GATSBY EDUCATION

PROJECT OFFICER

CANDIDATE PACK

OVERVIEW

In 1967 David Sainsbury wrote out a cheque for five pounds to establish the Gatsby
Charitable Foundation. Lord Sainsbury has since given Gatsby more than £1 billion to
distribute to charitable causes in fields he is passionate about, including neuroscience, plant
science, development in East Africa and public policy. More information can be found at
www.gatsby.org.uk.

Gatsby established a small team focused on education policy in England almost 40
years ago. The team’s priorities have typically mirrored and sought to address the policy
challenges of the times, from addressing the uptake of engineering degrees in the 1980s,
to our commitment to the improvement of the nation’s technical education and career
guidance systems today. While priorities have changed and evolved, our approach has been
consistent: we aim to be more than a funder. We act as an enabler for projects, working
with partners in designing, developing, and, in some cases, delivering activities. We take a
long-term view as we do not think much can be achieved by short, one-off projects.

GATSBY’S WORK IN EDUCATION

We believe that a strong technical education system can open up good career
opportunities for young people and adults, as well as drive greater national
productivity and economic competitiveness. That is why our current work is
focused on supporting the implementation of technical education reforms and
the embedding of a stable career guidance system in England.

OUR PROGRAMMES INCLUDE:

Technical Education Reform
In 2015 David Sainsbury was asked by government to chair a panel of experts
to review the provision of technical education. The result was the Sainsbury
Report, which set out an ambitious vision for reform, and its recommendations
continue to underpin the government’s strategy for technical education and
skills in England. The successful implementation of these recommendations is
a priority for our team, and we work closely with partners on a number of
projects including:

•  Supporting the successful rollout of T-levels through work to support
curriculum development and industry placements with providers
and employers

•  The development of accredited Higher Technical Qualifications (at levels

4 and 5) so that this progression option for T-level students (and for those
already in the workforce who wish to upskill and retrain) meets the high-
quality standard demanded by industry

•  The rollout of Institutes of Technology (IoTs). We are supporting the National Network of

Institutes of Technology to ensure that they (collaborations between FE colleges, universities,
and employers) are recognised as ideal modes of delivery for higher technical education
(particularly in science, engineering and technology)

•  Researching barriers to the delivery of quality apprenticeships, such as the standard of the

training an apprentice receives ‘on-the-job’ and ‘off-the-job’

•  The delivery of technical education. We are currently piloting several projects to understand

what good looks like in areas such as teacher training and retention

Good Career Guidance
Since we first devised the Gatsby Benchmarks for Good Career Guidance in 2014, they have been
written into government statutory guidance for all schools and colleges in England. Our work in this
area focuses on ensuring stability in the system by identifying and seeking to address outstanding
challenges to achieving our goal of each and every young person receiving good career guidance.

Raising the profile of technicians
Technicians: We Make the Difference is a campaign researched, developed and launched by
Gatsby, stemming from our belief that a strong technical education system can open up good
career opportunities for young people and adults, as well as driving economic performance. We
have also partnered with the Science Museum to create Technicians: The David Sainsbury Gallery,
a free, permanent, interactive gallery to showcase the wide variety of technician careers available
for young people.

The above is not an exhaustive list of our current projects. For more detail on our work, visit:
www.gatsby.org.uk/education.

THE ROLE

Role: Project Officer (2-year contract)
Reports to: Project Manager
Responsible for: Secondees, placement students and contractors as appropriate
Location: Office-based in Manchester with with some flexible working
Indicative Salary Range: £49,729 - £53,787 + pension and benefits

You will play an integral part in the successful delivery of Gatsby’s programmes to support T-levels and the
growth of industry placements for technical education.

Gatsby is establishing an ambitious programme to continue the development of T-levels awareness and
their adoption, with specific emphasis on the successful implementation T-level industry placements within a
number of sectors including Construction, Digital, Engineering & Manufacturing, Health and Science. You will
work closely with Project Managers to deliver these exciting projects, including awareness raising, managing
discrete employer projects, developing an evidence base for research projects to support wider programme
work, and facilitating stakeholder meetings, events and activities.

Both T-levels and apprenticeships are aligned to the occupational standards developed by employers and
held by Skills England. T-levels are high-quality post-16 courses designed by employers to meet the needs of
industry and prepare students for work, further training or study. The first qualifications introduced in 2020
and 2021 included subjects for the Construction, Digital and Health & Science technical education routes,
and the first T-level students completed their programmes in June 2022. T-levels in further routes have been
introduced in subsequent years, including Engineering and Manufacturing from September 2022, Agriculture
from September 2023 and Media, broadcast and production from September 2024.

This is a role for someone with an interest in technical education. You will have a broad remit to support
the implementation of programmes to deliver their intended outcomes, particulalry projects to support
T-levels industry placement and technical education delivery. Key success measures for this work will include
widespread sustained engagement in projects that are well organised and coordinated. This role requires
excellent organisation skills, together with highly effective collaboration to deliver high quality outputs that
support technical education. You will be confident communicating to a range of stakeholders at different levels.

This is an excellent opportunity to help teachers and stakeholders across England to shape technical
education that positively impacts individuals, our communities and our economy.

KEY ROLE RESPONSIBILITIES

Using a high degree of personal expertise and judgement, including responsibility to:

•  Manage projects to support the implementation of T-levels, with clear objectives

and planning, delivering on time and within budget

•  Maintain significant stakeholder engagement to ensure long-term impact and

participation with the programme

•  Research, create and write compelling communications that support the projects

•  Develop and implement events, online and in person, that support projects to

increase opportunities for T-level industry placements

•  Coordinate the development of other activity (such as internal and commissioned
research) that supports industry placement projects and T-level implementation

•  Liaise with Gatsby’s communications team to ensure successful dissemination and

uptake of the programme outputs

•  Provide administrative and budget support for beneficiary grants and contracts

•  Ensure information regarding the programme on the Gatsby and partner websites

is coherent and up to date

•  Any other duties to support the Technical Education team deliver programme

objectives when required.

This is a key role for Gatsby. If you are unsure if you meet each of the criteria described
here - but are excited by the opportunity and want to make a difference - please
consider making an application.

GENERAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

•  Communicating and supporting – Supporting stakeholders and employer networks
including the development and delivery of presentations, writing articles, engaging in
discussions with and supporting stakeholders. Supporting and maintaining productive
partnerships with key individuals and organisations to deliver positive impact on
national education policy. Overseeing and coordinating the production of published
Gatsby materials. Support the commissioning and publishing of research and reports
that contribute new understanding to education in the UK and/or improve the
impact of projects and policy. Provide comprehensive updates on programmes to be
used in papers for Trustees. Represent and be an ambassador for Gatsby.

•  Organising, research and planning – Organising projects to keep them on track and

delivering best value for money. Updating project plans and contingency planning in the
face of significant change and unforeseen disruptive events – including those relating to
national politics – to ensure that projects and programmes remain on-track and are still
delivered successfully. Arranging meetings involving a range of stakeholders.

PERSON SPECIFICATION

EXPERIENCE
•  Have demonstrated effective project and stakeholder management,
undertaking a range of duties simultaneously to achieve outcomes

•  Supported external contractors/stakeholders working on outsourced activity

•  Have used highly effective organisation skills to ensure duties are completed

timely and to the highest quality

•  Have produced communication materials for different audiences

•  Have worked on online platforms, for example, uploading content.

SKILLS AND ABILITIES
•  Maintain and evolve working relationships with partners to ensure sustained

engagement on programmes

•  Oral and written fluency in English. Exceptional writing skills: able to prepare

detailed briefings and reports. Strong digital skills to work within online platforms

•  Improving and innovating – Closely monitoring the external environment, identifying

•  Able to build and sustain networks and engagement with multiple contacts at

potential risks and challenges for projects. Maintaining and applying up to date
knowledge in relevant focus areas, including an understanding of in-scope policy issues.
Identifying opportunities for innovation in Gatsby Education’s areas of work, taking
creative approaches to problem solving. Willing and able to take calculated risks to
achieve goals.

•  Collaboration and teamwork – Modelling open communication and collaboration with
other teams and external stakeholders, whilst ensuring own work is productive and
positive. Supporting staff within the team (managers and others) to achieve objectives.
Being proactive to support colleagues achieve objectives and undertake work across
multiple projects.

•  Legal, regulatory and compliance – Responsible for ensuring projects comply with
all necessary legal requirements including GDPR, safeguarding and copyright, and
Gatsby policies and procedures are followed at all times.

different levels

•  Able to research, innovate and generate new ideas and processes and translate

them into projects and working practices

•  Able to plan and prioritise own work and support others. Able to meet

deadlines under pressure, often balancing conflicting priorities

•  Able to autonomously manage contractors and grant holders such that difficult

delivery problems can be resolved, and escalated as required

•  Diplomatic and politically sensitive, able to represent Gatsby views at external

meetings. Use good judgement and evidence to form opinions.

REQUIRED TRAINING AND QUALIFICATIONS
•  None

PERSONAL ATTRIBUTES AND OTHER REQUIREMENTS

Using a high degree of personal expertise and judgement to support the Industry
Placements programme, including responsibility to:

•  Strong interest in public policy, especially around technical education

•  Highly self-motivated; sets high standards for themself and takes pride in reaching these

•  Supports and promotes diversity, equality and inclusion in the workplace

•  Works collaboratively with others in all aspects of Gatsby’s work, modelling open
communication and collaboration with other teams, whilst ensuring own work is
productive and positive

•  Able to be flexible about working hours and locations, including working remotely
and travelling to meetings around the UK and potentially overseas (may include
overnight stays)

•  Proactive in staying up to date on new evidence and policy around technical education.

THE GATSBY EDUCATION TEAM

We offer a generous benefits package including:

As individuals we are motivated and passionate about delivering meaningful
change. We recognise that collectively we can achieve the most impact by taking
an evidence-based approach.

Members of the team have different backgrounds, ranging from education and
communications, to administration and project management. Our collaborative
team ethos means that we are able to combine this experience and our varied
skills to better understand challenges and recommend ways forward. This
includes undertaking rigorous problem analysis, commissioning high-quality
research, proposing pragmatic policy solutions, and engaging with government
and key stakeholders to support implementation of positive reform.

While there is close team working, every individual is self-motivated and sets
high standards for themselves and their work. There is also autonomy in how
we work, allowing each of us to develop our experience and expertise and to
grow in our role. Everyone is encouraged to be proactive in their professional
and personal development as colleagues build their careers at Gatsby.

As a small team of fewer than 30 colleagues, we have scope to innovate
and idea generation is part of our DNA. Our team size also allows new joiners
to quickly get to know everyone, and to feel at home.

•  Annual leave of 30 days per annum (inclusive of 3 working days between Christmas and

New Year, when the office is closed)

•  A 12% employer contribution to pension

•  Opportunity to apply for health insurance scheme and a free annual health check

•  Employee assistance programme, offering confidential and impartial support and information

•  BenefitHub discounts

•  Cycle-to-work scheme

•  Interest-free annual season ticket loan.

Gatsby is one of the 16 Sainsbury Family Charitable Trusts (SFCT) established by individual
members of the Sainsbury family. A central corporate services function that includes HR, IT, and,
finance colleagues supports each of the SFCTs, including Gatsby.  The successful candidate for this
role will be based from our Manchester office with some flexible working.

HOW TO APPLY
If you are interested in applying for this role, you will need to submit an up-to-
date CV and supporting statement. Details on how to apply can be found at
the following link: https://www.peridotpartners.co.uk/jobs/project-officer-gatsby-
charitable-foundation/

TIMELINE
Closing date for applications: 9am Friday 12th December 2025

SELECTION PROCESS
Thank you for your interest in this role. Further details will be provided to
shortlisted candidates when invited to interview. We expect that first interviews
will be held via Zoom or Teams. Candidates must have the existing right to work
in the UK.

DIVERSITY POLICY
We believe that effective recruitment is about finding the right people for our
current and future needs – people who have the right mix of skills at the right
level and who will contribute positively to the life of our organisation and its future
development.  We want to make sure that we always recruit the best person for the
job in a way that is fair and equitable and demonstrates our commitment to valuing
diversity at all stages of our recruitment process.

21/10/25