Director of Programmes
Salary – Highly competitive salary
Location – Hybrid working, split between the Foundation’s office in London and home.
Are you ready to make a significant impact in the world of sport and community development? Do you have the strategic vision and leadership skills to shape and deliver transformational programmes that leave a lasting legacy? If so, we’d love to hear from you!
About the Football Foundation
We’re the Football Foundation – the Premier League, The FA and Government's charity that helps communities improve their local football facilities through football grants. This means better games and more players - helping transform communities where demand is greatest, and impact will be strongest. We have ambitious plans and with the support from our funding partners, the Football Foundation is well-supported to continue to invest in community pitches and facilities across the nation.
The role
The Director of Programmes will play a pivotal role in the strategic leadership and management of our Programmes Directorate. Reporting to the Chief Executive and working closely with the Board of Trustees, you will help shape the strategic direction of our key programmes and new business opportunities, driving meaningful progress and measurable results.
As a member of our Senior Management Team (SMT), you will support the CEO in steering the organisation towards continuous improvement and success, serving as a trusted adviser to the Foundation Group Board and Panels, and contributing to the Foundation’s overall strategic vision.
What are we looking for?
We’re looking for a dynamic and visionary leader with a deep understanding of sport, community projects, government strategies, and funding opportunities, underpinned by expertise in participatory sports development. You will bring extensive leadership experience, demonstrating a proven ability to manage performance, balance workloads, and foster positive, supportive team environments. Your skill in navigating multi-stakeholder environments will be essential, ensuring objectives are met, expectations are managed, and performance insights are communicated clearly and effectively.
With a track record of driving key strategies, leading impactful projects, and optimising resources for success, you will translate our organisational strategy into ambitious programmes that inspire partner collaboration and deliver tangible results. You will oversee the management and delivery of our core strategic initiatives, including grass pitches, multisport advisory services, and multi-pitch hubs, ensuring these programmes consistently meet and surpass their goals.
Building on your expertise in designing and delivering innovative programmes, you will take a lead role in developing tech-enabled post-award processes to ensure that grant awards achieve their full potential. By maximising the impact of our funding partners’ significant contributions, you will play a pivotal role in driving the long-term success and sustainability of our shared initiatives.
This is a unique opportunity to shape meaningful programmes that make a lasting difference, working within a collaborative and forward-thinking organisation dedicated to positive change.
Our Four Corners
We refer to our company 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
If you share these values and have the necessary skills and experience for the role, then we look forward to hearing from you.
What can we offer you?
You will start on 25 days annual leave plus bank holidays (which increases after 2 years), plus additional time off to volunteer. We also offer a generous pension scheme (8% employer contribution), free health care provision, a monthly gym subsidy, death in service benefit and access to selected match tickets.
We are committed to helping our team members maintain a healthy work-life balance, so offer flexible working around core hours to help achieve that.
Equality and Diversity Commitment
The Football Foundation is committed to, and values the principles of diversity, equality, equity, 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.
Should you need any adjustments to the recruitment process at either application or interview stage, please contact us at jobs @footballfoundation. org. uk
How do I apply?
If this sounds like the role for you, please follow the steps outlined below to apply.
Please send the following to jobs @footballfoundation. org. uk
o CV
o Cover letter - please highlight briefly and clearly your suitability for the role, together with your reasons for applying (no more than one page of A4).
The closing date for applications is: 23:59, 19th January 2025
1st stage interviews via MS Teams are currently scheduled for 27th and 28th January
2025, with 2nd stage in person interviews to follow
Due to the volume of applications received for most roles, the Foundation only contacts candidates if they are shortlisted for interview. If you do not hear from us within two weeks of the closing date, you should assume your application has not been successful.
Please note that you must be eligible to work in the UK to apply.
Registered Charity 
51 - 100
The client requests no contact from agencies or media sales.
Thank you!
About Bank Workers Charity
We’re the benevolent society supporting UK bank employees and their families. Each year we help thousands of people encountering financial, health, housing and wellbeing challenges with independent advice and guidance, case management, referrals to expert partners and grant giving.
About the Role
Our Client Advisers are the first point of contact for clients. They provide advice and guidance, case management, grant processing and support the client journey through our services.
About You
Our ideal candidate has experience supporting people who may be vulnerable, in distress or in crisis, with practical long-term solutions in areas such as welfare, budgeting, housing, debt and mental wellbeing, ideally gained within the charity sector.
You’ll be empathic and understand the complexities of client need. You’ll be able to work calmly and productively under pressure, keeping to deadlines, and demonstrating good decision-making skills, with a willingness to learn.
What We Offer
We’ve put a lot of energy into being a great place to work. We’re proud of our supportive culture and commitment to equality, diversity and inclusion. There are plenty of learning opportunities, and as a wellbeing charity we aim to be a leader in wellbeing support for our people.
Our benefits include:
· 28 days holiday, plus statutory bank holidays
· 8% employer contribution to Bank Workers Charity’s pension scheme and up to 3% matched with employee contributions
· A wide range of employer funded wellbeing experiences through Heka
· Flexible benefit provision (including medicash plan, cycle to work, payroll giving and electric car scheme)
· Group Life Cover (three times annual salary)
· Weekly wellbeing half hour
· Employee Assistance Programme
To apply, please review the attached applicant pack, which includes the job description and person specification, and then send a completed application form, which includes a supporting statement, outlining how your experience meets the criteria set out in the person specification.
Closing Date: 9.00am, Monday 20 January 2025.
Bank Workers Charity is committed to supporting diversity and inclusion and welcome applications from all backgrounds and communities.
The client requests no contact from agencies or media sales.