Programme Manager, Early Years

Programme Manager, Early Years
£42,000 per year
Full-time, 35 hours per week
Permanent contract
Based in London SW8 / home and flexible working

We empower people with the literacy skills they need to succeed in life. Together we're helping people change their stories. You could join our early years team to lead programmes and contract delivery.

What you’ll be doing

Our early years activity aims to empower parents and carers with the skills, confidence and resources necessary to support their child’s early language, communication and literacy. Programmes are supported by major funders, commissioned by local authorities, and delivered with diverse partners across education, health and community services.

You will lead a team delivering this activity and develop new ideas and approaches to support literacy and language in the early years. This will include creating sustainable train-the-trainer and licensing models that build local capacity, maintain programme quality and embed programmes in everyday practice. You will also lead our contribution to a Nesta feasibility study for our Early Words Together programme.

You will be contracted to our office in London, but this role is suitable for home and flexible working, with the majority of your work carried out from home if you would prefer. However, you will need to be available to travel to London for staff and team days, and unfortunately, we are unable to cover travel costs for this. If you are based in or near one of our project delivery areas, we may be able to offer this role as a permanent home worker, with all travel expenses covered.

What we’re looking for

You will need programme leadership experience, including strategic vision and a demonstrable track record of implementing programmes at scale across multiple settings or local areas. Specialist early years expertise will also be essential – you must have the ability to interpret early years policy and commissioning priorities and translate these into programme and partnership opportunities. You will also need financial management skills and the ability to manage and motivate a team to deliver across a programme portfolio.

Experience of train-the-trainer or licensing models, quality assurance and ongoing support for delivery partners would be an advantage, as would contributing to policy development and being a media spokesperson in the early years sector.

This role is also subject to a Disclosure and Barring Service check in line with our safeguarding policy and safer recruitment procedures.

Why our work is so vital

Literacy changes everything.

It gives you the tools to get the most out of life, and the power to shape your future. It’s the key to knowledge, confidence and inspiration. It’s better results at school and better jobs. If children grow up without the tools to communicate, without books to read or opportunities to write, it’s harder to get where you want to go.

The National Literacy Trust is an independent charity helping people overcome these challenges and change their life chances through the power of words – reading, writing, speaking and listening. From first words, through school days to training, jobs and beyond.

- We work collaboratively in local communities, focusing our work in 20 areas of the UK that are facing the biggest challenges.
- We support schools, developing the most effective tools and techniques and providing resources and programmes to engage and inspire children.
- We campaign to make literacy a priority for politicians and decision-makers.
- We support vulnerable adults, people in the criminal justice system and young offenders’ institutions to build their literacy skills.

What we offer you

Our team are passionate about our mission, and we have a strong and positive working culture, based on shared values and respect. We offer a range of flexible working options and promote a workplace where you can be yourself and contribute to our success, whoever you are.

As well as a competitive salary, we offer benefits including a generous leave allowance totalling 39 days (including bank holidays and office closure between Christmas and New Year), pension contributions of 8% of annual salary, a cycle to work scheme, employee assistance programme and other health and wellbeing benefits.

Application details

Our people are our most important asset, and we value and respect diversity in all its forms (seen and unseen). We particularly welcome applications from those from Black and Asian backgrounds, as well as candidates with disabilities and from the communities in which we work. We would like to increase the representation of these groups among our staff, as we know greater diversity will lead to an even greater impact for our work.

To apply, select the Apply button shown.

Closing date: 11:59 PM, Tuesday 17 November 2026
Interview date: Thursday 26 November 2026

Please note, we do not accept CVs. No agencies or recruitment sites. Registered charity no. 1116260 (England and Wales) and SC042944 (Scotland).