Head of Youth

Here at the Royal British Legion, we are currently embarking on an exciting new phase within our Membership directorate. As part of our new ten year strategy, we are pleased to be seeking a Head of Youth in a newly created, leadership role. As a key member of the Membership, Armed Forces and Community Engagement team, this role will contribute to the delivery of our new strategy leading a nationally‑scaled, innovative youth approach, creating the conditions for our organisation to thrive for future generations.

Reporting into our new Director: Armed Forces Engagement, Partnerships and Youth, this exciting new role will see you identify and develop strategic, high‑impact youth partnerships at a national level (including in the devolved nations) that help us reach more young people in new, exciting and innovative ways, advancing RBL’s vision of “Bringing Society Together to Recognise, Remember and Support the Armed Forces Community”.

You will lead the development, delivery and evolution of an RBL youth plan, highlighting the role of the RBL and positioning youth engagement as a long‑term strategic enabler of our Armed Forces Community. This will include work across schools and youth organisations, with a particular emphasis on remembrance activities, and developing a Cadet Forces Engagement strategy.

Managing a small and newly created team, key responsibilities will include:

• Develop and implement a Cadet Forces engagement and partnership working strategy aimed at both cadets and CFAVs which seeks to raise awareness and understanding of the role of the armed forces community, promotes engagement in remembrance activities (including the wearing of the Poppy) and develops an understanding of the role of RBL.
• Lead the development and approval of the RBL Schools and Learning Strategy, fostering collaboration across departments to maximise engagement with school‑age children.
• Working with our current youth members, re‑design and re‑launch the youth membership, ensuring RBL has a relevant, engaging and attractive youth membership offer.
• Demonstrate creativity, initiative and thought‑leadership in planning, piloting and developing youth initiatives with partners.
• Act as a champion for young people internally and externally to partners.

Come and be part of the leading Armed Forces charity, making a difference to the lives of those who have served to keep us safe and protect our way of life. You will be expected to travel regularly in the course of your work including regularly to London Haig House. You will be contracted to your home address, where you will be expected to work when not travelling. This is a full time position, working 35 hours per week, Monday‑Friday, with understanding that due to the nature of the role some evening and/or weekend work may be required at times.

The successful applicant will require a full UK driving licence and an Enhanced DBS check will be undertaken as part of the pre-employment checks process.

Employee benefits include:

• 28 days paid holiday (plus bank holidays) increasing with service, with optional annual leave purchase scheme of up to 5 working days.
• Enhanced paid maternity, paternity and adoption leave.
• Generous pension contributions, with Employer contributions ranging from 6% to 10%.
• Range of flexible working options may be available, depending on your role.
• Employee Assistance Programme providing confidential counselling, financial and legal advice.
• Range of courses delivered by learning specialists to support your development goals and objectives.
• Opportunities to volunteer.
• Travel loans, Cycle to Work, and more!

RBL is committed to creating a diverse and inclusive organisation, reflecting the diversity of the armed forces community and of wider society. We welcome applications from people of all backgrounds and personal characteristics. As part of our commitment to inclusion, we offer guaranteed interview schemes for candidates who declare an Armed Forces connection and/or a disability. However, candidates are only eligible for this scheme if their application clearly demonstrates that they meet all of the essential criteria listed in the Person Specification for the role.

We may close this vacancy early if we believe we have enough strong applications to be able to successfully fill the role. Interested candidates are encouraged to apply as soon as possible.