Regional Development Officer – Midlands (Maternity Cover)

REPORT TO: Head of Development

SALARY: Circa £27k plus car cash allowance

BENEFITS SUMMARY: Monthly car cash allowance contribution (£450), enhanced company pension scheme, BUPA Health Cover, flexible working arrangements, Income Protection Insurance, FootJoy uniform, attendance at Professional Tour events, Training and Development

HOLIDAYS: 20 days plus bank holidays and additional discretionary days at Christmas

HOURS: The length of a normal working week will be 40 hours. Additional hours may be required at certain times in the year to help with specific projects or events

PLACE OF WORK: Flexible working from home. The working base will be agreed with the Head of Development, but it must be a logical location within the region

PERIOD: 12 months (1 March 2026 – 28 February 2027)

Our vision is that every young person can play & enjoy golf, strengthening their mental wellbeing. The Golf Foundation is a registered charity with a mission to provide young people with a fun & inclusive introduction to golf, the opportunity to play regularly and develop lifelong skills. We believe that the sport of golf provides a strong set of core values and an excellent platform for teaching young people transferable life skills. Mental toughness tools, which are positively linked to overall wellbeing, are built into the design of all our resources and activities. A core ambition is to help open up the sport to a wide range of priority groups, encouraging a diverse range of young people to experience and take up the sport, building their skills and resilience in the process.

We deliver adapted programmes in schools, community groups and golf clubs, introducing young people to golf in their own environment and helping clubs to welcome them into a sport for life. Our headline initiative in schools, Unleash Your Drive, teaches mental toughness skills through golf and is driven by our inspirational President, Nick Dougherty. Our popular club beginners competition, GolfSixes League, is now played in over 600 golf clubs across GB&I and has introduced over 35,000 youngsters to the fun of playing on a golf course. We are a small and friendly organisation driven by our belief in making the introduction of golf to young people FUN, inclusive, inspiring, innovative and enriching. We welcome diversity of thought and background to help us achieve our objectives. We are looking for someone who believes in the power of sport and physical activity to help make a difference to young people’s lives, and can help bring our values alive, inspiring the next generation to enjoy the many benefits of golf.

THE ROLE

JOB PURPOSE

The Regional Development Officer is responsible for driving the delivery of the Golf Foundation’s programmes and initiatives across a designated region. This role focuses on increasing participation in golf among young people through schools, communities, and clubs, with a particular emphasis on inclusion, personal development, and long‑term engagement in the sport. Working collaboratively with PGA Coaches, golf clubs, schools, youth organisations, and strategic partners such as England Golf, School Games Organisers, and StreetGames, the officer will lead the implementation of key programmes including Unleash Your Drive, GolfSixes League and Junior Hubs in the Midlands covering Derbyshire, Leicestershire, Lincolnshire, Nottinghamshire, Staffordshire, Warwickshire, Worcestershire. The role involves supporting training, events, and development planning to ensure golf is accessible, enjoyable, and impactful for all young people. The Regional Development Officer will act as a key ambassador for the Golf Foundation, helping to build strong local networks, promote the benefits of golf, and contribute to the organisation’s wider mission of transforming lives through the power of sport.

If you’re excited about inspiring more young people into golf, working in a fantastic industry and believe in the values of the Golf Foundation, we’d love to hear from you!

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES

• PROGRAMME MANAGEMENT

• Coordinate and promote Unleash Your Drive initiatives across schools, communities, and clubs.
• Promote the use of Golfway in schools and communities, including the delivery of tutor workshops.
• Organise and support School Games events at inter‑school level.
• Visit each Junior Hub in the region to advise on programme delivery and development.
• Organise and deliver training workshops to support programme implementation.

• STAKEHOLDER ENGAGEMENT

• Maintain comprehensive contact lists for schools, SGOs, and regional networks.
• Maintain regular communication with Club, County, and Regional Development Officers.
• Attend local and county meetings and build strong relationships with key stakeholders.
• Explore opportunities with local networks and facilitate golf development groups.
• Represent the Golf Foundation at local events and professional golf championships such as The Open and BMW PGA.

• GROWTH AND DEVELOPMENT

• Assist with the establishment of golf projects via school clusters and School Games Organisers.
• Identify and support new Junior Hub clubs and facilities and connect them with local schools.
• Support the growth of GolfSixes League in golf clubs across the region.
• Lead on one strategic development area (e.g. inclusion, diversity, disability).
• Provide advice on effective golf development planning.

• MONITORING AND EVALUATION

• Maintain effective administrative systems and records.
• Produce reports, manage correspondence, and attend relevant meetings.
• Ensure high standards of customer care and responsiveness to enquiries.

• MARKETING AND PROMOTION

• Provide Marketing with regular updates for bulletins, press releases, social media, and website content.
• Assist the Marketing Department with promotional event organisation.

• EVENT PLANNING AND COORDINATION

• Organise county and regional events as appropriate.
• Support staffing at displays, tournaments, shows, and exhibitions.

• GENERAL DUTIES

• Offer guidance on funding opportunities through the Golf Foundation.
• Support the preparation of grant‑aid applications for local projects.

PERSON SPECIFICATION

ESSENTIAL SKILLS AND EXPERIENCE

• Proven experience in sports development, programme management, or community engagement.
• Strong organisational and project management skills.
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills, with the ability to engage a wide range of stakeholders.
• Knowledge of the national initiatives promoted by Sport England and other national partners such as the Youth Sport Trust and StreetGames.
• Strong working knowledge of tournament or league management software e.g. Golf Genius.
• Passion for youth sport and making a positive social impact.
• Ability to work independently and as part of a team.
• Willingness to travel nationally and work occasional evenings/weekends.
• An interest, but not necessarily a background in golf.
• A shared belief in the core values of the Golf Foundation.

DESIRABLE

• Knowledge of the golf industry and junior golf development in Great Britain and Ireland.
• Experience working with volunteers and/or in a club environment.
• Understanding of safeguarding and inclusion in sport.
• Familiarity with CRM systems and digital reporting tools.

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

A full UK driving licence and access to a vehicle is required. Enhanced DBS check will be required for the successful candidate. Training and induction will be provided.

The Golf Foundation is an equal opportunities employer. People with disabilities and from ethnically diverse communities are currently under‑represented in the organisation. This information will be made available in alternative formats on request.