Head of Programme Development & Scale-up

WEBRECRUIT; London; Hybrid; GBP 73,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading organization focused on improving educational outcomes is seeking a Head of Programme Development & Scale-up. This role encompasses leading evidence-informed programmes to close the academic attainment gap, with a strong emphasis on collaborative project management and innovative programme design.

Benefits

Flexible working opportunities

27 days’ holiday plus bank holidays

6% employer pension contributions

Life insurance cover

Interest-free season ticket loan

Qualifications

• Experience in senior education roles.
• Track record in managing multi-disciplinary projects.
• Strong knowledge of evaluation and theory of change design.

Responsibilities

• Drive programme development and strategic scaling.
• Manage a team of Programme and Evaluation Managers.
• Lead design of new project phases.

Skills

Programme design

Leadership

Evaluation methods

Collaboration

Job description

Head of Programme Development & Scale-up (11 month maternity cover, secondment considered)
London (with hybrid working)

The Organisation

Our client is dedicated to breaking the link between family income and academic achievement.

They do this by supporting schools, colleges, and nurseries to improve teaching and learning through better use of evidence. They generate research evidence on effective practice in supporting learning outcomes and narrowing the socioeconomic attainment gap, and they work with professionals to ensure this evidence is applied to achieve the maximum possible benefit for children and young people.

They are now looking for a Head of Programme Development & Scale-up to join them on a full-time basis, for an 11-month fixed term contract to cover a period of maternity leave (with an ideal start date 27th October 2025), with secondments considered.

The Benefits

- Salary of £72,250 per annum
- Flexible start and end working times (core hours between 10am and 4pm)
- 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 an inspiring opportunity for a leader with strong programme design and evaluation experience to join our client’s evidence-led and mission-driven organisation.

You’ll have the chance to lead the development and scale-up of some of the UK’s most promising interventions, making a measurable difference in the lives of children and young people from disadvantaged backgrounds.

What’s more, with hybrid working, generous benefits, and a high-performing, collaborative culture, you’ll be empowered to shape strategy, guide innovation, and strengthen the sector’s ability to use research and evidence for lasting impact.

The Role

As Head of Programme Development & Scale-up, you will drive the development, evaluation, and strategic scaling of evidence-informed programmes that help close the academic attainment gap.

Leading a cross-functional team, you will oversee a portfolio of early-stage programme development and pilot evaluations, ensuring alignment with our client’s research agenda and wider organisational goals.

You’ll guide the selection and structuring of promising interventions, oversee risk and quality management, and co-ordinate with other teams to support strong programme design and impactful research.

Additionally, you will:

- Manage and mentor a team of Programme and Evaluation Managers
- Oversee high-profile scale-up initiatives, including reporting and co-funding opportunities
- Lead the design of new project phases
- Contribute to the senior management team
- Represent the organisation in national and international networks focused on evidence-based education

About You

To be considered as the Head of Programme Development & Scale-up, you will need:

- Substantial experience working in a senior education related role
- Extensive experience delivering or commissioning multiple projects in education or a related field
- A track record of delivery on collaborative projects requiring multi-disciplinary teams to deliver to timelines
- Strong knowledge of evaluation methods and theory of change design
- The ability to lead, motivate and manage a high-performing team
- A strong understanding of the education landscape
- An understanding of the evidence around strong programme design
- Familiarity with quantitative impact evaluation methods

All staff are subject to a check by the Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS).The level shall be a “Basic” level check.

Application Close: 28th July 2025
First Round Interviews: 6th August 2025
Second Round Interviews: 13th August 2025

Other organisations may call this role Programme Development Lead, Strategic Programme Development Lead, Head of Programme Design, Senior Programme Strategy and Evaluation Lead, or Head of Education Programme Development.

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 Head of Programme Development & Scale-up, please apply via the button shown. This vacancy is being advertised by Webrecruit. The services advertised by Webrecruit are those of an Employment Agency.