Head of Network Development

UK Youth has launched an ambitious new strategy to widen the reach and deepen the impact of youth work and outdoor learning.

At the heart of that strategy is a clear commitment: We Back Youth Work Leaders.

As our new Head of Network Development, you will turn that commitment into action.

You will lead the development and delivery of a powerful national offer that equips youth work leaders with the investment, support, relationships and connections they need to thrive.

This includes leading our Grants+ approach-combining significant, multi-year grant funding with tailored organisational-development support-and developing partnerships that strengthen youth sector infrastructure locally, regionally and across the UK nations.

This role is about much more than managing a network.

We are evolving towards a more relational way of working: listening deeply to youth-work leaders, understanding the realities they face, involving them in shaping our work and building relationships founded on trust, respect and shared purpose.

You will ensure organisations can access the right support, expertise and opportunities-and that their insight continually shapes UK Youth's work.

You will have the opportunity to lead the delivery of the £13 million UK Youth Fund, strengthen the resilience and effectiveness of grassroots youth organisations, and help create a more connected and equitable system of support for the wider sector.

We are looking for someone with deep knowledge and experience of youth work and the youth sector-someone who can talk the talk and walk the walk with youth organisation leaders.

You will bring substantial experience of the youth work sector and infrastructure, organisational development and capacity building, alongside the strategic and operational leadership needed to deliver significant grant-making activity and complex partnerships.

You will be an inclusive and credible leader who can turn ambitious strategy into excellent delivery, bring people and organisations together, and remain focused on what youth work leaders need to succeed.

Across the country, youth workers are changing-and often saving-young lives.

This is your opportunity to ensure the people and organisations doing that vital work have the investment, infrastructure and support they deserve.

• Portfolio leadership and delivery
• Lead the strategic and operational delivery of UK Youth's network development portfolio, translating organisational strategy and funded commitments into clear plans, outcomes, budgets, milestones and accountabilities.
• Ensure programmes and services are delivered to a high standard, on time and within budget, with effective governance, performance management, risk control and escalation to the Director of Network Delivery.
• Mobilise new initiatives and partnerships, establishing proportionate delivery models, systems, teams and governance arrangements.
• Lead continuous improvement across the portfolio, responding effectively to evidence, partner feedback, changing needs and the external environment.
• Be a champion of UK Youth's network across all of UK Youth's work.
• Grant making and organisational development
• Lead the delivery of UK Youth's significant, multi-year grant-making portfolio, including the £13 million UK Youth Fund, ensuring responsible stewardship of charitable and restricted funds.
• Ensure effective management of the full grant lifecycle, including programme design, application and assessment, due diligence, decision-making, contracting, payments, monitoring, reporting, complaints and closure.
• Maintain robust and proportionate grant governance, financial controls, safeguarding assurance, risk management, data quality and compliance with funder and regulatory requirements.
• Lead an integrated organisational development offer alongside grant funding, enabling smaller youth and outdoor learning organisations to strengthen their financial sustainability, leadership, governance, workforce and resilience.
• Embed open, trusting, accessible and equitable grant-making practice, reducing unnecessary barriers while maintaining appropriate accountability.
• Network and sector infrastructure support
• Develop and deliver UK Youth's approach to engaging, connecting and supporting our national network, informed by the needs and experiences of youth work leaders and organisations.
• Create opportunities for peer learning, collaboration, knowledge exchange and access to relevant support across the network.
• Lead major initiatives that strengthen youth sector infrastructure locally, regionally and nationally, working with partners to improve the consistency, coordination and accessibility of support.
• Support regional and national partners to understand need, develop shared plans and approaches, and deliver locally relevant infrastructure and organisational support.
• Work with the Communications Team and relevant colleagues to ensure network communications are timely, accessible, coordinated and purposeful.
• Substantial leadership experience within the youth sector, grounded in an in-depth understanding of youth work practice, youth work leadership and the realities facing youth organisations and their leaders.
• Experience of leading a complex, multi-year network development or comparable portfolio, translating strategy and funded commitments into successful delivery and managing significant budgets and risks.
• Experience of leading substantial grant making or onward funding activity, including governance, due diligence, financial oversight, risk and accountability.
• Substantial organisational development and capacity building experience, including diagnosing organisational needs and designing practical support that strengthens leadership, governance, financial sustainability, workforce and resilience.
• Experience of developing networks, partnerships or infrastructure across multiple organisations, regions or systems, with demonstrable credibility among youth organisation leaders.

UK Youth is a leading charity with a vision that all young people are equipped to thrive and empowered to contribute at every stage of their lives.

We offer a competitive range of benefits, good work/life balance, excellent learning and development opportunities and vibrant organisational culture:

• Flexible/Agile Working
• 27 days annual leave (24 days + 3 days winter closure) plus bank holidays (pro rata for part time employees)
• Funded training provided in; Safeguarding, GDPR, Information and Cyber Security & Equality & Diversity
• Other training available in support of your personal and professional development
• Pension scheme (currently UK Youth match employee contributions up to 5%)
• Membership of our life insurance scheme which would pay-out up to 4 times your salary
• Employee Assistance Programme to support employees both professionally and personally
• 20% discount off bookings at Avon Tyrrell, our New Forest Outdoor Centre, including camping, lodges and outdoor activities.
• IT equipment provided for the duration of contract
• Cycle Scheme and Tech Scheme
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