Head Of Operational Programmes

Sense is recruiting for a Head of Operational Programmes to join our forward-thinking team on a permanent basis.

About the Role

This role will lead the strategic development and day to day delivery of our Virtual Buddies and Siblings Programme, Sense Holidays and our Employment Programme. The role will enable our Operational Programmes team to achieve our ambitious strategy through influencing and inspiring people at all levels to improve our impact both internally and externally for Sense.

A key element of this role will be People Management, so a proven track record in leading various teams and programmes would be ideal.
This is a hybrid role, with a requirement to be based in our Birmingham office two days per week.

The main duties and responsibilities include:

• Develop existing and emerging strategic programmes, and recommend the best approach, and review and schedule the resources and capabilities needed to deliver our strategic plans.
• Help to define, equip and plan programmes work to give the greatest chance of success in our delivery of complex services across England and Wales.
• Effectively manage high-performing teams to deliver high quality virtual and in person programmes ensuring these are high quality, safe and compliant with regulators including OFSTED.
• Work closely with the Associate Director of Operational Programmes to set standards for project budgeting and tracking.
• Monitoring progress of individual projects and the overall programme and identifying and escalating project and programme related risks.
• Ensure an effective programme governance framework, reporting progress of the strategic programme at regular intervals.
• Ensure the tracking and reporting on a robust set of Strategic KPIs.

Key Knowledge/Experience:

• Understanding of the needs of people with complex disabilities and their families and strategies which can support positive outcomes.
• Strong team management skills, with a proven record of motivating, active listening and developing structures that empower others and enable the successful delivery of organisation strategic objectives.
• Successful track record at senior management level delivering service for Children, Young People and adults with complex disabilities and/or sensory impairments.
• Experience of designing and delivering virtual and face to face programmes and managing teams across a large, multi-site, complex organisation.
• Interpersonal skills to form effective working relationships with senior managers, develop their project management skills and help them identify and resolve risks and problems.
• Skills to inform and influence external stakeholders which enhance the programme and Sense’s external reputation including fundraisers, supporters and sector leaders.
• Understanding of programmatic approaches which support quality programme development, resourcing, funding and report writing to support programme delivery.
• Practical understanding of and experience in project management tools
• Evidence of own continuing professional development.
• A demonstrable commitment to enabling an inclusive and diverse workforce to reflect our community.
• A commitment to people with complex communication and Sense’s vision and values; a willingness to learn how to communicate with people with complex communication and identify the barriers to their participation in all aspects of Sense’s work.

To Apply

Please use the link below to complete your application. Managers will use your application to shortlist candidates for interview; in relation to the Personal Specification. Therefore, it is very important you complete this section thoroughly. We would recommend that you read the candidate guidelines, job description and person specification (found at the side of this advert) before applying.

Please note to avoid disappointment, we advise you to submit your application as soon as possible as we reserve the right to close posts at any time.

No agency submissions please: any submissions without prior authorisation from the Sense Recruitment Team will be treated as our own and as such no fee will be payable.

If you require any further assistance, please contact the Recruitment Team on 0121 393 4529 or recruitment@sense.org.uk

Sense is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of vulnerable children and adults and expects all employees to share this commitment. Therefore, all offers of employment, where appropriate, are subject to a DBS check; level dependant on the nature of the role.

For this role we particularly welcome applications from candidates from underrepresented ethnic minority backgrounds and candidates with disabilities. Sense is committed to equality of opportunity, and to promoting and celebrating the diversity of staff, volunteers and the people we work with. Everyone's contribution is valued and we ensure they're given the opportunity to realise their potential. We welcome applications from talented people from all sections of the community who share our values and belief that no one, no matter how complex their disabilities, should be isolated, left out, or unable to fulfil their potential. For more information please visit: https://www.sense.org.uk/jobs/equality-diversity-and-inclusion-in-recruitment/