Head of Delivery job with ARK SCHOOLS

Head of Delivery (Ark Institute)

Reports to: Director of Ark Institute

Location: West London – currently operating an agile working policy with two core days (Mon and Weds) in the office

Contract: Permanent

Pattern: Full Time (standard hours 9am – 5.30pm)

Closing date: 11/03/2024 at 10am

• 1^st round interviews: 18/03/2024
• 2^nd round interviews: 20/03/2024

Salary: £55,000 to £60,000 (depending on experience) 

About Ark Institute:

Ark Institute is the centre for professional development for Ark’s network of 39 schools. We design and deliver pioneering development programmes to develop all ~4000 colleagues across the entire organisation. We also work with over 300+ schools nationally via the work of our SCITT programmes and our Teaching School Hub.

This is an exciting time to join the Ark Institute team as we expand and grow our work further. We know we can only achieve our mission through the great people who come and work with us. We appreciate the benefits of diversity and recognise the value this brings to our work and encourage and welcome applications from all. We also practice what we preach and so you can be certain that you will receive world-class development to help you progress in your career.

About the role:

This is an exciting new role for an individual passionate about driving excellence across teams. The Head of Delivery role is pivotal in bringing cohesion to Ark Institute’s professional development portfolio by bringing consistency across all aspects of programme, training and event engagement and delivery.

The Head of Delivery will work closely and constructively with in-programme operations colleagues to design a delivery model that fosters improved coherence across the delivery functions of Ark Institute.

You will oversee operational capacity requirements and coordinate the redeployment of operations staff where necessary with Heads of Teams and programme leads.

Key Responsibilities:

• Redesign Ark Institute’s engagement strategy to encourage take-up and tracking of the professional development offer
• Collaborate with Directors and Heads of teams beyond the Ark Institute core team to commission and design learning and development opportunities outside of our specialisms
• Develop the Ark Institute rhythm of the year detailing key training, events, tasks and deadlines to support workflow planning across the wider team
• Oversee the cost of delivery to ensure value for money commensurate to beneficiary impact
• Liaise and work alongside key stakeholders from across the organisation to ensure the content for the day is strategically and purposefully planned and designed
• Line management of up to 5 team members
• Facilitate a professional internal operations network, identifying professional development needs and progression opportunities to support Ark Institute operations team staff (~15)
• Oversee the rollout of our Ark Institute house style across our programme portfolio
• Evaluate current systems and processes in use across Ark Institute teams. Work with programme and operations staff to draw out best practice processes and systems that will support efficient working practices and minimise duplication
• Use aggregated feedback to generate suggestions for improvements across the offer and present and share that information with key stakeholders across the organisation.

Key Requirements:

• Experience of working in a complex, multi-site environment, preferably within the education sector
• Experience of managing brand new projects, where some scope and details are yet to be defined
• Experience of coaching and developing staff at all levels to ensure delivery outcomes
• Knowledge of virtual learning environments
• Excellent negotiation and influencing skills with the ability to build positive working relationships
• Strong organisational, project management and planning skills
• Excellent IT skills with specific skill in using Microsoft Office applications especially excel and PowerPoint
• Able to work effectively across teams with sensitivity and respect whilst developing and providing growth opportunity for others
• Ability to build relationships with a wide variety of stakeholders including demanding internal clients
• An experienced and confident leader with a proven ability to lead and implement change effectively and sustainably

About Ark

We’re an international charity, transforming lives through education. We exist to give every young person, regardless of their background, a great education and real choices in life. In the UK, we’re a network of 39 schools, educating around 30,000 pupils in areas where we can make the biggest difference and we’re recognised as one of the highest achieving academy groups in the country. We want to change the lives of children everywhere, not just in our own schools. So, we create and incubate Ventures designed not only to help pupils in Ark schools, but also to improve education systems.

You’ll be joining a group of like-minded, ambitious individuals who work collaboratively and are all committed to our core mission, that every child has the potential to succeed. Having just celebrated our 20^th anniversary, we are shaping our goals for the next 20 and there has never been a more exciting time to join us.

Benefits:

• 27 days annual leave plus bank holidays, rising with each year of service up to 30 days after 3-years’ service. This entitlement is pro rata for part time employees. This entitlement excludes bank holidays
• Full office closure between Christmas and New Year
• Hybrid working, with currently two days a week in our state-of-the-art office in West London working alongside colleagues
• Regular social events, monthly free breakfast, and daily fruit
• A flexible approach to working with understanding and consideration for work life balance and personal commitments
• As an Ark employee, you will have the opportunity to be part of the TPT (The Pension Trust) scheme, our workplace pension scheme where we make an 11% contribution; you are not required to contribute towards this scheme unless you choose to. Depending on your role you may also be entitled to LGPS which is a defined benefit scheme where you contribute a percentage based on how much you earn (as do we) in exchange for a guaranteed amount in your pension pot every year
• Access to high-quality professional learning throughout your career, offering both face-to-face sessions and a bespoke online learning platform
• Access to Ark Rewards scheme offering savings from over 3,000 major retailers, interest-free loans available for season tickets or a bike, gym discounts offering up to 40% off your local gym and free eye tests

How to Apply:

Apply with a CV and cover letter on our online recruitment portal. Applications to be submitted by Monday 11^th March 2024 at 10am but please note: we will be reviewing applications on an on-going basis and this advert may close earlier than advertised depending on the level of response.

This ATS application form should take no longer 20 minutes to complete. At any time, you can pause, save, and log back in. If you have any difficulty with meeting the deadline for application, please contact recruitment@arkonline.org

Interviews will be arranged as suitable candidates are identified, so early application is strongly advised.

Ark is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people in its academies. In order to meet this responsibility, its academies follow a rigorous selection process to discourage and screen out unsuitable applicants.  

Ark requires all employees to undertake an enhanced DBS check. You are required, before appointment, to disclose any unspent conviction, cautions, reprimands or warnings under the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 (Exceptions) Order 1975. Non-disclosure may lead to termination of employment. However, disclosure of a criminal background will not necessarily debar you from employment – this will depend upon the nature of the offence(s) and when they occurred. To read more about Ark’s safer recruitment process, please click this link. 

We aim to build a diverse and inclusive organisation where everyone – staff and students – can do their best work and achieve their full potential. We want to reflect and represent diverse perspectives across our organisation because we know that doing so will make us stronger and more effective. To know more about Ark’s diversity and inclusion commitments, please click on this link.