At a Glance
- Tasks: Coach and inspire young players while managing training and fixtures.
- Company: Join Colchester United Community Foundation, a charity making a difference through football.
- Benefits: Enjoy 20 days annual leave, free uniform, and access to training opportunities.
- Why this job: Make a real impact in the community and help players reach their potential.
- Qualifications: UEFA C Coaching Award and passion for football development required.
- Other info: Dynamic role with opportunities to work at home games and alongside the academy.
The predicted salary is between 30000 - 42000 £ per year.
Colchester United Community Foundation (CUCF) is the official charity of Colchester United Football Club. We provide high quality Participation, Health & Inclusion, and Education Programmes to 10,000 children, young people, and adults from across the region each week.
CUCF is looking to appoint a professional, dedicated, and confident Football Development Officer on a full-time basis to join our Community Team (40 hours per week). This role includes coaching across age groups within the Colchester United Community Foundation Development Centre, Post 16 Football College programme and other CUCF programmes. This includes managing training, fixtures, trials, alongside supporting and liaising with current players/parents/guardians within the club talent pathway and developing relationships with new players, coaches, local grassroots clubs and the Colchester United Academy.
As we look to strengthen our team, you will require tenacity and the creativity to overcome obstacles and challenges, alongside demonstrating creativity to engage and impact players, participants, parents/guardians, and colleagues, and supporting player development within the Colchester United talent pathway. You will have the power to inspire and motivate people on and off the pitch!
Essential Qualifications & Experience:- UFEA C Coaching Award
- FA Introduction to First Aid in Football (IFAiF)
- FA Safeguarding Children
- Willing to complete a CUFC Enhanced DBS Check
- Full Clean UK Driving License
- UFEA B Coaching Award
- Advanced Youth Award
- FA Level 2 Emergency Aid (EFAiF) (Or willing to complete)
- Multisport qualifications
- Previous experience working within Football Development/Community Development environments
- Develop: Develop positive and effective relationships and partnerships with colleagues, players, parents/guardians on and off the pitch. Develop participation within the Community Foundation Football Pathway, strengthening alignment of the coaching syllabuses across football programmes and the club's talent pathway.
- Deliver: Deliver leadership and the drive of Football Programmes within CUCF, meeting KPI and development targets. Deliver a high-quality provision and experiences on all participation, and community programmes.
- Support: Support with the development, enrichment and increased engagement of players and participants within Football Programmes and CUCF as an organisation. Support the Participation Manager with enriching participation projects and developing our project co-ordinators.
- Collaborate: Collaborate with colleagues, players, and parents/guardians to maximise impact in helping players and participants realise and reach their potential. Collaborate with colleagues within the Participation Team, including the Girls Talent Pathway, grassroots clubs, and holiday programmes to maximise recruitment and development of each programme.
- Evaluate: Evaluate programme development and quality of delivery, with the support of the CUCF Head of Delivery. Evaluate the impact and success of delivery by collecting data (where applicable), feedbacking case studies, and showcasing success.
Colchester United Community Foundation is fully committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children, young people, and vulnerable adults. We aim to create a safe and supportive environment for all, and we expect all employees and volunteers to actively contribute to this commitment. Our safeguarding culture is built upon training, policies, and a shared responsibility for the safety and well-being of those we work with.
In accordance with the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 and the Exceptions Order 1975, as this role involves working with vulnerable groups, all candidates will be required to undergo a satisfactory Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) check as part of the pre-employment process. Additional safeguarding training or qualifications may be required for the role.
As part of the recruitment process, successful candidates will need to provide proof of their right to work in the UK, in compliance with immigration law. In some cases, we may be required to refer concerns about an individual's suitability to work with vulnerable groups to the appropriate authorities, such as the Disclosure and Barring Service or local safeguarding boards, in line with our safeguarding policies.
We are dedicated to fostering a diverse and dynamic working environment by building a team that represents a variety of backgrounds, perspectives, and skills. We are an equal opportunities employer and welcome applications from all sections of the community. We will ensure that all candidates are treated fairly and without discrimination, in line with the Equality Act 2010.
Fully endorse, demonstrate, and carry out the company’s health and safety policy. Comply with all company policies and statutory regulations. Have a full knowledge of procedures for evacuation regarding fire safety.
CUCF Employee Benefits:- 20 days Annual leave per year (Including all bank holidays).
- Access to a CUCF Fleet vehicle and fuel card for all work-related travel.
- Free staff onsite parking.
- A pension scheme is available for eligible applicants.
- Free Staff Macron Uniform.
- Opportunities to access overtime.
- Opportunities to work Colchester United home games.
- Opportunities to work alongside the Colchester United Academy (Category 2).
- Allocated weekly Workforce Performance & Self Development time.
- Access to monthly internal Staff Training (Average 60 hours per year).
- External training opportunities through national partners (Premier League Charitable Fund & EFL in the Community).
- CUFC Club Shop Discount.
Please apply with a CV and Covering Letter. Please note that the job will be subject to satisfactory references and enhanced DBS checks.
Closing Date: Thursday 12th February 2026 (Please note that applications may close sooner if a suitable candidate is found).
Interview Dates: WC 16th & 23rd February 2026
Start Date: Monday 30th March 2026 or earlier if available.
For further details, please contact (FAO: Joe Hart).
Football Development Officer. Job in Colchester Education & Training Jobs employer: Colchester United Community Foundation
Contact Detail:
Colchester United Community Foundation Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Football Development Officer. Job in Colchester Education & Training Jobs
✨Tip Number 1
Get to know the club! Research Colchester United Community Foundation and its programmes. Understanding their mission and values will help you connect with the interviewers and show that you're genuinely interested in being part of the team.
✨Tip Number 2
Network like a pro! Reach out to current or former employees on LinkedIn. Ask them about their experiences and any tips they might have for your application process. This can give you insider knowledge and make you stand out.
✨Tip Number 3
Prepare for the interview by practising common questions related to football development and community engagement. Think about how you can demonstrate your creativity and tenacity through real-life examples from your past experiences.
✨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 CUCF team and ready to make an impact in the community.
We think you need these skills to ace Football Development Officer. Job in Colchester Education & Training Jobs
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Your Passion for Football: When writing your application, let your love for football shine through! Share your experiences and how they’ve shaped your coaching style. We want to see that you’re not just qualified, but genuinely excited about developing players and engaging with the community.
Tailor Your CV and Cover Letter: Make sure to customise your CV and cover letter for this role. Highlight relevant qualifications like your UEFA C Coaching Award and any experience in football development. We’re looking for someone who fits right into our Community Team, so show us why you’re the perfect match!
Be Clear and Concise: Keep your application clear and to the point. Use bullet points where necessary to make it easy for us to read. We appreciate a well-structured application that gets straight to the heart of your skills and experiences without unnecessary fluff.
Apply Through Our Website: Don’t forget to submit your application through our website! It’s the best way to ensure we receive all your details correctly. Plus, it shows you’re tech-savvy and ready to engage with our digital platforms, which is a big plus for us!
How to prepare for a job interview at Colchester United Community Foundation
✨Know Your Football Development
Make sure you brush up on the latest trends and best practices in football development. Familiarise yourself with CUCF's programmes and how they align with community needs. This will show your genuine interest and understanding of the role.
✨Showcase Your Coaching Experience
Prepare to discuss your coaching qualifications and experiences in detail. Be ready to share specific examples of how you've successfully engaged players and developed their skills, especially in a community setting.
✨Demonstrate Your Relationship-Building Skills
Think of examples where you've built strong relationships with players, parents, or colleagues. Highlight your ability to communicate effectively and collaborate with various stakeholders to enhance player development.
✨Prepare for Safeguarding Questions
Since safeguarding is crucial in this role, be prepared to discuss your understanding of safeguarding policies and your commitment to creating a safe environment for all participants. This will demonstrate your alignment with CUCF's values.
