Project Manager, Reading Champions
£30,500 per year
Full-time, 35 hours per week
Fixed term for 18 months
Based in London SW8 / home and flexible working

We empower people with the literacy skills they need to succeed in life. Together, we're helping people change their stories. We are looking for a Project Manager to join our Reading Champions programme as we grow our activity during the National Year of Reading.

What you’ll be doing

Our Reading Champions programme supports the enjoyment of reading among primary and secondary school pupils. It includes termly Reading Challenges and the Annual National Reading Champions Quiz, which celebrates young reading advocates during regional heats and a grand finale. We will be scaling up this activity, including a new primary school version of our National Reading Champions Quiz, during the 2026 National Year of Reading.

You will work with a wide range of partners and be responsible for all aspects of project delivery, including recruitment of schools, content development, event management, volunteer management, and quality assurance.

You will also support and contribute to the delivery of other projects within the school programmes team during the National Year of Reading.

You will be contracted to our office in London, but this role is suitable for home and flexible working, with the majority of your work carried out from home if you would prefer. However, you will need to be available to travel to London for staff and team days, as well as to support project delivery, partnerships and events. This could be once or twice a month on average, although at times it will be a lot less, and unfortunately, we are unable to cover travel costs for this.

What we’re looking for

You will need excellent project management skills as well as experience of managing events and working with schools and/or young people. You will also need experience of volunteer management, and a creative interest in developing young people’s enjoyment of reading. Experience working in an education setting would be an advantage, as would experience of working in partnership with corporate organisations.

Why our work is so vital

Literacy changes everything.

It gives you the tools to get the most out of life, and the power to shape your future. It’s the key to knowledge, confidence and inspiration. It’s better results at school, and better jobs. If children grow up without the tools to communicate, without books to read or opportunities to write, it’s harder to get where they want to go.

The National Literacy Trust is an independent charity helping people overcome these challenges and change their life chances through the power of words - reading, writing, speaking and listening. From first words, through school days, to training, jobs and beyond.

- We work collaboratively in local communities, focusing our work in 20 areas of the UK that are facing the biggest challenges.
- We support schools, developing the most effective tools and techniques and providing resources and programmes to engage and inspire children.
- We campaign to make literacy a priority for politicians and decision-makers.
- We support vulnerable adults, people in the criminal justice system, and young offenders’ institutions to build their literacy skills.

What we offer you

Our team are passionate about our mission, and we have a strong and positive working culture, based on shared values and respect. We offer a range of flexible working options and promote a workplace where you can be yourself and contribute to our success, whoever you are.

As well as a competitive salary, we offer benefits including a generous leave allowance totalling 39 days (including bank holidays and office closure between Christmas and New Year), pension contributions of 8% of annual salary, a cycle to work scheme, employee assistance programme and other health and wellbeing benefits.

Application details

Our people are our most important asset, and we value and respect diversity in all its forms (seen and unseen). We particularly welcome applications from those from Black and Asian backgrounds, as well as candidates with disabilities and from the communities in which we work. We would like to increase the representation of these groups among our staff, as we know greater diversity will lead to an even greater impact for our work.

To apply, please select the apply button shown.

Closing date: 10am, Wednesday 15 October 2025

Please note, we do not accept CVs. No agencies or recruitment sites. Registered charity no. 1116260 (England and Wales) and SC042944 (Scotland).