At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead initiatives to empower young people with disabilities through competitive sports and community engagement.
- Company: Join the Panathlon Foundation, a leader in inclusive sports for young people.
- Benefits: Flexible working, travel opportunities, and the chance to make a real difference.
- Other info: Dynamic role with opportunities for personal and professional growth.
- Why this job: Be a champion for inclusivity and help transform lives through sport.
- Qualifications: Experience in sports management or community engagement is a plus.
The predicted salary is between 30000 - 40000 £ per year.
In 2025, Panathlon gave over 74,000 young people with disabilities and special needs the opportunity to take part in competitive sport. Our sporting programmes – which include multi-sports, swimming, football, ten‑pin bowling and boccia – give participants the opportunity to represent their school in sporting competition that they are so often otherwise denied. Last year, over 9,600 Young Leaders were specially trained to officiate at our events and support competitors. In addition, our in‑school ‘virtual’ programme contains simplified activities that can be delivered in school by staff. Our events have a transformational impact on individual participants and a positive ‘ripple effect’ across school environments and communities.
Reporting to: Chief Executive Officer (CEO)
Location: Field & Remote-based (Requiring travel across assigned territories and including termly SLT in person meetings in Essex.)
Core Purpose: To work collaboratively with the 3 Strategic Leads to ensure strategic thinking around sport, educational, country specific, infrastructure so issues are addressed in alignment to the developing Panathlon Foundation Strategy. To oversee operations in their designated catchment area by line‑managing contractors and delivery partners, ensuring standard‑compliant, high‑impact Panathlon sports activity. Strategic Leads are a key part of the Panathlon Foundation’s workforce and play a key role in enabling the Strategic and Action Planning. Strategic Leads work to connect, collaborate, influence where SEND children can be active in a way that is right for them. The work is achieved by considering how we better understand our communities, enable and influence change and seek Investment opportunities.
Develop meaningful partnerships with communities and the organisations that support them in our designated Lead area. Working as a Strategic Lead on appointed key areas of work, such as primary, secondary, sport specific, health, inequalities, investment, workforce etc.
Regional Leadership
Through leadership of their designated area, Strategic Leads will develop meaningful partnerships with schools, communities, local organisations and stakeholders that support SEND children and young people. By building strong local networks and understanding regional needs, opportunities and challenges, Strategic Leads will help shape and deliver programmes that are relevant, accessible and responsive to local circumstances. This collaborative approach will support the co‑design of opportunities that enable more children and young people to engage in Panathlon activities both within and beyond the school environment.
Alongside their regional responsibilities, Strategic Leads will take ownership of key strategic areas of work across the organisation. These areas may include primary education, secondary education, sport‑specific programmes, health and wellbeing, inequalities, investment, workforce development and other strategic priorities. In some cases, a specific area may be led by an individual Strategic Lead on behalf of the wider team.
The purpose of Strategic Portfolio Leadership is to:
- Provide strategic direction and help shape Panathlon's long‑term vision and priorities.
- Champion and advocate for key areas of work across the organisation, wider sectors and partner networks.
- Support and empower leadership across the organisation through Regional Managers, contractors and delivery partners.
- Create opportunities for collaboration, learning and knowledge‑sharing between teams, regions and external partners.
- Identify innovation, best practice and growth opportunities that strengthen Panathlon's impact nationally.
Key Performance Pillars & Responsibilities
- Directly manage, review, and evaluate regional independent contractors and delivery organisations.
- Enforce Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) across all active Service Level Agreements (SLAs), tracking total delivery days, administration time, and participant numbers.
- Work with the Operations manager to manage operational logistics, including the management, tracking, and maintenance of regional charity assets (e.g., Panathlon‑branded delivery vans, equipment stock, storage facilities, and fuel card allocations).
- Manage Regional finance to support the central head office team to ensure income is correctly billed and costs correctly verified.
Pillar 2: Strategic Infrastructure & Partnership Development
- Establish and formalise long‑term working relationships with School Games Organisers (SGOs), Active Partnerships (County Sports Partnerships), and Local Authorities.
- Secure and maintain strategic agreements with regional 'Host Venues' to optimise event space and manage local delivery costs.
- Act as the Key and Primary ambassador for Panathlon in the allocated area, integrating its formats into local school sports calendars and localised disability frameworks.
Pillar 3: Business Development, Income Generation, & Funding
- Conduct continuous regional mapping to identify and exploit local financial opportunities, including regional Community Foundations, Local Authority grants, and corporate CSR (Corporate Social Responsibility) networks.
- Collaborate with the Fundraising team to draft, submit, and pitch high‑quality funding applications tailored to regional expansion.
- Support the Fundraising Team on Nationwide programme‑based applications, theme‑based applications and provide information and knowledge to assist with small localised grants.
- To develop opportunities for sustainable localised operations via the Fundraising personnel.
Pillar 4: Compliance, Quality Assurance, & Impact Reporting
- Conduct regular field visits to monitor event‑day quality, ensuring strict adherence to health & safety, policies, and Panathlon branding compliance.
- Work with the Operations Manager to collect, clean, and analyse regional participation data against funder targets (e.g., tracking total distinct numbers of SEND children reached).
- Deliver quantitative data with qualitative case studies (including verified media consents and high‑quality photography) for stakeholder and donor reporting.
Pillar 5: Organisational Development & Senior Leadership
- Actively participate as a member of the Panathlon Senior Leadership Team.
- Work as a Strategic Lead Team and to pass on information directly which can help inform strategic national board decisions and sit on SLT meetings.
- Work as a Strategic Lead Team to address designated themes, operational efficiency etc.
- Work as a Strategic Lead Team to collaborate with the Operations Manager to enhance operating policies, delivery manuals or sports specific issues, logistical issues, contribute to the review and updating of national charity policies, including safeguarding protocols, data management (GDPR), and equity, diversity, and inclusion (EDI) frameworks.
- Identify and mitigate organisational risks.
- To use designated Regional Managers within their Strategic Lead areas as a further springboard for knowledge, leadership in more localised areas.
- Assist the CEO in compiling comprehensive executive briefings for the Board of Trustees, high‑value corporate partners, and statutory bodies (e.g., Sport England).
Panathlon Strategic Lead - South in Harlow employer: Panathlon Challenge
Panathlon is an exceptional employer dedicated to empowering young people with disabilities through sport, fostering a collaborative and inclusive work culture. With a focus on employee growth, the role of Strategic Lead offers opportunities to influence positive change in communities while working remotely and engaging with diverse stakeholders across the South. Our commitment to meaningful partnerships and innovative programming ensures that every team member contributes to a transformative mission, making this a rewarding place to work.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Panathlon Strategic Lead - South in Harlow
✨Get Involved Locally
Dive into local volunteer opportunities or social initiatives. This not only beefs up your CV but also connects you with like-minded folks in nonprofits. Plus, it shows your passion for social impact, which is key for getting noticed by Panathlon Challenge.
✨Tap into Professional Networks
Join networks like the National Council for Voluntary Organisations (NCVO) or local charities to meet professionals in the sector. Attend events and workshops to build relationships and learn about potential openings at organisations like Panathlon Challenge.
✨Showcase Your Commitment
When prepping for interviews, be ready to speak about your personal connection to social issues. Dive into specific examples of how you’ve contributed to community projects – this will resonate with the mission-driven vibe at Panathlon Challenge.
✨Utilise Online Platforms
We’re all about making connections, so use platforms like Idealist and CharityJob to hunt for full-time roles. And of course, you should keep an eye on our website for exciting opportunities at Panathlon Challenge. Apply directly through us to stand out!
We think you need these skills to ace Panathlon Strategic Lead - South in Harlow
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Your Passion for the Cause:In the nonprofit sector, it's super important to demonstrate genuine passion for the mission of Panathlon Challenge. Use your cover letter to showcase any personal experiences or volunteer work that connects you to their social impact initiatives. This emotional connection can really help your application stand out.
Highlight Relevant Experience:When crafting your CV, be sure to include any relevant projects or roles that showcase your skills in social impact. Whether it's community organising, fundraising, or advocacy, highlight what you've done and the difference it's made. Don’t just list tasks; quantify your achievements and the outcomes of your efforts.
Tailor Your Documents to the Role:For a full-time role like Panathlon Strategic Lead - South, ensure your CV and cover letter specifically address the responsibilities outlined in the job description. Use their language to describe your skills and experience, making it easy for the hiring team to see how you fit into their vision.
Emphasise Teamwork and Collaboration:Nonprofits thrive on teamwork, so make sure to emphasise your collaborative experiences. Whether you've worked in a team setting, partnered with community organisations, or facilitated group projects, highlight these experiences in your application. Show them you understand the importance of working alongside diverse individuals to achieve shared goals.
How to prepare for a job interview at Panathlon Challenge
✨Show Your Passion for Social Change
When we’re prepping for interviews in the nonprofit space, it's vital to demonstrate our genuine passion for social impact. Be ready to discuss not just your skills and experiences but also why you care about the mission of Panathlon Challenge. Sharing personal stories or insights can really make us stand out.
✨Highlight Project Experience
We should focus on specific projects we've worked on that align with the goals of social impact. Whether that’s a community initiative, volunteering, or a class project, having solid examples that showcase our role and the outcomes will resonate well with the interviewers.
✨Familiarity with Relevant Tools and Practices
Let’s brush up on tools and methodologies commonly used in the nonprofit sector, like project management software or outcome measurement frameworks. Being able to speak fluently about these will show that we’re not just passionate but also knowledgeable and ready to hit the ground running.
✨Prepare for Scenario-Based Questions
Expect scenario-based questions that evaluate our problem-solving skills in real-world social issues. Think about how we’d handle challenges in the nonprofit environment and prepare stories that demonstrate our critical thinking and adaptability. Role-playing with a friend could help us feel more confident!
