About us
Teach First is a charity that understands that for a child growing up in poverty, all too often their future is already written. We know that education can flip the script. We find and train teachers to work in the schools that need them most, we equip school leaders with evidence-led training, we support local teacher training providers, and we plug education leaders into supportive professional networks. We’re at the centre of a movement, rewriting the future within the classroom and beyond, ensuring every child, no matter their background, gets the opportunities they need to thrive
About the team
This role sits within NPQ – Design & Implementation, which is the strategic direction for Teach First’s National Professional Qualification (NPQ) programmes. The team combines leadership in learning design, quality assurance, and external representation. They are the lead for Teach First, representing the NPQ programme with the Department of Education and other key stakeholders and ensuring the effective delivery of these programmes through delivery partners, maintaining high- quality standards.
The team sits within the Education Partnerships directorate. This directorate is responsible for Design and delivery of high quality, high volume, impactful programmes for providing delivery through partnerships – including SCITT, ECF, NPQ along with quality assurance of all of programme content and delivery. This is done through establishing, managing and retaining strong, productive delivery partner relationships that deliver commercial benefit as well as charitable impact
About the role
The Implementation and Design Manager work as of a team to lead the design and implementation of our programmes, ensuring smooth and effective delivery. You’ll be at the heart of ensuring the programmes align with our mission to end educational inequality. Working closely with teams across the charity and external partners, you’ll support with the programme's’ day-to-day delivery, improve the participant experience, and maintain the highest standards.
In this role you will:
• Lead the design of programmes to ensure they meet participants' needs, complies with relevant educational frameworks and follows educational quality standards.
For programmes in partnership, manage relationships with Delivery Partners, ensuring they are challenged and supported to deliver quality programmes, meet their KPIs and deliver impact.
• Collaborate with internal teams and external partners to develop and refine programme content.
Use programme evaluation, data and feedback to continually improve implementation of programmes.
• Collaborate internally and externally, with facilitators coordinators, and trainers.
• Represent the programme suite at internal and external events to promote Teach First’s goals and successes.
Quality design and implementation of our programme suite with Delivery Partners and/or internal colleagues.
• Building and maintaining strong relationships with sector experts and Delivery Partners.
• Monitoring programme performance and supporting Delivery Partners to continuously improve their performance.
• Leading on improvements and innovation to make the programme the best it can be.
You will report into:
• Head of NPQ – Implementation & Design
You will work closely with:
• Internal programme teams
• School leaders and mentors
Educational partners and regulators
• Participants and trainees
About you
To be successful in this role you will be able to demonstrate the following skills, knowledge and experience.
• A track record of leading educational programmes and a passion for developing teachers and leaders.
• Experience working within ITT, NPQ, or ECF frameworks.
• Ability to use data to inform decisions, monitor performance, and drive continuous improvement.
Experience holding stakeholders to account, supporting them to understand and improve on their performance.
• Experience in driving innovative approaches within programme design or delivery.
• Hold QTS
• A commitment to and knowledge of advancing diversity and inclusion.
At Teach First, we’re committed to building a diverse, high‑performing team. We particularly welcome applications from candidates from underrepresented groups; and whose socio-economic background reflects that of the pupils we work with.
If you’re excited about this role but don’t tick every box, we still encourage you to apply. You may be exactly what we’re looking for — for this role or another.
Working for us
At Teach First, we want you to thrive because when you’re at your best, our mission moves forward. We offer pay, benefits and flexibility that support your wellbeing, and in return we ask you to bring your energy, commitment and passion to helping every child reach their potential. Find out more
Our culture: We live by our values. They underpin our culture and identity. And inform everything we do.
• Purpose: Ending educational disadvantage guides us - We stay focused on our mission and strive to get better every day.
Community: We are a movement for change - Together we are stronger, we support and learn from one another, working with and through the diverse communities we serve.
• Bravery: Change requires courage - We take bold risks and aren’t afraid to try, fail and learn in pursuit of our vision.
• Innovation: We will succeed through new ideas - We are restless for impact and creative with our solutions.
Diversity and inclusion: We want to be a place where everyone can perform, learn and contribute with the confidence to be themselves. We are passionate about building a work force that reflects the community we serve, and our employees are expected to contribute to advancing diversity and inclusion within the charity. Find out more
Safeguarding: Safeguarding children is at the heart of our work and a non‑negotiable part of every role at Teach First. All colleagues must complete a Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) check before starting. We follow safer recruitment practices and expect our employees to share our commitment to keeping children safe.
Agile working: Our agile way of working gives you flexibility. Need to start late or finish early? Our Agile Working policy focuses on outcomes, not presenteeism. Find out more
Flexible Working: We are happy to consider flexible work patterns for our roles where they align with the needs of the charity. So, if you want to discuss a set and regular working pattern, let us know in your application. Find out more