Governance, Risk and Compliance

• Represent Etio and the programme at DfE and external governance forums, including justification of KPIs/milestones
• Ensure effective governance, reporting, and compliance with funder and contractual requirements
• Oversee risk management, ensuring identification, mitigation, and escalation of risks
• Maintain auditable systems and transparency in decision-making
• Align with organisation policies, safeguarding, and best practice standards

Financial and Resource Management

• Oversee programme budgets, forecasting, and cost control
• Monitor financial performance and resource allocation
• Maximise value and impact from funding
• Optimise staffing, equipment, and operational efficiency

Stakeholder and Sector Engagement

• Build and maintain strong stakeholder relationships (delivery partners, schools, sector organisations)
• Represent Etio externally and support partnership-building strategies
• Collaborate with Executive Director on high-level relationship management
• Ensure programme alignment with arts education sector priorities

Operational Excellence and Delivery Innovation

• Embed innovation and best practice in programme delivery
• Identify opportunities to expand reach, enhance quality, and improve impact
• Support scalability and sustainability of the programme

Line Management Responsibilities

• Lead, mentor, and develop the operational delivery team
• Establish clear roles, accountability, and performance expectations
• Set performance targets and manage team progress rigorously
• Foster a collaborative, inclusive, and values-aligned culture

Note: Additional duties may be required based on business needs.

Expected Behaviours and Working Style

• Make every day count – Delivers results with pace, using evidence-driven, high-impact strategies
• Lead the way – Provides credible, strategic leadership, anticipates challenges, and builds capability across the programme
• Deliver with empathy – Builds trusted relationships, understands secondary education realities, and communicates clearly and sensitively

Role Deliverables

Successful achievement of:

• Programme outcomes against agreed objectives
• Continuous improvement planning and measurable impact projects
• Effective team leadership and performance management
• Strong stakeholder relationships and external representation
• Proactive risk mitigation
• On-time delivery of milestones and contractual compliance
• High-quality, scalable operations across regions
• Performance excellence in KPIs, financial targets, and impact
• Transparent governance and reporting structures
• Engaged stakeholders and sector influence
• Ongoing enhancement of delivery quality, reach, and impact
• Robust, auditable financial processes

Skills, Experience, and Qualifications

Essential

• Significant operational leadership in large-scale programmes or national initiatives
• Management qualification (or equivalent experience)
• Proven ability to deliver education sector programmes against KPIs, budgets, and quality standards
• DfE or central government programme experience
• Strong data and performance management skills (using MI to drive improvements)
• Expertise in stakeholder relationship management (collaborative facilitation across organisations)
• Exceptional oral and written communication (including report writing)
• Collaborative interpersonal skills
• Ability to work under pressure, balancing competing priorities and deadlines
• Problem-solving for complex project challenges
• High organisational ability and personal accountability
• Extensive project management experience (tools, techniques)
• Proven line management and leadership track record
• Experience in project financial and commercial management

Desirable

• Experience with multiple technology platforms and system integration
• Background in arts education, cultural sector, or teacher CPD programmes
• PRINCE2 or APM qualification
• Large-scale national education programme experience