Foundation Programme Officer

West Ham United FC; London; On-site; GBP 30,000 - 45,000; Full time

Job summary

Join West Ham United FC as a Foundation Programme Officer and play a vital role in leading football development initiatives for children and young people across East London. The position includes planning and coordinating activities and ensuring a high standard of service delivery. This is a permanent, full-time role offering opportunities for career growth in a dynamic and inclusive environment.

Benefits

25 days annual leave plus your birthday off

Pension and life insurance

Healthcare cash scheme

Travel season ticket loan

Cycle to work scheme

Priority access to apply for match tickets

Discounted season tickets

Discounted gym membership and onsite fitness room facilities

Family friendly leave policies

Company Social events

Qualifications

• Required UEFA C / FA Level 2 Coaching Qualification.
• Experience in football development environments.
• Strong administrative, planning, and organisational skills.

Responsibilities

• Lead and coordinate football development activities.
• Manage communication with players and stakeholders.
• Supervise programme assistants and coaching staff.

Skills

Leadership

Communication

Planning

Organisational skills

Customer-focused approach

Education

UEFA C / FA Level 2 Coaching Qualification

Tools

ICT Skills

Job description

Company Description

Join the Legacy and Future of West Ham United

Founded in 1895, West Ham United is a club that blends rich tradition with a forward-thinking approach, creating an exciting, ever-evolving football culture. Based in the heart of London, we proudly call the London Stadium home — a state-of-the-art venue with a capacity of 62,500, making it one of the largest in the country. We are also dedicated to providing the most affordable Premier League tickets in London, championing Accessible Family Football for all.

Our women's team, achieving professional status in 2018, has soared to new heights in the Women’s Super League and reached the prestigious FA Cup final. Meanwhile, our cutting-edge Academy, which opened in 2019, is nurturing future stars, producing first-team players like Declan Rice and Ben Johnson.

With ongoing improvements to the stadium, including the iconic Billy Bonds Stand, West Ham is constantly evolving, making sure our fans experience the best in matchday atmosphere and comfort. We are also incredibly proud to hold the Disability Confident Leader status, reflecting our dedication to inclusivity and accessibility.

As we continue to grow, so does our workforce. With a dedicated team of 300 core staff and 500 event and Foundation employees, West Ham United offers a truly unique working environment. We’re especially proud to have been awarded the Premier League’s Advanced Equality, Diversity, and Inclusion Standard in 2023 — our second consecutive recognition — underlining our ongoing commitment to fostering an inclusive, diverse, and dynamic workplace.

Join us and become part of a club that stands at the crossroads of history, ambition, and innovation. West Ham United is where passion, progress, and inclusivity come together to create something special.

Why Join Us?

Diversity & Inclusion: We believe a diverse team drives creativity and strengthens performance. We welcome applicants from all backgrounds and identities to apply.

Health & Wellbeing: We are committed to protecting the physical and mental health of our staff, ensuring a balanced and supportive work environment.

Career Growth: As part of a premier football club, you will have opportunities to grow and innovate in an exciting and fast-paced environment.

If you’re ready to bring your passion for making a difference and football to one of the world’s most iconic clubs, apply now!

Position

Foundation Programme Officer

Salary: Competitive

Hours: Full Time – 37.5 hours per week

(Flexible hours required to support department needs; evenings and weekends may be included, without exceeding contracted hours)

Contract: Permanent

Location: WHU Foundation Hub, Beckton

West Ham United Foundation (WHUF) is the charitable arm of West Ham United Football Club. We harness the power of football to change lives, working across East London and Essex to deliver inclusive, impactful programmes that engage thousands of people each year.

As part of our growing Player Pathway team, we are now recruiting a Programme Officer to help us plan, coordinate, and deliver high-quality football development initiatives for children and young people. This is an exciting opportunity to work within a high-performance environment and contribute to the Club’s mission of growing its presence in local communities while creating meaningful player journeys across grassroots football.

Key Responsibilities

As a Programme Officer, you will be a key driver in the day-to-day operations of our Player Pathway programmes. You will:

Lead and coordinate the planning, scheduling, and delivery of football development activities including our Player Pathway and Holiday Hammers.

Support with the operational logistics of programme delivery, ensuring a high standard of service and experience for all participants.

Manage clear and consistent communication with players, parents/carers, and stakeholders.

Design and implement football programming in alignment with WHUF's departmental vision and growth plans.

Provide operational support across wider football development programmes as required.

Supervise and guide programme assistants and coaching staff to uphold a culture of excellence.

Contribute to international delivery opportunities where applicable.

Embed a culture of continuous improvement, performance, and adaptability across the Player Pathway structure.

Requirements

Person Specification:

Qualifications & Education

UEFA C / FA Level 2 Coaching Qualification

Full UK Driving Licence

Good ICT Skills

Continuous Professional Development

Experience

Desired- Other relevant professional qualifications or memberships

Experience in football development environments

Community-based sports programme delivery

Knowledge of Health & Safety in sport settings

Experience with booking/registration systems

Budget or financial administration experience

Skills & Abilities

Strong administrative, planning, and organisational skills

Excellent communication and interpersonal abilities

Ability to work independently and take initiative

Customer-focused approach to service delivery

Leadership and team management skills

Commercial awareness

Additional Requirements

First Aid at Work Qualification

Safeguarding Certificate

A level of physical fitness suitable for setting up sports equipment and supporting physical activities.

Commitment to working flexible hours, including evenings and weekends.

This post is subject to an Enhanced DBS Check.

Other information

Benefits on offer (may vary based on contract type and location)

• 25 days annual leave plus your birthday off
• Pension and life insurance
• Healthcare cash scheme
• Travel season ticket loan
• Cycle to work scheme
• Priority access to apply for match tickets
• Discounted season tickets
• Staff discounts in the club store, café and our official partners products and services
• Discounted gym membership and onsite fitness room facilities
• Family friendly leave policies
• Company Social events
  
  

Safeguarding

The successful candidate must demonstrate a commitment to the safety and welfare of children, young people, and adults at risk of harm across all stakeholders. Everyone, including third parties who work with the Club or the West Ham Foundation, is responsible for ensuring the safety and well-being of vulnerable individuals. Successful candidates must undergo essential background checks before starting their employment, which may include screening of social media. The type of DBS check required will depend on the responsibilities of the position and may be basic, standard, or enhanced.

The successful candidate agrees to proactively identify and respond appropriately to any concerns, and follow the Club's Safeguarding reporting procedures to report allegations of abuse, poor practice, or anything that may impact the welfare of a child, young person, or adult at risk without delay, within 24 hours, or as otherwise directed by the Club’s or the West Ham Foundation Safeguarding Team.

EDI Statement

The successful candidate must demonstrate a strong commitment to equity, diversity, and inclusion, aligning with the organisation’s business and tactical approach to eliminating barriers and addressing inequity. You agree to actively contribute to creating a discrimination-free and inclusive environment, ensuring equitable access to opportunities and benefits, while fostering a culture of dignity and respect that enables everyone to perform and achieve their potential.

Candidates must demonstrate their capability and willingness to uphold best practices and procedures, promoting lasting positive change while eliminating biases and barriers to attracting, achieving, and supporting talent from all communities, regardless of background, circumstances, or protected characteristics.

How To Apply

To apply, please reply to the link with your full CV and a supporting statement outlining your motivation for applying and how you feel you meet the profile of the candidate we are looking for.

The deadline for applications is 5pm Friday 11th July 2025. Please note that the vacancy may close early if there is a high volume of applicants.

Queries

Thank you for your interest. If you have any queries, or require support with your application, please contact [email protected]