BookTrust is a national charity dedicated to inspiring a love of reading in children and families. Through research-informed programs, partnerships, and creative delivery, BookTrust works with delivery partners and communities to improve reading outcomes and ensure that every child has access to books and reading experiences that support their development and wellbeing.

The Role

BookTrust is hiring a Head of Programme Design to lead its Programme Design Team within the central Research and Design function. This leadership role is responsible for advancing evidence-informed, human-centred design across the full lifecycle of programs, from identifying new opportunities to refining and improving existing initiatives.

Working across teams and functions, you will hold overall accountability for how BookTrust’s programs and experiences are designed to create meaningful impact for primary audiences, particularly delivery partners and families. You will strengthen how design principles are embedded across the organization while ensuring product and experience design remains aligned with program goals, impact objectives, and income considerations.

Key Responsibilities

Campaign Strategy and Leadership

• Lead the overall approach to programme design across the organization
• Strengthen and embed human-centred and evidence-informed design practices
• Guide programme development from opportunity definition through iteration and improvement
• Ensure programme design aligns with organizational impact and sustainability goals
• Provide leadership and direction to the Programme Design Team

Donor Engagement and Major Gifts

• Steward strong relationships with internal stakeholders to ensure programme integrity across teams such as communications, partnerships, and content
• Ensure detailed product and experience design reflects overall programme intent
• Support design processes that contribute to impact measurement and income generation considerations

Campaign Culture and Ecosystem Building

• Drive innovation through design-thinking approaches that test assumptions and activate opportunities quickly
• Promote inclusive and co-design standards across the organization
• Build a culture of collaboration, learning, and continuous improvement within the design function
• Support the maturity and evolution of design-led practices across BookTrust

Requirements

• Significant experience in programme design using human-centred and evidence-informed approaches
• Leadership experience managing design or multidisciplinary teams
• Strong stakeholder management and collaboration skills across functions
• Experience embedding design standards and practices within organizations
• Ability to balance innovation with practical delivery considerations
• Excellent communication and strategic thinking abilities

What They Offer

• Opportunity to lead and shape programme design within a respected national charity
• Collaborative working environment with strong support for design-led approaches
• Role with meaningful impact on children, families, and reading outcomes
• Professional development within a research and innovation-driven function

How to Apply

Apply through the BookTrust website with your CV and a covering letter of no more than two pages demonstrating how you meet the person specification and your motivation for applying. In your cover letter, respond to one of the specified questions about co-design standards or high-performing programme design teams. Applications close on Friday 22nd May, though early applications are encouraged as the role may close sooner if sufficient applications are received.