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Programmes and Partnerships Manager (London), First Story

  •  London
  •  Â£25k-30k
  •  Full time
  •  Closes May 27, 2025
  •  Beth Goddard
  •  beth.goddard@firststory.org.uk
  • #Literature
New

Description

Job Summary

Key role delivering our Young Writers Programme across Greater London. The successful candidate will ensure that the programme is delivered at a consistently high level, and support First Story to increase its reach and profile as a cultural organisation.

Job Description

Key Info

  • £29,000-£30,000
  • Full time with 0.8 option
  • Hybrid working with min. 2 days in London office
  • Permanent role
  • 25 days annual leave + public holidays + your birthday off
  • Interviews: 4 and 10 June 2025

This post plays a key role in delivering First Story's Young Writers Programme in London.

The successful candidate will be responsible for ensuring that the programme is delivered at a consistently high level to both existing partner schools and newly-recruited schools across Greater London, enabling participants to achieve First Story's outcomes of increased confidence, creativity and writing craft. As one of First Story's representatives in London, the post-holder will also support First Story to increase its reach and profile as a cultural organisation in the city.

The postholder will be required to recruit new schools and writers to the programme alongside maintaining and building relationships with current schools and writers to meet school recruitment targets and grow the reach and impact of First Story's work. They will be responsible for researching a network of cultural and HE delivery partners and building appropriate relationships to extend the offer of the programme. Working with the wider programme team, the post-holder will help to deliver extended activities during the year including termly competitions, the summer residential, region-specific 'Connect' events, our national Young Writers Festival, a new 'year-two' Young Mentors Programme, and training and support for teachers.

The post-holder will work alongside another Programme and Partnerships Manager covering Greater London, as well as closely working with their fellow programme managers working remotely in First Story's other operating regions. They will be supported by our Head of Programmes in the North West and a small central team based in London (primarily providing comms, fundraising and administrative support).

Job Requirements

Essential

  • A commitment to First Story's vision and ethos.
  • 3 years' min. experience working with/in schools, in the charity sector, or in a professional arts environment.
  • Demonstrable understanding of education settings and working with/in schools.
  • Past experience of working with/in secondary schools preferred.
  • Knowledge of cultural and education provision in London.
  • Marketing skills, and confidence negotiating with people at all levels of seniority within schools, MATs and LAs.
  • Excellent relationship-building and partnership skills.
  • The ability to prioritise workload and to take on a range of tasks, from essential record keeping and admin to developing new business.
  • A demonstrated history of team/independent working.
  • Strong written and oral communication skills.
  • Strong IT skills.
  • A willingness to travel around the region.
  • Genuine, and demonstrable commitment to achieving equality, diversity and inclusion

Desirable

  • An interest in literature and creative writing.

Job Responsibilities

Responsibilities include:

  • Act as the First Story relationship manager in the region.
  • Hold a regional overview of secondary provision, issues and need.
  • Research, identify and secure new school partnerships in line with First Story's Reach & Impact Strategy.
  • Develop region specific networks to extend the reach of Young Writers/ Young Creatives Programmes.
  • Develop and maintain a network of local cultural and education partners in order to embed First Story as a partner in local communities and create opportunities for alumni.
  • Together with SMT, develop key messages and school recruitment strategy for Young Writers Programme.
  • Liaise with local media contacts to promote First Story's work.
  • Play an active role in supporting Young Creatives Programme, FS residential, Young Writers Festival, commissioning resources, FS competitions and support for writers as required.

For a full list of responsibilities, please refer to the job pack on the website.

Useful Links

How to Apply

Visit the First Story website.

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