Programme Lead

ACF; United Kingdom; Remote; GBP 48,000 - 57,000; Full time

Job summary

A charitable foundation in the United Kingdom is seeking a Programme Lead to provide strategic and operational leadership for a pilot program. You will oversee a multi-partner consortium, manage a budget of £2.1m, and ensure equitable support for up to 640 charities. The role requires strong leadership skills and a passion for community development. Flexibility in work location is offered, with some travel to London and across England.

Benefits

Salary of £56,501 per annum (FTE)

Flexibility in working location with travel allowances

Qualifications

• Experience in strategic leadership within charitable or not-for-profit organizations.
• Strong skills in budget management and governance.
• Proven ability to lead a diverse team and collaborate with multiple partners.

Responsibilities

• Provide strategic and operational leadership to the pilot.
• Ensure high-quality support for participating organizations.
• Manage delivery, performance, and governance of the project.

Job description

As Programme Lead, you’ll provide strategic and operational leadership of the pilot, ensuring high-quality support for up to 640 participating organisations and effective collaboration across a consortium of eight partners.

Application Deadline: 12/7/2025

Job Description

We’re an independent charitable foundation funded by Lloyds Banking Group. We work in partnership with small and local charities, people and communities, changing lives and working towards a more just and compassionate society. This is an exciting time to join Lloyds Bank Foundation.

About the Programme

The Foundation has been awarded a £2.1m grant by the National Lottery Community Fund to deliver a pilot as part of its Grant Holder Support programme. The pilot, Investing in the Power of Civil Society (IIPCS), will support up to 640 charities across the Northwest, Southwest of England and Yorkshire and Humber. Delivered in partnership with eight organisations – IVAR, Groundwork UK and local trusts, CAST, The School for Social Entrepreneurs, NCVO, Voice4Change England, the AVOCADO Foundation and Access (advisory) – the pilot will offer diagnostic‑led, tailored and relational support to help organisations strengthen their work. Support will focus on resilience, environmental impact, readiness for AI and digital technology, enabling participating charities to adapt and thrive in a rapidly changing world. With a strong emphasis on equity and access, the pilot is designed to ensure organisations of all sizes and backgrounds can benefit.

We will be using a test‑and‑learn approach – trying out new ways of supporting charities, learning from what works and what doesn’t, and using those insights to improve future programmes. This approach will help shape NLCF’s future support for both grant holders and grant seekers, strengthen the Foundation and partners’ own development practice, and contribute to wider learning across the sector.

About the Role

As Programme Lead, you’ll have overall responsibility for the successful delivery of this ambitious and collaborative pilot. You’ll lead a multi‑partner consortium, oversee a £2.1m budget, and ensure that up to 640 charities receive high‑quality, equitable support. You’ll manage delivery, governance, performance and learning, while championing a test‑and‑learn approach that generates insights for the Foundation, the National Lottery Community Fund, and the wider sector. You’ll also lead a small team and play an active role in the Foundation’s leadership group. This is a strategic and hands‑on role for someone who thrives in complexity, values collaboration, and is passionate about strengthening small and local charities.

Benefits

• Salary of £56,501 per annum (FTE)
• There is flexibility as to where this role is based; however, regular travel to London and across England will be required, with some overnight stays

Location

Remote