Head of Thrive North East at Foundation of Light

Contract Type: Permanent

Role Type: Employment

Hours: Full time

Application deadline: Monday, June 22, 2026 - 00:00

Based: South Tyneside

Salary: £34,000 to 44,500 Per Annum

Salary Type: Salary Scale

Location: Tyne and Wear

Role description: Manager

At the Foundation of Light, we use the power of football to create better opportunities and lives across Sunderland, South Tyneside and County Durham. Through education, wellbeing and connection, we break down barriers, build confidence and help people reach their potential. In partnership with the North East Mayoral Strategic Authority, we are looking to appoint an ambitious, innovative and collaborative leader to become our new Head of Thrive North East.

If you’re passionate about systems change, improving outcomes for young people and communities, and building partnerships that genuinely make a difference, we’d love to hear from you.

Head of Thrive North East 

This exciting senior role will lead the development of Thrive North East, a place-based, cross-sector initiative aligned with regional priorities and designed to improve how young people access and sustain engagement with services in local communities.

The successful candidate will provide leadership across a complex partnership landscape, bringing together organisations from across youth, health, education, employability and community sectors to create a more joined-up and person-centred approach.

The successful candidate will:

• Lead the development and delivery of Thrive North East as a scalable, place-based model aligned with regional priorities
• Build and maintain strong strategic partnerships across local authorities, education, health, policing, voluntary sector organisations and regional stakeholders
• Lead the design and implementation of innovative programmes that improve access, engagement and long-term outcomes for young people
• Use insight, evaluation and shared outcomes frameworks to demonstrate impact and drive continuous improvement
• Manage investment and funding opportunities to support growth and long-term sustainability
• Champion collaboration, inclusion, data sharing, safeguarding and equity across all aspects of delivery

This is an exciting opportunity to shape a flagship regional initiative that has the potential to influence systems change and create lasting impact for communities across the North East.

For an informal discussion about the role, please contact Lesley Spuhler on lesley.spuhler@foundationoflight.co.uk

Key Information

• 35 hours per week
• Salary Band: £34,000 – £44,500
• Flexible working will be required, including occasional evenings and weekends
• The role will work in localities across the North East

The closing date for applications is 22^nd June 2026. 

Appointments will be subject to an Enhanced DBS Check.

Foundation of Light is an Equal Opportunities Employer and is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children, young people and adults at risk. 

We expect all staff and volunteers to share this commitment.

Candidates who have not heard within six weeks of the closing date should assume they have been unsuccessful.