Institute Programme Development Officer
Location: Hybrid – 2-3 days in person at a location as needed
Part Time: 32 hours per week over 4 days, 12-month fixed term contract
Help build the next chapter of the London Institute of Early Years.
At LEYF, we’re creating an Institute that will, champion Early Years as a powerful driver of social change. We are now looking for someone who can help turn bold ideas into real, visible impact.
This exciting role is part programme developer, part coordinator, part connector and part light-touch project officer for our CEO, June. It’s ideal for someone who loves building something new, resilient in a fast-paced environment, and is driven by making things happen.
What you’ll be doing
You’ll help develop and grow the Institute by building and nurturing relationships with universities, funders, policy bodies and sector partners. You will spend time researching funding and development opportunities, drafting bids and creating and responding to research and partnership proposals.
You’ll act as a thoughtful right hand - preparing papers and presentations, progressing priorities such as the Early Years Social Enterprise Collective, supporting advisory groups, and keeping actions and conversations on track.
You’ll deliver the operational parts too: scheduling, managing our L&D inboxes, contact management, and organising people for events and workshops. You’ll also help strengthen the Institute’s voice by drafting website content, blogs, comms and thought leadership in partnership with the LEYF Marketing Team.
Alongside this, you’ll represent the Institute with partners, scan the policy landscape for insights, and support the development and completion of reports, responses and sector pieces.
And underpinning everything: you’ll connect dots, create momentum, bring structure, and help protect June’s focus - turning ideas into practical outputs, keeping things moving, and navigating fast shifts with calm resilience.
We’re looking for someone who…
• Has experience in project coordination and programme development (research and policy experience is a bonus too)
• Has experience and/or an understanding of the Early Years sector
• Has contributed to bids, proposals or partnership development
• Is an excellent communicator and writer with strong relationship-building skills
• Thinks tactically, spots opportunities early and connects ideas naturally
• Is proactive, organised, adaptable and comfortable with ambiguity
• Works at pace, stays calm under pressure and thrives in candid, direct environments
• Is digitally confident and able to juggle multiple priorities with care and attention
• Brings warmth, trustworthiness and credibility
Why you’ll love it here
• Shape and grow a new Institute with real social purpose
• Work closely with a pioneering (& famous in our sector) CEO and a mission-led organisation
• Hybrid working in a warm, people-centred culture
• 70% childcare discount for your child or grandchild
• 26 days’ holiday plus bank holidays and your birthday off
• 7% employer pension contribution
We welcome you exactly as you are
We’re stronger when our team reflects the diversity of the communities we serve. If you care about improving the Early Years sector and want to help build something meaningful, we’d love to hear from you.
Apply online and tell us why you’re excited about this role. We review applications and start interviews on a rolling basis - so please don’t wait.