Project Manager (Programmes)

£40,000-£46,000 (dependent on skills and experience) plus generous benefits

Location – Home-based with regular travel across a designated region and to our offices as required.

We are the Football Foundation - the Premier League, the FA and government’s charity that delivers outstanding grassroots facilities, more and better places to play, transforming lives and communities where it is needed most.

As Project Manager, you’ll lead key aspects of the Grass Pitch Programme, working with national governing bodies and stakeholders to improve the quality and sustainability of grass pitches. You’ll also deliver a nationwide volunteer strategy, helping to recruit, train, and retain volunteers who maintain vital community pitches. This role blends programme delivery, strategic planning, and stakeholder engagement at the highest level.

In this role, you’ll manage multi-sport capital and revenue investment plans, build strong relationships with NGBs, County FAs, and delivery teams, and lead the development of a robust volunteer Groundskeeper strategy. You’ll coordinate project timelines, budgets, KPIs, and risks, while using data to drive continuous improvement.

About the Football Foundation: Over the last 22 years, the Foundation has awarded more than 23,000 grants to deliver outstanding grassroots facilities across England worth more than £877 million. This year, the Foundation will be investing more money than ever into facilities across England and is committed to improving the experience of playing football for everyone. The Foundation’s goal is to unlock the power of pitches ensuring everyone has a great place to play regardless of gender, race, disability or place.

What are we looking for?

• Demonstrated experience in complex, multi-stakeholder project or programme management.
• Excellent skills in stakeholder engagement, relationship building, and team collaboration.
• Strong understanding of sports development, facility operations, and community needs.
• In-depth knowledge of sports National Governing Bodies.
• Strategic thinking, effective communication, and an understanding of funding and investment processes.
• Confidence using digital tools and data to drive delivery and continuous improvement.
• Commitment to equity, diversity, and inclusion, as well as an understanding of barriers to participation.
• Experience working with or alongside national governing bodies or in the sport/community development sector is highly desirable.

You don’t need to follow football to apply, but it is expected that you appreciate the power of sport to change lives and have a genuine interest in using your skills and experience to help the Foundation achieve our charitable and strategic objectives.

What can we offer you?

• The salary band for this role is £40,000 - £46,000 per annum, dependent on relevant skills and experience.
• 25 days annual leave plus bank holidays (which increases after 2 years), plus additional time off to volunteer.
• A generous pension scheme (8% employer contribution).
• Collective bonus scheme.
• Free health care provision.
• A monthly gym subsidy.
• Interest-free season ticket loan.
• Death in service benefit.
• Access to selected match tickets.

We are committed to helping our team members maintain a healthy work-life balance, so offer flexible working around core hours to help achieve that.

Equality and Diversity Commitment: The Football Foundation is committed to and values the principles of diversity, equality, equity, and inclusion. We strive to provide an inclusive and supportive working environment where all our team feel respected and supported in fulfilling their potential. We encourage and welcome applications from all, regardless of background and are particularly interested to hear from individuals belonging to under-represented groups including diverse ethnic communities, individuals with a disability and those from the LGBTQI+ community. Should you need any adjustments to the recruitment process, at either application or interview stage, please contact us.

The closing date for applications is: Thursday 3 July 2025 at 09:00am. Interviews will be held in-person at Wembley Stadium on 11 July 2025.