Job Description

Title:

Programme Manager - Discovery

Reports to:

Regional Programme Director

Direct Reports:

Programme Officer

Contract Type:

Fixed-term contract until 31st August 2026 (Further extension subject to funding)

Located:

Birmingham / Walsall

Hours:

5 days per week (37.5 Hours) Worked between Monday- Friday

Salary:

Grade 2 40,736 - 44,056 FTE salary, (5% employer pension contribution, Medicash and group life assurance, 27 days annual leave per annum for FTE plus bank holidays)

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Why Discovery is Important

Discovery is the first one year phase of an exciting journey for a hyperlocal community to really be led, involve multiple voices and shape what is needed in terms of system change, service delivery and development for that community.

We at RTS could replicate a programme from a different place which would be quicker, however this contradicts our principle of co-design. We could design a programme based on existing available data, however it would not be informed by the perspectives of the whole community. We could place one organisation in charge of delivering the programme, again this approach does not build capacity within the community so isn't sustainable long-term.

This is why we embark on Discovery Projects in all new communities we work with. This position will play a vital role in ensuring the community voice is present in every part of a potential future programme design.

Role Summary

The Programme Manager for Discovery is responsible for managing the day-to-day delivery of the Discovery Project for the community at local level. You will be working closely with a number of public sector, education sector and third sector agencies serving low-income communities. You will support these groups and the Right to Succeed programme team in building a detailed picture of the assets and challenges in the community, overseeing the planning, delivery and review of youth and community consultations, co-designing a delivery programme to address the needs identified by the Steering Group and working with all stakeholders to develop collaboration, shared approaches and a common vision, within an agreed framework, aimed at meeting the development, wellbeing and connectivity needs of those children and families deemed most at risk through a collective approach.

Key responsibilities

Programme Manager - Discovery

You will work with the Regional Programme Director, programme team and wider Right to Succeed team to ensure the delivery of an effective Discovery programme:

Support the identification of key stakeholders relevant to the local area , and develop and maintain relationships of trust and influence in order to further the aims of the programme. Support the identification of key areas of strength and development within the current local area provision for children and young people, particularly in relation to early identification of need and effective intervention for children, young people and families. Facilitate meaningful discussions and a collective impact approach between service providers, education providers and local agencies to co-design solutions to meet identified needs, using a range of creative approaches including workshops and consultations. Coordinate the meaningful engagement of residents and young people in the project, building on the knowledge and relationships developed by local organisations and community groups. Support the identification of training and development needs in relation to the programme and liaise effectively with local and national partners to build the capacity of professionals. Coordinate and contribute to the creation and dissemination of a Discovery report which summarises the findings and collective action of the Discovery process in the West Midlands. Support the creation of a detailed programme delivery plan which responds to the needs identified during Discovery and which has been co-designed with local stakeholders. Help local partners to reflect on the learning gained through this work and spread that learning throughout their agencies and across the project to multi-agency colleagues. If or when required provide line manager support to a Programme Officer, supporting them to carry out their role effectively.

Other responsibilities

Ensure the programme is delivered to a high standard

Work with internal stakeholders to ensure effective planning, timescales, partnerships, interventions, data collection and measurement frameworks for the programme. Design and develop processes that will provide clarity around accountability for programme targets and key areas of activity. Oversee the monitoring of performance at a local level, ensuring that the programme is performing as expected and highlighting areas of performance concern. Help shape the culture, infrastructure and systems of local programme partners to inform the iterative development of the programme. Facilitate the sharing of best practice and learning across the local partners in your area.

Build partnerships & manage relationships

Oversee relationships with local partners, ensuring the right relationships are in place and managed to the highest levels of care. With support build and manage local level partnerships with best practice deliverers, influencers, schools, and commissioners in your area. Ensure that memorandums of understanding and contracts with all local partners on the Project set clear expectations regarding deliverables and the way the partnership is represented publicly. Ensure that robust processes and procedures are in place for managing all partnerships effectively, particularly in reference to new local partners.

Communication and representation

Work with Right to Succeed and regional contacts to build awareness of the Cradle to Career Project in your region. Act as an ambassador for Right to Succeed and the Place Projects at a local level and work with the Regional Programme Director to identify opportunities whereby key thematic learning can be shared both locally and nationally.

Support the wider team to:

Identify partnerships that could lead to further funding for the charity's work in this area. Understand the opportunities to replicate and scale the programme and ensure that the processes and procedures behind the programme support this. Ensure learning from both external research and operational practice is reported back in order to enhance organisational learning and improve future practice and programme design. Ensure robust and efficient feedback and reporting mechanisms to funders and trustees. Identify the CPD requirements, tools and resources required to enable high-quality delivery of our projects and provide support in their design and delivery where required. Work more collectively with other areas of the organisation, through the early identification and communication of potential opportunities for collaboration.
Please note the critical responsibilities of this role are described above. They may be subject to reasonable changes from time to time in line with business needs.

Travel

This role will require significant local travel between schools and other agencies within Walsall or Birmingham areas depending on the successful candidate, and occasional travel to Right to Succeed's offices. It is essential that the post-holder has access to a car or excellent transport systems in order to travel efficiently between locations.

Person Specification

Experience

(essential)

At least 3 years' experience in the not-for-profit or public sector Proven experience of managing relationships with a range of senior stakeholders - including senior leaders of local agencies and services working with children and young people A track record of leading successful initiatives targeting improved child outcomes or tackling inequality A track record of working with organisations to enable them to more effectively support the children, young people and families they work with A track record of facilitating effective conversations between the community and local services A track record of youth and/or community work Effective line management

Experience

_

(desirable)

_

Experience leading engaging and interactive meetings and workshops with a range of stakeholders Experience leading youth work Experience delivering cultural change within an organisation Experience in translating analytical research into practical recommendations and concrete actions An understanding of research led practice An understanding of collective impact approaches

Skills

_

(essential)

_

Proven organisational and project management skills Ability to influence, inspire and initiate change Ability to adapt style to work within the Right to Succeed programme management structure Ability to manage conflict Excellent relationship management skills and ability to work with a wide variety of stakeholders Strong problem-solving skills and ability to draw up practical and effective solutions Ability to work independently and as part of a team working on a larger project Effective communication skills including strong written English skills (report writing, research and presentation) Sound ICT skills Numerate with the ability to analyse and interpret data from a range of sources Ability to work on multiple tasks at the same time and to plan effectively to meet programme deadlines Ability to be highly self-motivated, flexible and effective as a professional who shall largely make deliverables away from the Programme office

Skills

(desirable)

Ability to deliver training Experience of using coaching to enable a solution-focused approach Experience of the use of Appreciative Inquiry

Knowledge

(essential)

Ability to represent the charity and project credibly with local stakeholders and partners A developing understanding of the evidence base around children's outcomes A developing knowledge of effective community engagement

Knowledge

(desirable)

Understanding of the local voluntary, community and social enterprise landscape in Birmingham Previous experience of working with the public sector
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Background checks

Due to the nature of the role and the work Right to Succeed carries out we will ask the successful candidate to complete an Enhanced DBS check and any offer of employment will be subject to this background check, along with references from previous employers and checks on their right to work in the UK.

As an equal opportunity employer Right to Succeed does not discriminate against those with criminal records and any information disclosed on the background check will only be considered against the risk that could be posed to our staff members or the recipients of our work, and we comply in principle with the DBS Code of Practice.

How to Apply

To apply for this position, please submit a CV and a supporting statement including your motivation for applying and how you meet the criteria for the role to recruit@righttosucceed.org.uk by

9:00am on Monday 29th September 2025.

Unfortunately, we can't consider any candidates who do not submit a supporting statement.

Your supporting statement must not exceed two pages and should cover your motivation for applying for the role and how your skills and experience meet the criteria outlined in the Person Specification. This is also your opportunity to evidence the written communication skills that will be necessary for the role.

Right to Succeed reserves the right to close this vacancy earlier without prior notice. This decision may be made for various reasons, including but not limited to changes in business needs or the identification of a suitable candidate. Candidates are advised to apply as early as possible.

If you need any advice or guidance on the application process, please contact recruit@righttosucceed.org.uk

Timetable

Applications invited by

9:00am on Monday 29th September 2025

First Stage Interviews:

Thursday 2nd October 2025 / Wednesday 8th October 2025

Second Stage Interviews:

Wednesday 15th October 2025 / Thursday 16th October 2025

Start Date: November 2025

This will be a

two-stage interview process with a task to be prepared for stage 2.

These dates may be subject to change.

Queries

For queries about the role or, for additional information, please contact: recruit@righttosucceed.org.uk

Job Type: Full-time

Pay: 40,736.00-44,056.00 per year

Work Location: Hybrid remote in Birmingham B9 5ST