Head of Programmes 

Purpose of the role

We’re expanding our leadership team with the creation of a new Head of Programmes role. We’re looking for an experienced programme lead who can take ownership of the overarching objectives, strategy, and stakeholder management for our accelerator programmes. 

In this role you will take overall responsibility for the successful delivery of our major accelerators, currently the UK Space Agency Accelerator and Accelerate to Investment. You will lead the delivery teams to ensure that programme design and execution meets our contractual and impact objectives, and that our accelerator proposition continues to strengthen for both founders and stakeholders.  

You will be the main strategic contact point for our customer leads, ensuring we maintain great relationships and giving them confidence that we have robust operations and governance in place. From managing key team members to leading from the front on stage at our events, you will have the opportunity to shape the essence of how we deliver impact to entrepreneurs and accelerate their growth.

Who We Are 

Entrepreneurial Spark build great people who build great businesses to drive growth that benefits everybody. We do this by developing the mindsets and behaviours of entrepreneurs, a method proven by working with over 10,000 participants globally. We help people to overcome barriers both personally and professionally and help them achieve their goals and ambitions.  

How do we do this? We run accelerator programmes for entrepreneurs globally, both ourselves and in partnership with others. Our focus is on building communities of like-minded collaborative people in person and online.  

We believe that entrepreneurs can reach their greatest potential when equipped with accountability, insight, and support throughout both their business and mindset. 

We believe everyone who commits to start and grow a business should have the opportunity and support to succeed, or to discover it is not for them at this time.  

We believe that having the right mindset in whatever you do underpins any future action, decision making and behaviours. The right mindset leads to the right action!

Who You Are

We are looking for someone who shares our passion and drive to have a positive impact on others, and who can help us create a better way to support entrepreneurs globally. See our mission and values for more on what drives us. 

You are an experienced operator in the startup ecosystem, with a good understanding of the needs of early-stage, high-potential deeptech founders. You have charisma and presence, able to lead from the front and hold a room when delivering content in person or presenting online. We’d also like to see proven experience of developing and implementing strategy in a startup programme context, and the organisational skills to lead superb execution on this strategy. 

You understand the importance of self-awareness and emotional intelligence, and you actively use this to get the best out of yourself, and to connect with others. You approach everything you do with a determination for growth and improvement, and aligning strategic goals with getting shit done excites you. 

You are an energetic, open-minded, and self-starting individual who can work independently while staying aligned with broader team goals. The role will be hybrid, so you thrive working from home and enjoy the change of pace that in-person events provide (approx. 1-2 per month). You are a great communicator and can adapt your tone, message, and style dependant on the audience. 

Roles and Responsibilities

Accelerator Programme Ownership 

• Be the senior responsible owner for our accelerator programmes. 

• Build relationships with and manage stakeholders at all levels of our partner organisations. 

• Oversee budget, commercial and delivery decisions. 

• Ensure programmes are designed and delivered in a way that meets contractual objectives. 

• Maintain a culture of inclusion, meritocracy, high expectations and human-centredness in line with our values. 

Team Leadership 

• Manage, coach and develop key delivery team members. 

• Work with our Project Manager to ensure that comms rhythms remain effective and resources are deployed efficiently and with high impact.  

• Motivate and direct the team towards delivery that meets our strategic goals. 

Product Development 

• Lead the continuous evolution or our accelerators and ecosystem to deliver high impact and value, both to founders and stakeholders. 

• Ensure that companies graduating from our programmes are credible and investable, and develop a strong alumni offer that maximises impact and engagement.  

• Develop a strong delivery partner network to support our work with founders. 

Business Leadership 

• Own our programme strategies, and connect these with our wider business strategy.  

• Develop, deploy and communicate programme strategies and context, both within the team and with stakeholders. 

• Work with other leadership team members to ensure programme delivery interests are co-ordinated with all areas of the business. 

Skills and Qualifications

Required

• Proven experience in designing and delivering deeptech programmes within an accelerator environment. 

• Direct experience working with high-potential startups in a deep enough capacity to have a detailed understanding of their needs and challenges. 

• Thorough understanding of pre-seed and seed investment. 

• Track record of successfully managing stakeholder relationships at all levels. 

• Exceptional presenting and storytelling skills. 

• Experience of developing and implementing strategy.  

• Experience leading a high-performing multi-disciplinary team, including sustaining a culture and people-management.  

• Strong organisational and project skills, both personal and when co-ordinating a wider team.   

Preferred 

• Have started, owned and grown a business yourself (whether successfully or unsuccessfully!) 

• Coaching, psychology or mindset-focused experience or qualifications. 

Our Work Ethos  

Entrepreneurial Spark is one of the most stimulating and vibrant companies that you will ever have the pleasure of operating in. We think differently and learn something new every day from the inspirational, driven and creative people we work with. We are a small team who care deeply about what we do, without taking ourselves too seriously.  

We believe in the autonomy, flexibility and personal responsibility that comes with remote working: we are a virtual team which is spread across the UK (and beyond!). We will rely on you to bring your thoughts and ideas to the table and be an integral part of the growth of Entrepreneurial Spark. 

As a team we believe in growth, learning and development so you should be comfortable being uncomfortable. As a role model for the people you work with and a key member of a small team, we will challenge you to up your game and be the best you can be. If you are not open to honest and frank conversations which will help you and the company grow, then this isn’t for you. 

 
Location 

This is a remote role, looking for a candidate based in the UK, where most days you will work from home, with occasional travel required. We have in-person events nationally which you would be expected to travel to, around once to twice per month on average. We also hold in-person team meetings once per quarter which you would need to join. All travel and accommodation will be covered for the above events and meetings. Please note that we are only able to support those with a permanent right to live and work in the UK. 

The Package

• £250 quarterly wellbeing allowance to spend on your physical, mental and emotional wellbeing. 

• 28 days annual holiday allowance + bank holidays. 

• Statutory pension scheme, mobile phone and laptop will be provided if required. 

How to Apply 

Please send your CV and cover letter to hello@entrepreneurial-spark.com. Note that although we are a company that uses and values AI, one of our values is “Human”: if your cover letter reads like it’s been written by a robot, we probably won’t read it all. We want to see the real you! We commit to replying to every application and are happy to provide feedback if asked, so please commit the time to writing these things yourself. 

Applications close on 15th November. We will invite up to 15 candidates through to our first stage interviews week of 16th November, and 8 of those through to an Assessment Day (E-Spark style!) in Manchester week of 7th December. The successful candidate will be notified by 11th December. We always reply to all applicants and provide active feedback to those who interview with us.