Participation & Development Manager

Location: Oaklands Park, Almondsbury, Bristol. BS32 4AG 

Salary Band: £29,000 to £34,000 pa 

Hours per week: 37.5.  

Closing Date: 5:00pm on Friday 10th April 2026 

In-Person Interview Date: Thursday 23rd April 2026 

Vacancy Type: Permanent 

This is an exciting opportunity for a person to join the team in a leadership role at Gloucestershire FA. We are looking for an individual with passion, energy, and a positive outlook to lead, manage, develop and support designated Football Development staff to effectively deliver increased playing opportunities across the male and female player pathways. 

The successful candidate will be a strategic thinker with experience of building positive relationships to help manage and grow the network of 2-star, 3-star and Thriving Community Clubs across Gloucestershire. Collaboration with Glos FA staff, key stakeholders and strategic partners will be vital to support the development of Thriving Community Clubs.    

The role plays a vital part in delivery of the Gloucestershire FA Business Strategy and also ensuring they help to make football safe by supporting delivery of the County FA Safeguarding 365 Operating Standards. 

What we are looking for

- Experience and ability to coach, develop and manage the performance of staff.   

- Self-motivated with excellent leadership skills and ability to build trust-based relationships. 

- We are looking for a person with the ability to work strategically with partner organisations across different sectors to plan and deliver football programmes. 

- Experience in Sports/Football Development, and a knowledge of grassroots football and its structure.   

- This role would suit someone educated to a degree level qualification, or skills and experience at an equivalent level. 

- They are likely to have excellent IT skills in order to fully utilise FA IT systems as well as the ability to work independently and as part of a team.  

For the full job description and person specification, please see below:

Job Description and Person Specification

About the application and selection process

- Complete the Application Form and Equality and Diversity Monitoring Form and return to Recruitment@GloucestershireFA.com no later than 5:00pm on Friday, 10th April 2026. Applications submitted by post to the Association's office are welcome, but applications received after deadline will only be considered in exceptional circumstances e.g., proof of posting indicates undue delay through no fault of the applicant.

- Receipt of applications will not be acknowledged.

- Shortlisted applicants will be contacted by 17th April 2026 to confirm the interview date and time. 

- Interviews will be held at Glos FA HQ on Thursday 23rd April 2026 

If required, second interviews may be held to determine the most suitable candidate for the role.

Application Documents 

Application Form

Equality and Diversity Monitoring Form 

Safeguarding Commitment 

Gloucestershire FA is committed to safeguarding children and adults at risk. Due to the nature of this role, the successful candidate will be required to undertake a Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) check through The FA DBS process. The possession of a criminal record will not necessarily prevent an applicant from obtaining this post, as all cases are judged individually according to the nature of the role and the information provided. 

Equality and Diversity 

Gloucestershire FA actively promotes inclusion and diversity and welcomes applications from everyone. If you have any requirements in relation to the recruitment or interview process, please include details on the application form. 

Contact 

If you have any questions about the role, please contact Head of Strategy & Delivery, Matt Boucher, on 01454 615888 for an informal discussion.