Safe Sport Education Officer in Southampton

Hours: 35 hours per week (Monday - Friday)

Salary: £27,000 - £30,000 per annum

Contract: Full Time, Permanent

Location: Hamble, Southampton

Make sport safer. Shape culture. Inspire change. This is more than a job. It’s an opportunity to transform the experience of thousands of people on and off the water. At the RYA, we believe everyone should feel safe, respected, and able to thrive. As our Safe Sport Education Officer, you’ll play a vital role in bringing this to life, designing impactful education, influencing behaviours, and helping to create a culture where welfare and integrity are at the heart of everything we do.

Why this role matters

You’ll be at the forefront of delivering our strategy, Together on Water, reaching a community of:

• 100,000 members
• 250,000 volunteers
• 1,500 clubs and class associations
• 2,200 training centres

Your work will directly shape how people experience sailing and boating across the UK, making it safer, more inclusive, and more welcoming for all.

What you’ll do

• Lead meaningful education and change
• Design and deliver engaging safe sport education across safeguarding, integrity, inclusion, and anti-doping
• Create innovative learning experiences, from workshops to e-learning, to suit diverse audiences
• Bring RYA values to life by shifting mindsets from compliance to commitment
• Empower and connect people
• Work with clubs, credential holders, volunteers, athletes, participants, parents and the wider RYA community
• Build trusted relationships and act as a key source of guidance and support
• Collaborate across teams and the wider sport system to embed safe sport everywhere
• Drive impact beyond training
• Evaluate and evolve education programmes to maximise real-world impact
• Use insight, feedback, and lived experience to improve continuously
• Help shape a culture where inclusion, respect, and well-being are non-negotiable
• Champion integrity and accountability
• Support anti-doping and safeguarding education in line with national and international standards
• Contribute to compliance, reporting, and continuous improvement

What we’re looking for:

We’re looking for someone passionate about people and driven to make a difference. You might already have:

• Experience delivering training or education to diverse audiences
• A strong understanding of safeguarding and safe sport
• Excellent communication and influencing skills
• The ability to build relationships and inspire others
• A proactive, organised approach and a genuine commitment to inclusion and integrity

What it’s like to work here:

You’ll join a collaborative, purpose-driven team where your voice matters and your work has real impact. This is a role that will take you beyond the office, attending events, delivering training, and connecting with people across the sailing and boating community.

The RYA offers a range of benefits which include:

• 36 days holiday including public holidays (pro rata for part-time employees)
• Birthday day off
• 10% RYA contribution to a personal pension scheme
• Free life insurance
• Discounts platform for retail, entertainment, holidays & gym membership
• Two paid volunteering days per annum (voluntary)
• Free charging point for electric vehicles whilst on your working days at the office
• Social events
• RYA membership

Closing date for applications: 16 June 2026 (Please note that we reserve the right to close this vacancy early if we receive a sufficient number of suitable applications).

Interviews: RYA HQ, Ensign Way, Hamble, SO31 4YA, on the week commencing 22nd of June 2026

The RYA is committed to equality of opportunity. As an equal opportunity and disability confident employer, we celebrate and welcome diversity in all its forms and believe that a diverse workforce boosts innovation, productivity, and creativity. As an Inclusive employer, we are also committed to prioritising inclusion and creating a truly inclusive workplace. We are dedicated to promoting equity, diversity and inclusion and strive to be an inclusive and diverse workplace where everyone can be their authentic selves. We would particularly encourage applications from ethnically diverse candidates who are currently underrepresented at the RYA.