Director of Programmes and Partnerships

About On Purpose

We develop leaders who will help transform our economy – putting purpose before profit to create a system that is equitable and regenerative. Working here puts you at the heart of an inspirational mix of people and organisations working to create positive change. You will create impact by shaping leaders who will have a transformative effect on the economy, and expose you to significant learning and development opportunities for yourself. 

Our Associate Programme will celebrate its fifteenth year in 2025. Running twice a year, the year-long programme works with a select group of high-potential career changers from a range of professional backgrounds, matching them to work with purpose-led organisations, and supporting them through inspiring learning and development.

On Purpose operates as a social enterprise. We are a member of Social Enterprise UK, a founding UK B Corp, and a London Living Wage employer. We are based in London, near London Bridge. We also have offices in Paris and Berlin.

Our values are that we:

• Choose optimism  - we believe in a better future and that everyone has a part to play in making it happen

• Learn together - magic happens when we welcome diversity and learn together

• Step up - we take action in the interest of the whole

• Engage our head and heart - we are proud to be strong problem solvers, we are more proud to be a caring community

Act with integrity - we walk our talk and live up to our responsibilities

Scope of role

The Head of Programme & Organisational Development is also one of two Co-Leads of On Purpose London. As such, they are jointly responsible for the London Associate Programme in partnership with the Co-Lead of On Purpose London who focuses on  Business Development & Community. We find this co-leadership model offers a useful balance of mutual support and challenge, role-modelling how we believe leadership should operate.

You would be part of our cross-organisational leadership team of six city leads and the CEO. This group is a source of valuable peer support and a forum in which to collaborate, coordinate and learn together, through which you will contribute to strategy and organisational development and lead and support specific cross-city improvement initiatives.

Whilst this role focuses on the On Purpose London programme delivery and organisational development, it is a collaborative role with shared responsibility for all of the London team and operations. 

This role has the following primary responsibilities, which can be reviewed and shaped around the strengths of the successful candidate: 

• Motivate and empower the London team and foster a healthy team culture - Set vision and strategy for On Purpose London alongside the co-lead and in collaboration with the International CEO and other Cities. Work together to shape a strong team culture which supports self development, collaboration, appreciation and trust. Work with the international team, the co-leads of other Cities and the board to share and develop best practice and the organisation’s direction.

• Ensure the health and sustainability of an impactful London Associate Programme - Work together with other City Leads and the international team to monitor, measure and improve the programme’s financial sustainability and impact, with a focus on overseeing London’s finances.

• Improve ways of working to enable the team to embrace change and innovation - Develop and implement processes, practices, systems, and techniques to help strengthen performance and streamline operations. Foster a team culture which values flexibility, continuous learning, and openness to new ideas. 

• Support the development of Associates into impactful systems change leaders - Responsible for the overall quality of the Associate journey, envisioning and improving the Associate experience, and managing key moments including matching, induction and residential. Support Programme Delivery Manager in designing, planning and facilitating the training syllabus.

• Build engagement with our wider ecosystem of trainers, mentors & coaches - Ensure the recruitment, onboarding, matching and ongoing management of coaches and mentors throughout the year to support Associates’ growth and development.

• Lead the recruitment of high-calibre Associates from a diverse range of backgrounds - Oversee a rigorous assessment and selection process including scoring applications, training interviewers, interviewing candidates and managing the pipeline of potential candidates before and after offers. 

Skills profile

 This role requires the following:

• A strong sense of purpose, integrity and alignment with the On Purpose vision and values. Interested in thinking about how change happens, what purposeful leadership looks like and how significant, systemic impact can be created.

• Confident and competent training and facilitating open forms of learning within groups of up to 40 mid-career professionals

• The ability to collaborate, facilitate collaboration, and manage teams. Helping team members as well as Associates grow

• Able to think in a strategic, structured manner, with excellent prioritisation  and a solutions-oriented mindset 

• Skilled at building trusting relationships quickly, adapting to different styles and preferences

• Comfortable with giving and receiving feedback, and able to have difficult conversations

• Comfortable navigating change and uncertainty 

We are a community that welcomes diversity in all forms, from a wide variety of professional and personal backgrounds. We encourage applications from anyone who’s passionate about purpose-led work.

Remuneration, benefits and holidays

We care about everyone we work with and have high aspirations for what we all get out of working at On Purpose. We want our time working together to be challenging and rewarding as well as fun and enjoyable.

This is a full-time position with a salary of £50,000.

 Other benefits include:

• The chance to work at a genuinely purpose-first organisation, that strives to drive a fundamental shift to an economy that serves the wellbeing of all. 

• A trusting, collaborative and flexible working environment

• A pension scheme with a 5% employer’s contribution plus further matched contributions up to 10%

• A £750 personalised learning budget to help you grow and develop, access to the rolling-programme of top-quality events and training we offer to our Associates and wider community

• The opportunity to volunteer with causes you care about

• Organisation-wide offsites with team members from across our London, Paris and Berlin offices

• We work flexibly, with some time in the office together and some time at home.

• Ill-health income protection insurance

• A 25 day holiday allowance, plus UK bank holidays, your birthday and the days between Christmas and New Year!
   

Applications

• To apply, please visit the link below where you will be asked a few questions about your suitability for the role, upload your CV, and share your contact details.
• The deadline for applications is 9am on 8th July 2024.
• If you are successful, you will be invited to a first-round interview in London on the week commencing 15th July, with the final round interviews on the week commencing 22nd July  in London.