Head of Programme Development (FTC – Maternity Cover)
Role Purpose
The Head of Programme Development leads the strategic direction, quality and evolution of Bookmark’s programme and resource offer to schools. The role provides leadership across Programme Development, ensuring a coherent, evidence‑informed offer that aligns with Bookmark’s vision, values and impact ambitions.
Working closely with SLT, the Head of Impact & Evaluation and line‑managing Programme Development Officers, the postholder ensures that programmes are high‑quality, responsive to school need and delivered efficiently through the team.
Contract type: Full‑time and fixed‑term contract (9‑12 months)
Salary: £46,000‑£50,000 FTE depending on experience and inclusive of London Weighting of £2k pro‑rata if based in London.
Work pattern: 5 days across the week (we are open to 0.8FTE, please discuss with us)
Reporting to: Chief Executive Officer – please note this role is not a member of the Senior Leadership Team.
Location: Bookmark Reading Charity, Charles House, 5‑11 Regent Street, Saint James's, London SW1Y 4LR. Minimum two days per week based at the Bookmark office or remote.
Application deadline: Monday 18 th May at 12pm
Shortlisting: w/c 18 th May 2026
1st Round interviews to be held in‑person: Tuesday 26 th May
2nd Round interviews to be held online: w/c 1 June 2026
Start date: Late June/Early July
Key Responsibilities
- Provide strategic leadership and oversight of Bookmark’s programme and resource offer to schools.
- Set priorities and direction for programme development in line with organisational strategy.
- Ensure consistency, quality and coherence across programmes and service lines.
- Identify opportunities for programme enhancement and new service development, working with SLT.
Line management and team leadership
- Line manage Programme Development Officers, providing strategic direction, prioritisation and professional support.
- Support clear ownership of defined programme pathways within the team.
- Ensure effective workload planning, decision‑making and collaboration across Programme Development.
- Embed a sustainable team structure that balances strategic leadership with delegated delivery responsibility.
Quality, evidence and impact
- Ensure programmes and resources are evidence‑informed and aligned with Reading for Pleasure best practice.
- Work in collaboration with the Head of Impact & Evaluation to support meaningful measurement and learning.
- Provide high‑level quality assurance of programme outputs developed by the team.
Partnerships and external engagement
- Provide strategic oversight of sector partnerships, including publishers and other external organisations.
- Support Programme Development Officers to maximise the value and impact of external relationships.
- Contribute to shaping Bookmark’s profile and credibility within the literacy and education sector.
Cross‑organisational collaboration
- Work closely with internal colleagues to ensure programme development is joined‑up and well communicated.
- Act as a key internal point of contact for programme‑related decision‑making.
- Champion continuous improvement in ways of working and internal processes.
General Responsibilities
- Ensure all programme activity is aligned with Bookmark’s brand, values and safeguarding standards.
- Maintain appropriate oversight of documentation and systems (e.g. Salesforce, SharePoint).
- Represent Bookmark professionally and positively internally and externally.
Person Specification
- Experience of leading programme or service development in an education, literacy or social impact context.
- Experience working with schools or in the literacy/education sector.
- Strong strategic thinking and prioritisation skills.
- Experience of line management and supporting others to deliver complex work.
- Excellent communication and relationship‑building skills.
- Ability to work collaboratively across teams and disciplines.
- Teaching or classroom experience.
- Familiarity with evidence‑informed programme design.
Equality and Diversity
Bookmark is committed to promoting a diverse and inclusive community. We aim to create a working environment in which all individuals are able to make the best use of their skills, free from discrimination or harassment, and in which all decisions are based on merit. Bookmark, and the charity sector more generally, supports a diverse range of communities, people and causes. However, this diversity is not reflected in our personnel, particularly at the senior leadership and board level. We aim at all times to recruit the person who is most suited to the job and welcome applications from people of all backgrounds – men and women, people of all ages, sexual orientations, nationalities, religions and beliefs. We recognise that talented people from diverse backgrounds sometimes hesitate to apply if they don’t meet every requirement. If you’re passionate about making a difference and believe you have the skills to succeed, we encourage you to apply.
We welcome any candidate who can contribute greater diversity in its widest sense to the organisation, including diversity of background, life experience, career path and thought.
Safeguarding
Bookmark is committed to safeguarding and promoting the well‑being and welfare of children and requires everyone associated with the charity, including all trustees, employees, and volunteers to share this commitment. Successful applicants will need to undergo child protection screening appropriate to the role, including references from past employers and Disclosure and Barring Service checks.
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Role Purpose
The Head of Programme Development leads the strategic direction, quality and evolution of Bookmark’s programme and resource offer to schools. The role provides leadership across Programme Development, ensuring a coherent, evidence‑informed offer that aligns with Bookmark’s vision, values and impact ambitions.
Working closely with SLT, the Head of Impact & Evaluation and line‑managing Programme Development Officers, the postholder ensures that programmes are high‑quality, responsive to school need and delivered efficiently through the team.
Contract type: Full‑time and fixed‑term contract (9‑12 months)
Salary: £46,000‑£50,000 FTE depending on experience and inclusive of London Weighting of £2k pro‑rata if based in London.
Work pattern: 5 days across the week (we are open to 0.8FTE, please discuss with us)
Reporting to: Chief Executive Officer – please note this role is not a member of the Senior Leadership Team.
Location: Bookmark Reading Charity, Charles House, 5‑11 Regent Street, Saint James’s, London SW1Y 4LR. Minimum two days per week based at the Bookmark office or remote.
Application deadline: Monday 18 th May at 12pm
Shortlisting: w/c 18 th May 2026
1st Round interviews to be held in‑person: Tuesday 26 th May
2nd Round interviews to be held online: w/c 1 June 2026
Start date: Late June/Early July
Key Responsibilities
- Provide strategic leadership and oversight of Bookmark’s programme and resource offer to schools.
- Set priorities and direction for programme development in line with organisational strategy.
- Ensure consistency, quality and coherence across programmes and service lines.
- Identify opportunities for programme enhancement and new service development, working with SLT.
Line management and team leadership
- Line manage Programme Development Officers, providing strategic direction, prioritisation and professional support.
- Support clear ownership of defined programme pathways within the team.
- Ensure effective workload planning, decision‑making and collaboration across Programme Development.
- Embed a sustainable team structure that balances strategic leadership with delegated delivery responsibility.
Quality, evidence and impact
- Ensure programmes and resources are evidence‑informed and aligned with Reading for Pleasure best practice.
- Work in collaboration with the Head of Impact & Evaluation to support meaningful measurement and learning.
- Provide high‑level quality assurance of programme outputs developed by the team.
Partnerships and external engagement
- Provide strategic oversight of sector partnerships, including publishers and other external organisations.
- Support Programme Development Officers to maximise the value and impact of external relationships.
- Contribute to shaping Bookmark’s profile and credibility within the literacy and education sector.
Cross‑organisational collaboration
- Work closely with internal colleagues to ensure programme development is joined‑up and well communicated.
- Act as a key internal point of contact for programme‑related decision‑making.
- Champion continuous improvement in ways of working and internal processes.
General Responsibilities
- Ensure all programme activity is aligned with Bookmark’s brand, values and safeguarding standards.
- Maintain appropriate oversight of documentation and systems (e.g. Salesforce, SharePoint).
- Represent Bookmark professionally and positively internally and externally.
Person Specification
- Experience of leading programme or service development in an education, literacy or social impact context.
- Experience working with schools or in the literacy/education sector.
- Strong strategic thinking and prioritisation skills.
- Experience of line management and supporting others to deliver complex work.
- Excellent communication and relationship‑building skills.
- Ability to work collaboratively across teams and disciplines.
- Teaching or classroom experience.
- Familiarity with evidence‑informed programme design.
Equality and Diversity
Bookmark is committed to promoting a diverse and inclusive community. We aim to create a working environment in which all individuals are able to make the best use of their skills, free from discrimination or harassment, and in which all decisions are based on merit. Bookmark, and the charity sector more generally, supports a diverse range of communities, people and causes. However, this diversity is not reflected in our personnel, particularly at the senior leadership and board level. We aim at all times to recruit the person who is most suited to the job and welcome applications from people of all backgrounds – men and women, people of all ages, sexual orientations, nationalities, religions and beliefs. We recognise that talented people from diverse backgrounds sometimes hesitate to apply if they don’t meet every requirement. If you’re passionate about making a difference and believe you have the skills to succeed, we encourage you to apply.
We welcome any candidate who can contribute greater diversity in its widest sense to the organisation, including diversity of background, life experience, career path and thought.
Safeguarding
Bookmark is committed to safeguarding and promoting the well‑being and welfare of children and requires everyone associated with the charity, including all trustees, employees, and volunteers to share this commitment. Successful applicants will need to undergo child protection screening appropriate to the role, including references from past employers and Disclosure and Barring Service checks.
#J-18808-Ljbffr…