Programme Manager - School Inclusivity And Pe Networks

Icf; England; On-site; GBP 42,000 - 60,000; Full time

Job summary

ICF is seeking a programme lead to shape and continually improve a school-facing network initiative focused on inclusivity, physical activity and youth engagement. You will translate evidence and practitioner experience into practical tools, training and peer learning for schools.

You will work with schools, partners and funders to test approaches, ensure safeguarding and accessibility, and deliver high-quality resources and events across the sector.

Qualifications

• Significant experience in education, school sport, enrichment or youth development programmes.
• Experience assessing high-quality learning materials or professional development resources.
• Strong facilitation, relationship management and influencing across schools and partners.
• Ability to analyse research and monitoring data and turn insights into practical solutions.
• Experience managing staff, suppliers and partner-delivered work.

Responsibilities

• Support development of the programme model and annual delivery plan.
• Convene communities of practice and learning networks with schools and partners.
• Collate and disseminate sector best-practice toolkits, guidance and resources.
• Gather insight from schools, pupils and sector specialists to inform improvements.
• Manage delivery partners and programme staff with clear briefs and milestones.
• Monitor reach, engagement and outcomes; present learning to funders and leaders.
• Ensure children and young people’s voice, accessibility and safeguarding considerations are embedded.

Skills

Education program design

Facilitation & stakeholder management

Analysis of research & monitoring data

Staff, supplier & partner management

Community networks & learning faciliti

Job description

Role purpose

Leading the design and continuous improvement of a school-facing network programme that strengthens inclusivity, PE, play and physical activity. The role connects evidence, professional practice and the experiences of schools and young people to useful resources, training and peer learning that schools can apply in their own settings. It will help ensure that schools can access clear, practical support, share solutions to common challenges and build lasting confidence and capability, .

Key responsibilities

• Support development of the programme model, annual delivery plan and contribute to shaping the quality assurance approach for school and practitioner support.
• Convene communities of practice and learning networks, enabling schools and partners to test, adapt and share effective approaches.
• Collate and disseminate sector best‑practice toolkits, guidance, self‑assessment tools, training and digital resources
• Gather insight from schools, pupils and sector specialists and turn findings into practical programme improvements.
• Manage delivery partners, subject matter experts and programme staff, setting clear briefs, milestones and acceptance criteria.
• Monitor reach, engagement, inclusion and outcomes, and present learning to funders, policy stakeholders and senior leaders.
• Ensure children and young people’s voice, accessibility and safeguarding considerations are embedded throughout programme design and delivery.

Skills, knowledge and experience

• Significant experience in education, school sport, PE, enrichment, youth development or school improvement programmes.
• Experience assessing high-quality learning materials, professional development or practice improvement resources.
• Strong facilitation, relationship management and influencing skills across schools, community providers, networks and national partners.
• Ability to analyse research, feedback and monitoring information and convert it into usable solutions.
• Experience managing staff, suppliers and partner-delivered work and maintaining consistent quality.

Personal qualities

• Inclusive and collaborative, with the confidence to build trust across schools, community organisations, public bodies and delivery partners.
• Organised and solutions-focused, able to manage competing priorities while maintaining quality and accurate records.
• Committed to widening participation and motivated to reducing barriers to sport and physical activity for underserved groups.
• Comfortable travelling and working flexibly when programme activity, events or partner engagement requires it.