Programme Director

Southwark’s ‘Giving’ scheme will transform lives and opportunities for young people - through collective action that responds to the real experiences of less advantaged young people. It will mobilize businesses, funders, community groups and Southwark residents to give their time, money, networks and influence to level the playing field in line with individual needs and aspirations. The Giving scheme is being hosted by local funder and almshouse charity, United St Saviour’s, with the support of a coalition of partners.

With 4 years of core funding in place from the City Bridge Trust, and an additional budget for grants and programme costs, we are ready to recruit a dynamic and entrepreneurial Programme Director.

The Programme Director will: develop and manage a grants programme (for individuals), work with young people to understand their dreams, ambitions and obstacles in their way; develop a network of businesses, charities, funders and residents to target resources/support to open doors and remove barriers; learn about what is needed and what works, and advocate for longer term change in systems and behaviours.

We are looking for someone who is:
• Passionate about Southwark, social change and young people
• Self-motivated, dynamic and able to work independently
• A creative thinker. Someone who can see potential rather than problems
• A flexible and confident communicator and persuader
• Clearly able to get things done!
We are particularly keen to attract candidates from diverse backgrounds and, ideally, we want people who bring the following:
• Strong skills in networking, influencing, negotiating and relationship-building
• A track record of innovation and delivery – around social change
• Experience in co-production or co-design
• Experience of working with young people from disadvantaged backgrounds
• Excellent communication and digital skills
• Leadership qualities
• A knowledge of, and passion for, Southwark (or surrounding areas)

United St Saviour's (UStSC) has a 500 year history in Southwark but a very progressive outlook. It has a strong asset base, with a portfolio of commercial properties around London Bridge, and several low-cost housing schemes for older people. Through its grants programme (normally £1m per year), the charity is one of the largest funders in Southwark and has provided funds of over £4m over the past 5 years to local groups and social enterprises.

In 2017 UStSC set up the Borough Market Traders’ Fund, awarding £400k to traders and local businesses in the wake of the terrorist attacks. Our 2019 micro-grants programme targeted funds to small, volunteer-led Black and BAME groups to tackle some of the root causes of violence affecting young people. In 2020, the charity set up the Southwark Community Response Fund (in partnership with several other funders and local businesses), bringing in funds from many places and awarding over £700k to groups supporting local people through the pandemic.

For more information about UStSC, visit our website: www.ustsc.org.uk