Regional Lead, National Year of Reading (North)

Full job description
Regional Lead, National Year of Reading (North)
£40,000 to £42,000 per year
Full-time, 35 hours per week
Fixed term until end of March 2027
Based in the North of England as a home working role

We empower people with the literacy skills they need to succeed in life. Together, we're helping people change their stories. You could join us as a key regional lead to engage partners, communities and volunteers in the National Year of Reading.

What you’ll be doing

2026 will be a National Year of Reading, a once-in-a-generation, UK-wide campaign to engage new audiences in reading and change the national reading culture for good. The National Literacy Trust will lead, develop and coordinate the National Year of Reading, ensuring a powerful and engaging national campaign which redefines reading for a new generation.

You will be responsible for the strategic engagement and mobilisation of organisations across the public, private and community sectors in the North of England (North East, North West, Yorkshire and Humber), to support the National Year of Reading. You will be part of a new regional team structure for this, working alongside our existing communities and local areas team and complementing their work by targeting other priority locations in the region.

You will manage a small team of project officers (initially three but we will increase capacity as we secure additional funding for this work) and work with them to engage partners, recruit volunteers and deliver events and activities. You will ensure key local organisations are included and that our national approach is integrated into planning. You will lead your team to reach families and communities, motivating them to read more, championing the benefits of literacy, and encouraging them to join and use their local library.

You will be based in the North of England, working from home with regular travel across those areas, as well as national travel when necessary. This will include coming to London three times per year for our regular staff days, as well as induction, and three team days per year that take place in other locations. All travel expenses will be covered.

What we’re looking for

You will have programme delivery and leadership experience including engaging and managing complex partner relationships at a senior/strategic level. You will also need experience of working in or with the education sector, and managing and motivating a team working remotely. Experience of also working in or with corporate partners would be an advantage.

You will need to live in the North of England, and have an excellent understanding of the communities and families in those areas.

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 you 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.

We support flexible working and promote a workplace where you can be yourself and contribute to our success, whoever you are.

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 representation of these groups among our staff as we know greater diversity will lead to an even greater impact for our work.

To apply, visit our website.

Closing date: 10am, Friday 29 August 2025.

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

Job Types: Full-time, Fixed term contract

Pay: £40,000.00-£42,000.00 per year

Work Location: Remote

Reference ID: ELDVQ2908/CC