Job Description

Schools Programme Manager - (Maternity Cover) – minimum 9 months, may extend to 12 months

Salary: Grade 5 £28,000 -£31,999

Reporting to: Head of Schools Programme

Job Summary

The postholderworks closely with the Head of Schools on the development, management and delivery of the Schools programme.

The Schools Programme team delivers a range of projects which inspire children and young people to engage with reading and writing. The Schools Programme Manager oversees and line manages the manager of the children’stouring and events programme, leads on several high profile Book Awards, as well as creating and delivering the Authors Live programme, in partnership with the BBC.

Key Responsibilities

  • To work closely with the Head of Schools on the strategic development of the Schools Programme
  • To design and deliver the Bookbug Picture Book Prize, Scottish Teenage Book Prize, Significant Contribution Award and Authors Live programmes
  • To oversee the design and delivery of the touring and events programmes
  • To carry out evaluation and impact assessment on the Schools Programmes
  • To identify and grow audience targets for the Schools Programme, in collaboration with the Head of Schools
  • To identify and develop relationships with writers, key individuals in schools and other professionals to support effective design and delivery of the schoolsprogrammes
  • To lead on the BBC partnership, with support from the Head of Schools as required
  • To support the Head of Schools to manage relationships with programme sponsors
  • To carry out relevant research, build networks and maintain personal professional development to feed into development of the programmes
  • To read widely in the field of children’s literature and ensure SBT representation on appropriate children’s literature forums
  • To line manage the Schools Events Manager and Schools Programme Administrator, supporting their development and efficient delivery of their objectives
  • To monitor and co-ordinate the Schools Team’s database requirements, working closely with the Website Manager to ensure these are met
  • To liaise with the Schools Outreach Co-ordinator and the Marketing Teamto deliver an effective marketing and PR strategy for theschools programmes
  • To manage and report on the relevant Schools Programme budgets
  • To attend relevant sector events, acting as an SBT ambassador

Skills and Experience

  • At least 3 years’ experience working in an arts environment in a managerial role
  • Degree or equivalent in a relevant area of study
  • Experience of managing staff
  • Substantial experience of project management, events organisation and evaluation tools
  • High level of knowledge of children’s and young adult books
  • Experience of working with publishers, authors and illustrators
  • Experience of building partnerships and managing key external relationships
  • Experience of cross-team working to deliver shared goals
  • High level of IT skills, including experience in using social media to engage with audiences
  • Clear and confident communicator, both written and verbal, with experience of engaging with a range of professionals and creative practitioners

Person Specification

  • Passionate about children’s and young adult books, reading, writing and their potential to transformthe lives ofyoung people
  • Creative, imaginative and able to assess new opportunities and build new partnerships
  • Ability to work well as part of team and across teams, using negotiation and influencing skills
  • Able to use own initiative to manage and prioritise workload
  • Ability to inspire and lead a small team and act as a role model for the organisation’s values

Other Information

The postis based at Scottish Book Trust’s offices in Edinburgh, however the post requires some travel,mainly within Scotland, and some out of office hours working, including occasional overnight stays.

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