Director of Programmes
Clore Social Leadership

Job Description

We are looking to recruit an experienced, strategic and purpose-driven Director of Programmes who will develop, deliver and scale our portfolio of leadership and management programmes and products, helping the social sector to thrive.
 

Introduction
Clore Social Leadership is one of the UK’s most respected leadership development providers for social purpose and non-profit leaders. Through skills and development programmes, we support and invest in social leaders, enabling them to build the capabilities, confidence and resilience to transform their organisations, communities and the world around them.

Since 2010, we have supported over 4,000 individuals from nearly 3,000 social purpose organisations. Through our transformative skills and development programmes, we empower individuals from local grassroots initiatives to global organisations to become agents of change. In partnership, we have developed leadership programmes for people with lived and/or learned experience of racial inequalities, youth services, immigration systems, criminal justice systems, social immobility, homelessness, gender inequalities, health inequalities and climate change.

We prioritise leadership development opportunities in three key areas:

  1. Individuals: We believe that effective change starts with empowered individuals. Our programmes equip individuals with the skills, confidence and strategic thinking needed to excel as leaders, for broader societal transformation.
  2. Organisations: We recognise the pivotal role of organisations in driving impact, we offer tailored solutions that enhance leadership capabilities within organisations. By strengthening organisational leadership, we amplify their ability to create meaningful change.
  3. Communities: We acknowledge the local and grassroots level as a powerful source of change, we equip leaders working in a 'place' or within a 'practice' with the tools and networks to work together to amplify their voices, implement solutions, and create tangible impact within their communities.

Role Description
The Director of Programmes is responsible for providing strategic and creative leadership to develop high quality, effective and impactful programmes and products that reflect and meet the needs of the social sector.

Main responsibilities

  • Lead the design, development and delivery of leadership and management programmes, ensuring that interventions are innovative, transformational and in alignment with Clore Social’s capabilities framework and model. This will include curriculum and module design, utilising own expertise and working in partnership with others to develop learning materials. 
  • Preparation for, and some facilitation of, peer learning, residentials and other programme events.
  • Oversee the recruitment, moderation and engagement of Clore Social programme participants.
  • Build and maintain a team of diverse and high quality consultants to deliver our programmes. This includes managing relationships and agreements with them and ensuring they deliver to Clore Social values and standards.
  • Oversee the evaluation of the programme outcomes and impact and closely monitor feedback and other data in order to drive continuous improvement.
  • Collaborate with the CEO and the Director of Development on Clore Social’s Organisational Learning and Development offer, bringing expertise to develop bespoke packages that meet the individual needs of organisations within social purpose organisations and businesses.
  • Contribute to the communications of Clore Social and be a thought leader on social sector leadership issues.
  • Support and lead, where appropriate, relationships with key stakeholders, including existing and potential funding partners. 
  • Develop and manage the Programmes budget.
  • Stay up to date with leadership development and social sector trends.
  • Provide co-leadership of the organisation as a member of the senior leadership team.
  • Consistently demonstrate the values of the Clore Social Leadership.

Key relationships

  • The Director of Programmes will be part of our small, focused team of eight. You will work collaboratively across the team and, as a member of the senior leadership team, provide visible leadership within the organisation. 
  • The role will be managed by the CEO. 
  • The Director of Programmes leads the Programmes staff team. This will include line managing three members of staff: the Head of Programmes, the Programmes and Operations Administrator and Racial Equity Programme Lead.
  • Key relationships will be built and maintained with partner organisations and a wide pool of programme directors, facilitators, coaches and trainers. 

Person specification

This role is ideal for a driven and visionary professional eager to make a significant impact. You will have a proven track record in designing and delivering high-profile leadership development initiatives that drive meaningful change. Bold and imaginative, you will help Clore Social expand its influence and deepen its impact by shaping innovative programmes that respond to sector needs. A confident and persuasive communicator and manager, you will combine strategic thinking with strong organisational skills, attention to detail, and a commitment to excellence.

You will join an experienced, talented and friendly team during an exciting period of change for the organisation. As a team-player in a small organisation, you will balance strategic thinking with hands-on delivery, working independently and collaboratively to achieve goals. 

Personal qualities

  • Focused: A strategic thinker, combining both practical and theoretical knowledge of learning and development, whilst maintaining a high attention to detail.
  • Inclusive: Driven to create accessible learning for diverse audiences.
  • Creative and Innovative: Proven ability to think creatively and deploy ideas innovatively, challenging the status quo to seek continuous improvement, in response to sector needs.
  • Collaborative: Expertise and enjoyment in forming strategic partnerships and working with a broad range of stakeholders.
  • Passionate: About the power of learning and development in catalysing social change

Qualifications and experience (E=essential, D=desirable)

  • Deep expertise in learning and development, with a thorough understanding of what drives its effectiveness (E)
  • Proven expertise in designing, delivering and evaluating impactful leadership development and management training programmes, tailored to diverse audiences (E)
  • Direct experience of facilitation and speaking to a wide range of audiences (E)
  • An awareness and understanding of the skills and attributes needed for a thriving and evolving social sector (E)
  • Experience of effective operational delivery of complex programmes, managing projects and people (E)
  • Designing and implementing organisational learning and development initiatives across social, private, and public sector organisations, with a proven ability to adapt approaches to diverse contexts and audiences (D)
  • Experience of action learning facilitation, coaching and mentoring (D)
  • Experience of designing and delivering leadership development programmes beyond conventional training (D)
  • Experience of innovations, growing and managing new projects (D)
  • Experience of fundraising and earned income (D)
  • Experience of financial management, budgets and strategy development (D)
  • Experience of working in or collaborating with private and public sectors (D)

Hours and place of work
This is a full-time role to be fulfilled over a 35-hour week, within core working hours (Mon-Fri, 10am–4pm UK time), with flexibility as required.

This is a hybrid role with one day a week in our shared office space in London (Better Space, 127 Farringdon Road, London EC1R 3DA), the travel costs of which must be covered by the individual. We are open to discussing this arrangement further to accommodate individual needs and preferences.

Further UK travel will be required on occasion, the costs of which would be covered by Clore Social Leadership.

Terms, pay and benefits

  • This is a permanent contract.
  • Salary for this role will be £55,000-£60,000 p/a.
  • The post holder is entitled to 25 days of annual leave, in addition to UK statutory holidays.
  • The office is closed for one week during the winter festive period (25-31 December), providing an additional three days of annual leave in addition to the above allocation.
  • You have the option to join our contributory pension scheme. The employer's contribution is 3% with a minimum employee contribution of 5%.

Application process
We are committed to fostering an inclusive environment. We value and respect every individual, regardless of their race, gender, age, sexual orientation, disability or background, and actively seek to eliminate bias, promote equality and provide equal opportunities for all to showcase their talents and be evaluated solely on their qualifications, skills and potential. We conduct a blind recruitment process to ensure fairness and equity by anonymising applications, removing names and identifiable information.

If you are passionate about making a profound impact and thrive in a dynamic, values-driven environment, we encourage you to submit an application.

Please apply through Charity Jobs. You will be asked to send:

  • Your CV (two pages max.), including relevant work experience.
  • A cover letter (one page max.), which addresses your suitability for and interest in the role.

Key dates
Applications close: 12:00pm Monday 6 January 2025
First round interviews (online): Friday 17 January 2025 (flexibility can be offered)
Final interviews (in person): Wednesday 22 or Friday 24 January 2025 (flexibility can be offered)

Travel expenses for in-person interviews will be reimbursed on submission of valid receipts.

In line with the Equality Act 2010, we are committed to offering reasonable adjustments throughout the recruitment process and beyond.

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Clore Social Leadership is committed to a policy of equality and diversity.

Registered charity number: 1136727