Head of Youth Leadership in Loughborough

Overview

Head of Youth Leadership — £55,000 per annum, plus car allowance. Full time, permanent (37 hours per week). Hybrid role: 1 day per week in the Loughborough office with national travel.

About us

The Youth Sport Trust is the UK’s leading children\’s charity dedicated to improving the education and development of every child through play and sport. Our mission is to equip educators and empower young people to build a brighter future for every child.

Role purpose

Lead the strategic development and design of our national youth leadership portfolio. This is a pivotal senior role, shaping how young people develop leadership and life skills, amplify their voice and influence positive change through sport, play and physical activity.

Responsibilities

• Provide strategic leadership for the Youth Sport Trust’s Young Leaders portfolio, including flagship programmes such as Young Ambassadors, Primary and Secondary Young Leaders, reward and recognition initiatives, and funded programmes with youth leadership at their heart (including our Set for Success programme).
• Lead and inspire a high‑performing team, ensuring our work is impactful, evidence‑based and aligned to national education, sport and youth policy.
• Strengthen our influence across government, schools, National Governing Bodies and strategic partners, while securing new funding and partnerships to grow reach and impact.
• Embed safeguarding as central to leadership, with accountability for safeguarding practice, culture and compliance across the youth leadership portfolio.
• Maintain a credible, values‑led leadership approach, with a track record across education, sport or youth sectors, and a commitment to co‑designing programmes with young people and embedding authentic youth voice.
• Provide leadership for safeguarding for children and young people, ensuring strong policy, culture and compliance, and manage budgets and financial performance.
• Navigate the education, sport and youth policy landscape, manage complexity and competing priorities in a fast‑paced environment.

Requirements / Qualifications

• Credible, values‑led leader with a strong track record of working across the education, sport or youth sectors.
• Experience of providing strategic leadership within sport, education or youth‑focused organisations.
• Experience of co‑designing programmes with young people and embedding authentic youth voice throughout work.
• Experienced people leader, able to build and develop high‑performing, values‑driven teams, and to influence a wide range of stakeholders through clear, compelling communication and advocacy.
• Experience of managing budgets and financial performance, and of providing leadership for safeguarding practice for children and young people.
• Strong understanding of the education, sport and youth policy landscape, excellent interpersonal and relationship‑building skills.
• Ability to manage complexity, competing priorities and change in a fast‑paced environment.

Benefits

• Generous annual leave entitlement
• Health cash plan
• Employee assistance programme
• Volunteering days

How to apply

If you are motivated by purpose, inspired by the potential of young people, and ready to lead work that makes a national impact, please go to www.youthsporttrust.org/careers and complete an online application.

Equality and diversity

Youth Sport Trust believes that diversity drives excellence, and that representation is important. We welcome and seek to ensure we achieve diversity in our workforce and that all job applicants and employees receive equal and fair treatment. We encourage applications from all candidates regardless of age, race, gender, gender identity, religion, sexual orientation, disability, or nationality.

Safeguarding

Please note that this position is subject to an enhanced Criminal Records Check.

Important dates

Closing date: 11:59pm on 11 February 2026

Interview date: 25 February 2026 in Loughborough

Reg Charity No: 1086915