Sports development officer jobs in liverpool, merseyside
We are a small but mighty team, with huge ambitions to transform more lives of those who live with an intellectual disability, through the power of sport.
If you are just looking for a job, then we are probably not for you. However, if you are an experienced Corporate Partnerships Manager with a track record of driving high-value, purpose-driven partnerships that create lasting impact and you are looking for a challenge, a chance to make a huge difference and you want to be part of a high performing team which gets things done, then we would like to hear from you.
We continue to be focused on our vision to create an inclusive world for all, driven by the power of sport, through which people with intellectual disabilities live active, healthy and fulfilling lives. We are a small, but growing, team with huge ambitions, and applicants must be comfortable operating in an environment where working under your own initiative is expected and encouraged.
We are looking for people who are passionate about Special Olympics and are completely aligned with our values. We are authentic. We act with honesty, integrity and respect. We are creative and innovative. We love to embrace difference and doing things differently. We are brave, courageous, resilient and determined. We listen and are led by the voice of our athletes. We are always kind. We are Inclusion in Action.
We are continuing to build a high-performing team who care for each other and care about our cause. Our athletes are incredibly inspirational, courageous and insightful people, and they deserve a team who are equally committed and passionate about our mission.
How to Apply
To apply, please send a covering letter (maximum 2 pages) explaining why you wish to work for Special Olympics GB. It is important that all prospective employees understand our mission and are driven by our cause. Please be specific about how your skills and experience will help you undertake this role. Generic letters and agency approaches will not be considered. Please also include your CV.
For Job Role specifics please see the Job Description.
Closing date for applications is 11/05/25.
First stage interviews will be held w/c 19/05/25.
Special Olympics GB is committed to equality and diversity and encourages all sections of the community, particularly those living with a disability, who meet the job requirements to apply. We are a Disability Confident Employer.
The job holder will need to provide evidence of their ability to live and work in the UK and will be required to undertake a DBS check.
We will only contact those who have been selected for interview.
We request no contact from agencies.
We are Special Olympics GB. We are Inclusion in Action.




Location: Home based, or office based at Society Building, 8 All Saints Street, London N1, in line with NCVO’s flexible working policy or home working policy.
Closing date: 8am on 1 May 2025
Shortlisting date: 5 May 2025
Interviews: 12 May 2025
About NCVO
We are the charities charity. For over 100 years, NCVO has stood shoulder to shoulder with communities, championing and celebrating voluntary action.
Our membership is made up of over 17,000 voluntary organisations across England, from small, grassroots community groups and social enterprises, to large, far-reaching charities.
We believe that communities are strengthened by voluntary action. We therefore want charities to thrive and be empowered to deliver for people and communities.
About the Transformation directorate
This role sits within the newly formed Transformation Unit.
The Transformation Unit comprises the Strategic Review; People, Culture and Inclusion; Technology, Programmes and Innovation; and Data and Insight teams. It will deliver key strategic projects that have a demonstrable impact on the organisational culture, growth and capabilities.)
About the Insights Hub team
The Insights Hub is part of the Transformation Directorate at NCVO, dedicated to leveraging data and research to drive impactful change within the charity and voluntary sectors. Our team focuses on quantitative and qualitative research projects, particularly the UK Civil Society Almanac, delivering actionable insights to support internal and external stakeholders. We work collaboratively across teams to optimise workflows, improve data science capabilities, and support decision-making through robust research and data analysis.
About the role
The Associate Data Scientist will play a key role in supporting quantitative research within the Insights Hub, particularly for projects like the UK Civil Society Almanac and research surveys. The position involves conducting high-quality data analysis, developing machine learning models, and enhancing data processes using tools like Python and SQL. You'll collaborate closely with the Data Scientist and Research and Insights Manager, contributing to large-scale data analysis and supporting the team’s broader research efforts.
Equality, diversity and inclusion
NCVO is fully committed to equity, diversity and inclusion in our sector. We want this to be reflected in the diversity of the people who work for us and we welcome applications from people from all backgrounds and identities. We particularly welcome applications from under-represented groups in the voluntary sector and those with diverse, lived experience. As part of our commitment to employing disabled people, all disabled candidates who meet the minimum requirement for all competencies on the person specification will be guaranteed an interview.
If you have access needs or require reasonable adjustments as part of the recruitment process, please let us know. Shortlisted candidates will be asked to complete a pre-interview task and will have one week to complete the exercise. Interview questions will be shared in advance.
NCVO is an equal opportunities employer and we welcome applications from everyone. Charity No. 225922.
Benefits for NCVO employees
NCVO offers attractive benefits including:
- 25 days’ annual leave (for full time staff and pro-rata for part-time staff) and office closure between 25 December and 1 January inclusive. After three years' service annual holiday increases to 27 days, and after five years to 30 days, (pro rata for part time staff)
- the option to purchase or sell up to five more days each year
- five days’ volunteering leave (pro rata for part-time staff)
- 2.5 extra ‘wellbeing’ days off during the year
- enhanced pay for sick/maternity/adoption leave
- subsidised gym membership
- season ticket loan
- flexible working, including opportunities to work from home/off site
- monthly homeworking allowance for permanent homeworkers
- monthly office worker allowance for those who have to work from the office on a daily basis
- generous employer pension contribution of up to 8.5% of salary, into our stakeholder pension scheme (linked to employee contribution)
- training and development opportunities.
- The opportunity to join Hospital Saturday Fund health cash plan for free at the basic level of cover, or at a reduced rate for other levels of cover
- 24-hour free and confidential employee assistance programme
We’re located a short walk from London King’s Cross station in a modern accessible building, overlooking Regent’s canal.
The client requests no contact from agencies or media sales.
Special Olympics GB is a charity dedicated to providing year-round training and competition for
children and adults with intellectual disabilities. We are much more than just a sports organisation – we are a movement that breaks down barriers, fosters inclusion, and changes lives. With over 10,000 athletes, 6000 volunteers, and 100+ accredited clubs across England, Scotland, and Wales, we are committed to creating opportunities for everyone to thrive through sport.
Our athletes are at the heart of everything we do – they are inspirational, courageous, passionate, and insightful, embodying the core values of Special Olympics GB every single day. This is your opportunity to be part of something truly special and contribute to an organisation that creates real impact at a grassroots level.
About the Roles
- Hours: 35 hours per week (full-time) – flexible options negotiable
- Salary: £25,000 - £28,000 per annum
- Location: Home-based with regular travel
- Contract: 2 years with possible extension dependent on funding
- Benefits: Flexible working, generous Time Off in Lieu policy, annual CPD/training investment, employer’s pension scheme, 25 days annual leave + bank holidays + birthday leave, employee health scheme, and opportunities to attend exciting, inclusivity-driven events.
As part of our small yet ambitious and agile team, you will work closely with the Head of Network, our Accredited Clubs/Programmes, and Volunteers to drive grassroots development, build community engagement, and enhance opportunities for athletes.
Who We’re Looking For
We want to hear from you if you are:
- Passionate about inclusion and making a difference in people’s lives
- A great communicator who enjoys working with volunteers, athletes, and families incommunities
- Adaptable, agile and proactive, with the ability to troubleshoot and solve problems effectively
- Dedicated to personal growth and career development
- Driven by values that promote social change through sport
The Opportunity of a Lifetime
This is more than just a job – it’s a chance to be part of a global movement that empowers individuals, builds confidence, and fosters lifelong friendships. The journey is great, but the rewards are even greater. Don’t miss the opportunity to be part of something truly life-changing.
How to Apply
To apply, please submit your CV (2 pages)and a cover letter (1-2 pages) detailing:
- Why Special Olympics GB? Why do you want to join us now, and why are you the right person for the role?
- What impact do you hope to make in the role? How do you see yourself contributing to Special Olympics GB and the role you are applying for?
- Why should we choose you? Highlight your skills, knowledge, experience, and determination that make you the best fit.
Please tailor your application to the role—generic or combined applications will not be considered.
Key Dates
- Application deadline: Sunday 27th April 2025, 9pm
- Interview Stages: Stage 1 – week beginning 19th May 2025, Stage 2 week beginning 2nd June 2025
- Final decision: Week beginning 9th June 2025
We are committed to equality and diversity and encourage all candidates who meet the job role requirements to apply. Please note that applicants will need to provide evidence of their right to live and work in the UK and will be required to undertake a DBS check .
We will only contact candidates selected for interviews.
No agency contact, please.
For job role specifics, please see the Job Descriptions.
Be part of a movement that changes lives. Apply today!
We are Special Olympics GB. We are Inclusion in Action.




The client requests no contact from agencies or media sales.
Special Olympics GB is a charity dedicated to providing year-round training and competition for
children and adults with intellectual disabilities. We are much more than just a sports organisation – we are a movement that breaks down barriers, fosters inclusion, and changes lives. With over 10,000 athletes, 6000 volunteers, and 100+ accredited clubs across England, Scotland, and Wales, we are committed to creating opportunities for everyone to thrive through sport.
Our athletes are at the heart of everything we do – they are inspirational, courageous, passionate, and insightful, embodying the core values of Special Olympics GB every single day. This is your opportunity to be part of something truly special and contribute to an organisation that creates real impact at a grassroots level.
About the Roles
- Hours: 35 hours per week (full-time) – flexible options negotiable
- Salary: £25,000 - £28,000 per annum
- Location: Home-based with regular travel
- Contract: 2 years with possible extension dependent on funding
- Benefits: Flexible working, generous Time Off in Lieu policy, annual CPD/training investment, employer’s pension scheme, 25 days annual leave + bank holidays + birthday leave, employee health scheme, and opportunities to attend exciting, inclusivity-driven events.
As part of our small yet ambitious and agile team, you will work closely with the Head of Network, our Accredited Clubs/Programmes, and Volunteers to drive grassroots development, build community engagement, and enhance opportunities for athletes.
Who We’re Looking For
We want to hear from you if you are:
- Passionate about inclusion and making a difference in people’s lives
- A great communicator who enjoys working with volunteers, athletes, and families incommunities
- Adaptable, agile and proactive, with the ability to troubleshoot and solve problems effectively
- Dedicated to personal growth and career development
- Driven by values that promote social change through sport
The Opportunity of a Lifetime
This is more than just a job – it’s a chance to be part of a global movement that empowers individuals, builds confidence, and fosters lifelong friendships. The journey is great, but the rewards are even greater. Don’t miss the opportunity to be part of something truly life-changing.
How to Apply
To apply, please submit your CV (2 pages)and a cover letter (1-2 pages) detailing:
- Why Special Olympics GB? Why do you want to join us now, and why are you the right person for the role?
- What impact do you hope to make in the role? How do you see yourself contributing to Special Olympics GB and the role you are applying for?
- Why should we choose you? Highlight your skills, knowledge, experience, and determination that make you the best fit.
Please tailor your application to the role—generic or combined applications will not be considered.
Key Dates
- Application deadline: Sunday 27th April 2025, 9pm
- Interview Stages: Stage 1 – week beginning 19th May 2025, Stage 2 week beginning 2nd June 2025
- Final decision: Week beginning 9th June 2025
We are committed to equality and diversity and encourage all candidates who meet the job role requirements to apply. Please note that applicants will need to provide evidence of their right to live and work in the UK and will be required to undertake a DBS check .
We will only contact candidates selected for interviews.
No agency contact, please.
For job role specifics, please see the Job Descriptions.
Be part of a movement that changes lives. Apply today!
We are Special Olympics GB. We are Inclusion in Action.




The client requests no contact from agencies or media sales.
We are looking to appoint an exceptional individual to join our team of six Strategic Partnership Advisors across England. In this role, you will support key partners, including Active Partnerships, National Governing Bodies of Sport, local authorities, and leisure providers to become more effective in their role of enabling more disabled people to be active.
You will possess a strong understanding of the sport and activity sector, including its operations, and be able to advocate for improvements that help more disabled people become active. Additionally, you will be aware of the broader systems and barriers that disabled people encounter in sports and activities, as well as organisations such as disabled people’s user-led organisations and various charities, to build relationships and foster effective cross-sector partnerships.
We are looking for an individual with experience of working strategically at a place based and/or locality level within the South West region. Someone who can positively influence local developments, systems and investments to tackle the inequalities disabled people face in sport and activity through inclusive practice.
The successful candidate will work remotely from home and be based in the South West region. This role will involve travel across the region and occasional travel to our Loughborough and Manchester offices.
This role is full-time (36 hours) and permanent.
We offer 26.5 days of annual leave, including birthday leave, plus bank holidays. Activity Alliance also closes between Christmas and New Year which means that employees are not expected to work during this time and they are not required to use their annual leave allowance to have this time free from work.
Activity Alliance currently offers the following benefits:
- Hybrid working
- Time off in lieu
- A contributory pension scheme (employee 6%, employer 9%)
- Childcare vouchers
- Cycle to work scheme
- Eye care
- Employee engagement initiatives such as away days
- Access to Employee Assistance Programme
- Menopause policy
- Enhanced sickness pay
- Group Income Protection
- Death in service
- Training and development opportunities
Our vision is a future where all disabled people feel they belong in sports and activities.




The client requests no contact from agencies or media sales.
Using Anonymous Recruitment
This organisation is using Anonymous Recruitment to reduce bias in the first stages of the hiring process. Submit your application as normal and our system will anonymise it for you. Your personal information will be hidden until the recruiter contacts you.
About Free to Run
Free to Run’s mission is to advance gender equity globally through running. We are a registered nonprofit/nongovernmental organization that has been operating community-led programs for adolescent girls and young women since 2014. We are known for delivering long-term, youth-led, progressive running, leadership, rights, and health programs directly to girls and young women living in protracted conflict zones. However, the longer-term impact of our work is building enduring social change - decreasing barriers to public participation, increasing women in leadership, and making power structures more equitable and inclusive. Free to Run identifies as an organization working at the intersections of feminism, human rights, development, and humanitarian interventions.
The organization is in a position of significant growth, in terms of our strategy, reach, impact, and operating budget. In 2024, we embarked on a new three-year strategic plan that positions us to reach 50,000 people by 2026. We will meet this goal through our work across three strategic pillars: direct service (EMPOWER), capacity building for local, women-led NGOs (EQUIP), and building a global movement of activists who are passionate about gender equity and running (MOVE).
Position Overview
A new role within the organization, the Philanthropy Officer, Trusts and Foundations is responsible for identifying, building, and managing a (new) portfolio of trust, foundation, and grant funders from identification to stewardship, developing high-quality proposals, budgets, and reports. Alongside ownership of this portfolio, the Philanthropy Officer, Trusts and Foundations will support the broader Free to Run team with prospect research and assist with applications and reports for institutional/transformational funders.
This position offers a high degree of flexibility and would suit a proactive self-starter with a strong ability to self-manage to achieve goals and a demonstrated passion for the work of Free to Run. This is a unique opportunity for an experienced trusts and foundations fundraiser to build and grow a new, high-potential portfolio from the ground up, with strong support from program and leadership teams.
While some support for larger institutional grants is part of the role, we are particularly seeking applicants with experience managing and growing portfolios of charitable trusts, private foundations, or family foundations, rather than institutional grant management alone.
This role reports to the Director of Development and Communications and is a part-time (20 hours per week), fully remote position. While Free to Run is registered in the U.S., our team is based around the world.
Core Accountabilities
1. Create and manage a portfolio of trust and foundation donors at the four- to five-figure level (60%)
-
Take primary responsibility for developing, growing, and building strong relationships with a portfolio of trust/foundation/grant funders through the full donor cycle.
-
Take an active role in meeting and exceeding annual income targets by developing strategies to maximize foundation and grant funding, regularly assessing progress, and reporting to senior management.
-
Develop a formal pipeline of foundation funding opportunities for Free to Run
-
Develop compelling, high-quality funding applications tailored to donor requirements, leveraging program data and impact narratives.
-
Work with the Programs team to oversee budget tracking and reporting requirements for grants, ensuring accurate fund allocation, compliance with donor requirements, and timely submission of financial and impact reports.
-
Collaborate with the global Free to Run team to identify and develop new funding opportunities and projects
2. Support the process of donor qualification and prospect research (15%)
-
Use research tools to support the ED and Development Team with in-depth prospect research profiles for individual major donor prospects, family foundations, and other prospective funders
3. Provide support to the Free to Run team with institutional grant applications (20%)
-
Monitor grant tracking tools to identify and qualify new opportunities for institutional or transformational grants
-
Keep up to date with the funder landscape and giving trends across multiple geographies
-
Support the ED and Programs with the development of grant applications, project budgets, or other related materials where needed
-
Work with internal stakeholders to lead organizational grant tracking within the donor database (EveryAction), ensuring accurate documentation of all interactions, proposals, and gifts.
4. Engage with the Free to Run Team (5%)
-
Participate in weekly 1 on 1 meetings with manager
-
Participate in performance planning, goal setting, and evaluation activities
-
Liaise with key staff across functions of this position
-
Attend team meetings and participate in strategic planning and evaluation meetings
Location
- This is a fully remote position that can be carried out from anywhere in the world. Travel may be required occasionally to attend fundraising events or organizational/donor meetings.
- For candidates outside the U.S., this role will be offered as an independent contractor position, allowing for flexible working hours and location.
Working Hours
- This position is a part-time role at 20 hours/week. The role offers a high degree of flexibility, although working hours may occasionally fluctuate outside regular core hours to attend meetings across time zones.
Compensation
- The full-time equivalent (FTE) salary for this role is $45,000–$50,000 USD per year (approximately £35,500–£39,500 GBP based on current exchange rates). The actual salary will be pro rata based on 50% FTE, i.e., $22,500–$25,000 per year, and will be paid in USD.
Experience and Competencies
Below is what we are looking for as we evaluate applications. Candidates don’t need to have all these experiences and competencies but should be able to display strengths across multiple areas.
Language:
- English (full fluency required, written and spoken)
Experience
-
3+ years of experience successfully managing a portfolio of charitable trusts, private or family foundations, or similar funders, with a proven track record of securing and stewarding gifts in the $5,000–$100,000 range
-
Direct experience crafting tailored funding applications, budgets, and impact reports for US, UK, or international philanthropic funders, in collaboration with Programs teams
-
Confidence in independently managing the full donor lifecycle — from prospecting and cultivation to application, reporting, and stewardship
-
A demonstrable track record of developing long-term relationships with grantmakers or major donors
-
Experience in prospect identification and research using relevant tools and databases
-
Familiarity with the funding and donor landscape in the UK, EU, North America, and/or MENA region
-
Experience using a CRM system for fundraising (EveryAction or similar) to manage donor records, track proposals, and support donor stewardship
Skills and Competencies
-
Strong written and verbal communication skills and the ability to write compelling and persuasive cases for support
-
Ability to effectively convey the impact of social justice, gender equity, and the power of running, hiking, and outdoor sport in driving positive change
-
Ability to think creatively and spot opportunities for new or increased funding
-
A results-oriented mindset with the ability to self-organize, meet deadlines, and deliver on goals
-
Demonstrated ability to work collaboratively with people from diverse racial, ethnic, geographic, religious, sexual orientation, gender, and generational backgrounds
-
Interest in international girls’, women’s, and human rights or running/outdoor sports
Free to Run is an Equal Opportunity Employer. We don’t just accept differences — we celebrate, support and thrive on them for the benefit of our team, our programs, and our organizational strength. We are proud to be an affirmative action employer, committed to diversity, equity and inclusion of ALL people in our hiring and employment practices. We encourage applications from people who have non-dominant identities based on race, ethnicity, migration status, ability, age, gender identity, sexual orientation, socioeconomic class, etc.
Free to Run's mission is to advance gender equity globally through running.

The client requests no contact from agencies or media sales.
Join Our Team!
The National Federation of Young Farmers' Clubs (NFYFC) is seeking a dynamic and experienced Fundraising Manager to develop and implement strategies for securing funding from trusts, grant-making bodies, and corporate partners. This role is crucial in ensuring NFYFC’s financial sustainability and growth, collaborating with team members and engaging with our vibrant community of young farmers.
The client requests no contact from agencies or media sales.