Head of Participation £44,711+ flexible benefits package Hybrid working option home and Belfast office Full time, 45 month contract with possibility of extension Closing Date: Member of Senior Management Team The Opportunity Outscape is a vibrant not-for-profit organisation, striving for a more active and healthy society in the outdoors. Since our establishment in 1999 weve been passionate about shaping the outdoors to improve physical and mental health, connect communities and generate economic gain. We have 5 strategic priorities: 1. Championing the Outdoors 2. Delivering Training and Sharing Best Practice 3. Planning and Developing Quality Experiences 4. Increasing Awareness 5. Widening, Increasing and Sustaining Participation Whilst we have delivered some participation programmes in the past, we now have an opportunity to increase our work in this field at a strategic level and as a result we are now looking to recruit a ‘Head of Participation’. The new postholder will join Outscapes Senior Management Team joining the Executive Director, Director of Operations, Head of Strategic Projects, Head of Place Shaping and Head of Comms and Training. The sole responsibility for the new Head of Participation over the next 45 months will be to manage the ‘Walking For All’ programme. This exciting new programme will engage over 14,000 people and volunteers to get walking in rural areas in Northern Ireland and the border counties of Ireland, and is funded by PEACEPLUS, a programme managed by the Special EU Programmes Body. This key strategic initiative will be seminal in tackling endemic societal issues such as physical and mental health, social exclusion and isolation. With overall responsibility for the Walking For All programme, were looking for a leader, who can inspire and steer our 19 partner organisations and staff team. Youre excited about this opportunity because you will: Head up Outscapes work strand on participation and sit on Outscapes Senior Management Team Take overall responsibility for the delivery of theWalking For All programme and targets, supported by the Head of Strategic Projects Recruit and manage a team of 3 Regional Managers, Comms and Training Officer, Monitoring and Evaluation Officer and Business Support Officer – all of whom will be offered hybrid working options Collaborate closely with partner organisations (such as councils and local sports partnerships), ensuring challenging objectives are achieved by 16 Walking for All Officers Establish processes and structures to ensure the effective and efficient operation of the programme and clarity of roles, responsibilities and reporting between staff, partners and volunteers Manage a substantial budget and collaborate with key staff in Outscape and partner organisations to ensure timely submission of claims and reports. Financial claims will be supported by the Business Support Manager. Be the Walking For All champion in Ireland, enthusing a wide audience within and outside the programme You will be successful in this role by: Remaining focused on the objectives for the programme, ensuring that the targets are met and that you stay true to our overarching objective of getting people active in the outdoors Being innovative, as inevitably things dont go to plan sometimes, but you always find another way to reach the desired outcome Applying a people-first approach through inspiring and motivating at all levels of the programme, and being an all-round excellent communicator, collaborator and leader Were excited about you because: You have a minimum of 5 years senior management work experience in: managing a multi-disciplinary staff team dealing with the varying needs and challenges of partners and stakeholders leading and motivating teams to achieve demanding targets developing and managing significant budgets presenting and chairing meetings to stakeholders and groups of people of differing levels You have some experience: in recruiting and building a new team in working with volunteers as part of a team Your verbal communication skills are exemplary, supported by excellent written skills You have a genuine interest in people becoming active and enjoying the benefits of being outdoors You are very proficient in Excel, Word and PowerPoint You have a full current driving licence and use of a car, or access to a form of transport that allows you to meet the requirements of the role Compensation NJC P04 – £44,711 (under review) + essential car users allowance of £1,239 per annum Based in Belfast office (Barnett Demesne) with option for hybrid working(as set out in Outscapes Agile Working Policy) Westfield Health Cash Plan: access to health and wellbeing services, money back on health care expenses NILGOSC pension employer contribution currently 23.2% of pensionable salary; your contribution will be 6.5% (rate may fluctuate slightly based on NILGOSC contribution rate bands) 25 days annual leave plus 11 public holidays; opportunity to buy/sell leave days Flexible working (as set out in Outscapes policy) Please note: the nature of this role will mean you will have to travel at times within Northern Ireland and the border counties and very occasionally do some evening and weekend work Application To apply for this role, complete the application process on the recruitment page of out- Head of Participation – Outscape CVs will not be considered Closing date: Monday 16 June 2025 at midday If you would like further information on the opportunity, contact Aideen Martin Head of Strategic Projects to arrange a confidential discussion