Programme Manager, School Libraries (maternity cover)

Programme Manager, School Libraries (maternity cover)
£40,000 per year
Full-time, 35 hours per week
Maternity cover contract for up to one year
Based in London SW8 or north of England

We empower people with the literacy skills they need to succeed in life. Together, we're helping people change their stories. We are looking for two Programme Managers to provide maternity cover in our school libraries team.

What you’ll be doing

We believe that well-resourced and effective school libraries are a vital part of the education system. We have already created and transformed over 1,000 primary school library spaces, and have ambitious targets to reach even more, particularly targeting primary schools that currently have no dedicated school library space. As well as library space transformation, the programme helps to transform reading in primary schools by providing new books, ebooks and audiobooks, training and resources for teachers, and parental engagement strategies.

We are recruiting two experienced programme managers to provide maternity cover in our school libraries team – one will be based in the north of England as a home working role to cover specific programme delivery responsibilities there, and the other will be based at our office in London, but with flexibility to work from home.

You will be responsible for managing the development, delivery, and scaling up of this work. You will oversee operational delivery, including line management of project managers where necessary, and work closely with schools, partners, and suppliers to facilitate the smooth delivery of school-facing activity. You will also manage relationships with a range of high-profile partners, including key stakeholders and funders.

Wherever you are based, you will need to be in London at least six times per year for team and organisational days, and if you are based in London, then unfortunately we are unable to cover travel costs for this. Your role will also require travel to project locations around the country to support partnerships and delivery, and this will be covered by expenses.

What we’re looking for

You will need to be an experienced programme manager, able to lead delivery, manage and motivate a team, oversee budgets, and manage complex relationships with funders and partners. You will also need experience of successfully marketing and promoting programmes, resources, or training to the education sector. Experience of working with corporates and volunteers would be an advantage, as would knowledge of research methodologies and impact measurement for large-scale programmes.

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 is 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, an 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, visit our website.

Closing date: 10am, Monday 15 September 2025.

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