Improvement Programme Manager

Connect2Hackney, the internal recruitment partner for the London Borough of Hackney, is proud to present a unique opportunity to make a lasting impact on the lives of young people as an Improvement Programme Manager.

Hackney is a beacon of progress and dynamism in the heart of London, celebrated for its resilient, diverse communities and shared values. From one of the lowest-performing boroughs nationally, Hackney has transformed its education system to become a recognised leader, consistently ranking in the top quartile for educational excellence in England.

We are now seeking a purpose-driven Improvement Programme Manager to join the Children and Education directorate. You will play a pivotal role in the development of the new Hackney Education Alternative Learning Service (HEALS), a groundbreaking three-tiered support model designed to create a sustainable and inclusive education system for all children. This initiative specifically targets the high number of secondary school pupils at risk of disengagement or exclusion, aiming to provide them with the right support in the right setting.

If you are passionate about reducing school exclusions and ensuring every young person has the opportunity to flourish, learn, and achieve, we want to hear from you.

This is a senior position where you will be instrumental in ensuring our services are organised and delivered to the highest standard. Your primary responsibilities will be twofold:

• To introduce a professional business improvement perspective to service delivery, applying lean practices and a ''keep it simple'' approach to organisational design.

• To provide operational capacity and value to service managers, supporting both routine delivery and the implementation of new working methods, digital applications, and programme management.

Key Responsibilities:

• Programme manage the four core workstreams for the Hackney Education Alternative Learning Service (HEALS):

  • Design Hackney Education Alternative Learning Service (HEALS)

  • "Processes, Panels & Pathways"

  • Develop an Integrated Commissioning Framework

  • Resources and Finances

• Provide hands-on capacity for a variety of tasks, including briefing stakeholders.

• Support the Director of Education with the programme management of a review of the Hackney Education Operating Model.

We are looking for a collaborative and efficient individual with a proven track record in service improvement. The ideal candidate will have:

• Broad experience in applying lean and business process improvement methodologies in a service-driven environment.

• A history of successfully documenting business processes and defining cost measurements.

• A strong background in relationship management and negotiation with internal and external stakeholders, achieving positive outcomes.

• High proficiency in relevant IT and information management systems, with the ability to present accurate and high-quality data in various formats.

If you are a purpose-driven individual who thrives on working to deadlines and is dedicated to securing better outcomes for pupils at risk of exclusion, we encourage you to apply.

Our Commitment to Diversity and Inclusion

Hackney Council is committed to being a place for everyone, celebrating diversity and ensuring all our residents and staff feel valued, included, and involved. We strive to eradicate discrimination and particularly welcome applications from disabled people, as this group is currently underrepresented in our workforce. We are also open to discussing flexible working arrangements.

Commercial Services Trading Ltd is acting as an Employment Business in relation to this vacancy.