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- Tasks: Support colleges in enhancing football facilities and increasing student participation.
- Company: Join AoC Sport, a leader in football development within further education.
- Benefits: Flexible working, generous holiday, pension scheme, and professional development opportunities.
- Why this job: Make a real impact on football development and community engagement across England.
- Qualifications: Experience in sports development and strong communication skills required.
- Other info: Work in a dynamic environment with opportunities for career growth.
The predicted salary is between 36000 - 60000 £ per year.
An exciting opportunity has arisen to join AoC Sport as Development Manager (Football). In this role, you will work in a highly member-facing capacity, supporting colleges across England to develop and strengthen their football provision, with a particular focus on facilities, participation and strategic partnerships.
This is a unique opportunity to work in partnership with the FA to drive sustainable, high-impact football development across further education. The role provides strategic support to colleges, helping them unlock the full potential of their football provision—enhancing facilities, increasing student participation, building strong community/club partnerships and will influence at senior levels.
This role involves working closely with senior leaders, estates teams and delivery staff within colleges to provide expert advice, challenge thinking and support long-term planning. You will help colleges align their football strategies with national priorities while ensuring approaches are practical, sustainable and responsive to local need.
You will also be responsible for developing and brokering effective partnerships with County FAs, professional clubs, funders and community organisations, supporting colleges to improve facilities, access investment and maximise community use. Alongside this, you will contribute to robust monitoring, evaluation and reporting, support AoC Sport’s wider business planning, and provide leadership and development to a small team.
AoC has a culture of high performance and commitment and we expect and get a lot from our staff. We offer trust and autonomy in a highly flexible working environment with a great package of rewards that includes a generous holiday entitlement, final salary pension scheme, opportunities for professional development including sponsorship of professional qualifications.
We also know that our passion for the further education sector, and our focus on enabling colleges to help people realise their talents and ambitions, act as a great motivator for working at AoC.
Please review the full job description and person specification, which outlines the role in more detail. If you have any questions or would like to have an informal discussion about the role, please contact us.
Location: Mobile-Hybrid: this role is highly member-facing and as such will work in a hybrid way with a home-base, blending working time between remote-working and regular travel throughout England. AoC staff also have access to our regional offices in Stoke-Sub-Hamdon (Somerset), Wolverhampton (West Midlands), and Chorley (Lancashire), as well as our national head office in central London (Bloomsbury WC1).
Hours: Flexible | Part-Time 30 hours/week (4 days)
How to Apply: If you think you have the skills, experience, and attributes to hit the ground running in this position, we would welcome your application. Your application must be submitted and received by 10am on 23 February 2026.
Interviews: W/C 2 March - 1st stage online interview (with presentation task) week commencing 2 March; W/C 9 March - 2nd stage in-person interview.
AoC is committed to providing equal opportunities and embracing diversity. We encourage applications from everyone and will not discriminate against any applicants on the basis of age, disability, sex, gender identity, marital status, pregnancy, race, religion or belief, or sexual orientation.
If you have a disability and would prefer to apply in a different format or would like us to make reasonable adjustments to enable you to apply or attend any interview, please email us to let us know or contact the HR team via telephone.
Thank you for your interest in this opportunity to join the AoC Sport team.
We reserve the right to bring forward the closing date of the adverts should we receive a sufficient level of interest!
Development Manager (Football) in Chorley employer: Association of Colleges
Contact Detail:
Association of Colleges Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Development Manager (Football) in Chorley
✨Tip Number 1
Get to know the organisation inside out! Research AoC Sport, their values, and their current projects. This will help you tailor your conversations and show that you're genuinely interested in making a difference in football development.
✨Tip Number 2
Network like a pro! Reach out to current or former employees on LinkedIn, attend relevant events, and engage with community organisations. Building relationships can give you insider info and might even lead to a referral!
✨Tip Number 3
Prepare for those interviews! Think about how your experience aligns with the role's requirements. Be ready to discuss specific examples of how you've developed partnerships or improved facilities in previous roles.
✨Tip Number 4
Don’t forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets seen. Plus, it shows you’re serious about joining the team at AoC Sport and contributing to football development across colleges.
We think you need these skills to ace Development Manager (Football) in Chorley
Some tips for your application 🫡
Read the Job Description Carefully: Before you start writing, give the job description a good read. It’s packed with clues about what we’re looking for, so make sure you understand the key responsibilities and skills required for the Development Manager role.
Tailor Your Application: Don’t just send a generic application! We want to see how your experience aligns with our needs. Highlight specific examples from your past that demonstrate your ability to enhance football provision and build partnerships, as mentioned in the job description.
Show Your Passion for Football Development: Let us know why you’re excited about this role! Share your enthusiasm for football development in further education and how you can contribute to our mission at AoC Sport. A personal touch can really make your application stand out.
Apply Through Our Website: Make sure to apply through our website for a smooth process. It’s the best way for us to receive your application and ensures you don’t miss any important updates about the role. We can’t wait to hear from you!
How to prepare for a job interview at Association of Colleges
✨Know Your Football Development
Make sure you brush up on the latest trends and strategies in football development, especially within the education sector. Familiarise yourself with how colleges can enhance their football provision and the role of partnerships with organisations like the FA.
✨Prepare for Member-Facing Scenarios
Since this role is highly member-facing, think about potential scenarios where you might need to support colleges. Prepare examples from your past experiences that demonstrate your ability to build relationships and provide strategic advice.
✨Showcase Your Leadership Skills
Be ready to discuss your leadership style and how you've successfully led teams in the past. Highlight any experience you have in developing others, as this will be crucial for the role's responsibilities.
✨Engage with the Community Aspect
Understand the importance of community partnerships in football development. Be prepared to talk about how you would approach building these relationships and what strategies you would implement to maximise community use of facilities.
