National Programmes Manager

  • Mothers' Union
  • Oct 28, 2025
Full time Other

Job Description

JOB DESCRIPTION

Title: National Programmes Manager

Hours: 35 hours per week

Accountable to: Director of Membership

Salary: £37-42k depending on experience

Location: SW1P 3RB United Kingdom

Work Type: Hybrid (2 office days)

Overview

Mothers Union (MU) was established in 1876. It is a worldwide women-led movement with over four million members in 83 countries. Some 40,000 of our members live in Britain and Ireland and put their Christian faith into action in communities by delivering projects and programmes that bring hope and build resilience.

Mothers Union is unique. We do not work alongside communities; our members and volunteers work inside communities. From small initiatives to national programmes our aims are to stop poverty, violence, and injustice by supporting the vulnerable and to strengthen family life by nurturing relationships that are loving, faithful and respectful.

Each member subscribes to the same values; the moral and ethical codes that are central to the ways in which we operate:
  • We are firmly rooted in a voluntary ethos centred on mutual respect and collaboration.
  • Our governance, leadership, and programmes are driven by and undertaken by members within their own communities worldwide; and
  • We work with and welcome to the movement, people of all faiths and none.
Our Britian and Ireland members may be part of a branch or a parish membership, which sits within a Diocese, which reports to a Province. These Provinces and Dioceses follow the Anglican Church structure.

We are a diverse and inclusive movement who form groups, become friends and supporters outside of the church structure, together with a host of active volunteers all championing the work we do.

Job Purpose

The role of the central charity is to facilitate member support and the successful operation of the charity, lead strategic projects that work to ensure the longevity and sustainability of the global movement and to support the delivery of impactful work in communities that meet our aims.

Like many membership organisations, we need to focus on turning membership decline into membership growth. This role evolved from and is an integral part of the Reimagining MU project, where we looked at opportunities to secure the future of the movement.

The post holder will work directly with members and across the charity leading campaigns and programmes that help and support the communities in which we serve, drive membership growth, increase valued engagement and income opportunities, promote Mothers Union within the Anglican Church, and build effective relationships with external partners and organisations.

This role will lead the implementation of a suite of existing and new Britain and Ireland programmes which include domestic abuse, social justice, and family issues. Also, to look at new programmes and to manage continual programme reviews. These Mothers Union National Programmes are being adopted as best practice frameworks for successful community outreach projects by members in the communities in which we serve. It is envisioned that in resourcing and standardising existing work, these robust programmes will serve as vehicles for volunteer and member recruitment in dioceses in Britain and Ireland and be able to secure strategic partners and external funders to support our work.

Main responsibilities

Programme Development, Implementation and Review Britain and Ireland

1. Work with the Director of Membership on the continued development, implementation and review of a member-informed national suite of Mothers Union programmes.

2. Research, review and develop new member resources, packs, and policies and manage access.

3. Work with the wider Membership team on the design, implementation, and delivery of new membership growth models.

4. Work with the Communications team on campaigns and programme branding and promotion.

5. Procure and manage relationships with programme strategic partners and funders.

Membership Engagement and Support

1. Manage relevant Communities of Interest (representative membership groups) for the different programmes.

2. Contribute campaign materials, articles, written printed and web content as required.

3. Support the membership by overseeing programme enquiries, and delivering resources, communications, webinars, podcasts, and events as required.

4. Working with the Membership Engagement Manager to ensure membership growth is reflected in the programme frameworks as an intended outcome.

5. Working with the Director of Membership and the wider membership team to deliver annual and regional events and conferences including the Annual Gathering, Provincial meetings, networking, and celebratory events.

General

  1. To manage existing national programmes; and to successfully framework and resource new MU campaigns and community outreach work into standardised, resourced and branded national programmes that are adopted and utilised by members and attract strategic partners to enhance successful outputs and increased income for the charity.
  2. To work across the charity on supporting the incorporation and delivery of membership and income growth targets and initiatives in the outputs of relevant areas of work.
  3. To produce and provide reports and resources as required for the Director of Membership.
  4. To undertake any other duties as requested by the Head of Membership.
Work Ethos

Integrity lies at the heart of Mothers Union and in our voice and actions, we aim to be:

Respected.

Effective.

Accessible.

Clear.

And innovative approach.

Staff are expected to reflect these core values in their own personal characteristics. Post holders are expected to be able to demonstrate:

  1. A level of competence appropriate to the demands of this post.
  2. The ability to conduct work in keeping with high professional standards and in accordance with Mothers Union s Aims, Objectives, and Values.
  3. A clarity of communication.
  4. A collaborative and constructive style of operating, respecting colleagues and volunteers and their contribution.
  5. An understanding of or commitment to the Christian faith.
Person Specification

Candidates demonstrationof the skills and qualities below will be assessed through the application form/CV and at interview.

Experience/skills

Essential

Desirable

Programme Development

Demonstrated project management and programme development experience.

A project management qualification.

Experience of working in a membership organisation in the design and delivery of member-informed services and support.

Policy and Advocacy

Experience of campaign, policy, and advocacy work.

Experience in the fields of domestic abuse, faith and discipleship, social justice, and family issues.

Membership Support

Experience working directly with customers/members.

Event management experience.

Computer and IT skills

MS applications. Zoom/Team meeting platforms. Survey software. Social media posting. CRMs.

Publisher and design software.

Qualifications

Education

Educated to degree level.

Personal Attributes

Organisation

The role sits within a Membership function. Ability to work in a team and self-direct as required, effectively prioritise workload and meet deadlines and timescales.

Communication

Good verbal communication skills ability to engage effectively and confidently with a wide range of stakeholders.

Produce high quality, accessible, valued, and impactful resources, and documents.

Excellent writing skills ability to tailor to various audiences clearly and concisely; to identify and summarise key messages.

Personal characteristics

Flexible, with the ability to use own initiative.

Ability to work competently and confidently with volunteers, external partners, the clergy, and a wide range of stakeholders.

Team player ability to work with others and to contribute within a team.

The ability to conduct work in keeping with high professional standards and in accordance with Mothers Union core values.

An understanding of or commitment to the Christian Faith

Knowledge and approach

A broad understanding of issues affecting faith and family life today.

The ability to take a creative and lateral approach to thinking about social problems.

A proactive attitude and enthusiasm to learn and grow in the role.

Research skills

Ability to collate, analyse, and synthesise data and use this in the development of support and services.

Ability to gather, manage and use a large quantity of information, research and reports effectively.

Ability to interpret statistics, survey data and quantitative and qualitative data effectively.

How to Apply

If you are interested in this position, please apply by sending your CV and a Cover Letter via e-mail.

The Cover Letter should clearly outline how your skills match the main responsibilities of the role.

Application Deadline

The closing date for applications is midnight on 17th November 2025. Due to the number of applications we receive . click apply for full job details