Head of Programme Design HoPD0526

Location

Leeds or London

Salary

£62,000-£67,000 dependent on experience

Application Deadline

Tuesday, May 26, 2026

BookTrust

BookTrust is the UK’s largest children’s reading charity. We know that children who read are happier, healthier, more empathetic, and more creative. They also do better at school.

Working with every local authority and across every region in the country, and supported by Arts Council funding, we reach over 3 million families a year via partners in schools, children’s centres, health visitors and libraries. This incredible network helps us to get children reading across the country.

Want to join us? Find out more about who we are at:

https://www.booktrust.org.uk/about-us/work-at-booktrust/

Job Summary

We’re looking for a creative and collaborative Head of Programme Design to lead the Programme Design Team at BookTrust, as part of our central Research and Design function.

The role will cover evidence-informed, human-centred programme design across the full spectrum from new opportunity definition to programme iteration and continuous improvement. It will hold overall programme design accountability for our products and experiences designed for impact with primary audiences - delivery partners and families.

We have a skilled Design team, experience of applying human-centred design approaches in programme design and strong organisational support for a design-led approach. The post-holder will lead our Programme Design approach to the next level of maturity and help it become even more embedded within the organisation. The post-holder will deliver excellent stakeholder stewardship around our programme design ensuring our detailed product design (e.g. with our communications, partnerships and books teams) stay true to our overall programme intent (ie. against objectives that will include impact and supporting income generation).

The role will have accountability for innovation in programmes - ensuring that we make rapid progress against our riskiest assumptions using design-thinking approaches to help us define and activate opportunities quickly.

To apply, please click Apply Now aand attach your CV and covering letter showing how you meet the person specification and your motivations for applying for the role in addition to answeringoneof the following questions:

1. How would you go about setting and maintaining an organisational standard around co-design and inclusive design? How would you balance practical considerations and limitations with best-in-class approaches?

2. What are the key features of a high performing Programme Design Team and what approaches would you take to help the team achieve excellence?

Your covering letter should not be longer than 2 pages.

For more information and the person specification, please download the full job description below.

Closing date: Friday 22nd May

We may choose to close applications early if we have received sufficient numbers of quality applications, so please don’t wait until the closing date to apply.

Our Commitment to Diversity and Inclusivity

We aim to provide an inclusive recruitment process and actively welcome applications from diverse talent pools: minority ethnic candidates, candidates with disabilities and long-term conditions and candidates from underrepresented communities.

We are committed to equality of opportunity and want to ensure we have an accessible application process for all candidates. If you need any reasonable adjustments or would like us to do anything differently during the application process, please contact our HR team on

HR@booktrust.org.ukto discuss your requirements further.

BookTrust is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children. The recruitment and selection process reflect our commitment to safeguarding therefore, the suitability of all prospective employees will be assessed during the recruitment process in line with this commitment, and pre-employment checks.

Job Profile

Job Profile document