At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead safeguarding efforts and ensure a safe environment for young people at Aston Villa Foundation.
- Company: Join the Aston Villa Foundation, a charity committed to community and safeguarding.
- Benefits: Enjoy competitive salary, flexible hours, and a supportive team culture.
- Other info: Dynamic role with opportunities for growth and involvement in exciting projects.
- Why this job: Make a real difference in the lives of young people through safeguarding in sports.
- Qualifications: Relevant degree or experience in safeguarding, with strong communication skills.
The predicted salary is between 18850 - 22000 £ per year.
Department: Aston Villa Foundation and Community Partnerships – Central Team
Hours of Work: 22 hours per week
Contract Type: Permanent
Salary: £18,850–£22,000 per annum pro rata based on 22 hours per week, depending on experience.
Location: Villa Park
Closing Date: Sunday 19 July 2026
Interview Date: W/C 3 August 2026
The Department
The Aston Villa Foundation is the official Charity of Aston Villa Football Club and prides itself on being innovative in its approach in serving the community and helping to use the club as a ‘Force for Good’. We are committed to creating a culture where safeguarding is widely understood and embedded throughout the Foundation. We are responsible for providing effective leadership and management, ensuring compliance with Premier League rules and government legislation, whilst maintaining key stakeholder relationships internally and externally.
This is an exciting opportunity for an experienced Safeguarding Manager to join our Foundation Department to provide effective safeguarding management.
The Role
In this role, you will lead the safeguarding provision and champion best practice across the Aston Villa Foundation in line with the Club’s Safeguarding strategy, vision and policies to ensure a safe environment that nurtures, encourages and develops young people. You will be the first point of contact for responding and managing any safeguarding concerns within the Foundation and will provide guidance support and advice to colleagues, participants and parents / guardians. This will include attending relevant Foundation training sessions and matches, delivering local safeguarding inductions and working collaboratively with Foundation staff to support projects, initiatives and events from a safeguarding perspective.
The Person
You will need to be personable, approachable and be able to build and maintain relationships at all levels, particularly with parents and participants, and be able to communicate effectively and clearly. You will need to be a safeguarding and/or a welfare professional with a relevant degree/professional qualification (or equivalent experience) and have worked or volunteered with children or young people, ideally in an elite sporting environment. You must be credible with expert level of knowledge and understanding of current safeguarding legislation, statutory guidance and best practice including recording and handling clear and comprehensive records. You will need to be organised, able to prioritise workload whilst being flexible and responding to dynamic situations displaying integrity and discretion as and when required. This will be a hands-on role attending relevant training sessions and travelling to various locations so you will need to hold a UK Driving Licence with access to your own vehicle. You will also need to be available to work flexibly, including working matchdays, evenings and weekends.
Why Join Us?
There has never been a better time to join Aston Villa Foundation. We are building a family ethos and culture to be proud of and realising our ambitious plans for the expansion and improvement of our world-class facilities. If you are already excited by this challenge and want to play your part in our historic Club, then you'll be pleased to hear about our amazing staff benefits you'll receive whilst working for us!
As part of your application, please ensure you upload your CV and Cover Letter. For further information and to ask any questions about the role, please contact Debbi Rawson by emailing debbi.rawson@avfc.co.uk.
Right to Close Vacancy Posting Early
The Club reserves the right to close any advertised vacancies earlier than the advertised closing date if sufficient applications have been received.
Equality Statement
Aston Villa Football Club celebrates the diversity of its Club and embrace equal opportunities for all. We welcome applications from all candidates regardless of age, race, disability, gender reassignment, pregnancy and maternity, sexual orientation, marriage and civil partnership, sex and religion or belief.
Safeguarding Statement
Aston Villa Football Club is fully committed to safeguarding children and adults at risk across our Club. As such, we adhere to Safer Recruitment processes and for some roles a satisfactory enhanced disclosure via the Disclosure & Barring Service may be required prior to starting in a role at the Club.
Safeguarding Manager (Foundation) employer: Aston Villa Foundation
Aston Villa Foundation is an exceptional employer, dedicated to fostering a supportive and inclusive work environment at Villa Park. With a strong commitment to safeguarding and community engagement, employees benefit from professional growth opportunities, a family-oriented culture, and the chance to make a meaningful impact in the lives of young people. Join us in our mission to use the power of football as a 'Force for Good' while enjoying competitive benefits and a vibrant workplace.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Safeguarding Manager (Foundation)
✨Get Involved Locally
Dive into local volunteer opportunities or social initiatives. This not only beefs up your CV but also connects you with like-minded folks in nonprofits. Plus, it shows your passion for social impact, which is key for getting noticed by Aston Villa Foundation.
✨Tap into Professional Networks
Join networks like the National Council for Voluntary Organisations (NCVO) or local charities to meet professionals in the sector. Attend events and workshops to build relationships and learn about potential openings at organisations like Aston Villa Foundation.
✨Showcase Your Commitment
When prepping for interviews, be ready to speak about your personal connection to social issues. Dive into specific examples of how you’ve contributed to community projects – this will resonate with the mission-driven vibe at Aston Villa Foundation.
✨Utilise Online Platforms
We’re all about making connections, so use platforms like Idealist and CharityJob to hunt for full-time roles. And of course, you should keep an eye on our website for exciting opportunities at Aston Villa Foundation. Apply directly through us to stand out!
We think you need these skills to ace Safeguarding Manager (Foundation)
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Your Passion for the Cause:In the nonprofit sector, it's super important to demonstrate genuine passion for the mission of Aston Villa Foundation. Use your cover letter to showcase any personal experiences or volunteer work that connects you to their social impact initiatives. This emotional connection can really help your application stand out.
Highlight Relevant Experience:When crafting your CV, be sure to include any relevant projects or roles that showcase your skills in social impact. Whether it's community organising, fundraising, or advocacy, highlight what you've done and the difference it's made. Don’t just list tasks; quantify your achievements and the outcomes of your efforts.
Tailor Your Documents to the Role:For a full-time role like Safeguarding Manager (Foundation), ensure your CV and cover letter specifically address the responsibilities outlined in the job description. Use their language to describe your skills and experience, making it easy for the hiring team to see how you fit into their vision.
Emphasise Teamwork and Collaboration:Nonprofits thrive on teamwork, so make sure to emphasise your collaborative experiences. Whether you've worked in a team setting, partnered with community organisations, or facilitated group projects, highlight these experiences in your application. Show them you understand the importance of working alongside diverse individuals to achieve shared goals.
How to prepare for a job interview at Aston Villa Foundation
✨Show Your Passion for Social Change
When we’re prepping for interviews in the nonprofit space, it's vital to demonstrate our genuine passion for social impact. Be ready to discuss not just your skills and experiences but also why you care about the mission of Aston Villa Foundation. Sharing personal stories or insights can really make us stand out.
✨Highlight Project Experience
We should focus on specific projects we've worked on that align with the goals of social impact. Whether that’s a community initiative, volunteering, or a class project, having solid examples that showcase our role and the outcomes will resonate well with the interviewers.
✨Familiarity with Relevant Tools and Practices
Let’s brush up on tools and methodologies commonly used in the nonprofit sector, like project management software or outcome measurement frameworks. Being able to speak fluently about these will show that we’re not just passionate but also knowledgeable and ready to hit the ground running.
✨Prepare for Scenario-Based Questions
Expect scenario-based questions that evaluate our problem-solving skills in real-world social issues. Think about how we’d handle challenges in the nonprofit environment and prepare stories that demonstrate our critical thinking and adaptability. Role-playing with a friend could help us feel more confident!
