Youth Programmes Manager

Salary: £35,000 to £42,000 per year (starting salary typically at £35,000 with progression based on performance and experience)

Location: Hybrid – this role will typically be based in Islington (EC1V 4NB) and Barking (IG11 8GR)

Contract: Permanent

Hours: 35 hours per week

Reporting to: Head of Programmes

Application deadline: 3pm, Monday 10th November 2025

About us

The Ben Kinsella Trust is one of the UK’s leading anti-knife crime charities. We were set up following the tragic murder of 16 year-old Ben Kinsella in 2008, and everything we do is guided by his legacy. Our mission is to prevent knife crime by educating young people about its dangers and helping them make positive, informed choices to stay safe.

Ben was a kind, creative young person who loved art, music, Arsenal FC, and making people laugh. He had big dreams of becoming a graphic designer. His death was a senseless act of violence, and the outpouring of grief and public support that followed marked the start of a movement. Ben’s own words, written shortly before his death, called for change—and his voice continues to inspire our work.

Ben’s legacy is our guide – we exist to stop knife crime.

Through immersive workshops in our Choices and Consequences Exhibitions and free online resources, we have reached over 50,000 young people so far. Our work challenges myths about knife crime, strengthens peer influence, and sparks meaningful conversations.

As we grow, we remain committed to honouring Ben’s life by making a real, lasting difference to young people across the UK. We’re a small but growing team of 10, working across Programmes, Fundraising, Communications, and Leadership. Our Programmes team is supported by a brilliant pool of freelance facilitators and actors who help bring our workshops to life.

We’re now looking for a Youth Programmes Manager to join us at this exciting time—someone who is passionate about youth voice, thrives in a collaborative environment, and is confident working independently and using their initiative to make things happen.

About the role

We’re looking for someone who shares our passion for promoting youth voice, believes in the power of education to drive change, and thrives in a collaborative, values-led team. You’ll bring a proactive, solutions-focused mindset and the ability to balance strategic thinking with day-to- day operational delivery. Additionally, this role will play a key part in the development of our youth offer and the creation of online resources for teachers and schools. As part of a small charity making a big impact, you’ll help ensure Ben’s legacy continues to reach and inspire thousands more young people across London and beyond.

Key Responsibilities:

Youth Programmes Management and Delivery

• Manage the operations of the Trust’s Youth Programmes in London including our two Choices & Consequences Exhibition sites, Youth Ambassador Programme and Outreach programmes – ensuring everything runs smoothly
• Deliver inspiring, high-quality workshops and help train others by modelling best practice and supporting their development.
• Work closely with the team to maintain consistently high standards across all our programmes, playing a key role in quality assurance and continuous improvement.
• Take the lead on specific projects as needed, helping us grow and evolve our youth work
  in line with our mission.

Programme Development

• Assist with the review in shaping and strengthening our Youth Programmes by using insights from young people and service user feedback to inform ongoing development and improvement.
• Review, design and create engaging learning resources in collaboration with the Head of Programmes, including Youth Programmes and Online resources for Teachers & Schools.
• Use feedback and evaluation data to support learning and improvement across the charity, and produce clear, insightful reports for internal use, stakeholders and funders.

People Management and Development

• Induction, training, development, performance management and line management for two direct reports (Youth Programmes Officers)
• Induction, training development and performance management of freelance facilitators and actors
• Work with the Head of Programmes to provide training to Youth Programmes
  delivery staff.

Advocacy and Engagement

• Promote the work of The Ben Kinsella Trust and identify new leads and wider engagement in our workshops
• Represent the views of The Ben Kinsella Trust by speaking at public events.
• Carry out any other reasonable duties in line with the role, as requested by your line manager, to support the smooth running of the charity.

Person Specification:

We actively encourage people from a variety of backgrounds with different experiences, skills and stories to join us and influence and develop our working practice. We recognise the value a diverse workforce brings to a small charity, and we are especially keen for people currently underrepresented in our charity and the wider sector to apply.

While we’re looking for candidates with the skills and experience listed, we know no one is perfect in every area. If you meet some of the criteria, we’d still really love to hear from you. Please feel free to reach out for a friendly chat about the role and your application.

Experience and Qualifications

• Experience in a similar role or equivalent or youth work, teaching, or programme and project management
• Significant experience delivering workshops, education, youth programmes or training to a diverse range of young people
• Experience in training adults or colleagues
• Experience of successful collaborative working with senior managers, practitioners, and
  stakeholders
• Experience of leading and managing teams, freelance or part time staff
• Experience of designing and creating learning resources and youth/education
  programmes
• Experience of managing multiple youth programmes or projects

Skills and Knowledge

• An effective educator, with the ability to empower and educate young people to achieve ambitious learning outcomes
• An understanding of knife crime, youth violence and other key current issues affecting young people
• Ability to work independently, with initiative, able to manage multiple priorities and projects effectively
• Programme and Project management skills with an organised and proactive approach
• Written and verbal communication skills with attention to detail
• Familiarity with the youth work, education and charity sectors

Key Attributes and Values

• Passionate about making a difference – committed to preventing knife crime and improving outcomes for young people
• Empathetic and youth-centred – able to build trust and create safe, inclusive spaces where young people feel heard, respected, and supported
• Committed to equity and inclusion – values and actively promotes diversity, inclusion, and fairness in all aspects of work
• Reflective and open to learning – committed to personal growth, welcomes feedback, and continuously seeks to improve practice

Benefits

• Flexible working opportunities where possible
• 27 days annual leave plus 8 bank holidays (rising to 30 days and 33 days after 5 and 10 years’ service, respectively)
• Contributory pension scheme
• Cycle to work scheme with the Green Commute Initiative
• Personal development opportunities

How to apply

If you would like to apply for this role, please submit a CV and supporting statement, outlining how you fulfil the person specification (experience, skills and knowledge, key attributes and values) for this role, via the button below.

Applications close: 3pm on Monday 10th November 2025

Interview schedule

• 1st stage, 20th and 21st November (virtual)
• 2nd stage 27th and 28th November (in person)

For a chat about the role, you can reach out directly to Priya Cinar via email: priya@alittlebitofhr.com