Deputy Chief Executive Officer in Milton Keynes

Company Description

Milton Keynes Dons Community Trust is a charitable organization that uses sport, education, and community engagement to create positive social impact. The Trust works with people of all ages and backgrounds, focusing on health, inclusion, and personal development. Programs are delivered in local communities, schools, and clubs, often in partnership with public, private, and voluntary sector organizations. The Trust promotes equal opportunities and aims to provide safe, supportive environments where individuals can thrive and achieve their potential.

Job Purpose

The Deputy CEO will provide strategic, operational and organisational leadership across Football Development and Education, ensuring both departments deliver high-quality, impactful and sustainable services aligned with the Trust’s charitable objectives and wider organisational strategy. As a key member of the senior leadership team, the postholder will contribute to the overall development, sustainability and growth of the Trust, supporting the CEO across governance, business development, income generation and stakeholder engagement. The Deputy CEO will also act as a senior ambassador for the Trust and deputise for the CEO when required.

Key Areas of Responsibility Strategic Leadership & Growth

• Lead the development and delivery of the Trust’s 3–5 year strategy for Football Development and Education.
• Translate strategic objectives into clear operational plans, targets and measurable outcomes.
• Identify opportunities to expand participation, improve outcomes, develop new services and increase the Trust’s impact.
• Contribute to wider Trust strategy, organisational development, risk management and business planning. Lead a culture of innovation, continuous improvement and high performance.

Football Development

Provide strategic leadership across the Trust’s football portfolio, including:

• Community and grassroots football.
• Inclusive football for all ages, genders and abilities.
• Girls’ and boys’ participation and development pathways.
• Soccer schools and participation programmes.
• Elite player development and the MK Dons Academy pathway.
• Talent identification and player progression.
• Coaching standards and workforce development.
• Partnerships with schools, clubs, leagues and County FA. Ensure football provision is safe, inclusive, high quality and compliant with relevant FA, EFL and safeguarding requirements.

Education & Employability

Lead the continued growth and development of the Trust’s education and employability provision, including:

• School-based education and enrichment.
• PE, health, literacy, numeracy and personal development programmes.
• Post-16 and further education.
• Vocational qualifications, apprenticeships and progression pathways.
• Behaviour, engagement, wellbeing and targeted support programmes.
• Employability and skills development linked to sport and leisure.
• Ensure all provision meets relevant regulatory and funding requirements and delivers strong learner outcomes, progression and destinations.

Financial Sustainability & Income Generation

• Take strategic responsibility for departmental budgets and financial performance.
• Ensure resources are used effectively and provide strong value for money.
• Develop new income streams and sustainable commercial and partnership opportunities.
• Lead and support major funding applications to organisations including the EFL Trust, The FA, Sport England, Department for Education, National Lottery and local authorities.
• Ensure compliance with funding agreements and contractual requirements.
• Develop long-term financial sustainability across Football Development and Education.

People & Performance

• Lead, motivate and develop diverse teams of employees and volunteers.
• Establish clear expectations, objectives and performance measures.
• Support effective recruitment, workforce planning and succession development.
• Create a positive culture built around collaboration, accountability, inclusion and continuous improvement.
• Ensure staff and volunteers have the appropriate training, support and development opportunities. Quality, Safeguarding & Governance

Quality, Safeguarding & Governance

• Ensure the highest standards of safeguarding are embedded across all programmes.
• Maintain robust health and safety, risk management and governance arrangements.
• Ensure compliance with relevant FA, EFL, DfE, Ofqual, funding and regulatory requirements.
• Establish effective quality assurance and impact measurement systems. Ensure the Trust can demonstrate the sporting, educational and social impact of its work.

Partnerships & Stakeholder Engagement

• MK Dons FC and wider Club and Group colleagues.
• The FA and EFL Trust.
• Milton Keynes City Council.
• Schools, colleges and universities.
• Local football clubs, leagues and County FA.
• Community and voluntary sector organisations.
• Funders, sponsors and strategic partners.
• Local and national stakeholders.

Represent the Trust confidently at meetings, events, forums and external engagements, acting as a strong ambassador for the organisation and its work.

• Contribute as a core member of the senior leadership team.

Support organisational governance, business development and strategic decision-making.

Provide leadership across the wider organisation when required.

Deputise fully for the CEO in their absence, providing continuity of leadership and decision-making.

Represent the Trust at local, regional and national levels.

Key Outcomes

The successful candidate will be expected to:

• Deliver sustainable growth across Football Development and Education.
• Increase participation and reach across Milton Keynes.
• Improve sporting, educational and social outcomes.
• Strengthen the Trust’s reputation and strategic partnerships.
• Increase and diversify sustainable income.
• Develop high-performing and engaged teams.
• Maintain exemplary safeguarding, governance and regulatory standards.
• Demonstrate clear and measurable impact.
• Strengthen the Trust’s position as a leading community organisation serving the City of Milton Keynes.

Requirements

• Significant senior leadership experience in sport development, football coaching/management or education – ideally within a charity, community trust or sports governing body.
• Proven track record of designing and delivering successful football development and/or education strategies, with measurable impact.
• Experience managing large budgets, securing grant funding and building sustainable income streams.
• Strong knowledge of the UK football landscape, including FA/EFL regulations, safeguarding standards and player pathway structures.
• Understanding of education policy, quality assurance frameworks and working with schools/education providers.
• Excellent communication, negotiation and stakeholder management skills.
• Ability to lead, inspire and develop diverse teams of staff and volunteers.
• Enhanced DBS check (or eligibility to obtain one).
• Willingness to work flexible hours, including some evenings and weekends, to attend fixtures, events and meetings.
• Degree or professional qualification in Sports Development, Education, Business Management or a related field.
• FA Coaching Qualification (Level 2 or above) or equivalent education/teaching qualification.
• Experience working within an EFL club community trust or professional sports environment.
• Knowledge of Milton Keynes and the local community landscape.
• Experience of leading change or organisational growth.

Safeguarding

We are committed to safeguarding and protecting children and young people (CYP) and at-risk Adults (ARA) Our expectation is that you will fully accept your responsibility for the safety and welfare of all CYP and ARA by being fully conversant with all our safeguarding policies and reporting anything that does not appear to be correct. The post maybe subject to an enhanced DBS check and yearly self-declarations.

Equality & Diversity

must be able to demonstrate that equality, diversity and inclusion will be maintained and developed across all programmes and areas of the business.

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