth Work & Impact. Highlight your relevant experience and skills that align with the job description. We love seeing how you can bring your unique strengths to our team!
Be Clear and Concise:Keep your application clear and to the point. Use straightforward language and avoid jargon. We appreciate when candidates communicate their ideas effectively, so make sure your application is easy to read and understand.
Apply Through Our Website:Don’t forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way for us to receive your application and ensures you’re considered for the role. Plus, it gives you a chance to explore more about what we do at StudySmarter!
How to prepare for a job interview at Empower Youth Zones
✨Know Your Impact
Before the interview, dive deep into the impact metrics and outcomes related to youth work. Be ready to discuss how you would establish a robust Monitoring & Evaluation framework and share examples of how you've measured success in previous roles.
✨Showcase Your Leadership Style
Prepare to articulate your leadership philosophy and how it aligns with fostering a high-performance culture. Think of specific instances where you've led teams effectively, especially in youth work or similar environments, and be ready to share those stories.
✨Understand the Community
Research the local community and the specific needs of young people in Greater Manchester. Be prepared to discuss how you would build and maintain strong relationships with delivery partners and stakeholders to advocate for the youth work initiatives.
✨Emphasise Safeguarding Knowledge
As the Designated Safeguarding Lead, it's crucial to demonstrate your understanding of safeguarding policies and procedures. Prepare to discuss how you would ensure these are upheld across all programme activities and how you would create a safe and inclusive environment for young people.
