Job Description

40,152.32

Full time / 40 hours and 5 days per week.

Permanent

Role Purpose:

Develop and manage new and existing Early Years audiences through creative and collaborative partnerships and programmes for nurseries, schools, families and community groups - both at the Gallery and as outreach. Lead, develop and manage an innovative, fun, relevant and exciting programme of activity and resources for babies and children aged 0-5 at the National Portrait Gallery ensuring this key audience is engaged and motivated. Establish and embed effective evaluation into activity in line with existing frameworks. Manage programme budgets. Work closely with Early Years stakeholders, external experts, community practitioners and providers to ensure authenticity and audience-focused development. Develop and maintain relationships with local Early Years settings, and practitioners to inform new and existing practice and provision through consultation, collaboration and piloting.
Work closely with the Head of Learning, and collaboratively with Early Years settings and practitioners to embed principles and approaches for emotional, social, language and creative skills development linked to the EYFS framework (https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/early-years-foundation-stage-framework-2), through the Gallery and its collections. Work closely with the Head of Learning to support the Gallery's new national sector partnership, focusing on emotional and social skills development through cultural engagement for 0-5s. Support the evaluation and sharing of findings across the cultural sector, as a core outcome of this partnership, and embed resulting principles into Gallery provision. Work closely with the Families & Young People's Programme Manager to support wider Families provision and continuity of approach beyond Early Years. Work closely with the Schools Programme Manager to ensure continuity of approach with the Primary programme. Champion Early Years audiences across the Gallery helping to embed a positive Early Years culture and thereby increasing the profile of the Gallery as child-friendly in its aims, outlook and activity Work closely with the Head of Learning and Digital Learning and Content Manager to support the development of online resources and CPD opportunities for Early Years practitioners, including via the Gallery's Schools hub npg.org.uk/schools-hub and through digital events. Work with the Schools and Marketing teams to help grow Nursery and Reception audiences through its various marketing strands, in line with the Schools marketing toolkit and tone of voice guidelines and continue to market Families provision. Contribute to funding bids and write reports as required. Ensure Early Years provision is inclusive and representative of broad equality, access and diversity issues. Work across the Learning and Engagement department and across the Gallery to develop and implement the Learning Policy and Strategy. Promote sustainable working practices, reducing the environmental impact of the Gallery's operations in line with its Sustainability Statement Manage and monitor risk assessments for all programmes on-site and off-site ensuring health and safety of participants in liaison with Programme Managers and other in-house expertise. Line management of project posts as required in relation to externally funded projects and programmes.

Key Accountabilities:

Work closely with the Head of Learning to represent Early Needs audiences and embed strategic positioning of the Gallery's Early Years provision. Ensure the effective planning, operation and resourcing of all elements of the programme for Early Years to ensure these are coordinated and delivered efficiently with the involvement of Learning Programme Assistants and volunteers. Provide effective leadership and development for the team of freelancers, artists and creative practitioners delivering programmes for Early Years. Form good working relationships with colleagues in the Learning and Engagement department and across the Gallery in Curatorial, Visitor Experience, Communications, Development, and Exhibitions as required. Line manage project posts as required in relation to externally funded projects and programmes. Support the training and development of Learning Volunteers relating to programmes and events for Early Years. Work closely with the Head of Learning to ensure all funded Early Years projects and partnerships are delivered effectively. Ensure provision is inclusive, relevant and representative of a diverse target audience. Embed audience consultation and/or co-design, piloting and evaluation where relevant, to ensure audience needs are met. Deliver all activity to agreed timescale and budget. Promote sustainable working practices, reducing the environmental impact of the Gallery's operations in line with its Sustainability Statement. Ensure GDPR, Health & Safety and Safeguarding compliance, across the post holder's area of responsibility.

The above list is indicative but not exhaustive. As such, in addition to the key accountabilities and responsibilities listed the post holder may be required to perform other duties commensurate with the scope and/or level of the role



To read the full job description, please follow the link: Early Years Programme Manager JD

Key Experience, Skills and Criteria:

Demonstrable experience of developing and managing Early Years experiences in a cultural or heritage setting. Ability to generate strong creative ideas and apply creative experience design to programme development on-site and online to build impactful learning opportunities for babies and children aged 0-5. Understanding of the EYFS framework and the potential for its application in a cultural or heritage setting. Demonstrable experience in project, partnership and budget management. Excellent communication, interpersonal and organisational skills with the ability to effectively represent the needs of Early Years audiences internally and externally. Excellent team player with a strong commitment to working collaboratively. Ability to manage and work to deliver to tight deadlines and schedules. High degree of computer literacy. A flexible approach to work. A keen interest in history, art and portraiture. A keen interest in the mission and purpose of the National Portrait Gallery and in building its offer for Early Years audiences. A strong commitment to equality and diversity with the ability to balance differing needs. The post is subject to an Enhanced Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) check.

We offer a competitive benefits package, including:

Generous pension scheme 27 days annual leave allowance, in addition to bank holidays Interest free season ticket and bicycle loans Rental deposit scheme Membership of the Civil Service Sports & Leisure club Access to independent, low cost healthcare schemes Employee assistance programme Free entry to many UK museums, galleries and exhibitions Staff discounts on purchases in online shop Professional & personal development opportunities

Closing date

for returned applications is

9:00am on October 6th.

First round interviews

will take place on the

15th of October

in person. Please indicate on the notes section of your application form, if you will be unable to make these dates.



We are committed to the employment and development of disabled people. When assessing and shortlisting our candidate pool for interviews, we are committed to removing any bias through our process to ensure all individuals with a disability are included. To be invited to the interview stage, you must show through your application that you meet the minimum criteria and/or the desirable skills required for the role. If you tell us that you have a disability we can make reasonable adjustments at interview, and, if you join us, to your work arrangements.

Application due

06/10/2025

Start date

Start as soon as possible

Work hours

40

Homepage

npg.org.uk