Development Manager - Maternity Cover

Royal Yachting Association; Newtownards; On-site; GBP 29,000 - 35,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

36 days holiday including public & pro

Birthday Day Off

RYA pension contribution 10%

Free life insurance

Discounts on platform for retail, etc.

Two volunteering days per year

Social events

RYA membership

Job summary

Royal Yachting Association NI is seeking a Development Manager for maternity cover in Newtownards. The role leads development and participation strategies, coordinating with clubs, volunteers and partners to grow sailing and boating participation.

The post involves strategic leadership, programme delivery, and securing funding. It requires a track record in project management, stakeholder engagement and inclusive participation strategies, with flexible evenings or weekends as needed.

Qualifications

• Demonstrated experience in club, community or organisational development.
• Proven ability to plan, manage and evaluate projects or programmes with measurable impact.
• Experience managing budgets and resources effectively.
• Familiarity with Microsoft Office applications and data handling.

Responsibilities

• Lead the delivery of Development and Participation plans with clear priorities and measurable outcomes.
• Identify opportunities and challenges and provide development insight to the CEO and wider team.
• Lead support for affiliated clubs and classes to develop participation, governance, volunteering and funding.
• Develop pathways from initial engagement to sustained participation in sailing and boating.
• Embed inclusion across development and participation work and help clubs become more welcoming.
• Build strong relationships with clubs, Sport NI, local authorities, education providers and funders.
• Manage funded programmes against agreed outcomes, budgets and timelines.
• Establish KPIs and monitor impact of programmes and report to leadership.

Skills

Club development

Budget management

Project evaluation

Data management

Organization

Job description

RYA NI are the national governing body for Sailing, Windsurfing, and Powerboating at all levels across Northern Ireland.

At RYA Northern Ireland, we are almost three years into delivering our ambitious Navigating the Future strategy, with some fantastic milestones already achieved. We have grown participation among Women and Girls and people with disabilities, launched the NI Sailing Team, and increased our income by 67%.

Guided by our values, we are committed to creating an inclusive, collaborative, and supportive culture-one where everyone involved in sailing and boating feels welcome, empowered, and inspired. Working closely with our community and trusted partners, we are building a sport that celebrates diversity and captures the sense of adventure and enjoyment that makes life on the water so special.

We are now looking for passionate, motivated people to join our team and help shape the future of sailing and boating in Northern Ireland.

Development Manager - Maternity Cover

Contract: 12 Months Fixed Term, Maternity Cover

Salary: £32,000 (FTE) per annum

Full-time (35 hours per week) or part-time (minimum 27.5 hours per week): Monday to Friday (with flexible working arrangements available)

Location: Newtownards, BT23 4YH

What's it like to work at RYA NI?

You will join a team of eight who are passionate, caring, and proud of the contribution they make, supported and inspired by the volunteers, clubs, and organisations delivering sailing and boating in communities across Northern Ireland.

As a team, we are brave and ambitious, always open to testing new approaches and finding practical solutions. We value being visible and connected, regularly engaging with clubs and events to understand both the inspirational stories and the challenges facing the sport. This insight helps shape our work and ensures what we do truly makes a difference.

Job specific responsibillites:

Strategic Leadership

Lead the delivery of RYA NI's Development and Participation plans, translating strategy into clear priorities, programmes and measurable outcomes.

Identify emerging opportunities and challenges and provide development insight to the CEO and wider team.

Club and Affiliate Development

Lead RYA NI's support for affiliated clubs, and classes

Help clubs identify needs and develop sustainable plans covering participation, membership, governance, volunteering, funding, facilities, inclusion and succession.

Encourage collaboration and sharing of good practice across the club network

Participation and Pathway Development

Lead programmes that grow, diversify and retain participation in sailing, & boating

Develop clear pathways from initial engagement to sustained recreational, club or competitive participation.

Work with clubs and partners to identify gaps and develop innovative, inclusive opportunities

Equality, Diversity and Inclusion

Embed inclusion across RYA NI's development and participation work.

Support clubs and centres to become more welcoming and accessible.

Develop partnerships and targeted initiatives to reduce barriers and engage underrepresented groups.

Partnerships and Stakeholder Management

Build strong relationships with clubs, centres, Sport NI, local authorities, education providers, community organisations, funders, class associations, RYA and other key partners.

Represent RYA NI at relevant meetings, networks, consultations and working groups.

Funding and Programme Development

Manage funded programmes against agreed outcomes, budgets and timescales.

Support clubs to identify funding and strengthen their ability to secure investment.

Monitoring, Evaluation and Impact

Establish KPIs and oversee monitoring and evaluation of development programmes.

Use participation data, club insight and feedback to assess performance and improve delivery.

Report impact and outcomes to the CEO, Board, funders and partners.

Team Leadership

Lead and develop the Development and Participation team, setting clear objectives and priorities.

Coordinate programmes to maximise impact and effective use of resources.

Promote a collaborative, accountable and continuously improving team culture.

Communications and Engagement

Ensure clubs understand and can access RYA NI support, programmes and opportunities.

Develop effective ways of listening to clubs, participants and volunteers.

Support workshops, forums, roadshows and networking opportunities and ensure feedback informs future planning.

General Responsibilities

Ensure programmes meet relevant safeguarding, equality, governance and RYA requirements.

Manage assigned budgets effectively and undertake other reasonable duties appropriate to the role.

This job description is not to be regarded as exclusive or exhaustive. It is intended as an outline indication of the areas of activity and will be amended in the light of the changing needs of the organisation. The nature of the role requires the postholder to work in the evenings or at weekends on occasions.

Skills, experiences or behaviours

Essential

• Demonstrable experience of club, community or organisational development, working effectively with staff, volunteers and stakeholders.
• Proven experience of planning, managing and evaluating projects or programmes, with the ability to monitor performance and demonstrate impact.
• Experience of managing budgets and resources effectively
• Familiarity with Microsoft Office applications.
• Data management and entry skills.
• A natural organiser, who is self-motivated, with the ability to work on own initiative.
• Approachable and supportive, to enable collaborative working with volunteers and other team members.
• Ability to travel independently and regularly throughout.

Desirable

• An understanding of RYA Initiatives including WOW, OnBoard & Sailability
• Experience running sailing events/programmes.
• Experience of developing participation pathways

The RYA offers a range of benefits which include:

• 36 days holiday including public holidays (pro rata for part-time employees)
• Birthday Day Off
• 10% RYA contribution to a personal pension scheme
• Free life insurance
• Discounts platform for retail, entertainment, holidays & gym membership
• Two paid volunteering days per year
• Social events
• RYA membership

The RYA is committed to equality of opportunity.

As an equal opportunity and disability confident employer, we celebrate and welcome diversity in all its forms and believe that a diverse workforce boosts innovation, productivity and creativity. We are dedicated to promoting equity, diversity and inclusion and strive to be an inclusive and diverse workplace where everyone can be their authentic selves.

Closing date for applications: 9am Monday 2 November 2026

We reserve the right to close applications early should sufficient applications be received.