The Oxfordshire FA is looking for an experienced football or sports development professional to spearhead the delivery of The FA and Oxfordshire FA priorities
across the county. The Football Development Manager will lead a team of dedicated Football Development Officers and work with the wider Oxfordshire FA team, football
family and key stakeholders to deliver against strategic plan objectives.

Key deliverables:

• Support the delivery of The FA Grassroots Football Strategy and Oxfordshire FA Business Strategy.
• Develop, drive and deliver against an annual operational plan to enable growth and provide high-quality football opportunities across all football pathways (women and girls, male and disability) to meet FA Key Performance Indicator (KPI) targets and development measures
• Work with The FA and local partners to maximise opportunities to sustain and gain funding and resources to support delivery against FA KPI targets
• Identify, manage and develop relationships with key community partners to meet the strategic objectives of Oxfordshire FA
• Analyse and use data and insight to design and develop innovative solutions to ensure high-quality affiliated and recreational opportunities can be found across all player pathways
• Coach and provide inspirational operational direction to the Football Development Team, efficiently and cost-effectively managing them through quarterly performance reviews and agreed personal development plans
• Manage football development budgets and provide reports on a quarterly basis.
• Drive implementation of The FA's growth strategy for disability football in Oxfordshire
• Monitor and oversee the efficient and sustainable delivery of initiatives such as Future Fit that effectively ensure the implementation of FA changes to youth football formats, managing player transition from mini-soccer to youth and youth to adult to minimise drop out
• Coordinate the delivery of Oxfordshire FA's Diversity and Inclusion Action Plan (DIAP) within football development and represent the team on the Inclusion Action Group (IAG)
• Implement the delivery of a programme of services to club, league and young volunteers, with an emphasis on gaining more Thriving Community Clubs, England Accredited clubs and leagues
• Strategically lead delivery of the Oxfordshire FA coach development programme, liaising with FA coach development workforce and key stakeholders to meet the needs of the game
• Oversee the recruitment, retention and development of diverse coaches through The FA qualification framework and local CPD opportunities, with a focus on coaches from historically under-represented communities
• Manage the development and growth of an effective licensed football delivery partner programme ensuring the provision of safe, inclusive and high-quality coaching
• Support the Head of Football Support Services in the implementation of Respect and addressing poor behaviour initiatives across the game.
• Execute tasks as required to meet Oxfordshire FA changing priorities
• Contribute to ensuring that safeguarding and equality are embedded throughout Oxfordshire FA and grassroots football
• Collaborate with the Designated Safeguarding Officer in all matters involving under-18s and adults at risk within club development programmes including risk assessments and voice of the child
• Contribute to the effective implementation of The FA's Safeguarding 365 Standard for County FAs 

Key Skills and Qualifications:

Essential

• Educated to degree level or equivalent or two years' professional sports/football development experience
• Full UK Driving Licence
• Self-motivated with excellent leadership skills and ability to build trust-based relationships
• Excellent internal and external stakeholder relations and customer service skills
• Project management skills and experience – to plan, set and achieve objectives within deadlines
• Ability to coach, develop and manage the performance of staff
• Exceptional communication, interpersonal and influencing skills
• Effective report-writing and presentation skills
• Effective prioritisation and time management skills
• Excellent IT skills, including the use of Microsoft Office applications
• Knowledge of developing and using dashboards and applications such as Power Bi and Smartsheet
• Excellent problem-solving and decision-making skills
• Budget management skills
• Ability to use data to monitor and evaluate programmes
• Passionate about working in football
• Proven track record of creating and delivering successful sports/football development initiatives
• Experience of developing successful relationships and working with partner organisations
• Experience of writing successful funding bids
• Knowledge of how the County FA operates in partnership with The FA
• Knowledge of and commitment to equality, diversity and inclusion
• Knowledge of The FA's Safeguarding 365 Standard for County FAs
• Experience of monitoring and evaluation of programmes

Desirable

• Experience of project management
• Experience of managing and developing staff
• Experience of utilising mapping programmes to support strategic and logistical planning
• Knowledge and understanding of The FA's Grassroots Football Strategy and how the County FA business plans support its delivery
• Knowledge and understanding of working with volunteers
• Knowledge and understanding of disability football 

TO APPLY

Complete the online optional equality and diversity monitoring form here 

Email your up-to-date CV and covering letter, setting out how you feel you can meet the requirements of the role, to Andy.Earnshaw@OxfordshireFA.com with 'Football Development Manager Vacancy' in the email's subject line. 

The deadline for applications is 11:59pm on Sunday 4 May 2025. 

In-person interviews will take place on Wednesday 14 May 2025. 


For more information or an informal discussion about the role please contact Andy Earnshaw, Head of Football Operations via email at Andy.Earnshaw@OxfordshireFA.com or call 07856 902738. The application pack can also be found attached below.

FURTHER INFORMATION 

Oxfordshire FA are an equal opportunities employer and welcome applicants from all communities. Due to the nature of the role, the successful candidate may need to undertake an FA Enhanced DBS check before commencement in the post. Safeguarding is everyone's responsibility, and all members of the board are required to keep up to date with training and qualifications to ensure we are keeping our football community safe.