Football Development Officer

British Universities & Colleges Sport (BUCS)

Organisation: British Universities & Colleges Sport (BUCS)
Salary: £24,500 - £32,000 (GBP)
Location: Hybrid role based anywhere in the UK, with regular travel to our London office
Contract type: Fixed Term (Full time)
Closing date: 4 January 2026
Interview date: 12 January 2026
Job Description: Main Purpose(s)
The Football Development Officer will coordinate programmes and deliver events which directly support the delivery of the strategic objectives relating to the BUCS Strategy and The FA Grassroots Strategy ‘A Thriving Grassroots Game’ 2024-2028. The post holder will also be responsible for supporting the Senior Football Development Manager in reporting on the development of non-competitive football within Higher Education (HE) institutions. The role requires collaboration with The FA, member institutions and other key stakeholders relevant to the development of the grassroots game.

The focus of this role will be to deliver on the workforce and leadership targets within The FA and BUCS four-year strategic plan aimed at increasing the number of staff, volunteers, coaches, and match officials receiving CPD. This will be achieved through delivering development opportunities to BUCS Accredited universities, including but not limited to the Women’s Leadership Programme, Football Club Committee Leader events and University Football Coaching Hubs.

Main duties and responsibilities
Coordinate the delivery of The FA University Women’s Leadership Programme to develop students key skills, and behaviours, and provide access to a professional network through an innovative learning and development programme.

Coordinate The FA University Women’s Leadership Alumni Programme through creation of innovative partnerships and projects that continue to develop dynamic behaviours, professional networks and employability skills of the leadership programme graduates.

Coordinate the delivery of innovative student leader development opportunities including leading on the delivery of the Football Club Committee leaders’ network and Football Coaching Hubs programme.

Support the Senior Football Development Manager with managing The FA relationship by undertaking effective monitoring and evaluating of all funded initiatives outlined in the contract. Including but not limited to:

o Coordinate monitoring and evaluation of all programme including The FA University Women’s Leadership Programme.

o Coordinate updates as and when required by The FA Relationship Manager.

o Provide the Senior Football Development Manager with relevant report information prior to all FA Quarterly Reviews and FA Education Partner Forum meetings.

Support and inform BUCS on the ongoing development and evolution of The FA and BUCS four-year strategic plan.

Work with the Football Development Team on budgeting, forecasting and reporting processes that align to accreditation and member services in line with The FA and BUCS financial processes requirements.

Support the Senior Football Development Manager to:

a. Embed the Women and Girls accreditation standards across all BUCS Football Accredited Universities.

b. Drive the development of women’s football participation within institutions to provide equality of access to opportunities and enhance the female playing pathway.

Support BUCS to secure further FA investment into the HE sector in line with The FA Education Strategy and The FA planning processes.

Other

Identify and develop mutually beneficial partnerships that support the development of football and BUCS led initiatives; manage relationships with selected key partners. Achieve this by identifying priority partners, opportunities for collaboration and agreeing ways to work inclusively together.

Coordinate frequent interaction between the FE/HE education team led by The FA and the wider BUCS Development Team.

To undertake other duties, activities and responsibilities as required in the delivery of BUCS business.

This role will involve weekend and evening work and overnight stays at BUCS events.

Professionally represent BUCS at all times.

PERSON SPECIFICATION
BUCS is a Disability Confident Committed and Equal Opportunity Employer. We value diversity and are committed to fostering an inclusive and supportive work environment. We make all employment decisions without regard to age, national origin, race, ethnicity, religion, belief, gender, sexual orientation, disability, or any other characteristic protected by law.

Research shows that some people don’t apply for a role if they feel they do not meet 100% of the person specification. We encourage you to apply for this role if you feel you meet the key skills and knowledge listed below, even if you feel you do not have all of them. We are passionate about identifying the right people to help us develop and thrive.

Essential knowledge or experience

Experience in project coordination

Experience of event planning and coordination.

Experience of coordinating the design and delivery of dynamic sport programmes.

Experience in delivering evidence-based monitoring and evaluation

Experience of working collaboratively within multi-disciplinary teams

Essential skills and abilities

Strong communication and interpersonal skills.

Ability to coordinate multiple projects and budgets simultaneously.

Strong analytical and inclusive decision-making skills.

Effective problem-solving skills

Clear communication, influencing, negotiation and interpersonal skills

Strong presentation skills (both verbal and written)

Strong proficiency in Microsoft Office products and SmartSheet.

Ability to foster a respectful and collaborative environment among members and staff

Strong ability to respond dynamically to the needs of the team

Desirable knowledge or experience

Understanding of The FA National Game Strategy

Understanding of the participant journey through football and futsal within the higher education sector

Innovative mindset to develop content to support the needs of the BUCS membership and wider HE landscape

Understanding Higher Education sport structures

Experience of working in a membership organisation

Knowledge of university structures and sport delivery models
How to apply: How to Apply Please apply via https://app.beapplied.com/apply/x02s4vvziv This will take you to the BeApplied platform which we use for our recruitment. Should you have any questions about the role, please contact Dan Matthews – BUCS Senior Football Development Manager on Dan.Matthews@bucs.org.uk. Application deadline: 23:59 on Sunday 4 January 2026 Interview Information: If successful candidate will be called to interview on the provisional date of the week commencing 12th January 2026. Candidates who successfully advance to the interview stage will receive further information about logistics and tasks via email. Some candidates may process to a second interview, which will be communicated accordingly. If any reasonable adjustments are required, please communicate them when accepting the interview offer. Due to the expected high number of applications, it is likely we will only be able to provide feedback to those who reach the interview stage. If you don’t hear from us within two weeks of the closing date, please assume that, unfortunately, your application has not been successful. Applicants should have the right to work in the UK and will be asked to provide proof of their eligibility to work in the UK before employment is confirmed. Data Protection Statement Any personal data submitted to BUCS in the course of this recruitment process will be held securely and processed solely for the purposes of recruitment. It will be held for the duration of the recruitment process, and if employed by BUCS, for the duration of the contract of employment and to fulfil the statutory, or recommended, retention periods when no longer an employee of British Universities and Colleges Sport. BUCS will comply with data protection legislation at all times and in line with BUCS Privacy Policy.