Lead Community Coach

Organisation: Edinburgh South Community Football Club (ESCFC)

Location: South Edinburgh (primarily Gilmerton) – Across multiple sites with hybrid working available

Contract: Permanent, full time

Hours: Full-time, 35 hours per week (includes evenings and some weekends)

Salary: Competitive, dependent on experience

Reports to: Head of Operations

PVG Membership: Required. ESCFC has established Child Wellbeing & Protection Values and is working to embed them across the game at every level. These values are: Inclusive, Accountable, Empowering and Approachable. We expect the candidate to embrace, maintain and demonstrate these values throughout all aspects of their role with the organisation.

Edinburgh South Community Football Club (ESCFC) is a Platinum Quality Mark Accredited Community Football Club and non‑profit organisation. As a club we currently represent 75 teams, over 1,000 players and more than 200 coaches and officials. We provide a complete football pathway for all players from Soccer School right through the pathway 4s, 5s, 7s, 11s, Amateur/Recreational and Senior football teams. Our men’s team play in the 1st Division of the East of Scotland Football League and our Women’s team play in the Scottish Women’s Football League.

The role

As Lead Community Coach, you’ll help shape and grow these programmes, lead a team of coaches, and play a central role in building a lasting legacy.

We’re looking for someone who takes initiative, challenges the status quo, can influence others, and is consistently looking for ways to make things better—for our players, volunteers and the club.

What You’ll Be Doing

• Lead, design and deliver high‑quality coaching sessions in schools, after‑school clubs, holiday camps and ESCFC community programmes.
• Book and manage pitch lets and allocations for training schedules and weekly fixtures.
• Manage club equipment across multiple sites, maintaining inventories, reporting and replacement.
• Support the creation and growth of new sessions to attract and retain participants.
• Recruit, mentor and develop a team of coaches to deliver our full Player Development Pathway.
• Ensure coaching standards are consistent and continually improving across all ESCFC initiatives.
• Actively engage with schools, local partners and football associations to grow our network and programme reach.
• Promote our programmes via marketing campaigns, community outreach and social media.
• Coordinate bookings, manage enquiries and keep accurate registers and payment records.
• Identify funding opportunities and support grant applications to sustain and grow our activities.
• Contribute to strategic club planning and support the development of long‑term initiatives.

What We’re Looking For – Essential Qualifications & Experience

• Local experience of coaching teams.
• Demonstrated experience in leading and reporting on community coaching programmes and achieving measurable outcomes.
• Strong understanding of grassroots football and the Scottish football landscape.
• Experience working in the third sector or within sports/community‑based organisations.
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills.
• Excellent organisational and time‑management skills.
• Full driving licence and access to transport.
• PVG for working with children.
• Willingness to work towards a UEFA C Licence or higher.
• Experience in sourcing and securing funding or grants.
• Experience working with My Club Hub or a similar class‑booking platform.

Key Skills & Personal Qualities

• A self‑starter who takes initiative and drives progress without waiting for instruction.
• Comfortable challenging assumptions and offering better solutions when needed.
• Collaborative and open to feedback – asks smart questions to improve delivery.
• Strong leadership and mentoring skills to support volunteer and coach development.
• Passionate about using sport to build inclusive, resilient communities.
• Organised, reliable and capable of managing multiple priorities with attention to detail.
• Friendly, approachable and committed to upholding the club’s values.

Benefits

• Competitive salary based on experience.
• Company pension.
• Flexible/hybrid working options.
• Work laptop and phone.
• Discounted physiotherapy and club services.

Commitment to Safeguarding and Equality

Edinburgh South Community Football Club is committed to the safety and well‑being of children, young people and vulnerable adults. All offers of employment are subject to PVG scheme membership and satisfactory references.

We are proud to be an Equal Opportunities employer. We encourage applications from candidates of all backgrounds and experiences.

How to apply

If you have the right skills and want to be part of a grassroots football club at the heart and soul of its community, apply now or send your CV to recruitment@escfc.co.uk.

For an informal chat about the role, contact Katie Matthews on 07886304838.