Programmes Manager, Scotland SUMMARY School of Hard Knocks works with unemployed adults and school children at risk of exclusion to give participants the tools to improve their lives. This is principally achieved by teaching a strong set of values, attitudes, behaviours and skills. Rugby, boxing and strongman coaching and class-based session are combined to teach, demonstrate and impress the key messages. SOHK s Programmes Manager, Scotland will be responsible for all frontline delivery in Scotland. This is a brand new role that will provide excitement, challenge and a huge sense of purpose for the right candidate. You will have a varied role, including executing frontline delivery; managing relationships with delivery partners; quality assuring SOHK s coaching and facilitation on the frontline; and achieving delivery impact targets. REASONS TO BE INTERESTED A chance to genuinely shape and drive the charity s work at the front line. A charity that has a proven track record, be that finding long-term employment, aiding civic re-engagement or helping reintegration in school. The chance to influence and become part of a young and growing charity with a huge future. As SOHK grows, so can your role. Award-winning! In 2013, the charity won the Beyond London 2012 Employability Award, for continuing the Olympic legacy in London. It was shortlisted for the RFU President s Award in 2014. In 2015, its partnership with Accenture Strategy was recognised at the MCA Awards by winning the Social Innovation category. Work with some great and energised people. There is a phenomenal feeling of positivity and drive within the organisation. The opportunity to own and shape the charity s agenda in Scotland, building an outstanding team and growing our influence. BACKGROUND ON SOHK Ken Cowen was Director of Training for a training organisation in 2007 when he was asked by Knowsley Council to assist in tackling entrenched unemployment among young men. Faced with a cohort of disengaged and demotivated young adults, the Hard Knocks course was developed, using rugby to break down barriers, confront difficult issues and keep 1
participants interested. When Sky Sports heard about the idea, they commissioned a short documentary segment for their weekly Rugby Club programme. The huge success of this led to a full series, and has now seen eight different iterations of Hard Knocks broadcast nationally. The programme was soon fronted by rugby stars such as Will Greenwood MBE (England 2003 World Cup Winner) and Scott Quinnell (Welsh and British & Irish Lions legend). From these beginnings as an annual sports documentary, SOHK was registered as a charity in April 2012 - independent from Sky Sports - and started to roll out additional programs throughout the year and across the UK. On the back of a successful televised series in Glasgow in 2013, SOHK began working with ng homes, a social landlord in the north of Glasgow, to deliver further employability work in Scotland using various sports. This led to a major Lottery grant to deliver the Pitstops Project for three years with some of Glasgow s hardest-to-reach participants. From January 2017, a major corporate sponsorship package will enable the charity to expand its Scottish team and grow its work in Edinburgh, Glasgow and across Scotland s central belt and we want you to be part of it. TEAM SOHK The Trustees: Chaired by Deborah Griffin, OBE, the SOHK trust board include seriously talented and passionate professionals, who provide governance and accountability. Ken Cowen, CEO: Ken created SOHK having come from a background in sport and training. He drives the vision and strategy of the charity as well as establishing key relationships. Jack Lewars, Director of Operations: Jack has a strong background in charitable governance and programme management. He oversees the operational side of the charity, particularly the execution of the charity s strategy. Georgina Wilson, Director of Fundraising: Georgina brings a wealth of fundraising experience from Willow, another sports-based charity. She oversees all our fundraising and communications activity across the UK. 2
WHAT TO EXPECT IN THE JOB: You will spend the majority of your time project managing and delivering SOHK programmes in Scotland using rugby, boxing or strongman training. From logistics to the actual delivery of sport and curriculum sessions, you will make sure that SOHK programmes are delivered on time, on budget and to a high standard. When not actively delivering, you will work on your own and others delivery. This will include preparing materials and session plans for on and off-field activity, and leading reviews to identify and refine best practice. You will be the key point of contact for delivery in Scotland, liaising closely with delivery partners and funders, whether they are schools, job centres, corporate volunteers or other partners who host, assist or fund our frontline delivery. Reporting to the Director of Operations, you will ultimately be accountable for the quality and impact of SOHK s delivery. You will own agreed delivery targets around impact (job outcomes, retention in mainstream education and wellbeing improvements) and will coordinate the necessary partnerships, internal development and administration to achieve them. You will also assist the Director of Fundraising in stewarding key relationships with funders and partners north of the border. YOUR KEY STRENGTHS: You will be extremely driven and passionate to deliver the charity s objectives, in line with its values of Integrity, Excellence, Empowerment and Commitment. You will set standards in your own delivery, being meticulous in your preparation and reviews. You need to be great with people able to be a manager and a team player, as you mix your strategic and frontline roles. You will be highly organised with good attention to detail, able to not just follow process but to develop what is already in place and constantly improve delivery. You will be creative in developing SOHK s methods and strategy. You will be full of enthusiasm and positive energy and a great role model to those on our courses. You will be someone who naturally sets high standards and will ensure that course targets are met and exceeded! You will have a growth mindset, always ready to accept new challenges 3
AREAS OF WORK: Overall Project Management: Organising your own and your team s time to deliver SOHK s programmes in Scotland, making sure everyone is clear on what needs be done, where and when. Working with a variety of stakeholders such as visiting speakers, guests, delivery partners, venue managers, kit providers etc., you will make sure we deliver on time, on budget and to a high standard Adult Programmes: You will personally jointly deliver SOHK s adult curriculum on adult courses, around rugby, boxing or strongman sessions. You will plan the delivery of modules and oversee recruitment and progression of participants. SOHK for Schools: You will work to launch SOHK for Schools in Scotland, deploying a team to help children at-risk of exclusion to complete mainstream education. Relationship Management: You will manage delivery relationships and be the main point of contact for SOHK s partners (funders, delivery partners, employers etc.) for all things delivery-related. You will also make sure monitoring and evaluation data is captured and entered on the Upshot M&E database as needed for each programme; and will assist the charity s senior staff in stewarding key nationwide relationships. Strategy & Growth: You will help to set and deliver the charity s medium-term strategy in Scotland. ESSENTIAL SKILLS & EXPERIENCES Previous successful delivery of training or employability programmes Excellent project management skills You must have previous experience in managing people and be keen to see the delivery team expand in the medium term Must have a UK driving licence Experience in either strategy execution and/or relationship stewardship is desirable SALARY & BENEFITS Fixed term, one-year contract with a salary of 32000 gross per annum, or salary band C High performing candidates will likely be offered a contract extension in January 2018 1% employer pension contributions, increasing to 3% by March 2018, if the employee chooses to match this 4
Generous paid leave allowance of 25 days plus bank holidays Dynamic, entrepreneurial working environment with flexible approach to working hours and locations where possible THE RECRUITMENT PROCESS The deadline for applications is 5pm on Thursday 19 th January 2017. Please send a CV and covering letter of no more than two A4 pages to jack@schoolofhardknocks.org.uk with the subject line Programmes Manager Application. Late applications will not be considered. Interviews will take place on 25 th January 2017, most probably in Edinburgh (TBC) please keep this day free in your diary. Preferred start date is 1 st March 2017. A Disclosure and Barring Service / PVG check will be required for successful candidates and the job is dependent on suitable references. YOUR POINT OF CONTACT Please email jack@schoolofhardknocks.org.uk if you have any questions. 5