Regional Development Officer (North)

Organisation: Royal Yachting Association
Salary: Salary range: £28,000-£29,500
Location: North Scotland
Contract type: Permanent (Full time)
Closing date: 19 October 2025
Job Description: Job Title: Regional Development Officer – North Scotland
Reporting to: RYA Scotland CEO
Contract Type: Full Time, joint contract between RYA and RYA Scotland.
Remuneration: Salary range: £28,000-£29,500

Context

RYA Scotland is the Sport Governing Body for the sports of sailing, windsurfing and kiteboarding in Scotland. RYA Scotland is also the national governing body in Scotland for dinghy, motor and sail cruising, all forms of sail racing, RIBs and sports boats, windsurfing and personal watercraft.

We work with clubs, centres and communities across the country to help people experience the lifelong benefits of being on the water. Our priorities – people, places and communities – guide everything we do. These priorities are described in the RYA Scotland Strategic Plan which outlines a bold ambition to create a vibrant, inclusive and sustainable boating community.

This role plays a key part in making that vision real by supporting active and healthy clubs and communities in the North of Scotland.

The role

The RYA Scotland strategic plan, People, Places and Communities, has a clear regional focus. The role of Regional Development Officer (North) is one of three Regional Development roles (North, East and West) and a key part of the RYA Scotland Sport Development Team.

We recognise that different clubs and different regions require different support at different times. It is not a ‘one-size-fits-all’ approach. The RDO will work alongside affiliated organisations in the North of Scotland to provide support, share ideas, engage Youth Voices and create opportunities for their members and their community.

The role will require a people-centred individual, with a natural interest in watersports, to take time to meet with club members, understand their needs and ambitions and support them with creative solutions or practical advice to help them realise their plans and ambitions.

Job Purpose
The purpose of the Regional Development Officer role is to:
• Be the primary point of contact for RYA affiliated organisations in the North of Scotland.
• Be present within our sailing and boating community and be a recognised and accessible source of information and guidance as required.
• Work within the RYA Scotland Sport Development Team, to ensure that the right support and opportunities are provided at local, regional and national level
• Take leadership of specific national initiatives that align with your skills, experience and the RYA Scotland strategic priorities.
Key stakeholders will include:
• RYA Scotland staff team and the Participation & Development Committee
• Clubs, Centres, Volunteers, Instructors, Coaches
• Local Authorities, national agencies, uniformed groups
• Development colleagues throughout the RYA
• sportscotland

Responsibilities

Supporting Clubs and Centres:
• Support an encourage opportunities and initiatives to increase active participation in sailing and boating in their region.
• Provide guidance and support to organisations so they can develop and grow by utilising appropriate tools and resources such as ‘On Course for the Future’, the ‘Volunteer Development Framework’ and engagement of Youth Voices.
• Collaborate with the Training Development Officer and Pathway Development Officer to identify and facilitate suitable training opportunities relevant to the development of club and centre capability and capacity, event delivery and improving racing within the region.
Partnerships and Community Engagement
• Identify, broker or otherwise support opportunities for partnership working between clubs, training centres, boating organisations and other local community partners within the Region and beyond.
• Develop and support robust partnerships and effective communication channels with and between clubs, schools, local authorities, Active Schools, further/higher education groups, community/voluntary groups, Regional Sporting Partnerships, businesses, RYA Scotland staff and any other relevant local, regional and national partners.

Positive Impact
• Support the effective implementation of a Changing Lives approach across the region, working with partners to intentionally use sport to bring about positive changes for specific people.
• Recognise and capture examples of positive impact to people and communities through the delivery of local activity and development of people.
• Utilise your professional qualifications/experience to benefit the outcomes of sport within the region and throughout Scotland.

Representation & Planning
• Represent Regional Development activity in a variety of forums linked to RYA Scotland, RYA and sportscotland.
• Oversee data collection and information gathering for all the clubs, centres and boating/water sports organisations within the area, to allow evaluation and recommendations to be made for future planning.
• Contribute to the effective planning and delivery of RYA Scotland’s operational plan
for Regional Development.
• Contribute to shared tasks, knowledge and best practice with your colleagues and stakeholders.

Remuneration and benefits

• Salary range: £28,000-29,500,000 depending on experience for up to 35 hours per week
• Benefits package includes 10% pension contribution and life insurance, free RYA Membership and associated preferential staff discounts.
• 26 days annual leave plus public holidays.
Applicants must have the right to work in the UK already in place.
This role involves regular contact with children and/or adults at risk and the Regional Development Officer will be required to be a member of the Protecting Vulnerable Groups (PVG) Scheme.
How to apply: https://www.rya.org.uk/about-us/careers/job-vacancies/rya-scotland-vacancies/rya-scotland-regional-development-officer-north/