Education Manager Job In Bedford

Blues Foundation: 

Blues Foundation is the charitable arm of Bedford Blues Rugby Club. We use the values of rugby, sport and exercise to promote health and wellbeing, and positive lifestyle choices through targeted interventions and sport programmes that support our community.  

Launched in April 2020, Blues Foundation deliver projects that are designed to support our target audiences. Projects include our flagship programmes Rugby and Reading, Rugby and Numbers, as well as our primary rugby and multisport clubs. Our intervention and social inclusion work includes our Tackle LIFE programme, Be You, ABILITY Blues disability sport programme, as well as our Holiday Provision. 

Role Overview: 

The Education Manager will strategically develop and manage our outreach education programmes, including our alternative provision and play a key role in designing content, liaising with schools and developing a team of delivery staff. They will ensure our programmes meet the needs of schools, align to the national curriculum where relevant and create an environment for students and staff to thrive.  

The Person: 

It is important to us at Blues Foundation that we bring the right people into our environment. The successful candidate must be able to demonstrate an ability to actively and consistently exhibit the new Blues Family values; Passion, Adaptability, Unity, Sustainability and Enjoyment. 

Working within a fast-paced and agile charity, the post holder will need to think on their feet, effectively prioritise their workload, and attack challenges head on. Applicants should have a strong work-ethic and can-do attitude. 

Responsibilities: 

• Lead the development and strategic planning for all outreach and education programmes, ensuring these align to Blues Foundation’s aims, objectives and work strands. 
• Display excellent leadership and line management skills, responsible for full time and casual staff in delivering all outreach projects and programmes. 
• Have an ability to deliver to a high standard if necessary across a variety of abilities, lead staff CPD and champion our delivery. Play a key role in developing programme content and implement with the team. 
• Ensure our programmes meet the needs and requirements of partner schools, enabling their objectives to be met via our programmes. 
• Manage and control contracts and relationships with schools and projects alongside members of the team. 
• Liaise directly with partner organisations, venues, and contractors to ensure the smooth running of each programme. 
• Develop sustainable business model to generate income through our services and work with the team to identify funding opportunities to deliver programmes.  
• Fully responsible for financial management of related programmes. 
• Lead the monitoring and evaluation of Outreach programmes, and work with colleagues to compile reports for funders, including qualitative and quantitative data. 
• Ensure the Blues Foundation brand and reputation is upheld to the highest standards across all areas of work when representing the organisation. 
• Play a key role within our fundraising initiatives, providing valuable support during events and campaigns to drive donations to our charity, this includes matchday activities where appropriate.  
• Positively represent and promote Blues Foundation and the Bedford Blues brand. Maintaining a positive and enthusiastic attitude and energy to delivery. 
• To carry out other duties as and when required by management, not limited to the above. 

Responsible to: 

The Education Manager will report to the Head of Foundation. The role will be based at Bedford Blues Rugby Club. There is also a commitment to travelling across sites predominantly in Bedford, however, will involve some travel across Bedfordshire, therefore ability to travel is essential. 

Essential skills and experience: 

• Excellent written and verbal communication skills with the ability to develop and maintain positive relationships with a variety of partners across all levels of the organisation. 
• Strong understanding of the education sector and alternative provisions. 
• Excellent line management skills. 
• Excellent finance management and broad experience in managing budgets to deliver services successfully. 
• An excellent understanding of the local area and the needs of the local community. 
• Successful candidates should have experience in leadership and line management with project management experience, and an ability to work independently. 
• A strong desire to help and support young people and those with long-term health conditions is essential, as well as an ability to demonstrate and promote high standards of work that match the values of Blues Foundation. 
• A Good understanding of Microsoft Office and organisations skills will be essential, as well as the motivation to work alone at times, and trustworthy with data and personal information. 
• An excellent understanding of safeguarding and keeping young people safe is essential. This includes risk assessments and pre-empting potential risks.  

Qualifications: 

• Degree or equivalent level qualification desirable but not essential. 
• Full and clean driving licence.  
• Level 2 coaching qualification or equivalent. 
• Sector qualifications are desirable. 
• Appointment subject to an Enhanced Disclosure Barring Service (DBS) check. 

Working environment: 

• This role is full time. 
• Predominantly office and field based with some home working flexibilities. 
• Responsibility to visit and travel to project sites with some commitment outside of working hours. 

Blues Foundation are an equal opportunities employer, we will consider any reasonable adjustments under the terms of the Equality Act (2010) to enable an applicant with a disability (as defined under the Act) to meet the requirements of the post. 

How to apply: 

If you are interested in the role we would really like to hear from you. Please get in touch initially via email to have an open discussion, contact Head of Foundation Tom Harwood on tom@bluesfoundation.org.uk.  

To apply for the role please submit a CV and cover letter to our Head of Foundation via info@bluesfoundation.org.uk. If interested, we encourage the applicant to apply as soon as possible. To have an informal conversation about the role please contact Tom Harwood via the email address above. 

For details of our data security and GDPR compliance please contact the Head of the Foundation on the email above.