Head of Education

Colchester United Community Foundation (CUCF) has an exciting opportunity available for the 2025/26 academic year! CUCF are seeking to recruit a Head of Education, who is an enthusiastic, motivated, and committed individual with high standards and strong work ethic. This role will require a leader to direct and develop all the work our charity conducts within educational settings each week within our communities. The successful candidate would be an individual who thrives in working with our Partner Schools on a daily basis, whilst expanding our network that impacts the lives of thousands of children and young people across Colchester and North Essex each year.

Please note this is a full-time position (40 hours per week) and includes leadership, partnership and project delivery responsibilities.

Essential Qualifications & Experience:

• UKCC Level 2 Coaching Award (Example – UEFA C Football Coaching License/Level 2 Multi Skills Coaching Award).
• FA Safeguarding Children Certificate.
• FA Introduction to First Aid Certificate.
• Willing to undertake a CUFC Enhanced DBS Check.
• Full UK Driving License.
• Relevant experience, which may include experience working within educational settings, organisational partnerships, sales, admin and project management.

Desirable Qualifications & Experience:

• Level 3 Teaching Assistant or Level 4 HLTA Qualification.
• Understanding of the Primary PE & PSHE National Curriculum.
• Understanding of the Secondary PSHE National Curriculum.
• Understanding of Premier League Primary Stars (PLPS) and/or EFLitC Joy of Moving (JOM) projects within schools.
• Youth Mental Health First Aid.
• A range of NGB Coaching qualifications.

Roles & Responsibilities

We’re seeking a successful candidate to:

• Develop: To develop relationships with current education and new educational partners (Primary, Secondary, PRU, Special Schools). To develop the impact, reach and exposure of the CUCF Education Team.
• Deliver: To deliver high quality services to all partner schools and make CUCF a premium school’s partner within North Essex. To deliver on annual departmental KPI’s and developmental strategies.
• Support: To support and lead the Education Team by enhancing current and developing communication, marketing, and developmental processes. To support, deliver and enhance the quality of curriculum and extra-curricular projects delivered within Partner Schools.
• Collaborate: To collaborate with new and existing schools to enrich and maximise the impact of the work undertaken within their schools. To collaborate with the CUCF Workforce to share the impact of School Partnership, pupils, staff and the wider contribution to our communities.
• Evaluate: To evaluate the impact relationships and support in the monitoring and evaluation processes. To evaluate trends and adaptations to the wider education landscape and how CUCF can be a pillar of support to local schools.

Safeguarding

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.

Equality, Diversity & Inclusion

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 are committed to promoting diversity and inclusion within the workplace. We will ensure that all candidates are treated fairly and without discrimination, in line with the Equality Act 2010.

Health & Safety

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 calendar year + Bank Holidays.
• Performance incentives and related bonuses.
• Access to a Pool Vehicle and Fuel Card.
• 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 note that the job will be subject to satisfactory references and enhanced DBS checks.

Closing Date: Friday 18th July 2025 (Please note this may be sooner if a suitable candidate is found).

If you would like further details, please contact cucf@colchesterunited.net / 01206 755160 (FAO: Callum Murphy).