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

Education Endowment Foundation (EEF); London; Hybrid; GBP 73,000; Full time

Job summary

The Education Endowment Foundation seeks a Head of Programme Development & Scale-up for an 11-month maternity cover. The role requires a leader with extensive experience in program design and evaluation to drive impactful educational interventions aimed at closing the attainment gap in the UK.

Benefits

Flexible working opportunities

27 days holiday plus bank holidays

6% employer pension contributions

Life insurance cover

Interest-free season ticket loan

Qualifications

• Significant experience in a senior education role.
• Track record in delivering collaborative educational projects.
• Familiar with evaluation methods and design.

Responsibilities

• Lead the development and scaling of educational programmes.
• Manage a team of Programme and Evaluation Managers.
• Oversee high-profile initiatives and funding opportunities.

Skills

Programme design

Evaluation methods

Team leadership

Strategic planning

Collaboration

Job description

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

Job Reference

PDS090725

Location

London Office (Hybrid)

Function

Status

Full Time

Job Type

Fixed Term Contract

40 hours per week including a one hour lunch break

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

About Us

The Education Endowment Foundation (EEF) is an independent charity dedicated to breaking the link between family income and educational achievement.

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

The EEF’s reach and impact has been tremendous: the English education system is now one of the most evidence-informed in the world. Over half of state primary and secondary schools have taken part in an EEF-funded trial, and 70% of all school leaders use the Teaching and Learning Toolkit to inform their decision-making.

We are now looking for a Head of Programme Development & Scale-up to join us 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 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 education 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 educational impact.

The Role

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

Leading a cross-functional team, you will oversee a portfolio of early-stage programme development and pilot evaluations, ensuring alignment with our 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 us in national and international networks focused on evidence-based education

About You

To be considered as our 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 EEF 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 the Education Endowment Foundation 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.