Head of Programmes

Job Description Job StructureReports to:Director of Learning and ImpactDirect reports:Programme Leads, Programmes CoordinatorLocation:Haringey, with travel across London boroughs as requiredHours:40 hours per week (including 1 hour lunch break)Benefits25 days annual leave plus 8 bank holidays, your birthday off, and an extra day per year of service (up to 5 additional days)Death in Service cover (up to 4x annual salary / fixed amount for part-time roles)Enhanced sick payEye care benefits for those using display screensUp to 750 annual CPD budget to support your professional developmentA dedicated wellness package promoting staff health and wellbeingTeam building and transformation days to strengthen collaboration and personal growthProfessional mentoring and ongoing supervisionA comprehensive induction and training programme to help you thrive from day oneAbout Sister SystemFounded in 2018, Sister System is a charitable organisation and an Open College Network (OCN) approved centre dedicated to empowering girls and young women aged 13-24 affected by the care system.Our approach is co-designed with care-affected young women to ensure that their lived experiences continue to drive meaningful change and shape our progression. Built on proven therapeutic models, our long-term mentoring, accredited qualifications, and leadership development programmes strengthen resilience, confidence, and essential life skills.Our model seeks to break intergenerational cycles by equipping young women with the tools to thrive and lead change. Through a strong sense of community, peer networks, and trusted adult relationships, we create clear pathways into education, employment, and socio-economic stability, supporting a life free from abuse.Throughout her journey with Sister System, each girl participates in weekly one-to-one and group sessions focused on self-education and personal growth. These sessions explore the social and emotional transition to womanhood while building a supportive network of sisters who continue to empower one another during key life transitions. Our programmes are accessible to girls and young women at any stage of educational attainment, enabling all Sis-Stars to learn, grow, and thrive.Our ProgrammesAll our programmes have been co-curated with young women in care and are built upon proven therapeutic models of intervention. We deliver a set of inclusive, empowering, enabling, and exploratory programmes. These focus on self-education, investigating the social and emotional impact of the transition to womanhood and creating a network of sisters who can continue to support each other's growth throughout key transitional periods. Our programmes are delivered in such a way that sisters at any stage of educational attainment can access, learn, grow, and thrive.Job PurposeSister System is seeking an experienced and dynamic Head of Programmes to lead the operational delivery and continuous improvement of our mentoring, learning, and development programmes for care-affected girls and young women aged 1324. The postholder will oversee the full programme cycle from referral and assessment through to delivery, evaluation, and progression ensuring all work is trauma-informed, evidence-based, and aligned with Sister Systems mission and OCN accreditation standards. Acting as the central link between the leadership team and delivery staff, the Head of Programmes will manage and develop a high-performing team, maintain quality assurance across all programme stages, and foster strong partnerships with schools, local authorities, and community organisations to drive measurable impact and long-term systemic change.This role holds operational oversight of all programme delivery, team management, and quality assurance, ensuring that our work achieves its intended outcomes, aligns with our organisational strategy, and continues to grow in impact and reach.Key ResponsibilitiesProgramme Leadership and DeliveryLead the design, coordination, and delivery of all Sister System programmes, services, and activities in line with organisational aims and funder requirements.Oversee programme planning, scheduling, and annual mapping to ensure smooth delivery and strategic alignment across all three stages (Enable, Enhance, Empower).Work with the Safeguarding Lead to manage referral, assessment, and placement processes to ensure beneficiaries are appropriately matched to programmes and mentors, maintaining high standards of transparency and accountability throughout.Ensure all delivery follows Sister System's three-stage programme model, safeguarding standards, and quality expectations. Support programme delivery where needed, maintaining a visible leadership presence.Monitor the service user journey using Sister System's monitoring and evaluation tools and Salesforce CRM, working with the Head of Monitoring & Evaluation to track progress against work plans, indicators, and our evaluation framework.Conduct regular programme review meetings with team members and stakeholders to enhance information sharing, efficiency, and effectiveness of programme implementation.Programme Quality and ImpactOversee programme quality assurance, including risk assessment of referrals, benchmarking, and monitoring of Development & Progress reports.Work with the Internal Quality Assurer to ensure delivery meets agreed quality standards.Maintain oversight of portfolios of work produced by learners and mentors towards their qualifications, in collaboration with the Learning & Development Lead and EET Progression Lead.Support the collection, analysis, and reporting of programme data to evidence impact and inform organisational learning.Play an active role in the impact evaluation cycle, managing and adapting programmes in line with outcomes and goals.Operational and Team LeadershipLead and support the mentor team in effective caseload management, ensuring appropriate workload balance and delivery quality.Line manage key programme staff, providing guidance, support, and supervision in line with organisational policies.Support staff wellbeing and development, ensuring a positive working environment.Ensure timely completion of paperwork, reports, and monitoring requirements across all programmes.Lead regular team meetings, contributing to a reflective, learning-focused organisational culture.Support implementation of Sister System's performance management systems and processes.Ensure compliance with all relevant policies and procedures, specifically safeguarding, Child Protection Policy, and Code of Conduct.Encourage a culture of learning, creativity, and innovation. Maintain good team communication and dynamics, taking remedial action when problems occur.External Partner ManagementCommission and manage a pool of external facilitators and delivery partners to meet agreed programme outcomes.Build and maintain strong relationships with referral partners, funders, and external stakeholders to support programme delivery and growth.Represent Sister System externally, promoting our model of culturally responsive, trauma-informed mentoring.Ensure all staff, partners, and stakeholders have clear understanding of Sister System's mission, vision, values, and policies, reflected in programme implementation.Strategic Development and Business GrowthContribute to the development of Sister System's programme strategy, aligning delivery with the 3-year plan and long-term system change goals.Contribute to Sister System's strategy development and revision by providing feedback on programme reach, impact, and strategic planning.Identify opportunities for programme innovation and growth, including developing new partnerships and supporting funding applications.Support senior leadership in reporting to funders and partners, contributing to organisational learning and sustainability planning.Represent Sister System at sector events and forums to promote our work and influence best practice in mentoring care-affected young women.SafeguardingSister System places the highest priority on safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people.The Head of Programmes will serve as a Designated Safeguarding Officer (DSO) with responsibility for safeguarding in the organisation, maintaining good knowledge of safeguarding guidance (including Keeping Children Safe in Education and Working Together to Safeguard Children) and related legislation (e.g., the Children Act 1989).Person SpecificationEssential Knowledge & ExperienceSignificant experience in programme management, delivery, and coordination within the charity/social impact sectorProven track record of managing multiple programmes or projects simultaneously, meeting targets and deadlinesExperience of line management and team leadership, including supervision and performance managementExperience managing relationships with external stakeholders, including funders, delivery partners, and referral agenciesExperience in safeguarding and child protection, including handling disclosures and managing riskKnowledge of the challenges faced by care-experienced young women and the care systemKnowledge of effective monitoring and evaluation approaches and impact measurementAwareness of equality, diversity, and inclusion principles in service deliveryDesirableExperience working with vulnerable young people, particularly care-experienced individuals or young womenExperience in mentoring programmes or youth development initiativesExperience working with trauma-informed and culturally responsive approachesExperience of co-production or 'by and for' programme design with service usersExperience in qualifications-based programmes (e.g., accredited learning)Skills & AbilitiesExcellent programme planning, coordination, and organisational skills with strong attention to detailStrong analytical skills with ability to interpret data and use it to inform decision-makingExcellent written and verbal communication skillsAbility to manage competing priorities and work effectively under pressureStrong relationship-building skills with ability to work collaboratively across teams and with external partnersHighly developed cultural awareness and ability to work well in an environment with people from diverse backgrounds and culturesProblem-solving skills with ability to adapt plans and respond to challengesAbility to lead, motivate, and support a team, fostering a positive and reflective cultureStrong administrative and IT skills, including proficiency with databases and monitoring systemsPersonal QualitiesPassionate commitment to Sister System's mission of supporting care-experienced young womenStrong alignment with Sister System's values and approach, including 'by and for' and trauma-informed practiceEmpathetic and non-judgemental approach to working with vulnerable young peopleResilient and able to manage emotional demands of the role while maintaining professional boundariesFlexible and adaptable approach to changing circumstances and organisational needsCommitment to continuous learning, reflection, and professional developmentHigh level of integrity, professionalism, and accountabilityAble to maintain confidentiality and handle sensitive information appropriatelyYou will demonstrate Sister Systems values: Tenacious, Solution-focused, Masterful, Collaborative and Evidence-basedOther RequirementsEnhanced DBS check will be required for this roleRight to work in the UKWillingness to work occasional evenings and weekends as required by programme deliverySafeguarding and Safer RecruitmentSister System is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of all children, young people, and vulnerable adults.The successful applicant will be required to complete an enhanced DBS check and provide two satisfactory references.Equal Opportunity StatementSister System is...

Created: 2025-12-17