Manchester FA is looking for a Women's Community Development Officer to lead on the development of women's and teenage (14+ years) community football in priority areas. This is inclusive of sessional football and team-based football across walking football, small sided football, and flexi-leagues. 

Role Title: Women's Community Development Officer

Reports To: Football Development Manager

Direct Reports: N/A

Salary Band: £25,000 - £28,000

Time Commitment: 37.5 Hours per week - This is a Fixed Term Contract (2 Years ending June 2027)

Location: The role will involve a combination of home and office-based working and travel to various locations across Greater Manchester to meet the needs of the business. Manchester FA Operating Hours: 8am-8pm (Mon-Fri) & (9am-2pm) Saturdays. The role holder will be expected to undertake some evening and weekend work throughout the season.

Key Responsibilities:

• Understand what the current adult women's and teenage football landscape looks like in the area to help identify potential development opportunities.
• Collaborate with stakeholders to support the development and implementation of a female football plan for targeted geographical locations (place-based approach).
• Grow adult women's community football, inclusive of sessional football via Just Play, alongside team-based football across walking football, small sided football, and flexi-leagues.
• Pilot sustainable programmes to support the participation of teenage girls aged 14+ in football ensuring Squad Girls Football participants are retained in the game.
• Work closely with the Women's Football Development Officer to increase sessional opportunities to play football for women and girls of all ages, with a particular focus on providing opportunities to experience football in different communities and settings across Greater Manchester.
• Identify and engage historically underrepresented groups by working with local relevant partners and community organisations, developing fit for purpose football offers.
• Reference the FA Good Practice Guide on Adult Women's Recreational Football to provide ideas to shape local offers.
• Ensure that the projects and the volunteers recruited are inclusive, diverse and reflective of local communities.
• Grow and diversify volunteers, maximising and aligning relevant FA opportunities and resources such as courses, workshops, and learning materials.
• Work closely with the County FA Women's Football Development Officer and County FA Club Development Leads to ensure connectivity of this work from the youth game (14 years and below) with focus on Squad Girls Football, and into the women's football pyramid (beyond recreational competition).
• Ensure connectivity with the local Active Partnership and Sport England's place expansion work in targeted communities. Connect with the local ‘Active Through Football' Development Officer where relevant.
• Utilise key national partners to support the plans, including Amnesty International UK, Muslim Sport Foundation, AoC Sport, BUCS, Cerebral Palsy Sport and The Wheelchair Football Association.
• Provide The FA with quarterly monitoring and evaluation reports.
• Continue to drive our partnerships with further and higher education institutions, promoting pathways into careers working in football for students from diverse backgrounds.
• Deliver outreach sessions in secondary schools to raise awareness of football career opportunities among young people from diverse backgrounds.
• Introduce a flexible voluntary and work placement or experience programme, offering unique placements to females or individuals from diverse backgrounds.
• To be an active part of the Women & Girls Working Group for 'Our Game In Manchester' and support our Inclusion Advisory Board.
• To provide operational support as and when required to support the outcomes of Greater Manchester Women's Football Board.

Person Specifications:

Essential

• Degree level qualification or equivalent experience
• Relevant sports coaching qualification
• Ability to work strategically with partner organisations across different sectors to plan and deliver football programmes.
• Project management skills and experience – to plan, set and achieve objectives to deadlines.
• Excellent IT skills, including the use of Microsoft Office applications.
• Ability to work independently and as part of a team
• Excellent time management and prioritisation skills.
• Excellent creative problem-solving and decision- making skills.
• Outstanding communication and presentation skills.
• Exceptional customer service.
• Budget management skills
• Report-writing skills.
• Ability to use data to monitor and evaluate programmes.
• Influencing skills to champion change

Desirable

• Two years' sports development experience
• Relevant FA coaching qualification
• Practised at developing networks and relationships with a variety of stakeholders in order to support the delivery of strategic priorities.
• Skilled in creating, delivering and maintaining pathways which support the growth, transition and retention of players.
• Capability to create multiple reports, budgets and plans.
• Knowledge of The FA's National Game Strategy.
• Experience of project management.
• Experience of utilising mapping programmes to support strategic and logistical planning.
• Knowledge and understanding of working with volunteers.
• Knowledge of The FA coaching qualification framework.
• Experience coaching and leading sports activity / football for underrepresented groups. 

Key Dates:

Application closing date: 14th May 2025

Interviews: W/C 19th May 2025

How to Apply:

Please return the completed application form and completed equality monitoring form enclosed in the Recruitment Pack attached below. Send applications to SUPPORT@MANCHESTERFA.COM before 14 MAY 2025. Applications can also be made by post.
Postal applications are to be addressed; Strictly Private and Confidential, FAO Kathryn Smith - Football Development Manager. House of Sport Manchester, Gate 13 Rowsley Street, Etihad Campus, M11 3FF.