Head of Programmes and Safeguarding

Position: Head of Programmes and Safeguarding

Organisation: Steel Warriors

Location: Working at locations across London – office space in Brixton and presence at Steel Warriors gyms and programme locations.

Hours: Four days a week, equivalent to 0.8 FTE.

Duration: Permanent position (with three month probationary period)

Salary: £38,400 per year pro rata for four days (based on a full-time salary of £48,000)

Line Manager: Chief Executive Officer

About us

Steel Warriors is a sport for good organisation that melts down knives taken off the streets and recycles the steel into outdoor street gyms. We use the sport of calisthenics to transform the lives of young people and young adults living in areas affected by knife crime and social exclusion, giving them the skills and confidence they need to create positive futures. Our vision is to build a UK-wide network of gyms that not only empowers young people to realise their passions and pursue their goals, but also fosters stronger, closer and more loving communities.

The Role

The Head of Programmes and Safeguarding role combines strategic leadership with strong operational oversight. The postholder is responsible for leading the design, development and scaling of high-quality services, supporting their team to perform effectively, and ensuring that programmes deliver meaningful outcomes for participants. They will work closely with colleagues, delivery partners, funders, young people and board members to drive programme development aligned with the organisation’s strategy, theory of change and ultimate goal of young people being safer, healthier and feeling more connected and positive about the future. The role requires an exceptional organiser and team leader able to manage a range of priorities, coordinate people and systems effectively, and maintain high standards across delivery areas.

1. Programme Design and Delivery

• Lead strategic and operational planning, delivery, and continuous improvement of programmes

• Design, implement and scale new programmes, including employability and skill development pathways

• Develop and embed standard operating procedures (SOPs) and delivery models

• Embed youth voice and co-production approaches

• Ensure delivery models are adaptable to different groups and locations while maintaining quality standards

• Ensure effective implementation within schools and alternative provision (AP) settings

• Promote equity, diversity, inclusion and belonging across all programme delivery

2. Partnerships and Stakeholder Management

• Build and manage strong relationships with delivery partners, referral agencies, funders, young people and sport bodies, and other key stakeholders

• Work closely with schools, AP settings, and community partners to support referrals and delivery

• Secure and manage funding, including from statutory and local authority sources

• Identify and develop opportunities for programme growth and collaboration that enhance outcomes for young people

• Represent Steel Warriors at events, conferences, and meetings to promote our mission and work

• Coordinate partner engagement effectively, ensuring clear communication, follow-up, and accountability

3. Monitoring, Evaluation and Reporting

• Oversee monitoring and evaluation processes to track outcomes and impact

• Ensure consistent and high-quality data collection across programmes (e.g. via Upshot)

• Contribute to the development of logic models and evaluation surveys

• Use data and insight to improve delivery and inform decision-making

• Lead on reporting against KPIs, programme outcomes, and funder requirements

• Produce clear, high-quality reports for senior leadership, board, and funders

4. Team Leadership and Development

• Lead, manage and support team members, role-modelling positive behaviours and values

• Set clear objectives, performance expectations and support development

• Ensure team roles, responsibilities, and workstreams are clearly defined and coordinated

• Deliver regular one-to-ones, reviews and wellbeing support

• Plan and deliver team training to ensure high-quality delivery

• Contribute to workforce planning, recruitment and team structure development

• Promote a collaborative, inclusive and high-performing team culture

5. Safeguarding

• Act as Designated Safeguarding Lead, supporting deputy DSL(s)

• Ensure safeguarding concerns and incidents are appropriately recorded and responded to

• Maintain up-to-date knowledge of safeguarding legislation and best practice

• Oversee risk assessments and promote a contextual safeguarding approach

• Ensure robust health and safety systems and safe working practices across all sites

• Ensure team members are trained, and policies and procedures are up to date

• Promote a culture of safeguarding and health and safety across the team and partners

6. Operational and Financial Oversight

• Manage programme budgets, ensuring value for money and financial accountability, working

with our financial services provider

• Identify and manage operational risks, maintaining the risk register

• Balance multiple priorities including delivery, reporting, partnerships and team management

• Ensure effective coordination, scheduling and planning across programmes

Person Specification

Experience

• Significant experience delivering and managing programmes for young people or communities

• Working with schools and/or alternative provision (AP) settings

• Leading multi-site or complex service delivery

• Strong track record in team leadership and people management

• Establishing strong relationships with partners, funders and public sector stakeholders

• Leadership of safeguarding policy and/or practice in a youth setting

• Youth-centred and trauma-informed practice

• Creation and maintenance of effective systems, processes and ways of working

• Monitoring, evaluation and using data to improve services

• Securing and managing funding

• Working in the sport for good sector (desirable)

Key Skills and Knowledge

• Highly organised, with exceptional ability to plan, prioritise, and manage multiple workstreams simultaneously

• Strong team leadership skills, with the ability to promote structure, clarity, and accountability

• Ability to design and implement high-quality, scalable programmes

• Excellent organisational and operational management skills

• Ability to analyse data and translate insights into action

• Confident communicator and relationship builder

Behaviours and Expectations

• Strong commitment to improving outcomes for young people

• Commitment to the use of physical activity, alongside mentoring, to support young people

• Able to take personal accountability for work

• Proactive, solution-focused and adaptable

• Collaborative and able to build trust with a wide range of stakeholders

• Resilient and calm under pressure

• Committed to learning and improvement

• Willingness to undertake other duties and reasonable requests aligned with the post

• Willingness to work occasional evenings

• Active commitment to diversity, equity and inclusion

• Discretion and ability to maintain confidentiality

What we offer

• Learning and development opportunities

• Flexibility to vary working pattern

• Pension scheme

• Access to Employee Assistance Programme

• 25 days annual leave plus Bank Holidays (pro rata)

How to apply

Please send the following to team@steelwarriors.co.uk:

• A cover letter, explaining why you want the role and how you meet the person specification

• Your CV

Deadline: 5pm on Friday 17 April 2025

For an informal discussion about this opportunity, opportunity, please contact Jenny Oklikah, CEO, at jenny@steelwarriors.co.uk