Design Manager

The role

This is an exciting time to be joining UK Youth. We have recently been through a strategy refresh and are now better positioned to deliver on our ambitions that all young people are equipped to thrive and empowered to contribute at every stage of their lives.

This role will lead design projects to shape UK Youth’s support to young people and professionals working with young people. This could include structured youth work programmes, grant funds, professional development programmes, and campaigns.  

You will be confident in taking a human-centred-design approach to tackle some of the youth sector’s knottiest problems. You will help to improve the skills and confidence of colleagues across UK Youth to apply design methods in their own work. 

In 2024, our priority topics for youth work programmes and network development are: mental health, employability, youth social action, outdoor learning and physical literacy. 

You will work closely the research, evaluation, policy, service delivery, network development, and fundraising teams. You will meaningfully involve young people and the professionals who support them in the design process. 

You will design solutions to important problems, ensuring that they are feasible, equitable, and impactful. 

Who we are

UK Youth is a leading charity that is unlocking youth work for all young people.

We bring together young people and youth workers with business leaders, teachers, social workers, doctors, policy makers and other professionals to learn, spread effective ways to support young people, and campaign for social change.

Only by working together can we tackle the systemic problems that keep letting our young people down.

Who we're looking for

We are looking for candidates with an understanding and empathy of the current issues facing young people, with experience of managing effective projects on a national scale, engaging with a wide range of stakeholders and a passion for making a difference to the lives of young people. We are looking for someone who is proactive, inclusive, inspiring, highly-organised and uses their initiative to find creative solutions and manage multiple priorities.  

Experience we're after

• Experience of leading the design of interventions (digital and/or physical) for young people and/or those who support them. 

• Experience of developing proposals to time-limited funding opportunities, including the development of theories of change, project budgets and proposal narratives.

• Experience of managing projects across the end-to-end design process; using human-centred-design methods and mindsets.

• Experience of developing high quality youth work programme content and curricula for young people, youth workers and/or outdoor learning instructors (desirable).

• Experience of designing and delivering professional development programmes (desirable).

• Experience of people management (desirable).

Why work at UK Youth?

UK Youth wants all young people to be equipped to thrive and empowered to contribute at every stage of their lives. Youth work can be life changing (and even life saving.) We have developed a strategy to unlock youth work so that every young person in the UK can benefit. We work with others to ensure that the youth sector is strengthened and that provision is youth-led, evidence-informed, and delivers high-quality outcomes.

UK Youth plays a unique role in addressing the lack of investment in the youth sector, the lack of cross-sector understanding in how youth work makes a difference, and the limited opportunities to embed effective solutions. These factors lead to mass inequality of access to youth services for young people. Come and be part of this change.

What we can offer you:

We offer a competitive range of benefits, good work/life balance, excellent learning and development opportunities and vibrant organisational culture:

• Flexible/Agile Working

• 27 days annual leave plus bank holidays (pro rata for part time employees)

• Funded training provided in; Safeguarding, GDPR, Information and Cyber Security & Equality & Diversity

• Other training available in support of your personal and professional development

• Pension scheme (currently UK Youth match employee contributions up to 5%)

• Membership of our life insurance scheme which would pay-out up to 4 times your salary

• Employee Assistance Programme to support employees both professionally and personally

• 20% discount off bookings at Avon Tyrrell, our New Forest Outdoor Centre, including camping, lodges and outdoor activities.

• IT equipment provided for the duration of contract

• CycleScheme and TechScheme

How to apply

If you would like to be considered for this fantastic opportunity, please complete an application via our completely anonymised recruitment system provided by Applied which looks to create a fair and unbiased application process for all. Scroll to the top of the page and start your application.

Closing date: 7th July 2024 at 11:59pm (Midnight)

Interview dates proposed: week commencing 15th July 2024

Please note: shortlisted candidates will be asked to share CV's with the hiring team prior to interview.