Recruitment information pack Programme Manager

2026

Welcome

Thank you for your interest in applying to the School for Social Entrepreneurs. We have put together some information below which we hope will help you understand the organisation and the role. For more information please visit www.the-sse.org

About the School for Social Entrepreneurs

We can’t fix issues like poverty, climate change and ill-health alone. That’s why the School for Social Entrepreneurs exists. SSE helps 1,000 people a year develop the skills, strengths and networks they need to tackle society’s biggest problems. It runs courses that equip people to start, scale and strengthen organisations that make a positive difference. But it is not a traditional school. Learning with SSE is inspiring, action-based and accessible. SSE supports people in other ways too, such as funding and mentoring. Lord Michael Young founded SSE as a charity in 1997, and it’s grown to a network of teams working across the UK, we also have a school in India. Together, SSE is changing lives and transforming communities.

Following completion of a UK-wide five-year learning programme in 12 UK locations with the support of Lloyds Banking Group and Big Lottery Fund, and a national learning programme for community businesses in partnership with Power to Change. SSE is ready to move onto its next stage of development and programmatic activity. We hold a broad range of strategic partnerships with corporates such as PwC, Linklaters, RSA Group and others as well as funding partnerships with trusts and foundations including Lloyds Bank Foundation. We also generate earned income through selling places on our short courses and workshops.

SSE is a vibrant organisation; we work entrepreneurially and are committed to providing quality learning opportunities for social entrepreneurs, community businesses and social sector leaders. Working here is engaging, exciting and demanding. If you are someone who enjoys creating solutions and contributing your ideas, you’ll enjoy how we work.

Firstly, our commitment to inclusion

Diversity is a fact of life. Inclusion is a choice and a practice – for organisations and individuals. At the School for Social Entrepreneurs, our aim is to drive inclusion into every area and activity of what we do: from access to programmes, to grant investment, to board, staff and partnerships.

However you identify, we would like to hear from you. In our commitment to continue to diversify our teams, freelance staff and programmes, we are particularly keen to hear from those who identify as: being from black, Asian and minority ethnic (BAME) backgrounds; LGBTQ+; and those with disabilities.

If you require any reasonable adjustments during our recruitment processes, including assistance with reading this page or documents linked to below, please contact recruitment@sse.org.uk

Benefits of working at SSE

Key benefits:

• 25 days’ annual leave (pro-rata) + UK bank holidays

Incremental leave increases based on tenure after 3 years of continuous service

• 5% employer contribution to your pension

• Death in Service Benefit (2 x annual salary)

Learning & development:

• Attend SSE courses & learning sessions for free

Group learning opportunities (e.g. productivity training, learning about inclusion)

• Annual development plans to set personal and professional goals

Wellbeing & health:

All staff have access to My Healthy Advantage, an employee wellbeing app

• Opportunities to train in First Aid and Mental Health First Aid

• Wellbeing initiatives hosted by our Wellbeing Committee

Free eyecare vouchers

Inclusion & connection:

Certified Disability Confident Employer

• Our Diversity, Equity & Inclusion Plan 2021-24 commits us to creating

Regular online socials & weekly catch-ups

• Team away days twice a year

Flexible working & travel:

• Flexible working is welcomed!

• Teams based around the UK (as well as in India & Canada)

• Cycle to work scheme

• Annual season ticket loan

Get involved with the issues you care about:

We have a range of staff groups and committees that you might be interested in joining, including:

• Climate Action Working Group

• Diversity, Equity & Inclusion Group

Wellbeing Committee

About the role

Overview

At SSE, Programme Managers are responsible for a diverse portfolio of programmes that support social entrepreneurs across the UK to create sustained social impact. This role involves managing relationships, resources and risks, from start to finish across the project cycle. Our Programme Managers meet and exceed funder expectations and deliver high quality programmes to SSE students.

Job description

Key responsibilities

Programme Management

1. Take a leadership role, overseeing a portfolio of programmes and coordinating cross organisational project teams to deliver outstanding learning experiences for diverse social entrepreneurs.

2. Set up robust delivery plans for each programme that clearly map out how to meet the objectives, outputs and outcomes for our funders; detailing key actions, responsibilities, timelines, dependencies, risks, decisions, etc,

3. Coordinate regular meetings of relevant internal stakeholders for each project to ensure all parties are updated and on track.

4. Manage the programme cycle end to end from set up through to evaluation and renewal and maintain up to date records of key performance indicators, identifying and mitigating risks.

5. Take responsibility for Managing the operational programme budgets and liaise with SSE’s finance team to monitor income and expenditure, ensuring accurate and up to date financial records. Process invoices, prepare financial reports and claims, and maximise cost recoveries.

6. Produce and update as necessary all documentation for use in programme management, programme delivery and grant management in collaboration with Learning Managers and Grant Managers as appropriate.

7. Take responsibility for managing the completion process for contracts and agreements with funders as well as partners and other parties involved in delivering the programmes and monitor contract compliance.

8. Ensure accurate records are maintained in Salesforce by all colleagues and stakeholders in relation to the programmes.

9. Identify process innovations to increase efficiencies to reduce costs and ensure our services are competitive in the market.

10.Conduct regular ‘360 reviews’ of key programme phases to capture insights, data and evidence about what works to reflect SSE’s culture of continuous learning and improvement.

Funder and Stakeholder relationships

1. Build positive, trusted relationships with funders as well as key external and internal stakeholders

2. Ensure that regular and constructive progress meetings are held with each funding partner, according to their preferred frequency and format.

3. Ensure that all contractual requirements, such as narrative and financial reporting are delivered on time and to a high standard.

4. Liaise with SSE Central’s Communications team in relation to any public-facing or communications aspects of each programme

5. Identify and maximise opportunities to influence stakeholders and communicate what makes SSE different.

Student Recruitment and Selection

1. Oversee the programme’s recruitment and selection processes including working closely with the Head of Communications and Project Co-ordinators to develop and execute strategies to target and recruit social entrepreneurs for SSE Learning Programmes and meet funder requirements.

2. Oversee the selection process for the programmes including ensuring appropriate information on all applicants is captured in our Salesforce system

3. Monitor and report on recruitment outcomes against EDI targets and identify opportunities for positive action where needed to improve diversity among SSE students.

4. Ensure complete and accurate recording of the recruitment and selection process for all applicants within the Salesforce system.

Grant making

1. Manage SSE’s grant panels ensuring correct documentation and processes are used so that meetings run effectively, and the outcomes are recorded in accordance with our grant making policy.

2. Work with the Programme Co-ordinators to ensure all new students are onboarded smoothly.

3. Manage the student grant budgets, where relevant, including overseeing the activities of Grant Managers and ensuring the timely identification and reallocation of underspend as appropriate.

General responsibilities

1. Participate in regular one to ones with your line manager as part of ongoing personal development and training.

2. Work with colleagues in the Development Team to provide relevant input into new proposals and programmes that meet the needs of social entrepreneurs

3. Identify opportunities to increase environmental sustainability within programmes to align with SSE’s climate action policy

4. Contribute to delivering SSE’s 2025-2028 Strategy: Bold Repositioning.

5. Carry out other tasks that are within the scope, spirit and purpose of the role.

Key relationships

The post-holder will report to the head of programmes. The post-holder will work closely with the other programme managers, project coordinators, learning managers, learning facilitators, marketing and communication leads, grant managers, technology lead, finance business partner and development managers. The programme manager will also play a key role in relationships with funders and external partners.

Person specification

Essential

Programme and project management skills, with a minimum of 3 years’ experience of managing complex programmes with multiple elements and stakeholders.

• Experience of managing and reporting on expenditure against budget.

Organisational skills and experience of managing a diverse workload in a fastpaced environment.

Relationship management and communication skills, with experience of building relationships with internal and external stakeholders at all levels and from a broad range of backgrounds

• Influencing and negotiating skills, with experience of managing the competing needs of different stakeholders.

• Written communication skills with experience of writing for different audiences and purposes.

Ability to analyse and draw data from databases and spreadsheets and to effectively communicate findings.

Experience in identifying and implementing new systems and ways of working to increase efficiency and improve quality.

• Leadership and team working skills.

• Proficient in MS Outlook, Teams, Excel, Word, PowerPoint, and databases

Desirable

• Knowledge and/or experience of social enterprise or small business start-up.

Knowledge of and experience in environmental or sustainability-focused projects/programmes.

• Experience of managing learning and skills development programmes.

• Experience of administering and managing grants.

• Working knowledge of Salesforce or similar.

Knowledge of business development and experience of working with development colleagues to leverage and add value to existing and new funder relationships.

• Experience of outreach or community engagement approaches.

Candidates should be strongly motivated by, and committed to, SSE’s mission and to the social enterprise sector and its development; they should be comfortable working in an informal, fun, small organisation.

Personal attributes

Values

We want to work with (and continue to develop) individuals who can embody and demonstrate the following values:

Integrity

We do what we say we’re going to do. We take ownership and responsibility for our actions. We rely on open, authentic relationships.

Entrepreneurial

We innovate with purpose to create value and deliver results. Bold and ambitious in our thinking, we blend creativity and commercial acumen to maximise impact. Resourceful and solutionsfocused, we ensure our actions drive sustainable growth and meaningful outcomes.

Impactful

Everything we do is ultimately about creating impact and achieving our vision and mission. We are impact-focused in all we do.

Collaborative

We achieve more when we work together and partner with others. We are in service to our social entrepreneurs and fellows and are committed to amplifying their work. We have fun together. We ask others for help so we can find solutions.

Equitable

We value talent, merit and insights. We recognise that due to circumstances and systems some people face more challenges to achieve the same goal and therefore we aim to amplify the practice of the underrepresented in our programmes and in how we work.

Key details

Salary: Starting £47,113 [pro-rata] + 5% pension

Hours: 35 hours per week, typical hours 9am-5am or 10am-6pm.

Annual leave: 25 days [pro-rata]

Contract: Permanent

Flexibility: Occasional evening / weekend work and travel within the UK may be needed, especially where support is required by the SSE Network

Location: Flexible - Candidates must be based in the UK but can work remotely

Please note, we are unable to accept applications from candidates who require visa sponsorship.

To apply

To apply please complete your application here using no more than 400 words to answer each of the questions.

Deadline: 9:00am on Tuesday 26th May 2026

If you have any questions, or require reasonable adjustments, please email recruitment@sse.org.uk and title your email ‘Programme Manager Application’.

Please note that details of the minimum criteria of skills and/or experience we require for this role are set out within the application form and confirmation is required. Any applications that do not meet the minimum criteria will not be eligible to be shortlisted.

Unfortunately, due to our limited capacity we are unable to provide feedback to candidates not shortlisted for interview.

SSE is committed to eliminating discrimination and actively encouraging diversity amongst our workforce by developing a staff team that mirrors the rich diversity found in our student population.

We will not discriminate with reference to age, gender, sexual orientation, race, colour, religion, marital status, disability, people who are pregnant and those who have or are planning to undergo gender reassignment.

Diversity Monitoring

SSE is committed to eliminating discrimination and actively encouraging diversity amongst our workforce and board by developing a team that mirrors the rich diversity found in our student population.

We will not discriminate with reference to age, gender, sexual orientation, race, colour, religion, marital status or disability.

To offer equal opportunities, prevent discrimination and support underrepresented groups we encourage applicants to complete our online diversity monitoring form, which you will be prompted to opt in or out of when completing your online application form.

The information on this form will be used for monitoring purposes only and will play no part in the recruitment process. All questions are optional. You are not obliged to answer any of these questions but the more information you supply, the more effective our monitoring will be.

In accordance with the provisions of the General Data Protection Regulations (GDPR) 2018, the information you provide will be held confidentially and can only be used if you give us your consent.

As part of any recruitment process, SSE collects and processes personal data relating to job and volunteer applicants. We are committed to being transparent about how it collects and uses that data and to meeting its data protection obligations. Our data protection policy can be found here: https://www.thesse.org/your-data/

Job Applicant Privacy Notice

As part of any recruitment process, SSE collects and processes personal data relating to job applicants. We are committed to being transparent about how it collects and uses that data and to meeting its data protection obligations.

What information does SSE collect?

SSE collects a range of information about you. This includes:

your name, address and contact details, including email address and telephone number;

• details of your qualifications, skills, experience and employment history;

whether or not you have a disability for which the organisation needs to make reasonable adjustments during the recruitment process; and

information about your entitlement to work in the UK;

SSE collects this information in a variety of ways. For example, data might be contained in application forms, CVs or resumes, obtained from your passport or other identity documents, or collected through interviews or other forms of assessment.

SSE will also collect personal data about you from third parties, such as references supplied by former employers. We will seek information from third parties only once a job offer to you has been made and will inform you that it is doing so.

Data will be stored in a range of different places, including on your application record, in HR management systems and on other IT systems (including email).

Why does the organisation process personal data?

SSE needs to process data to take steps at your request prior to entering into a contract with you. We may also need to process your data to enter into a contract with you.

In some cases, SSE needs to process data to ensure that it is complying with its legal obligations. For example, we are required to check a successful applicant's eligibility to work in the UK before employment starts.

SSE has a legitimate interest in processing personal data during the recruitment process and for keeping records of the process. Processing data from job

applicants allows us to manage the recruitment process, assess and confirm a candidate's suitability for employment, and decide to whom to offer a job. SSE may also need to process data from job applicants to respond to and defend against legal claims.

For some roles, SSE is obliged to seek information about criminal convictions and offences. Where the organisation seeks this information, it does so because it is necessary for us to carry out our obligations and exercise specific rights in relation to employment.

SSE will not use your data for any purpose other than the recruitment exercise for which you have applied.

Who has access to data?

Your information will be shared internally for the purposes of the recruitment exercise. This includes members of the HR and recruitment team and interviewers involved in the recruitment process.

We will not share your data with third parties, unless your application for employment is successful and it makes you an offer of employment. SSE will then share your data with former employers to obtain references for you.

SSE will not transfer your data outside the European Economic Area.

How does SSE protect data?

SSE takes the security of your data seriously. It has internal policies and controls in place to ensure that your data is not lost, accidentally destroyed, misused or disclosed, and is not accessed except by our employees in the proper performance of their duties.

For how long does SSE keep data?

If your application for employment is unsuccessful, SSE will hold your data on file for 12 months after the end of the relevant recruitment process. At the end of that period your data is deleted or destroyed.

If your application for employment is successful, personal data gathered during the recruitment process will be transferred to your personnel file and retained during your employment. The periods for which your data will be held will be provided to you in a new privacy notice.

Your rights

As a data subject, you have a number of rights. You can:

• access and obtain a copy of your data on request;

• require SSE to change incorrect or incomplete data;

require SSE to delete or stop processing your data, for example where the data is no longer necessary for the purposes of processing;

object to the processing of your data where the organisation is relying on its legitimate interests as the legal ground for processing; and

ask SSE to stop processing data for a period if data is inaccurate or there is a dispute about whether or not your interests override SSE’s legitimate grounds for processing data.

If you would like to exercise any of these rights, please contact office@sse.org.uk. If you believe that SSE has not complied with your data protection rights, you can complain to the Information Commissioner.

What if you do not provide personal data?

You are under no statutory or contractual obligation to provide data to SSE during the recruitment process. However, if you do not provide the information, we may not be able to process your application properly or at all.

Data controller: School for Social Entrepreneurs, Ground Floor, 13-15 Dock Street, Whitechapel, London E1 8JN

Reg. Charity in England & Wales (1085465)

HR Data Protection Contact: Helen Moules helen.moules@sse.org.uk 020 7089 9120