Facilities Planning Managers – multiple opportunities

Facilities Planning Managers – multiple opportunities

£38,000 - £42,000 (dependent on skills and experience) plus generous benefits

Location: Home-based, with travel to funded sites within a designated region

With the recent announcement that £205 million of government funding will be made available to invest in community sports facilities across England in the next three years, the Football Foundation is well-supported to continue to invest in pitches and communities across the nation. This investment will be used by the Football Foundation to target communities up and down the country who will benefit most from access to better sports facilities.

To help us with this important mission, we currently have vacancies for three new Facilities Planning Managers to support us in identifying and developing a pipeline of projects for future investment. This is an exciting time to be joining the Football Foundation and these roles are a great opportunity for the successful candidates to use their skills and experience to support grassroots community football.

About the Football Foundation

We are the Football Foundation - the Premier League, the FA and government’s charity delivering upon a shared vision to help communities improve their local football facilities through our investment. We are the only example of a partnership between a national Government and a national sport coming together to support communities throughout the country.

Over the last 20 years we have been planting the seeds to grow grassroots football, transforming communities where demand is greatest, and the impact will be strongest. We have worked closely with local authorities, County FAs and other passionate people in communities up and down the country to deliver over 17,000 sports projects worth over £1.8 billion and we’ve got big plans to revolutionise England’s grassroots facilities over the next decade.

The role

Facilities Planning Managers will work across a geographical region and lead on the refresh of Local Football Facilities Plans, which articulate the needs of football across every Local Authority area and ultimately, provide us with a pipeline of projects for delivery. The Plans include 3G FTPs, Changing Facilities, Grass Pitches and Small-Sided facilities – including Hub sites, where appropriate. Facilities Planning Managers will also oversee all of the Playing Pitch Strategies and planning applications that affect football within the area they work, having a chance to influence, feedback and comment on the plans, working collaboratively with our team of Delivery Managers.

We have a great deal to get done, but how we do it matters too. We are striving to be an inclusive and diverse organisation – not only in the outcomes we deliver – but in how it feels to be one of the team. Helping to support the Football Foundation will give you the chance to deliver a positive impact in every community in England; to help transform lives and communities through great places to play; and to be part of a team that works hard and plays fair to achieve its goals.

The role is home-based, with responsibility for managing a portfolio within a geographical region, as required by the Foundation. These regions are broadly the North; Midlands and South West; and the South East and East of England.

What are we looking for?

Applicants must have an excellent working knowledge and understanding of grassroots sport, sustainable sports facility operational management and the planning process. You must have an astute understanding of the operations, requirements and challenges faced by grassroots football clubs, community organisations and the voluntary sector, as well as sound knowledge of how Local Authorities operate.

We’re looking for applicants with strong communication and interpersonal skills that have experience of building credibility with a diverse range of stakeholders, with the ability to act flexibly, manage competing demands, and show confidence in making informed and knowledgeable decisions.

For full details of the role and requirements, please download our recruitment pack below.

What can we offer you?

The salary band for this role is £38,000-£42,000 per annum, dependent on relevant skills and experience.

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), collective bonus scheme, free health care provision, a monthly gym subsidy, interest-free season ticket loan, death in service benefit and access to selected match tickets

We are committed to helping our staff maintain a healthy work-life balance, so offer flexible working around core hours to help achieve that.

Equality and Diversity Commitment

We request that all applicants complete our equal opportunities form as part of the application process. This anonymous and confidential form helps the Football Foundation to build up a picture of who is applying to join the organisation, and to monitor progress in this area. The link to complete this is in the application process.

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 individuals from minoritised communities, individuals with a disability and LGBTQI+ individuals.

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?

To apply, please follow the steps outlined below:

Please send the following by email:  

• CV
• Cover letter - please highlight briefly and clearly how your skills, abilities and experience equip you for the role, together with your reasons for applying.

Complete an anonymous Equal Opportunities form:

Click here to fill it out. Please only fill out one form when you apply. If you need any help, please let us know.

The closing date for applications is: 23:59, 30 November 2021. Interviews are currently scheduled for 9 and 10 December 2021.

All applications received will be short listed against the role requirements and person specification. Those most closely matching our requirements will be invited to take part in an online interview.

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.