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For Companies At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead impactful research programmes and shape grant-making initiatives in education.
- Company: Mission-driven organisation focused on breaking barriers in education.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, flexible working, generous holiday, and pension contributions.
- Why this job: Make a real difference in education while developing your leadership skills.
- Qualifications: Experience in education research, grant-making, and strong relationship management skills.
- Other info: Join a diverse team committed to equal opportunities and professional growth.
The predicted salary is between 44000 - 58000 ÂŁ per year.
Overview
Senior Programme Manager London (with hybrid working - a minimum of one full day per week in the office)
The Organisation
Our client is focused on supporting education to break down barriers between student success and finance. They support the education sector through research and working within schools to drive initiatives that directly support learners. They are now looking for a Senior Programme Manager to join them on a full-time, permanent basis, working 40 hours per week.
The Benefits
- Salary of ÂŁ51,750 per annum
- 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 a high-impact opportunity for an experienced education research and grant-making professional to join our client’s mission-driven organisation.
The Role
As a Senior Programme Manager, you will provide leadership across key research programmes, shaping high-quality grant-making and evidence generation. Working within the Research Directorate, you will lead priority programme areas, building deep subject expertise and acting as an authority on the design, delivery and evaluation of complex research projects. You’ll collaborate closely with colleagues across the organisation, co-funders and delivery partners to develop a strong pipeline of grants, support funded organisations, and embed best practice across programme delivery. Additionally, you will:
- Line manage and develop Programme Managers
- Translate evidence into clear, usable guidance for the education sector
- Lead written and spoken guidance outputs
- Maintain and develop relationships with funders and external stakeholders
- Lead one or more research themes and support thematic coherence across projects
About You
To be considered as a Senior Programme Manager, you will need:
- A strong track record of delivery and achievement
- A detailed, practical understanding of grant-making relating to research generation
- Strong knowledge of the education system in England in at least one of the early years, school and 16-19 stages
- The ability to analyse and interpret education research, including knowledge of diverse research methods
- The ability to analyse a project’s prospects of success and anticipate problems it might face when delivering at scale in England
- The ability to contribute to the design of robust evaluations, including randomised controlled trials
- Excellent relationship management skills
- A willingness to travel occasionally to project sites
All EEF staff are subject to a check by the Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS). The level of this check will be “Basic”. All applicants must already have the right to work in the UK, as our client is unable to offer sponsorship for this role.
Applications close: 22/02/2026 (23:59 GMT or BST)
First stage interviews: w/c 09/03/2026
Second stage interviews: w/c 16/03/2026
Other organisations may call this role Senior Research Programme Manager, Senior Education Programme Manager, Head of Research Programmes, Senior Research Manager, Senior Grants and Programmes Manager, Evidence and Research Programme Lead, or Research Programme Lead.
Webrecruit and our clients 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 you’re looking for an impactful role as a Senior Programme Manager, please apply via the button shown.
This vacancy is being advertised by Webrecruit. The services advertised by Webrecruit are those of an Employment Agency.
Senior Programme Manager employer: Webrecruit
Contact Detail:
Webrecruit Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Senior Programme Manager
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to people in your field, especially those who work in education research or grant-making. A casual chat can lead to insider info about job openings that aren't even advertised yet.
✨Tip Number 2
Prepare for interviews by researching the organisation's recent projects and initiatives. Show them you’re not just another candidate; you’re genuinely interested in their mission and how you can contribute to it.
✨Tip Number 3
Practice your storytelling skills! Be ready to share specific examples of your past achievements in programme management and grant-making. This will help you stand out and demonstrate your impact.
✨Tip Number 4
Don’t forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets noticed. Plus, we love seeing candidates who take that extra step to connect with us directly.
We think you need these skills to ace Senior Programme Manager
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your Application: Make sure to customise your CV and cover letter to highlight your experience in education research and grant-making. We want to see how your skills align with the role of Senior Programme Manager, so don’t hold back on showcasing your achievements!
Showcase Your Leadership Skills: As a Senior Programme Manager, you'll be leading teams and projects. Use your application to demonstrate your leadership experience and how you've successfully managed programmes in the past. We love seeing examples of how you've made an impact!
Be Clear and Concise: When writing your application, clarity is key! Make sure your points are easy to read and straight to the point. We appreciate well-structured applications that get to the heart of your qualifications without unnecessary fluff.
Apply Through Our Website: We encourage you to apply directly through our website for the best chance of being noticed. It’s super easy, and you’ll be able to follow the application process step-by-step. Plus, it shows us you’re keen to join our mission-driven organisation!
How to prepare for a job interview at Webrecruit
✨Know Your Stuff
Make sure you have a solid understanding of the education system in England, especially around early years, school, and 16-19 stages. Brush up on grant-making processes and be ready to discuss how your experience aligns with the role's requirements.
✨Showcase Your Leadership Skills
As a Senior Programme Manager, you'll be leading teams and projects. Prepare examples that highlight your leadership style, how you've managed teams, and any successful projects you've delivered. This will demonstrate your capability to lead and inspire others.
✨Prepare for Relationship Management Questions
Expect questions about how you build and maintain relationships with funders and stakeholders. Think of specific instances where you've successfully navigated complex relationships and how you ensured collaboration across different parties.
✨Be Ready to Discuss Evaluation Design
Since the role involves designing robust evaluations, be prepared to talk about your experience with various research methods and how you've contributed to evaluations in the past. Highlight any experience with randomised controlled trials or similar methodologies.
