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

WATFORD FC'S COMMUNITY SPORTS & EDUCATION TRUST; Watford; On-site; GBP 33,000 - 35,000; Full time

Job summary

Watford FC Community Sports & Education Trust is seeking a dedicated Community Project Manager (Young People) on a maternity cover basis for 12 months starting January 2027. The role focuses on leading the Premier League Inspires programme and school-based projects across Hertfordshire and Harrow.

You will manage delivery, monitor performance against targets, and work with colleagues and funders to grow provision, ensuring high-quality outcomes for young people and their families.

Qualifications

• Youth work or mentoring qualifications.
• GCSE Maths and English.
• Experience with 11–18 year-olds and families/guardians.
• Experience dealing with safeguarding procedures including reporting concerns and risk/data assessments.
• Experience developing effective working relationships with schools, councils, funders or other stakeholders.
• Experience of demonstrating impact and/or completing reports.

Responsibilities

• Manage, plan, organise, promote and deliver all elements of the Premier League Inspires programme to a high standard.
• Monitor the team’s delivery against financial and impact targets and ensure KPIs are achieved.
• Seek opportunities to grow the Trust’s secondary education provision in collaboration with other teams.
• Collaborate with the Fundraising Officer on applications to grow delivery and cover core costs.
• Prepare and present reports for the Premier League Foundation and funders when required.
• Provide an inclusive approach to raising young people’s educational achievements and future pathways.
• Innovate to deliver unique social projects within the local community.
• Organise meetings, training and presentations to promote programmes.
• Ensure a positive experience for all engaged young people.
• Take part in strategic planning across the Trust’s Leaders/Managers groups and future provision.
• Provide data and impact reports to funders via reports, case studies and testimonies.
• Network with CCOs and local agencies across sectors.
• Attend training and review events as required.

Skills

Youth work

Stakeholder engagement

Reporting & impact

Education

GCSE Maths

GCSE English

Youth work or mentoring qualifications

Job description

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

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.

About Watford FC Community Sports & Education Trust

Watford Football Club’s Community Sports and Education Trust is a registered charity that has been proudly supporting people and communities for over thirty years, as originally established by Graham Taylor OBE and Sir Elton John. We continue this legacy today by engaging people of all ages and backgrounds through high-quality community-based initiatives and services.