The challenge and opportunity to improve the mental health and wellbeing of young people in England is more pressing than ever, with the pandemic exposing the wildly divergent experiences and outcomes of young people from different backgrounds. #BeeWell was co-created with 150 young people from its founding region, Greater Manchester, to listen to the voices of young people in an annual census; publish the results privately to schools and publicly by neighbourhood; and facilitate partners across civil society to act on the results. #BeeWell combines deep academic expertise with partners from the education, voluntary and business sectors and is now entering the second phase of a bold 10-year national plan.
We are now seeking to appoint a National Director to lead the development of #BeeWell into a pioneering national programme for change. They will ensure that the programme continues to be delivered with excellence in existing and new locations, and raise the profile and importance of #BeeWell’s work with policy makers and commentators – with a view to the #BeeWell model becoming embedded across England by 2030. Ultimately, they will drive the future strategic vision for #BeeWell as it seeks to build a movement to give equal weight to wellbeing and academic attainment at the heart of the public policy agenda.
This is a critical and influential role. Candidates will have a passion for working with young people, or with issues connected to young people, and have a flexible and entrepreneurial approach. With excellent interpersonal and influential alliance-building skills, you will demonstrate strategic judgement and be comfortable with complexity. A creative and inspirational thinker, with ideas that capture imaginations but that are backed by the rigour and evidence to achieve change, you will also inspire our talented and committed team. You will be comfortable working and inspiring collaborative partnership working. You will get things done, possessing the ability to work at pace in an often-ambiguous environment, with a high capacity for self-reflection and resilience.
If you believe you have the skills and attributes to lead #BeeWell through an exciting and purposeful phase of growth, we would be very keen to hear from you.