Community Project Manager (Young People) - Maternity cover 12 months

Watford FC Community Sport and Education Trust; Watford; On-site; GBP 33,000 - 35,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Free gym usage at community centres

Flexible working environment

25 days annual leave + bank holidays

Trust pension scheme

Job summary

Watford FC Community Sports and Education Trust is recruiting to support its Social Inclusion Team. The role focuses on leading the Premier League Inspires programme and expanding school-based provision across Hertfordshire and Harrow, in a maternity cover for 12 months from January 2027, with potential extension depending on funding.

You will work closely with colleagues to deliver impactful sport, education and community initiatives and to develop opportunities across the Trust’s education

Qualifications

• Experience working with young people (11-18) and their families/guardians in education/community settings.
• Safeguarding procedures experience including reporting concerns and risk/data assessments.
• Proven ability to develop projects in public/private/voluntary sectors.

Responsibilities

• Lead on the Premier League Inspires programme to high standards.
• Monitor delivery against financial/impact targets and KPIs.
• Grow secondary education provision in collaboration with other departments.
• Coordinate with Fundraising Officer on funding applications.
• Provide reports to Premier League Foundation and funders.
• Promote inclusive educational achievement and positive outcomes for young people.
• Innovate and deliver unique social projects within the local community.
• Organise meetings, training and presentations to promote Trust programmes.
• Ensure all engaged young people have a positive experience.
• Contribute to strategic planning across Trust, Leaders/Managers groups.
• Provide data/impact reports and case studies to stakeholders.
• Build relationships with other CCOs and local agencies.
• Attend training and review events as required.

Skills

Experience with young people

Safeguarding procedures

Education

GCSE Maths and English

Youth work or mentoring qualifications

Job description

Department: Watford FC Community Sports and Education Trust

Reporting to: Head of Facilities and Inclusion

Hours: full time, 40 hours per week

Salary: £33,281 - £35,360

Location: Meriden Community Centre, Watford.

Contract Type: Fixed term 12 months, January 2027-December 2027. (possible extension dependable on funding).

Closing Date: 13th October 2026

Interview Date: Monday 26th October.

Our vision is to ‘improve lives, enhance communities’ and aim to ‘make a positive difference for all through sport, physical activity and learning’. We have developed a strong track record of delivering high quality community-based initiatives and services.

Our work focuses on three priority areas: Health & Wellbeing, Learning & Skills, and Social Inclusion, alongside a core theme of work in Football and Sports Development. These are all underpinned by our promise to deliver accessible opportunities.

Summary of your role:

Are you a passionate team player who wants to make a positive difference through sport and education? Alongside developing your management experience in an impactful and rewarding setting.

Look no further and apply to join our Social Inclusion Team to lead on our Premier League Inspires programme and other Secondary school focused projects. Working closely with the team to increase delivery of our school-based provision across Hertfordshire and Harrow. This role is a maternity cover role for currently 12 months starting in January 2027 until December 2027. Extension of this role might be possible if funding is secured.

Your key responsibilities, but not limited to:

• Manage, plan, organise, promote, and deliver all elements of the Premier League Inspires programme to the highest possible standard.
• Monitor the team’s delivery against financial and impact targets and ensure that programme KPI’s are achieved.
• Seek opportunities to ensure growth and development of Trust’s secondary education provision, working where necessary with colleagues across other departments.
• Work with the Trust’s Fundraising Officer on funding applications which can both look to grow programme delivery and help cover core costs.
• Reporting to be performed when required by the Premier League Foundation and other funding agencies.
• Provide an inclusive approach to raising young peoples’ educational achievements and prepare individuals for future pathways.
• Innovation to plan and deliver unique social projects within the local community.
• Organise meetings, training, and presentations as appropriate to promote the Trust’s programmes.
• To ensure that all young people engaged on programme receive a positive experience.
• Take an active role in the strategic planning of future provision across all areas, including within the Trusts Leaders group, Managers group and strategic work.
• Provide data and impact reports both internally and to funders where relevant via reports, case studies and testimonies.
• Networking and building positive relationships with other CCOs, local agencies in the public, private and voluntary sectors.
• Attend relevant training and review events as and when required.

You Must Have:

• Youth work or mentoring qualifications.
• GCSE Maths and English.
• Able to demonstrate experience of working with young people (11-18years) and their families/guardians, particularly those young people identified as vulnerable or as having complex needs within an education and/or community setting.
• Examples of developing projects in the public, private or voluntary sectors such as youth and community work, teaching, or social work.
• Experience of dealing with safeguarding procedures including reporting concerns and risk and data assessments
• Examples of developing effective working relationships with schools, councils, funders or other stakeholders
• Experience of demonstrating impact and or completing reports.

You would ideally have, but not vital:

• Sports coaching qualification.
• First Aid certificate.
• Safeguarding certificate.
• Previous management experience including manging contracted staff, casual staff and or volunteers.
• A clean full driving licence and access to a vehicle for business use.
• Have a flexible approach to work and be able to work unsociable hours (including evenings and weekends)

What is in it for you?

• Chance to join an award-winning charity and work alongside a high-quality delivery team, determined to use the positive power of sport, physical activity and learning for social good.
• Opportunity to benefit from a range of training and development opportunities
• Free gym usage at our two Community Centres
• Flexible working environment
• 25 days of Annual Leave entitlement plus bank holiday’s
• Trust pension scheme

Our Commitment to You

Equality, Diversity & Inclusion (EDI):

We are dedicated to fostering a diverse and dynamic working environment by building a team that represents a variety of backgrounds, perspectives, and skills. We are an equal opportunities employer and welcome applications from all sections of the community.

Safeguarding

We provide a safe and secure environment for all. We believe Safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children & adults is everyone responsibility. Everyone in the organisation has a role to play, to ensure that Trust policies, procedures and practices in regard to safeguarding are followed.