Secondary School Food Development Manager

Job Title: Secondary School Food Development Manager

Position Type: Paid

Reports to: Impact and Strategy Manager

Based at: Blackfriars Settlement, 9 Rushworth Street, London, SE1 0RB

Working Hours: 5 days a week, 9am-5pm (flexible)

Pension: School Food Matters pays contributions at 7% of pensionable earnings

Holiday: 31 days including bank holidays that fall on working days

Contract: Fixed term, 18 months

Background to School Food Matters

School Food Matters is a national charity delivering school food transformation and food education to children and young people across the country. We believe that school food can unlock a happier, healthier, more sustainable future for every child. We want a school food system that delivers for all children, so they can enjoy nutritious, delicious and sustainable school food and leave school with an informed and positive relationship with food.

For nearly 20 years, we've worked alongside schools across England to improve school food and food education. Through our cooking, growing and school food transformation programmes, we've learned what schools need to create lasting change. We use our experience and evidence to shape local and national policy, bringing the voices of children, families and teachers to decision-makers.

Job Purpose

Lead School Food Matters' work to strengthen support for secondary schools during implementation of the new school food standards, developing and embedding an evidence-based approach to secondary school food improvement.

Develop, test and disseminate practical support, resources and guidance that help schools move beyond compliance to achieve meaningful improvements in meal uptake, student experience and food culture.

Key Responsibilities

Review and synthesise learning from School Food Matters' Nourish and food education programmes in secondary schools, including the School Food Project

Develop and refine School Food Matters' approach to supporting secondary schools across Nourish and food education programmes

Line-manage the Nourish Secondaries Project Officer, supporting them to deliver the programme in secondary schools in London

Facilitate learning sessions across School Food Matters' teams and embed learning into programme delivery

Convene learning sessions, workshops and communities of practice with partners working to improve secondary school food and food culture including Bite Back, Chefs in Schools and Sustain

Develop and manage the budget and distribution plan of the partner 'learning and activities' fund

Work with schools, young people, Multi Academy Trusts, local authorities and partners to identify practical implementation challenges and evidence-based solutions

Develop materials and practical support for secondary schools implementing the school food standards to be distributed to schools via the School Food Project Hub

Create resources that address common secondary school challenges, including meal uptake, student engagement, menu changes, dining environments and food culture

Work directly with secondary schools (through existing School Food Matters-funded work) to test and refine approaches and joint resource development

Develop written and digital case studies from schools and partners showcasing effective practice, including practical solutions

Share learning through webinars, events, online platforms and sector networks including the School Food Project Hub

Work closely with our Impact and Strategy Manager to complete all monitoring and evaluation

Maintain an excellent relationship with the Nutritional Wellbeing Foundation and support with written and verbal reports

Keep line manager updated on progress

Contribute to the smooth running of School Food Matters

Stay up to date with safeguarding requirements and reporting procedures

Maintain the ethos of the charity and positively promote our work at all times

The Secondary School Food Development Manager will also undertake any other tasks relevant to the affairs of School Food Matters that may arise from time to time. Therefore, being flexible and approaching the job with an open and positive mindset is essential!

Person specification

Essential

Proven experience of managing and delivering complex projects involving multiple organisations and workstreams

Experience of building and maintaining effective partnerships, coalitions or networks across organisations and sectors

Strong facilitation and relationship-building skills, with the ability to engage a wide range of sectors including schools, funders, charities, local authorities and young people

Excellent written communication skills, including producing reports, guidance, case studies or resources for different audiences

Excellent administrative and organisational skills with great attention to detail and ability to manage deadlines

Ability to work independently, prioritise workload and take initiative

Strong interest in our mission to improve children and young people's health through better food and food education in schools

A positive, collaborative and solution-focused approach

Desirable

Experience of working directly with schools, particularly secondary schools

Experience of working for a charity, public or education sectors

Knowledge of school food, food education, public health, youth engagement or related fields

Understanding of the secondary school system, academy trusts and/or local authority education settings