Football & Sports Development Manager

Millwall Community Trust is dedicated to using the power of football and sport to inspire and educate individuals in our local communities. We aim to foster a culture of inclusivity, health, and wellbeing through our diverse range of programs. Millwall Community Trust is looking for an experienced football and sports development manager. MCT has a strategy of encouraging sports participation through positive partnerships and operates a number of programmes across the London Boroughs of Lewisham and Southwark. The role will involve the management and development of new and existing programmes, ensuring the MCT offer complies with all relevant regulations. Additionally, line managing full-time staff within the structure.

Key Responsibilities

• Programme Management and Expansion
  • Manage and develop the Sport & Football Development department.
  • Develop links with primary and secondary schools, to offer a range of sport and football, healthy living and learning through sport programmes in and out of curriculum time.
  • Develop and manage delivery of sport and football provision within local leisure centres in conjunction with the respective leisure providers.
  • Develop and manage delivery of school holiday provision.
  • Development of post 16 football/education academies.
  • Development of the Coach Education programme.
  • Develop usage of MCT All Weather Pitch Facility at the Lions Centre and St Pauls Sports Ground.
  • Manage and develop the MCT Player Development Centre.
  • Ensure that all requirements related to Health & Safety, Equal Opportunities, Data Protection and Safeguarding are implemented and comply with MCT policies and procedures.
  • Undertake any other relevant duties related to the further development, promotion and sustainability of the organisation as set by the CEO.
  • Work with senior management team and, when appropriate, the CEO on MCT wide funding streams, commissioning, grants and tenders.
  • Part of the senior management team.
• Coach Management and Development
  • Recruit, train, and upskill coaches to maintain high standards across all programmes.
  • Organise CPD and extra training sessions for coaches within the Trust.
  • Conduct spot checks at schools to ensure quality delivery by staff.
  • Create development plans for coaches and give regular feedback on delivery.
  • Ensure player performance pathway individual development plans (IDPs) for players are completed by coaches on a termly basis and checked before going to players.
• Programme Coordination
  • Coordinate staffing and timetables across the player performance pathway centres, holiday camps and schools.
  • Maintain and establish new partnerships with local schools and football clubs.
  • Engage and inspire participants (aged 5 - 18) in the programmes.
  • Deliver high-quality football sessions in schools and other community settings as required.
• Holiday Camps and Soccer Schools
  • Oversee the coordination and execution of Millwall holiday camps during school breaks, managing staff and operations effectively.
  • Create new soccer school offers and identify new venues.
• Post 16 Academy Support
  • Provide support to the Post 16 Academy Manager in delivering the academy programme (when required).
  • Ensure alignment with the broader objectives of the Trust's football development initiatives.
• Parent and Stakeholder Communication
  • Communicate regularly with parents to ensure their satisfaction and address any concerns.
  • Act as an ambassador for Millwall Community Trust, promoting its values and programmes.
• Reporting and Administration
  • Prepare weekly update reports for the senior lead management team.
  • Manage budgets and resources effectively to maximise the reach and impact of programmes.
  • Complete any other relevant tasks deemed necessary by senior lead management team.

Qualifications / Licenses:

• UEFA B Coaching Licence.
• Up to date FA Emergency Aid and Safeguarding certificates.
• Full driving license (required).
• DBS (required).

Experience Requirements:

• Experience of football and sports development.
• Awareness of issues faced by the local community, particularly young people and schools.
• Co-ordinating coaches and organising timetables for them to perform their duties effectively.
• Coaching experience within academy football or at least Advanced or Pre-Academy settings.
• Understanding of how to use Millwall FC & football as a motivational tool to inspire young people.
• Ability to act as a positive role model for the young people and build positive relationships with those young people who attend your sessions.
• Have a genuine interest in creating opportunities through sport and education for disadvantaged persons within the community.
• Passion for working with young people and using sport to help inspire change.
• Understanding of the mentoring process and how to support adults in their professional development.
• Knowledge and understanding of safeguarding policies and procedures of young people and vulnerable adults.
• Experience of working within a set budget and managing finances.

Personal Skills:

• People management and administration skills.
• Effective communication skills for all targeted audiences.
• Ability to plan, develop, and evaluate effective football and sports programmes.
• Ability to lead and motivate team members.
• Team player with energy and passion for the role.
• Can do attitude.
• Problem Solver.