At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead a dynamic team to deliver impactful youth work and partnerships.
- Company: Vibrant youth charity dedicated to empowering young people in West London.
- Benefits: 33 days annual leave, enhanced family leave, free gym access, and professional development.
- Other info: Join a passionate team committed to creating a safe and inspiring space for youth.
- Why this job: Make a real difference in young people's lives while enjoying a supportive work environment.
- Qualifications: Experience in youth work, leadership, and project management required.
This is an exciting role with a significant level of autonomy for an ambitious and experienced youth work professional.
Position: Head of Youth Work & Delivery Partnerships
Location: White City, West London
Salary: £52-58k (dependent on experience)
Hours: Full-time 37.5 hours per week. 5 out of 7 days
Contract: Permanent
Closing Date: 19th October 2026. We’ll review applications and interview candidates as we receive them. We may close the vacancy early if we find the right candidate, so we encourage you to apply as soon as possible.
About the Role
The Head of Youth Work & Delivery Partnerships will lead and manage a large team of Youth Workers while taking operational responsibility for the seven-day-a-week universal youth work offer. As the leading provider of universal access youth work in Hammersmith and Fulham, and part of the network, the Youth Zone has a strong reputation and growing impact. You will hold overall responsibility for delivering a vibrant, open access Youth Zone for the young people of West London, welcoming up to 200 young people per session. You will lead the development and delivery of the core youth work provision, including junior, senior and holiday clubs, ensuring high standards of practice and a culture of continuous improvement. You will also ensure the Youth Zone remains a fun, supportive, safe and inclusive environment that attracts and retains young people, helping to raise aspirations and support positive outcomes. You will be a member of the Senior Leadership Team, and will work in tandem with the Chief Executive, the Senior Leadership Team and the Board of Trustees to help achieve its goal of delivering lifechanging youth work to young people in West London.
Key responsibilities include:
- Staffing
- The Offer (programme)
- Partnerships and stakeholders
- Young people
- Leadership
- Policy, compliance and quality assurance
About You
We are looking for someone with experience in youth work, including leading and managing activities, staff and volunteers. You will have:
- Experience in safeguarding for example as a DSO, DSL or deputy.
- A track record of successful project and budget management
- Experience of delivering results through effective team leadership and collaboration
- Experience of working with a range of IT systems such as databases, dashboards or CRM
- Ability to prioritise workload and manage multiple deadlines while remaining calm under pressure
- A degree level qualification in a relevant subject, or equivalent experience
- Excellent verbal and written communication, interpersonal, negotiation and relationship building skills
- Ability to relate to and engage young people from all backgrounds
- Strong people management and coaching skills, with the ability to both lead and work effectively as part of a team
- Strong organisational skills, with a structured yet flexible and responsive approach focused on achieving results
- A non-judgemental, open-minded and empathetic approach, with sensitivity to individuals and the wider community
- Flexibility to meet the needs of young people
About the Organisation
You will join a vibrant youth charity providing a safe, welcoming and inspiring space for young people across West London. Open seven days a week outside school hours, the organisation offers sports, arts, wellbeing support and employability programmes designed to help young people discover their potential. Benefits include 33 days’ annual leave inclusive of bank holidays, enhanced maternity & paternity leave, Birthday leave, free gym access, a workplace pension and training and development opportunities.
Head of Youth Work and Partnerships in London employer: West Youth Zone
At WEST Youth Zone, we pride ourselves on being an exceptional employer dedicated to empowering young people in West London. Our vibrant work culture fosters collaboration and creativity, providing staff with opportunities for professional growth and development while making a meaningful impact in the community. With a focus on inclusivity and support, we offer a dynamic environment where you can thrive as part of a passionate team committed to nurturing the potential of every young person.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Head of Youth Work and Partnerships in London
✨Get Involved Locally
Dive into local volunteer opportunities or social initiatives. This not only beefs up your CV but also connects you with like-minded folks in nonprofits. Plus, it shows your passion for social impact, which is key for getting noticed by West Youth Zone.
✨Tap into Professional Networks
Join networks like the National Council for Voluntary Organisations (NCVO) or local charities to meet professionals in the sector. Attend events and workshops to build relationships and learn about potential openings at organisations like West Youth Zone.
✨Showcase Your Commitment
When prepping for interviews, be ready to speak about your personal connection to social issues. Dive into specific examples of how you’ve contributed to community projects – this will resonate with the mission-driven vibe at West Youth Zone.
✨Utilise Online Platforms
We’re all about making connections, so use platforms like Idealist and CharityJob to hunt for full-time roles. And of course, you should keep an eye on our website for exciting opportunities at West Youth Zone. Apply directly through us to stand out!
We think you need these skills to ace Head of Youth Work and Partnerships in London
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Your Passion for the Cause:In the nonprofit sector, it's super important to demonstrate genuine passion for the mission of West Youth Zone. Use your cover letter to showcase any personal experiences or volunteer work that connects you to their social impact initiatives. This emotional connection can really help your application stand out.
Highlight Relevant Experience:When crafting your CV, be sure to include any relevant projects or roles that showcase your skills in social impact. Whether it's community organising, fundraising, or advocacy, highlight what you've done and the difference it's made. Don’t just list tasks; quantify your achievements and the outcomes of your efforts.
Tailor Your Documents to the Role:For a full-time role like Head of Youth Work and Partnerships, ensure your CV and cover letter specifically address the responsibilities outlined in the job description. Use their language to describe your skills and experience, making it easy for the hiring team to see how you fit into their vision.
Emphasise Teamwork and Collaboration:Nonprofits thrive on teamwork, so make sure to emphasise your collaborative experiences. Whether you've worked in a team setting, partnered with community organisations, or facilitated group projects, highlight these experiences in your application. Show them you understand the importance of working alongside diverse individuals to achieve shared goals.
How to prepare for a job interview at West Youth Zone
✨Show Your Passion for Social Change
When we’re prepping for interviews in the nonprofit space, it's vital to demonstrate our genuine passion for social impact. Be ready to discuss not just your skills and experiences but also why you care about the mission of West Youth Zone. Sharing personal stories or insights can really make us stand out.
✨Highlight Project Experience
We should focus on specific projects we've worked on that align with the goals of social impact. Whether that’s a community initiative, volunteering, or a class project, having solid examples that showcase our role and the outcomes will resonate well with the interviewers.
✨Familiarity with Relevant Tools and Practices
Let’s brush up on tools and methodologies commonly used in the nonprofit sector, like project management software or outcome measurement frameworks. Being able to speak fluently about these will show that we’re not just passionate but also knowledgeable and ready to hit the ground running.
✨Prepare for Scenario-Based Questions
Expect scenario-based questions that evaluate our problem-solving skills in real-world social issues. Think about how we’d handle challenges in the nonprofit environment and prepare stories that demonstrate our critical thinking and adaptability. Role-playing with a friend could help us feel more confident!
