Head of Youth Leadership

Organisation: Youth Sport Trust
Salary: £55,000.00 per annum + car allowance
Location: Hybrid: minimum 1 day in Loughborough office with National travel
Contract type: Permanent (Full time)
Closing date: 11 February 2026
Interview date: 25 February 2026
Job Description: Head of Youth Leadership
£55,000 per annum, plus car allowance
Full time, permanent position (37 hours per week)
Hybrid role: 1 day per week in the Loughborough office with national travel

The Youth Sport Trust is the UK’s leading children's charity dedicated to improving the education and development of every child through play and sport. Our mission is to equip educators and empower young people to build a brighter future for every child.

We are now seeking an experienced and inspirational Head of Youth Leadership to lead the strategic development and design of our national youth leadership portfolio. This is a pivotal senior role, shaping how young people develop leadership and life skills, amplify their voice and influence positive change through sport, play and physical activity.

As Head of Youth Leadership, you will provide strategic leadership for the Youth Sport Trust’s Young Leaders portfolio. This includes flagship programmes such as Young Ambassadors, Primary and Secondary Young Leaders, reward and recognition initiatives, and funded programmes with youth leadership at their heart, including our Set for Success programme.

You will lead and inspire a high-performing team, ensuring our work is impactful, evidence-based and aligned to national education, sport and youth policy. You will also play a key role in strengthening our influence across government, schools, National Governing Bodies and strategic partners, while securing new funding and partnerships to grow our reach and impact.

Safeguarding will be central to your leadership, with accountability for embedding strong safeguarding practice, culture and compliance across the youth leadership portfolio.

You will be a credible, values-led leader with a strong track record of working across the education, sport or youth sectors. You bring strategic insight, emotional intelligence and a genuine passion for empowering young people to lead, influence and create positive change.

You will have experience of providing strategic leadership within sport, education or youth-focused organisations, alongside a strong commitment to co-designing programmes with young people and embedding authentic youth voice throughout your work. You will be an experienced people leader, capable of building and developing high-performing, values-driven teams, and confident in influencing a wide range of stakeholders through clear, compelling communication and advocacy. You will also have experience of managing budgets and financial performance, and of providing leadership for safeguarding practice for children and young people, ensuring strong policy, culture and compliance.

Alongside this, you will bring a strong understanding of the education, sport and youth policy landscape, excellent interpersonal and relationship-building skills, and the ability to manage complexity, competing priorities and change in a fast-paced environment.

At the Youth Sport Trust you will join a forward-thinking, purpose-driven team committed to improving young lives. Our values underpin everything we do, and we pride ourselves on a work culture which fosters innovation, creativity and personal passion. Our benefits include generous annual leave entitlement, a health cash plan, employee assistance programme and volunteering days.
If you are motivated by purpose, inspired by the potential of young people, and ready to lead work that makes a national impact, we would love to hear from you. Please go to www.youthsporttrust.org/careers and complete an online application.

Youth Sport Trust believes that diversity drives excellence, and that representation is important. We therefore positively welcome and seek to ensure we achieve diversity in our workforce and that all job applicants and employees receive equal and fair treatment. We encourage applications from all candidates regardless of age, race, gender, gender identity, religion, sexual orientation, disability, or nationality.

Please note that this position is subject to an enhanced Criminal Records Check.

Closing date: 11:59pm on 11 February 2026
Interview date: 25 February 2026 in Loughborough
Reg Charity No: 1086915
How to apply: Please go to www.youthsporttrust.org/careers and complete an online application.