Club Development Officer in Scotland

Hours: 37hrs

Term: The role is offered initially as a two‑year fixed‑term contract, with funding in place to support a potential extension of up to five years in total.

Location: Head Office/Hybrid

Department: Active Communities (Community Sport)

Reports to: Head of Strategic Planning and Development

About KA Leisure

KA Leisure and its dedicated workforce are committed to our mission of making North Ayrshire “More Active, More Often.” We are passionate about supporting our people to be their best and providing the greatest possible experience for our customers. For 25 years, we have been dedicated to promoting, supporting and inspiring people to lead more active and healthier lives. Our organisation is the driving force of physical activity in the area, with state‑of‑the‑art facilities which include gyms, pools, leisure centres, golf course, sports pitches and more. This is combined with our dedicated commitment to partnership working which delivers innovative and inclusive initiatives that address the diverse needs and aspirations of our communities.

The Role

This post sits within KA Leisure’s Active Communities Department, specifically within the Community Sport function.

Job Purpose

The Club Development Officer will lead the creation, implementation and evaluation of a new North Ayrshire Club Accreditation Scheme designed to develop strong, sustainable, safe and inclusive community sports clubs. The postholder will work closely with local clubs, governing bodies, community partners, Active Schools, and internal KA Leisure teams to strengthen club structures, workforce development, safeguarding standards and participation growth. They will also play a key role in strengthening the links between school sport and community sport across North Ayrshire. Working closely with the Active Schools team, the post will ensure clubs are ready to work within schools and ready to support young volunteers. The role will also contribute to the wider wellbeing agenda across North Ayrshire by supporting clubs to act as inclusive, community‑based settings that promote physical activity, social connection and improved health outcomes.

Key Responsibilities:

• Lead the development and implementation of the North Ayrshire Club Accreditation Scheme, ensuring it aligns with KA Leisure’s Community Sport Strategy (participation growth, inclusion, community empowerment).
• Contribute to KA Leisure’s community sport planning, workforce development approach and club support priorities.
• Identify strategic opportunities to strengthen community clubs’ sustainability and relevance to local needs.
• Ensure the accreditation scheme supports wider health and wellbeing outcomes, including increasing physical activity, reducing inequalities and strengthening community resilience.

Club Development, Accreditation & Capacity Building:

• Design, deliver and evaluate the North Ayrshire Club Accreditation Scheme, ensuring high standards in the areas of governance, safeguarding, coaching and workforce development, inclusion and equality, financial planning and sustainability.
• Provide hands‑on support to clubs to help them progress through accreditation levels.
• Strengthen club capacity through resources, workshops, partnership links and development planning support.
• Promote best practice models from governing bodies, sportscotland and other local authorities.
• Support clubs to create welcoming, inclusive environments that promote wellbeing, social connection and lifelong participation.

Partnership Development & Community Collaboration:

• Work closely with Active Schools to enhance school‑to‑club pathways.
• Develop strong working relationships with sportscotland, national governing bodies, local clubs, community groups, and North Ayrshire Council services.
• Support clubs to become community anchors in line with KA Leisure’s Community Strategy values (place based, people led, partnership driven).
• Facilitate collaboration that strengthens local sport ecosystems, including joint delivery projects, festival frameworks, and shared workforce initiatives.
• Work with partners to position clubs as part of the wider health and wellbeing system, supporting prevention, early intervention and community engagement.
• Develop and deliver a coordinated club workforce plan (coaches, volunteers, young leaders, officials) that supports the development of a workforce that understands the role of sport and physical activity in improving health and wellbeing outcomes.
• Support clubs with Volunteer Recruitment, Recognition & Retention pathways.
• Deliver training opportunities aligned with the needs of clubs and governing bodies (e.g., safeguarding, first aid, coaching awards).
• Work with Active Schools on young leader development and transitions into club volunteering.
• Develop systems to monitor club progress, accreditation status and developmental needs.
• Maintain a database of accredited clubs for use by local and national partners.
• Produce reports for senior managers, governing bodies and KA Leisure Boards.
• Monitor and report on the contribution of clubs to wider participation, wellbeing and community outcomes.
• Ensure continuous improvement of the accreditation scheme.

Marketing, Communication & Promotion:

• Develop marketing and promotional materials to raise awareness of the accreditation scheme.
• Celebrate and promote accredited clubs across KA Leisure channels, awards nights and database websites.
• Coordinate communications that reinforce community sport messaging in line with KA Leisure’s Communication Strategy.
• Capture and share qualitative stories and impact, highlighting the difference clubs make to individuals, families and communities.

Personal Attributes:

• Motivated, shows a positive, confident attitude and able to influence others.
• Demonstrates courage, is fearless, committed, and confident in your own knowledge.
• Work to the best of your ability, stepping up to deliver the highest standards of performance.
• Trust yourself and others to make good decisions, promote collaboration and encourage autonomy.
• You’re disciplined, with a work ethic that focuses on getting things done.
• You’re resilient and recover from challenges by learning for the future and adapts your approach.
• Consistent, showing the best you every single day; treats everyone fairly and with compassion.

Criteria:

Education and Qualifications:

• Higher National Diploma in a Sports Development or Community Sport related discipline, or equivalent experience.
• Evidence of ongoing Continuing Professional Development to degree level in Sports Development/Community Sport related discipline.

Skills & Experience:

• Experience of project management.
• Proven ability to line‑manage people and health & safety functions.
• Experience of working with sports clubs and sports governing bodies.
• Experience overseeing payroll administration and collaborating with outsourced providers.
• Experience of managing volunteers.
• Experience of data management, collating, recording and presenting information.
• Influencing and building strong, supportive relationships especially with clubs and volunteers.
• An understanding, experience or skills in organisational development, including business, financial and workforce models.
• A commitment and ability to underpin EDI at the heart of your work plans.
• Experience of club governance and safeguarding.
• Must be able to travel throughout North Ayrshire for work purposes, training, meetings etc. Access to own transport is essential.

More Information:

To apply, please complete and submit our KA Leisure application form, available on our website. We will be in contact with you no later than 20 working days after the detailed closing date of the post; however, if you have not heard from us within that period, unfortunately, you have been unsuccessful on this occasion.

Regulated Work with Children/Protected Adults:

All posts within KA Leisure are subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 (Exclusions and Exceptions) (Scotland) Order 2003 as amended by the Protection of Vulnerable Groups (Scotland) Act 2007. Where work is considered regulated work with children and/or protected adults, it is an offence to apply if you are barred from working with children and/or protected adults. Dependent on the classification of post, preferred candidates will be required to join either the PVG Scheme, undergo a PVG Scheme Update check or complete a Police Check Scotland form prior to a formal offer of employment being made by KA Leisure. Successful candidates will meet the cost of the relevant PVG/Police Scotland check (£59 for scheme membership and £18 for scheme member update); this will be deducted from wages following commencement of employment with the company.