Training Projects Officer Jobs in Edinburgh

Senior Programme Manager

Location: Remote, but with regular visits to Foundation funded sites within a defined region, as well as visits to the Foundation office as determined by business needs, including attendance at quarterly Squad Meet-Ups
Salary: £52,000-£57,000 (dependent on skills and experience) plus generous benefits

Contract Type: Permanent

Are you passionate about using sport to transform communities? Do you have the leadership skills to drive sustainable grassroots sports facilities? If so, this role is for you.

The Senior Programme Manager at the Football Foundation will lead the delivery of the Hubs programme, a flagship initiative funded by the Premier League, The FA, and Government. The programme is transforming grassroots sports infrastructure by creating financially sustainable facilities that serve as thriving community hubs. These multi-pitch sites don’t just provide high-quality football facilities—they also support other sports, physical activity, and essential community services, all tailored to local needs. Outside of the Hubs programme, the role will lead and provide support to the Programmes team and wider organisation on the design and development of new and existing programmes, ensuring that they deliver against the Football Foundation’s strategic objectives.

As Senior Programme Manager you will:

• Manage feasibility assessments to prioritise sites based on sustainability and impact.
• Work with technical teams to optimise hub design, balancing costs and long-term viability.
• Develop operating models with Local Authorities to secure long-term investment.
• Guide Local Authorities through procurement and funding applications.
• Use data insights to refine programme criteria and showcase impact.
• Lead new programme development to align with strategic objectives.

For more details about the role, please download the recruitment pack.

What We’re Looking For

You don’t need to be a football expert, but you must believe in the power of sport to transform communities. We’re looking for someone who:

• Has proven experience in programme management, strategic planning, and partnership development.
• Can navigate complex stakeholder relationships, particularly with Local Authorities and funding bodies.
• Understands financial sustainability models and their role in community sports facilities.
• Has strong leadership skills and can drive collaboration across teams.
• Is passionate about creating accessible, high-quality grassroots sports facilities.

What can we offer you?

The salary band for this role is £52,000 - £57,000 per annum. You’ll start with 25 days annual leave plus bank holidays (increasing after 2 years), and additional time off for volunteering. Benefits include an 8% employer pension contribution, free healthcare, gym subsidy, death in service benefit, and access to match tickets.

Equality and Diversity Commitment

The Football Foundation is committed to, and values the principles of diversity, equality, and inclusion. We strive to provide an inclusive and supportive working environment where all our team feel respected and supported in fulfilling their potential. We encourage and welcome applications from all, regardless of background and are particularly interested to hear from individuals belonging to under-represented groups including diverse ethnic communities, individuals with a disability and those from the LGBTQI+ community.

Most of all we want someone who reflects who we are as an organisation. We refer to our values as our four corners:

• Fair Players – open and inclusive in our approach
• Star Performers – trusted to deliver
• United Team Player – collaborative and easy to work with
• Passionate Supporters – flexible and willing

1st stage interviews via MS Teams are currently scheduled for 4 April 2025

2nd stage in person interviews to follow.

About Bond and the role 

Bond is the UK network for organisations working in international development. We unite and support a diverse network of over 365 civil society organisations to help eradicate global poverty, inequality and injustice. We strengthen and champion the sector to make international development more efficient and effective. We work to influence governments and policy-makers, develop the skills of people in the sector, share expertise, and build organisational capacity and partnerships. We also support the sector to decolonise and become more anti-racist and locally-led.

 Bond gets nearly half its income from restricted funding, so it is critical part of becoming a financially resilient organisation with a diverse income portfolio, able to adapt to external cost pressures and having scope to invest in the work it wants to do.As our members shrink their UK presence, Bond’s membership income is reducing accordingly, and so we need to increase our access to restricted fundraising to compensate and allow us to continue to deliver our strategy.

Bond has strengths and weaknesses when it comes to fundraising. Our strength is our unique place in the UK sector, our structured relationships with the UK government and our key role in global networks, including around key processes such as the G7 and G20. Our main selling point for funders is that an investment in Bond can reach our 365 members, the UK government and the key global institutions in which it plays a key role. We have also demonstrated thought leadership on key issues, including anti-racism, economic justice, sector transformation, civic space, decolonization and development finance. We have access to unrestricted funding from our members, and funding from the FCDO, which can be used to co-finance other initiatives. Our weakness is that, as a UK based network, we cannot easily demonstrate the kind of ‘on the ground’ impacts that other organisations can, and we risk being deprioritized by UK funders who want to fund UK work, and those interested in work in LMICs who (rightly) want to prioritise spending in those countries. We are also rightly focused on our member priorities and positioning, which can limit access to some funding streams, as we are clear that we will only work on areas that are of sufficient priority for our members.

Moreover, many of the key trusts and foundations that Bond is targeting rely on relationship building and networking rather than a formal application process. We need to build up our profile and relationships with these funders, especially those in the US.

We are looking for a part-time fundraising director, to work on a consultancy basis, to support us in securing the next phase of these large grants and helping us to identify and engage with other funders to diversify our funding sources.  This role combines coordination with building strong relationships and supporting Bond managers and leaders to secure our funding into the future.  The person will lead an informal team of staff drawn from across the organisation (which meets fortnightly) and work closely with the CEO and Directors to establish and maintain relationships with key donors. They will also play a key role in upskilling and developing staff capacity to fundraise within Bond and coordinating our efforts.

We have done a significant amount of groundwork and initial scoping of trusts and foundations over 24/25, so this new director’s role will be to help us in opening doors and building relationships with priority funders. The director will also help to support the CEO, Senior Management Team and our managers to identify and build relationships with funders, strengthen networks and sharpen up our pitch. The director will also provide strategic advice and guidance to the SMT as to how we might strengthen our work areas to better attract additional funding, building on some consultancy on our finance model that is currently ongoing.

The ideal candidate will have a track record in fundraising from major donors and a strong interest in and understanding of the international development sector and the role of networks within that sector. They will have significant existing relationships and networks amongst the major donors likely to fund Bond’s work. They will be excellent at bringing teams together to submit bids, overseeing active funder management and finding the best relationships from which to secure funds. 

Main purpose of the job 

The main purpose of the job is to support Bond to secure the next phase of Bond’s large grants and to identify and engage with new and existing funders to diversify our funding sources.

Main responsibilities 

We envisage that this role will deliver: 

• Lead our overall approach with donors and ensure key relationships are nurtured (through the SMT and key managers). 
• Build and manage relationships with key funders and sure introductions are made to relevant Bond staff members. Monitor trends in key donor agencies (new leadership, new strategies etc) and ensure that Bond staff can make the most of these opportunities.
• Work with the SMT and extended management team (EMT) to create and sustain a culture of fundraising within Bond 
• Provide high level, strategic advice to Bond staff as to entry points and pitches with particular donors. 
• Identify key external events at which Bond leaders can present our work and build profile and relationships with donors, and prepare Bond staff as appropriate.
• Proactively seek-out and identify new fundraising trends and developments, and make recommendations to Bond based on this
• Provide us with advice on how to best package our work to attract specific funders, while ensuring that we are able to continue to respond to member demand and our obligations and positioning with existing donors. 
• Support and coordinate the preparation and submission of bids, expressions of interest and concept notes as appropriate, supporting our expert teams to present their work and plans in the most compelling way.
• Train and coach the Bond team ahead of key funder meetings and presentations. 
• Write and deliver the fundraising strategy for 2025/6, including identifying new potential income streams and producing new strategies to access these funds.
• Monitor and deliver annual income targets
• Provide the CEO and SMT with advice on how we can best adapt our approach and ways of working to build up a more diversified funding base.
• Attend meetings with funders and prospects, and networking events to uncover new opportunities for fundraising
• Ensure Bond’s prosect list is kept up to date and prepare fundraising pipeline reports for relevant board meetings.

The role will be supported by a number of staff who have fundraising as a small part of their roles, including the CEO, Head of Finance, Operations and Performance, SMT and the Extended Management Team (EMT).

Person specification 

Essential. 

• A solid track record in leading significant successful fundraising efforts from trusts and foundations and major donors.
• Significant network of contacts within the major trusts and foundations likely to fund Bond’s work, including those in the US.
• Experience of developing and delivering high-level fundraising strategies and working with Senior Management Teams to implement them
• An excellent knowledge of the major donors likely to fund Bond’s work, including their approaches, strategies, key contacts and ways of working 
• Strong knowledge of international development and sector transformation, including some expertise on the policy areas within which we work 
• Strong ability to work within teams and engage staff effectively in the context of significant competing workload pressures
• Excellent communication skills, with the ability to adapt written and oral pitches to the audience.
• Experience of working with Senior Management Teams and providing guidance as to how organisations can maximise their fundraising potential 
• Strong project management and organisational skills, with an ability to keep track of funding bids, bring in relevant colleagues as needed and quality assure bids before submission.
• Understanding of Statutory Funding, Overseas Funding and Grantmaking Trusts. 
• Ability to network at a senior level 
• . A commitment to a just and sustainable future and a strong interest in how international development will change 
• a demonstrable commitment to anti-racism, equity and inclusion and a commitment to Bond’s values of openness, collaboration, dynamism and influence 
• Able to work independently and with an informal team and to show leadership and self-management within their work area

Desirable 

• Fundraising certification or accreditation 
• Understanding of a membership organisation 
• Excellent IT skills and experience working with salesforce 

 How to apply 

Please email your CV and proposal (outlining why you are the right candidate for this role)  by midnight 16th March, this should include how you will deliver on the TOR above and outline your proposed budget for this work.

Bond and equal opportunities 

Bond recognizes the positive values of diversity and works to advance equity and challenge discrimination. We encourage and welcome applicants from people of all backgrounds. In order to assess and ensure the continued effectiveness of Bond’s Equal Opportunities Policy, all applicants are asked to complete a short questionnaire when applying. You are not obliged to answer the questions but the more information you supply the more effectively we can monitor our equal opportunity practices. Completion of all questions is voluntary and failure to answer any question(s) will not affect your application in any way.

The information you supply will be treated in confidence and will not be seen by any member of the selection panel responsible for the appointment. The questionnaire will be detached from your CV and cover letter, stored anonymously and used purely to provide statistics for monitoring purposes. 

About us:

The UK Cyber Security Council works to bring together stakeholders to build and drive engagement in the cyber security profession, through developing standards and ethical practice, demystifying career routes into the profession and promoting the profession.

In collaboration with multiple UK Government departments and the National Cyber Security Centre (NCSC) we develop, promote and oversee nationally recognised standards for cyber security, in support of the UK Government’s National Cyber Strategy to make the UK the safest place to live and work online.

The UK Cyber Security Council also offers organisational membership, which is open to all organisations that share an interest in promoting, supporting, and developing the cyber security profession.

About the role:

The Quality and Performance Manager will be responsible for cultivating a culture of excellence, emphasising high performance, quality, and compliance to exceed targets across the external licensed bodies. In this role, you will utilise your skills in stakeholder management, influence and coaching to enhance performance within the licensing area.

Your primary focus will involve collaborating with key stakeholders to ensure the seamless and efficient delivery of the professional registration process, tailored to meet the specific requirements of our users and participants. You will drive continuous improvement and promote best practices. A pivotal aspect of this position involves identifying performance challenges and effectively motivating and managing organisations and their teams to find solutions and elevate performance levels.

The ideal candidate will excel in building relationships and communication, maintaining productive cross-contractual and interdepartmental relationships with key stakeholders across different organisational levels to optimise performance.

Collaborating closely with external partners and the internal professionalisation and wider Council team, you will enhance and streamline performance by identifying, developing, and assisting in the implementation of innovative and impactful solutions. This role is centred around achieving results, requiring exceptional management and decision-making skills that can be applied to the intricate operations of complex licensed contracts.

To support these responsibilities, the role holder should possess knowledge and experience in reporting, analytics, data management, budgeting and enabling comprehensive and robust performance optimisation. Through ongoing performance analysis, you will provide guidance to licensed bodies to address and mitigate performance, quality, and compliance concerns while identifying key areas for improvement, ultimately establishing a proactive approach to managing performance related risks.

The role holder will need to work closely with the Head of Professionalisation to ensure updates, best practice and areas for improvement are communicated effectively and in an impactful way both internally and externally. It is expected that you will attend a range of external and internal events and initiatives to help raise the profile of and work of the Council, support pipeline growth and grow demand. 

Main Duties and Responsibilities

Quality

· Develop, implement, and manage quality practices that meet the requirements of the license, as well as requirements set by Government (NCSC and DSIT) to ensure that processes and procedures are compliant. 

· Manage and improve the quality framework that delivers an excellent standard of assessment, ensuring that the outcomes are exceeded and improving applicants’ experience. 

· Take a lead role in developing the Councils approach to understanding and measuring quality and outcomes through the whole professional registration process being administered by licensed bodies. Highlight areas of improvement, identify solutions and put plans in place,

· Develop a community where good practice can be shared. 

· Be responsible for ensuring all relevant individuals are added to the professional register in a timely manner and communicated to appropriately by all parties

· To manage the day-to-day relationship with external partners and stakeholders, deal with any queries in a timely manner. 

· Research, build and embed a feedback system to contribute to continuous improvement

· Work with the Director of Finance and Operations to ensure that payment structures are in place and undertake monthly reconciliation

· Ensure a robust moderation processes and plans are in place, work with the Technical Advisory Panel members and chairs to ensure members are aware of moderation support needs, complete them within agreed timescales and provide timely feedback to licensed bodies.

Performance

· Responsible for the performance management of contracts, ensuring internal and external reporting requirements are adhered to, KPI’s are set, managed and continuously reviewed and reported to LT.

· Oversee all renewal and extensions for client contracts, which will include financial and system performance based KPI’s, including the need to be accountable for the accuracy of financial tracking, cost control, overhead management, and invoicing. 

· Managing audit requirements in relation to the contracts, including preparing documentation, coordination, addressing findings and maintaining records.

· Working with various internal and external partners to identify and define solutions for complex issues, working with the appropriate stakeholders to design and implement positive outcomes.

· Work with the marketing and comms lead to ensure that Marketing and comms plans meet the requirements of the license, and that the Council strategy is aligned to support. 

· Work with the events and membership co-ordinator to highlight opportunities for collaboration with stakeholders and partners that will support Council strategic objectives. 

General Responsibilities

· Lead on workstream as guided by Head of Professionalisation and in collaboration with Professionalisation team members

· Manage key risks and follow escalation process when necessary

· Ensure there is cohesive and aligned work with colleagues within the organisation

· Maintain open and effective communication with internal and external colleagues

· Prepare status reports as required for the Head of Professionalisation

· Comply with data protection legislation and act responsibly on matters of data disclosure both internally and to third parties

· Represent the Council in stakeholder meetings and external events

· Represent the Council in a professional manner and to act at all times in a manner which will not damage its reputation.

· Work from a positive, growth mindset to solve issues and problems that may arise and to adhere to the organisation values

· Carry out such tasks as the COO/Head of Professionalisation may from time to time deem necessary for the effective and efficient functioning of the Council

Person Specification:

Essential:

Experience

• Experience with self-assessment process and Quality Improvement plans
• Experience of creating cultures that embody positive change, continuous improvement and equality
• Experience of managing a supply chain including setting and achieving KPIs and contract conformance
• Management experience and understanding of contractual and performance management with the ability to deliver results
• Experience of successfully delivering an outcome-based contract
• Experience of driving performance, identifying areas of concern and implementing projects for performance improvement

Skills, knowledge and qualifications

• Clear understanding of the purpose of professional registration and associated processes
• Strong interpersonal skills, ability to negotiate and influence a wide range of stakeholders
• Excellent communication skills with the ability to communicate clearly and effectively
• Ability to analyse a range of data from a range of sources to develop insights and support decisions
• Ability to respond quickly in a fast-moving environment, and make key decisions aligned to business goal

Personal Attributes & Approach

• Commitment to a registrant-centred approach
• Confident, positive and hard-working team player – happy to go above and beyond
• Ability to work flexibly within changing priorities and a capacity to be adaptable as required to deliver completed tasks to set deadlines
• Excellent IT and digital skills including Microsoft 365
• Ability to work on own initiative, as well as in consultation and negotiation with senior managers and other stakeholders as required
• Commitment, determination and resiliency

Desirable:

· Relevant QCF Assessor Qualification – e.g. D32/D33/A1/CAVA/TAQA Assessor

· Relevant Internal Verifier/Internal Quality Assurer qualification – e.g. D34/V1

· Previous audit experience

· Demonstrated success in producing efficiencies/increased outcomes against target

· Significant operational management experience

Next Steps

Deadline for application: Friday 28th March 5pm

Interviews: w/c 7th April or w/c 21st April

Start date: As soon as possible