Programme Growth & Partnerships Manager
Salary: £37,000 per annum
Hours: 37.5 hours per week
Location: Hybrid, based in Essex, with travel across Essex and neighbouring counties
Contract: 12-month fixed-term contract, with the intention to extend subject to funding
Responsible to: Managing Director
How to apply
Please complete our online application form here: https://forms.gle/YtUyjZ481nwdqM8M6
CVs alone will not be accepted.
Application deadline: 5pm, Monday 31 August 2026
Shortlisted candidates notified: Wednesday 2 September 2026
In-person interviews: Monday 7th September 2026
About Lads Need Dads
Lads Need Dads is an award-winning Community Interest Company dedicated to improving outcomes for boys growing up without a consistent father figure.
For over a decade, we have worked alongside schools, families and communities to provide early intervention before boys reach crisis point. Through mentoring, school-based programmes, family support and professional training, we help boys build confidence, resilience, stronger relationships and practical skills for the future.
We are now looking for a Programme Growth & Partnerships Manager to help us expand our reach while maintaining the quality, relationships and values at the heart of our work.
About the role
This is a varied, hands-on role within a small and growing organisation. Working closely with the Managing Director and Director of Education & Training, you will help grow our school-based programmes, develop strong partnerships with schools and other organisations, recruit and manage volunteers, and help oversee new Reading Mentor and LadPods programmes.
You will take ownership of your areas of responsibility and be expected to use your own initiative, build relationships and follow opportunities through from initial conversations to programmes being successfully established.
This is not a purely office-based partnership or management role. You will develop a good understanding of our frontline work and, when needed, work alongside the team supporting boys and young men at programme sessions, activities and events.
Key responsibilities
- Grow Lads Need Dads programmes and develop relationships with new and existing schools.
- Build strong relationships with Headteachers, senior leaders, safeguarding and pastoral teams and other partners.
- Help establish and coordinate new Reading Mentor and LadPods programmes.
- Recruit, interview, manage and supervise volunteer mentors, including supporting safer recruitment, induction and ongoing engagement.
- Liaise between schools, volunteers, facilitators and the wider Lads Need Dads team.
- Help carefully match Reading Mentors with individual boys and ensure mentors are properly supported.
- Build partnerships with academy trusts, local authorities, Family Hubs, charities, businesses, universities and community organisations.
- Support expansion into new geographical areas and represent Lads Need Dads at meetings, networking events and conferences.
- Monitor programme progress, school engagement and volunteer recruitment and contribute to evaluation and funder reporting.
- Support frontline programme delivery and activities when required.
- Help ensure growth remains well organised, sustainable and consistent with our safeguarding procedures and relational approach.
About you
We are looking for someone who is proactive, organised and confident working independently while also enjoying being part of a small team.
You will need:
- Experience of working with children or young people and a genuine passion for improving their lives and opportunities.
- Experience within schools, education, youth work, community organisations or a related setting.
- Strong relationship-building, communication and presentation skills.
- Experience of developing partnerships and professional relationships.
- Experience of recruiting, coordinating, managing or supervising volunteers or staff.
- Experience of coordinating programmes, projects or services.
- The ability to manage competing priorities, use your own initiative and follow work through without close supervision.
- Confidence communicating with everyone from young people and volunteers to Headteachers, senior leaders and external partners.
- A practical, flexible approach and willingness to get involved wherever needed.
- Strong IT skills.
- A full UK driving licence and access to your own vehicle, with the ability to travel regularly across Essex and occasionally elsewhere in the UK.
- A strong commitment to safeguarding and to the values of Lads Need Dads.
Experience within the charity or voluntary sector, mentoring, safer recruitment, programme expansion or delivering workshops and training would be advantageous.
This is an opportunity to join Lads Need Dads at an important stage of our development and play a significant part in delivering our 2026–2029 Strategic Plan.
Pay: Up to £37,000.00 per year
Benefits:
Work Location: Hybrid remote in Colchester CO7 0GG
