Area Manager

JOB DESCRIPTION

Job Title
Job Holder
Responsible to:
Responsible for:
Hours:

Area Manager
Vacant
Chief Operating Officer / Deputy CEO
n/a
35 hour per week

Salary Band:

£28,000 - £34,000

Main Duties:

1.  Maintain  and  sustain  current  partnerships  and  outreach

programmes

2.  Grow provision in line with the Foundation of Light strategy
3.  Networking  and  awareness  of  the  local  area  priorities  and

demographics
4.  Support compliance

1.  Maintain and sustain current partnerships and outreach programmes

Working collaboratively with internal and external stakeholders, the Area Manager will work
to maintain, grow and enhance existing partnerships as well as identify new partnerships
across the outreach areas.

Key Responsibilities include:

•  Formalise  the  partnership  arrangements  for  all  those  involved  in  local  delivery,
ensuring that stakeholder interests are protected while the potential impact of the
programme is maximised.

•  Take  a  lead  role  in  assessing  the  quality  of  programmes  which  are  delivered
outreach, including ensuring policies and procedures are consistently followed.
•  Working alongside colleagues, identify funding opportunities to enhance, add value
or initiative programme delivery within outreach centres. Where appropriate take a
lead on completing funding application.

•  Meet targets for Outreach Centres and programmes, including management of the

budgets to ensure that Outreach programmes are sustainable.

•  Assist  and/or  advise  the  teacher/tutor/coach  with  the  planning  and  delivery  of

sessions as required.

•  Assess efficiency of programmes within the Outreach programmes.
•  Undertake staff observations and quality audits in line with the Quality Manual.
•  Ensure employees are fully inducted, trained, appraised, and progressed in-line

with Foundation of Light policies.

•  Liaise directly with Strategic Partners in the outreach areas, including Durham and

South Tyneside council, CAT Peterlee and Durham County FA.

•  Liaise with current partners where appropriate to utilise the Outreach Centres and

the potential each partnerships brings.

•  Complete all paperwork and returns accurately and on time for funders and contract

suppliers.

•  Complete and keep up to date: monthly reports (including dashboards), quarterly

pro-v-act statistics, traffic lights and development plans.

•  Utilising the Donor Care strategy, ensure all partners are kept up to date with

appropriate and collaborative developments/opportunities.

2.  Grow provision in line with the Foundation of Light strategy

The Area Manager will ensure delivery and partnerships align to the 2025-2030 Foundation
of Light strategy.

Key Responsibilities include:

•  Contribute to Foundation of Light’s curriculum strategy, ensuring resources across

the Foundation are utilised effectively.

•  Communicate effectively across the organisation to engage Heads of Department
to build outreach programmes across County Durham and South Tyneside.

•  Support  the  Heads  of  Delivery  Departments  develop,  write,  coordinate,  and
oversee innovative, specialised projects to meet the needs of each community we
work within as well as meeting the needs of the programme funders.

•  Manage, develop, communicate with, and engage the employees within your

remit.

•  Contribute to the self-assessment process and work to the agreed objectives for

your team and the organisation.

•  Following  the  Implementation,  Strategy  and  Impact  Manual  ensure  Outreach
programmes are collating relevant and factual data to evidence impact and inform
future programme development.

•  Develop and deliver development plans as agreed with the Executive Team and in

agreement with the Heads of each Delivery Department.

•  Undertake specialist projects as and when required.

3.  Networking and awareness of the local area priorities and demographics

Working collaboratively with the Head of Impact and Insights and wider delivery teams, the
Area  Manager  will  develop  expert  knowledge  of the  challenges  within key  areas  across
County Durham and South Tyneside.

Key Responsibilities include:

•  Establish and extend relationships with members of local partnerships and boards.
•  Develop  links/partnerships  with  other  agencies  and  work  collaboratively  with  a

range of agencies to have the most impact.

•  Contribute to the sharing of practice, attendance at local and regional networking
forums which could include representing Foundation of Light at local and regional
events.

•  Development  of  progression  pathways  and

instigation  of  such,

including

accreditation; recording outcomes

•  Build strong and lasting external business relationships with partners, donors and

agencies.
Identify and source new opportunities.

•
•  Write  and  review  strategy  documents  linked  to  locality  areas  to  inform  decision

making or to support new opportunities.

4.  Support compliance

Supports compliance with financial, regulatory, and organisational requirements.

Key Responsibilities include:

•  Ensuring  compliance  with  safeguarding,  GDPR,  health  and  safety,  equality  and

diversity, and other regulations.

•  Ensuring staff complete mandatory training and training records are maintained.
•  Maintaining  accurate  programme  and  participant  records  for  funders,  regulators,

and Trustees.

•  Conducting audits of football programme delivery and systems.
•  Ensuring  programmes  meet  FA,  Premier  League,  EFL  Trust,  and  Foundation

requirements.

Other duties:

You will be required to undertake other duties from time to time as required.

Any potential permanent changes to your role will be discussed, and agreement reached
prior  to  being  undertaken.  You  will  be  notified  of  any  permanent  change  in  writing.    In
addition to your normal duties, you may be required to undertake additional or other duties
as necessary to meet the needs of the Foundation of Light.

Staff are required to work with volunteers in a way of mutual respect and commitment to
organisational  goals  and  objectives.  This  includes  staff  who  do  not  directly  supervise
volunteers but may engage with them within the organisation.

Behaviour and professional expectations:

•  Maintain working practices in line with Foundation of Light Equality and Diversity,
Health and Safety and Safeguarding policies; self-awareness of own responsibility
in these areas

•  Embed EDI and safeguarding in all aspects of work
•  Assist in data collection and analysis providing accurate management information

systems for data led decisions

•  Ensure regulatory and legislative requirements are met at all times
•  Conduct  should  reflect  the  Staff  Behaviour  Policy  (Code  of  Conduct);  uphold

Foundation core values (as shown below) at all times

•  Maintain the highest level of professionalism and confidentiality.
•  Attend working groups and CPD session as required
•  Build  strong  internal  relationships  and  work  in  collaboration  with  colleagues  to

achieve the end goal

•  Ensure positive organisational messages and culture are maintained
•  Contribute to good housekeeping across all Foundation sites and equipment
•  Follow the laid down policies and procedures at all times
•  Work within the established administrative and financial systems to ensure smooth

running and quality of projects

Equality, Diversity and Inclusion Statement:
All individuals will be treated equally and fairly in the application of this procedure. All reasonable
requests to accommodate requirements in terms of age, disability, gender reassignment, marriage
and civil partnership, pregnancy and maternity, race, religion or belief, sex or sexual orientation
will be made.

Safeguarding Statement
We expect all staff, volunteers and partners to share our commitment to maintaining a culture of
vigilance,  and  believe  that  all  staff,  volunteers  and  partners  have  a  responsibility  to  report  any
concerns about the welfare of any child, young person or adult at risk.

Foundation of Light Values:
Innovative, Passionate, Excellence, Collaborative, Integrity, Agile.

PERSONAL SPECIFICATION

Requirement

Essential (E)
or Desirable
(D)

How Assessed
(CV, I,
Observation)

Skills and Abilities
Excellent oral and written communication skills
Strong planning, organisation, and time management
Ability to lead, supervise, and motivate staff and coaches
Strong interpersonal and community engagement skills
Ability to design and deliver high-quality football sessions
ICT and administrative competence, including reporting
systems
Ability to work under pressure and meet deadlines
Analytical and problem-solving skills
Negotiation and partnership-building skills

E
E
E
E
E
E

E
E
E

Personal Attributes

Self-motivated, confident, and resilient
E
Commitment to Foundation of Light’s objectives and values  E
E
Positive, enthusiastic, punctual, and reliable
E
Flexible, adaptable, and open-minded
E
Commitment to personal and professional development
E
Professional, approachable, and participant-focused
manner
Willingness to work evenings, weekends, and school
holidays

E

Knowledge & Understanding
Knowledge of grassroots and community football structures  E
Understanding of safeguarding, GDPR, and data protection  E
E
Knowledge of FA, Premier League, and EFL Trust
programme requirements
Awareness of issues affecting participation in football and
sport
Familiarity with charity, education, or sport-for-development
sectors

E

D

Experience

Experience managing football or community programmes
Experience supervising and developing coaches or staff
Experience delivering or overseeing football sessions in
community/school settings
Experience of budget monitoring and reporting
Experience building partnerships with schools, clubs, and
football networks
Experience tracking outcomes and reporting to funders
Experience in charity, education, or sport sectors

Qualifications

GCSE (or equivalent) in Maths and English
FA Level 2/UEFA C coaching qualification (or higher)
Degree (or equivalent professional experience)
Full UK driving licence

E
E
E

E
E

E
E

E
E
D
E

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