Head of Young Peoples' Programmes

The role is based around young people, so will entail some planned or occasional evening and weekend work. The Head of Young Peoples’ Programmes will lead our work with, by and for young people, aged 11-25. They will design, develop and manage a portfolio of youth-focused initiatives. They are a critical part of the Winch Senior Management Team. Together, we work to create communities in which every child and young person can thrive.

The Head of Young People’s Programme will lead the Inspiring Inclusion initiative. This innovative multi-agency partnership aims to change the school system for Black and racially minoritised students in Camden. We have recently secured seven-year funding from Propel to advance our collective commitment. The Winch is the lead partner and accountable body.

The Head of Young People’s Programmes will be an experienced leader with a track record of working with young people using strengths-based and participatory approaches, rooted in justice, equity and inclusion. They will have the skills to manage and develop high-performing teams and understand the importance of good systems and processes. They can improve the infrastructure that enables effective work with different communities and nurture team cultures that embrace and affirm learning and growth. They are skilled in orchestrating and navigating complex networks and partnerships and will be a committed fundraiser.

The Head of Young Peoples’ Programmes must have a working knowledge of the policy environment for young people and share insights into the systems, policies, practices and agencies that affect young people. They can draw on evidence and data to build our strategies and will be excited by the opportunity to nurture and grow our good practices and to foster new approaches and solutions, in Camden and beyond.

Job Description:

• Strategy: Develop and lead our youth strategy; informing, influencing and ensuring alignment with the Winch’s overarching strategy. Deliver the outcomes and objectives of the Winch strategy, so that we achieve our mission and goals. Act as a champion for young people (aged 11-25), creating opportunities to appreciate, represent and respond to their experience, so that they can participate in our work and together we change the systems that under-serve or fail them.
• Leadership: Provide authentic, values-led leadership and management support, modelling our values of Joy, Care and Courage. Lead the Inspiring Inclusion initiative; agreeing and setting direction, convening partnerships and designing governance and learning structures, managing funder and stakeholder relationships, and delivering the programme outcomes. Manage and develop our people, fostering effective team practices and support systems, so that staff can make an effective contribution. Demonstrate creativity, initiative and thought-leadership in growing and strengthening the Winch’s offer to young people. Lead an effective and comprehensive safeguarding culture, acting as part of the designated safeguarding team.
• Programmes: Develop and deliver services for 11 to 25-year-olds taking responsibility for the experiences, wellbeing and safety of young people and partners at the Winch. Commit to the principles of asset and place-based practice, participation and co-production, and relational-working. Ensure that funded activity for young people is compatible with the Winch’s mission, values and strategic goals. Support direct delivery and outreach working and incident management, where needed. Stay up to date and engaged with the external context, and draw on professional networks, resources and connections to enrich, direct and support programme development and delivery. Ensure programme design and delivery takes account of interdependencies with other teams in the Winch and ensure we operate in a joined-up way to maximise our impact and strengthen our collective capabilities.
• Development: Help establish and meet our fundraising ambitions, to ensure the sustainability and continuous development of the Winch’s provision. Lead work with young people, partners and fundraising colleagues to research, develop and submit bids to enhance and enrich our offer. Deliver our ‘Test and Learn’ approach to improve the school and safeguarding experiences of young people from Black and racialised communities. Develop programmes and ways of working that align with our JEDI principles, which reflect our positionality, and which contribute toward securing policy, practice and systems change.
• Finance & Resourcing: Develop, manage and monitor project budgets and resources, working alongside the Chief Operating Officer, Finance Manager and fundraising team. Take lead responsibility for the Inspiring Inclusion programme budget, ensuring effective contracting and commissioning arrangements with partners and providers. Support the Youth Work Manager in overseeing budgets and financial controls. Manage and monitor the mobilisation, coordination, development and effective deployment of staff, volunteers and partners to create value for the Winch and the communities we serve.
• Partnership: Proactively identify and build new relationships and partnerships to develop the young peoples’ programme. Strengthen and build on our current partnerships with youth services providers, community organisations, schools, the local authority and our donor community. Engage constructively with funders and policy makers, supporting their ambition to effect change, influencing their priorities and contributing to their learning. Act as an ambassador for and champion of the Winch, deputising for senior managers, where required.
• Monitoring, Learning & Evaluation: Commission and manage a Learning Partner for the Inspiring Inclusion programme; developing a robust theory of change, effective monitoring and impact measurement processes, and surfacing actionable next steps. Establish learning practices and rituals, developing accurate and timely recording, using effective project management approaches; and applying appropriate evidential and theoretical frameworks. Lead a focus on learning, adopting and pursuing better practice, to ensure continuous improvement. Identify, adopt and embed quality assurance, safeguarding and risk management frameworks. Work with the fundraising and Winch team to meet the funding objectives, and ensure the integrity and sustainability of youth programmes. Meet reporting deadlines to funders, trustees and senior managers.
• Shared Responsibilities: Help lead effective and comprehensive safeguarding culture and practices, contributing to the development of Winch policies and practices. Model and embed standards of professional conduct and boundaries. Champion young peoples’ experience, though securing feedback, complaints and insight. Maintain oversight of learning & development- including shaping core practice skills and professional development, and identifying and embedding models of practice. Ensure compliance with Health and Safety and Data Protection legislation. Maintain oversight of risk management.
• General Duties: Attend and participate in individual, staff, trustee and team meetings, team away days, supervision and appraisals, as required. Help organise and lead Winch staff away days and planning events. Work collaboratively with and provide cover where necessary to other Winch programmes, including attending trips and residentials during school holidays. Exhibit the Winch’s values and positive behaviours at all times. Demonstrate and model commitment to the principles of justice, equality, diversity and inclusion (JEDI). Demonstrate commitment to, and take responsibility for, safeguarding children, young people and adults at risk, in the context of your role. Take responsibility for your professional development and learning. Adhere to and help develop the policies, guidelines and processes of the Winch. Make a significant contribution to the Winch’s strategy, ethos and development, and wider fundraising efforts. Deputise for senior managers, where required.

Person Specification:

To be considered for the role, you must have and provide evidence of the following in your application:

• Experience: At least 5 years of relevant work experience, including at least 3 years managing high-performing teams in a challenging non-profit, social enterprise, start-up or statutory environment. Experience of managing a complex portfolio of projects, with a minimum budget of £200k per year. Significant experience of managing complex and emergent safeguarding issues. Excellent facilitation skills and experience of leading complex, multi-agency partnerships to achieve change. Experience of successfully developing and delivering youth-led solutions, using participatory methods and techniques. Experience of leading and supporting fundraising and managing funder relationships. Experience of leading work with, by and for Black and racially minoritised communities.
• Skills: Strategy and planning skills, including ability to work strategically on both organisational and systems levels over the long-term. Outstanding communication and interpersonal skills, with the ability to build authentic collaborations with a diverse set of high profile stakeholders. Excellent team management skills, with a commitment to people’s individual and collective growth. Confident in the use of Microsoft Office packages and Google Workspace, and able to learn and use our IT systems.
• Knowledge: Good grasp of and commitment to data and impact measurement principles and learning practices. Working knowledge of contemporary children and young people’s policy environment, with significant insight into how racism and inequality impinge on young people’s life chances. Awareness of service design methodologies and a ‘test and learn’ approach.

What else do I need to know?

The Winch is based at 21 Winchester Road, London NW3 3NR, just a minute’s walk from Swiss Cottage underground station and within walking distance of multiple bus routes. This full-time role includes occasional evening work or weekends, and an annual residential.

The Benefits: We offer a training budget. You will also be asked to complete mandatory accredited training, which counts towards your continuing professional development. The Winch has an Employee Assistance Programme with Health Assured. This includes access to a wealth of services including counselling, legal information, bereavement support, medical information and CBT online. There is also access to a virtual library of wellbeing information. We offer new employees 30 days holiday pro rata per year (including Bank Holidays) and three compulsory closure dates in December. You will have the opportunity to join a contributory pension scheme.

Safeguarding and Child Protection & Equal Opportunities: The Winch is committed to keeping children, young people and vulnerable adults safe from harm. The successful candidate will be subject to Enhanced DBS checks and an online check and be required to undertake safeguarding training. The Winch is committed to the principle of equal opportunity in employment and its employment policies for recruitment are designed to ensure that no job applicant or employee receives less favourable treatment on the grounds of race, colour, nationality, religion or belief, sex, sexual orientation, marital status, age, ethnic and national origin, disability or gender reassignment.

How to apply? Please apply by sending in a comprehensive CV (maximum 3 pages) and a personal statement outlining how you meet the person specification. Your personal statement must be no longer than 2 pages of A4, with a minimum font size 12. We will not consider applications that do not include a personal statement. You will be asked to provide the names, positions, organisations and telephone contact numbers of two referees, one of whom should be your current/most recent employer. References will only be taken once your permission has been granted. In addition, a complete enhanced DBS check is required for new employees at The Winch. Please apply by sending your application by an email via the button below. The deadline for submission is Sunday 5th July 2026 at midnight and shortlisted candidates will be interviewed on Wednesday 14th July 2026.

If you are interested in the role and would like to speak to someone about it, then please feel free to contact.