Deputy Director

Education Alliance for Life Chances; Bradford; Hybrid; GBP 45,000 - 60,000; Full time

Job summary

Education Alliance for Life Chances is seeking a Deputy Director to lead operational delivery as the organisation scales. You will shape strategy with the Director, expand School Health Hubs, and drive funding growth through a developing Philanthropy Strategy, culminating in the 2027 anniversary event.

You will oversee policies, procedures, and systems, embed performance monitoring, and build strong partnerships with NHS, local authorities and funders to ensure sustainable delivery.

Qualifications

• Significant experience in a senior operational, programme management or Deputy CEO role, ideally in a charity, social enterprise, public sector or health/education organisation
• Proven track record of scaling a service or programme from pilot to wider rollout
• Strong understanding of education and health systems and how they can work together for children and young people
• Demonstrable success in income generation, including bid writing and funder relationships
• Ability to think strategically and turn strategy into well-managed delivery
• Strong financial acumen, including budget management and management accounts
• Experience of line management and of building and motivating teams
• Experience of developing and embedding operational policies and ensuring compliance
• Experience of delivering high-profile events, campaigns or projects to a deadline, including working with external agencies
• Excellent relationship-building and influencing skills with senior leaders, trustees, funders and frontline staff
• Knowledge of governance, including board reporting
• Collaborative, can-do approach, comfortable in a small, fast-growing organisation
• Excellent organisation and prioritisation skills
• Experience in school health, public health, the NHS, children’s services or early intervention
• Knowledge of Bradford’s education, health and voluntary sector system
• Experience of multi-agency, place-based or collective impact approaches
• Experience of SEND or early years settings
• Experience of evaluation or working with research partners
• Experience of supporting or deputising for a Chief Executive or Director
• Experience of philanthropy, major donor or venture philanthropy fundraising
• Knowledge of the Bradford Opportunity Area programme and its legacy

Responsibilities

• Lead operational delivery of the Strategic Plan, turning priorities into clear delivery plans, milestones and resource plans
• Line manage programme leads and delivery staff, building a positive, high-performing culture
• Lead the School Health Hub expansion, including needs mapping, school selection, phasing and sustainable funding
• Build strong partnerships with NHS, public health, local authority and voluntary sector partners
• Lead bid development and steward funder relationships, including work with The Philanthropy Office North
• Put in place robust performance monitoring, risk management and reporting to the Director, Trustees and Partnership Board
• Embed evidence, data and impact measurement in delivery, working with Born in Bradford’s CAER
• Support the Partnership Board and wider governance, preparing papers and reports
• Work with the Director, Bookkeeper and Accountants on budgets, management accounts and restricted funds
• Represent EALC externally and deputise for the Director as required

Skills

Senior operations leadership

Programme management

Budget management

Fundraising

Stakeholder engagement

Team leadership

Governance reporting

Strategic planning

Job description

The Deputy Director is a new senior post, created to oversee operational delivery across EALC as we move from start-up to scale. As our senior operational lead, you will be responsible for delivering the priorities in our Strategic Plan across Act Locally, School Health Hubs and EDSP. You will also make sure the organisation has the policies, procedures and systems it needs to grow well.

You will lead the expansion of School Health Hubs from pilot to a sustainable, district-wide network. You will work alongside the Director to shape strategy, grow income through our developing Philanthropy Strategy, and deliver the 2027 “10 Years On” celebration marking a decade since the start of the Bradford Opportunity Area.

This is a rare opportunity to help build something, not maintain it. If you want your next role to make a lasting difference to children’s life chances, and to help show the country what Bradford can do, we would love to hear from you.

Priorities for the First 12 Months

• Review, update and embed EALC’s core operational policies and procedures, including HR, safeguarding, data protection, finance, health and safety, and risk management
• Design and deliver the “10 Years On” celebration event in 2027
• Work with the Director to shape and develop EALC’s Philanthropy Strategy
• Act as the day-to-day link with our communications support organisation so the communications strategy is delivered on time and on message

Key Responsibilities

• Lead operational delivery of the Strategic Plan, turning priorities into clear delivery plans, milestones and resource plans
• Line manage programme leads and delivery staff, building a positive, high-performing culture
• Lead the School Health Hub expansion, including needs mapping, school selection, phasing and sustainable funding
• Build strong partnerships with NHS, public health, local authority and voluntary sector partners
• Lead bid development and steward funder relationships, including work with The Philanthropy Office North
• Put in place robust performance monitoring, risk management and reporting to the Director, Trustees and Partnership Board
• Embed evidence, data and impact measurement in delivery, working with Born in Bradford’s CAER
• Support the Partnership Board and wider governance, preparing papers and reports
• Work with the Director, Bookkeeper and Accountants on budgets, management accounts and restricted funds
• Represent EALC externally and deputise for the Director as required

Person Specification

• Significant experience in a senior operational, programme management or Deputy CEO role, ideally in a charity, social enterprise, public sector or health/education organisation
• A proven track record of scaling a service or programme from pilot to wider rollout
• A strong understanding of the education and health systems and how they can work together for children and young people
• Demonstrable success in income generation, including bid writing and funder relationships
• The ability to think strategically and turn strategy into well-managed delivery
• Strong financial acumen, including budget management and management accounts
• Experience of line management and of building and motivating teams
• Experience of developing and embedding operational policies and ensuring compliance
• Experience of delivering high-profile events, campaigns or projects to a deadline, including working with external agencies
• Excellent relationship-building and influencing skills with senior leaders, trustees, funders and frontline staff
• A good working knowledge of governance, including board reporting
• A collaborative, can-do approach, comfortable in a small, fast-growing organisation
• Excellent organisation and prioritisation skills
• Experience in school health, public health, the NHS, children’ s services or early intervention
• Knowledge of Bradford’s education, health and voluntary sector system
• Experience of multi-agency, place-based or collective impact approaches
• Experience of SEND or early years settings
• Experience of evaluation or working with research partners
• Experience of supporting or deputising for a Chief Executive or Director
• Experience of philanthropy, major donor or venture philanthropy fundraising
• Knowledge of the Bradford Opportunity Area programme and its legacy

Key dates

• Shortlisting: Friday 20 November 2026

Location Bradford, with regular travel to partner organisations across the district. Hybrid working possible.

Salary £45,000 - £60,000 FTE, depending on experience (pro rata for part-time). Appointment normally between £45,000 and £50,000, with progression up to £60,000 subject to performance and funding.

Contract Permanent, subject to ongoing funding (current funding secured until September 2028)

Working Pattern Full-time (37 hours per week) or part-time (minimum 18.5 hours per week)