Programme Lead (Community Programmes)

3Pillars Project is seeking a dedicated and dynamic Programme Lead to lead Fit for Future.

Our post-release programme that ensures what we start in custody continues for years afterwards. Y

ou will drive the long-term success of our alumni community by leading mentoring, employability, education and rugby pathway development for prison leavers across your region. 

You will build and influence partnerships with rugby clubs, employers, training providers and community organisations, turning opportunities into tangible progression routes for alumni and championing pathways where others may see barriers. 

You will play a key leadership role in shaping the culture, ambition and external presence of Fit for Future, while also supporting delivery within our Rugby Academy and wider in-custody programmes where appropriate.

Background

Our purpose  We enable people in the criminal justice system to find hope, opportunity, and community.

Our mission  We are on a mission to develop the most effective sports-based mentoring programme for individuals in custody and post-release.

Through the power of sport, particularly rugby, we empower people to thrive beyond prison by building resilience, self-discipline, and a sense of belonging. We believe that everyone deserves the chance to rebuild their lives, and we are dedicated to providing the tools, support, and encouragement to do this.

Our Values

• Each of us are unique: Each person we meet has lived a different life and has a different set of opportunities before them.
• Respect: We have to respect everyone we meet for them to respect us.
• Courage: Changing our lives means taking a risk which requires courage.
• Determination: Making change stick is hard work and takes determination.
• Truth: Only I can change my life. No one else can do it for me and I can’t do it for them.

Primary Responsibilities & Duties

Community programme leadership

• Lead 3Pillars community activity in your region, working closely with Programme Leads in other regions to share effective practice and maintain consistency of delivery.
• Build and maintain strong relationships with key custody stakeholders, including Employment Hubs, proactively challenging existing statutory approaches to improve practice and drive effective delivery, while embedding 3Pillars principles across all programmes.
• Build and maintain a strong network of community stakeholders spanning training and employability to community and sport, influencing organisations to create pathways that welcome and support prison leavers. Embed 3Pillars principles through responsible signposting that sustains ongoing support and positions 3Pillars as part of a wider support network.

Programme Delivery

• Plan, inspire and lead the delivery and development of Fit for Future Academy for alumni of the Rugby Academy, working to the GAMEPLAN pathway.
• Deliver adventurous and purposeful alumni events in the community which bring graduates together including hikes, employability days, rugby matches, kayaking, group coaching or training etc.
• Drive conversion of graduates from Rugby Academy to FFF Programme, ensuring a structured transition.
• Work with the Resettlement Lead and Programme Lead, where required, to ensure practical release planning is in hand for participants, including meet at the gate arrangements.
• Develop and maintain educational pathways for alumni, including progression into further qualifications and longer-term education, employment or training, while building and sustaining working relationships with training providers, Further Education colleges, and employer partners.
• Work with our PHD placement to develop and implement the monitoring and evaluation of the programmes to evidence relevant impact.

Mentoring and coaching

• Cultivate boundaries, meaningful mentoring relationships with graduates which support them to transition through-the-gate.
• Participate in a structured handover with other Programme Leads during this period, sharing insight about each participant’s interests, strengths and risks.
• Conduct, coordinate and oversee ongoing one-to-one coaching with alumni post-release, drawing on the wider programme team and trained volunteers, aimed at increasing stability factors, sustained behaviour change or training and employability pathways.
• If any participants need active resettlement support, refer to the Resettlement Lead for specified support. Resettlement planning, family liaison and statutory coordination sit with the Resettlement Lead.

Partnership building

• Build networks, partnerships and organisational contacts in the field of employment, training and sport for development to build collaborative opportunities for 3PP and referral pathways for alumni.
• Maintain a live working document of local/national partners for qualifications, employment, and specialist support.
• Build and steward partnerships with rugby clubs across the country to provide ongoing playing, training and volunteering opportunities for alumni regardless of where they settle.
• Establish and run the 3Pillars Project Rugby Team and organise the annual fixture.
• Broker introductions between individual graduates and clubs, and follow up to make sure placements stick.

Alumni community and digital network

• Online Mentoring: 2 sessions or touch points per month (via App or Digital Community). This serves as the "light-touch" digital connection to maintain consistency between physical events.

Safeguarding, risk and compliance

• Act as the safeguarding point of contact for alumni post-release and for volunteer mentors; ensure incidents are recorded within 24 hours and escalated to the Chief Operating Officer.
• Lead post-release risk management on your programme and ensure all team members adhere to organisational protocols.
• Maintain personal vetting, training and prison clearances at all times.

Records and evaluation

• Maintain accurate records on Upshot.
• Work with the Chief Operating Officer and any evaluation partners to evidence long-term impact.
• Prepare and submit timely reports on progress against objectives and targets.
• Actively contribute case studies, stories, quotes and source material to the central team.

Team Working

• Line manage regional Programme Officer(s) and Casual Coaches where they are in post.
• Onboard and supervise interns and placements which support GAMEPLAN.
• Maintain regular review of participant progress in monthly progression support meetings with the Resettlement Lead, Programme Leads/Officers and Chief Operating Officer, working collaboratively across the team on shared participants to track and improve outcomes and ensure coordinated support.
• Contribute to events (including fundraising, residentials and stewardship) by recruiting graduates in line with Event Lead targets and stewarding them effectively to maximise attendance and engagement.
• Contribute to the Chief Operating Officer’s review and development of the scheme of work, monitoring and evaluation, and quality frameworks.
• Participate in training relevant to the post, as agreed with the Chief Operating Officer.
• Where appropriate, share your expertise by contributing to training of other members of the team.
• Contribute delivery-related content to internal communications, including materials such as Schemes of Work and partnership packs.
• Contribute content for external communications, including newsletters, annual reports, marketing collateral, and other published materials.

Supporting Duties (Rugby Academy)

These duties support the Rugby Academy Programme Lead and ensure continuity across the participant journey.

• Deliver on the Rugby Academy as a coach, building meaningful relationships with participants.
• Attend reunion days, tournaments and end-of-course events where this supports participant relationships and alumni visibility.
• Feed insight from alumni experience back into custody delivery and into the Chief Operating Officer’s review of the model.
• Curate opportunities for alumni stories to be shared with current participants, to motivate and inspire.

Volunteers and casual coaches

• Support the recruitment, training and coordination of volunteers and casual coaches who provide ongoing mentoring to alumni, with a focus on continuity from custody where possible.
• Where volunteers have been involved in mentoring during custody, coordinate continuity of the volunteer relationship across the transition.

Explicitly Out of Scope

• Resettlement planning, family liaison, supporting letters for parole or Cat D applications, and statutory coordination – referred to the Resettlement Lead or external support, where required.

What sort of previous experience are we looking for?

Essential

• Proven track record of managing programme delivery, community development or mentoring, ideally with people who have experience of the criminal justice system.
• Experience in a coaching or mentoring role, with a focus on enabling individuals rather than taking actions on their behalf.
• Strong relationship and partnership-building skills; comfortable opening doors and following through.
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills.
• Proficiency in IT systems; AI software, Documents production, Presentations and Case Management software
• Ability to pass an Enhanced DBS check.
• Full UK driving licence and willingness to travel nationally, where needed.

Desirable

• Experience recruiting, training and supporting volunteers.
• Experience working in a small, start-up or scale-up organisation.
• Experience designing or running educational pathways or EET provision.
• Experience building and managing digital communities or online platforms.
• Understanding of trauma-informed approaches and mental health awareness.
• Experience working within or alongside custodial settings.
• Lived experience of the criminal justice system is welcomed.

Qualities and Attitude

• Thrive in a dynamic, fast-paced environment and demonstrate flexibility to work across different areas of the charity.
• Maintain a positive, proactive approach to challenges, demonstrating resilience and problem-solving skills.
• Embody and uphold 3Pillars Project values at all times, serving as an excellent role model for the men we work with.
• Communicate clearly and effectively with colleagues across the team.
• Be energised by innovation and change, adapting to the evolving needs of the organisation.