Project Manager – Secondary Schools Team

The Switch is a social mobility charity based in the London borough of Tower Hamlets with over 30 years of experience. We focus on providing career skills events and activities designed to empower young people aged 10 – 25. Our events are supported by volunteers from our employer partners, who offer valuable context and insight into the world of work, helping to bridge the gap between education and professional life.

Through our modern and highly effective programmes, we facilitate positive engagement between education and employers, helping young people fulfil their potential by aspiring to life-changing careers.

The Role
We are seeking a dynamic and highly organised Project Manager with experience working in,or with schools to lead the planning, coordination, and delivery of our careers-related activities. This role ensures our partner schools receive high-quality careers education that aligns with the Gatsby Benchmarks.

The Switch partners with approximately 12 secondary schools in Tower Hamlets, delivering an engaging careers programme that supports every student. As Project Manager, you will work closely with the Secondary Schools team to deliver engaging and inspiring careers activities across our network of secondary schools, creating an impactful experience for students. You will also work alongside the Mentoring Project Manager to manage several mentoring cohorts, serving as the key point of contact for both schools and partner companies, while upholding our robust safeguarding standards.

This role involves hands-on delivery of careers sessions, directly engaging and inspiring students to explore and pursue their future aspirations.

Details

• The role sits within the Secondary Schools team and reports to the Senior Project Manager.
• Working hours are typically 9am – 5pm Monday – Thursday, and 9am – 4pm Fridays
• Working from the office or at external venues for delivery is usually 3 days a week, with WFH normally 2 days a week
• Flexibility may be required to cover meetings or deliver events outside of these hours and WFH days, so easy access to central London is essential
• You will be required to regularly attend career sessions in schools or at partner offices
• Start date early August 2026

Project Management & Delivery

• Lead the coordination and delivery of assigned career programmes for secondary schools.
• Work closely with the Mentoring Project Manager to support programme planning, delivery, and mentor DBS compliance.
• Manage multiple mentoring cohorts by liaising with schools and partner companies, ensuring smooth and effective delivery.
• Attend group mentoring sessions at partner company offices to ensure sessions are running smoothly, actively supporting mentors and mentees as needed, particularly at the start of programmes.
• Deliver engaging careers sessions and workshops in schools or partner offices, as assigned.
• Design and deliver high-quality events and sessions for students, volunteers, and partner organisations.
• Oversee logistics and delivery of in-person and virtual events, ensuring a high-quality experience for all stakeholders.
• Brief and support volunteers, ensuring they are well-prepared and have all necessary materials.
• Liaise with external facilitators (e.g. freelance trainers) as required to support session delivery.
• Create engaging, high-quality content and resources for careers programmes and volunteer use that are accessible for all pupils.
• Collaborate with colleagues to share best practices and continuously improve session design and delivery.

Monitoring, Evaluation & Impact

• Measure impact using both quantitative and qualitative methods. Collect feedback, data, and case studies to evaluate programme success and inform improvements.
• Produce and share clear, concise impact reports with stakeholders after each programme.
• Regularly review programmes with the team to ensure alignment to strategic objectives.

General Responsibilities

• Maintain accurate records using the CRM system.
• Uphold and promote The Switch’s safeguarding policy across all activities.
• Support colleagues across the Secondary Schools team and wider charity on projects and events as needed.

Skills, Knowledge & Experience
Essential

• Strong project management skills, with experience managing multiple concurrent events efficiently.
• Experience in delivering activities and facilitating large-scale workshops for students.
• Knowledge of the secondary education sector, including an understanding of how schools plan and organise activities.
• Solutions-focused, with a forward-thinking approach to problem-solving.
• Proficient in IT, with experience using Microsoft Office and platforms such as CRMs.
• Written and oral communication of a high standard.
• Deeply committed to advancing social mobility and creating empowering opportunities for young people, with a clear focus on inclusion.
• Clear enhanced DBS, which will be undertaken in the first week of employment.

Desirable

• Experience working within a charity or in a CSR (Corporate Social Responsibility) department.
• Knowledge of the youth employment agenda and the labour market opportunities for young people.
• Knowledge of the SEND Code of Practice and how it relates to careers education / experience of working with young people with SEND.
• Knowledge and experience of the Tower Hamlets area
• Experience of volunteering

What we offer you

• 25 days holiday, plus bank holidays, additional “Switch Off” Day and Christmas closure
• Health cash-back package, including discounts on gym memberships, retail and leisure.
• Hybrid working
• Pension
• Learning and Development opportunities including Learning at Work Week activities
• Volunteering days to spend on an activity close to your own heart.

Application Process
Please send your CV and covering letter detailing how you meet the “Skills, Knowledge and Experience” criteria to: Megan.Hunter@theswitch.org

No applications will be considered without a tailored covering letter specific to this role and The Switch.
The covering letter should be a maximum of 2 pages of A4 please.

We will hold short online video calls to narrow down candidates in late June, as part of our Safer Recruitment policy where we have multiple touchpoints with all candidates.

Interview dates, in-person at our office, will be held on Monday 6 th July and/or Tuesday 7 th July. During the interview there will be a series of competency questions, scenario questions, and a presentation to the panel to engage us in a typical activity that you would deliver.

The successful job applicant will need to provide two strong referees for recent job roles and have a clear enhanced DBS check to adhere to our Safer Recruitment policy.

We encourage applicants who live or have lived in Tower Hamlets and understand the community we serve. If you’re from Tower Hamlets and interested in the role but feel you don’t meet all the requirements, please reach out to discuss how we can support you.

If you need any additional assistance, we are happy to discuss how we can support you.

For any questions, please contact info@theswitch.org or call 02076550300