Community Development Manager (UAE)

City Football Group; Abu Dhabi; On-site; AED 120,000 - 200,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading sports organization in Abu Dhabi is looking for a Community Development Manager to enhance community engagement through strategic program delivery. This role focuses on business development, stakeholder management, and financial performance targets. Candidates should have a strong background in community programs, budgeting, and team development. Competitive salary and benefits offered.

Benefits

Housing

Medical cover

Transport Allowance

Flights

Visa

Qualifications

• Demonstrated experience managing community-based programs.
• Experience managing staff or delivery teams.

Responsibilities

• Lead business development and bid management processes.
• Oversee community program delivery and compliance.
• Manage budgets and support financial growth.
• Represent the organization at events and meetings.
• Contribute to business planning and reporting.
• Recruit and develop team members.
• Assist in delivering regional initiatives.

Skills

Strategic and analytical thinking skills

Relationship-building and networking capabilities

Results-oriented focus

Organizational and problem-solving skills

Education

Bachelor’s degree in Sports, Community Development, or related field

Job description

Closing Date of Applications – 03 / 11 / 2025

Our Story

Manchester City is an English Premier League club whose roots began in East Manchester. From its first incarnation as St Mark’s West Gorton in 1880, the club became Manchester City FC in 1894. Behind each title lies emotion, moments and memories that resonate with millions of supporters around the world. Manchester City fans are known for their commitment and togetherness, as a Club that fights to the end.

The Role

We are seeking a proactive and results‑driven Community Development Manager to lead the growth, quality, and sustainability of our community‑based programs across Abu Dhabi, UAE. This role will oversee the management of existing initiatives and teams, while also identifying and securing new business opportunities to expand impact. The successful candidate will bring strong expertise in community engagement, partnership development, and contract acquisition, along with excellent financial acumen and a passion for delivering meaningful social outcomes through sport and community initiatives.

Reporting to the Head of Football Operations MENA, the Community Development Manager will lead on bid management, program delivery, and stakeholder engagement to ensure operational excellence and long‑term sustainability. This includes driving performance against financial and impact targets, fostering local partnerships with government bodies, NGOs, and schools, and ensuring all programs reflect the organization’s values of inclusion, wellbeing, and empowerment. The role offers the opportunity to make a lasting difference across communities in the UAE and wider region through strategic, high‑quality program delivery.

The Perks

The role carries a competitive salary with the following benefits: Housing, Medical cover, Transport Allowance, Flights and Visa.

Your Impact

• Business Development & Bid Management

  Lead the full bid and proposal process, identify new opportunities, monitor market trends, and maintain a strong pipeline of potential projects and funding.

• Program & Contract Management

  Oversee community program delivery, ensuring compliance, quality, and impact. Work with internal teams to design scalable programs aligned with UAE priorities such as sustainability, youth empowerment, and inclusion.

• Financial & Target Performance

  Manage budgets effectively, monitor income and expenditure, and support the achievement of financial growth and sustainability targets.

• Stakeholder Engagement & Representation

  Represent the organization at events and meetings, build strong partnerships with local and regional stakeholders, and maintain effective communication with funders and partners.

• Strategic Planning & Reporting

  Contribute to business planning, track performance and impact, and provide regular reports and risk assessments to senior leadership.

• People Management & Team Development

  Recruit, develop, and support team members, ensuring they have the skills and resources to deliver high‑quality programs.

• Regional Projects

  Assist in delivering regional initiatives and strategic projects across the Gulf and Saudi Arabia, and support local activations and partners in the UAE.

What we are looking for

Essential

• Strong strategic and analytical thinking skills.
• Proven relationship‑building and networking capabilities.
• Results‑oriented with a focus on achieving financial and impact targets.
• Excellent organizational, problem‑solving, and time‑management skills.
• Bachelor’s degree in Sports, Community Development, or a related field.
• Demonstrated experience managing community‑based programs.
• Experience managing staff or delivery teams.

Desirable

• Ability to work independently with initiative and accountability.
• International project or multi‑market experience.
• Experience within football or sports‑specific community engagement programs.

See links to some of our products, events and social media below :

• Abu Dhabi Cup 2025
• Abu Dhabi League 2024
• Manchester City Football Schools – UAE

Socials

• Man City Abu Dhabi League
• City Football Schools- UAE
• Man City Abu Dhabi Cup