Community Foundation Officer

What the role involves

• Coordinate community and school programmes
• Apply for grants and report results
• Work with partners such as councils and schools

Ways in, with or without formal qualifications

Experience, knowledge and interests count in football. These routes are what people in this role commonly point to.

• Experience

  Community and foundation programmes

  Part-time delivery roles with club foundations and charities, running sessions in schools and communities.

• Experience

  Coach a grassroots or youth team

  Take charge of a local team, even with a small group. Real sessions and match days are the most credible evidence you can coach.

• Experience

  Volunteer at a club

  Matchday volunteering, welfare, secretary, social media or committee roles at a local club. Clubs are short of people and give responsibility quickly.

Qualifications and licences

Employers commonly ask for one or more of these.

• Coaching licence

  Introductory Coaching Award (FA Level 1)

  The usual first formal step for people who coach children or adults at grassroots level. Names vary by country, but most associations run an introductory award.

• Safety & welfare

  Safeguarding Children Training & Background Check

  A basic requirement for most people who work with children in football. It covers recognising and reporting concerns and keeping a safe environment.

• Vocational

  Coaching or Sport Apprenticeship

  Paid work-based training. Apprentices learn on the job with a club, foundation or association and achieve a recognised qualification.

Skills and knowledge

• Communication
• Event Management
• Safeguarding
• Project Management

Tools you may use

• Spreadsheets
• Team and club management apps

Where this role is found

• Club foundations & charities
• Lower-league & semi-professional clubs
• Top-flight clubs

Where this role leads

• Club Foundation Director

  Helpful

  Leads a club's charitable foundation and its funding.

• Football Development Officer

  Strongly preferred

  Grows participation and club quality for an association or county body.

Common stepping stones into this role

• Community Football Coach
• Disability & Inclusion Football Coach

Pay and context by region

Illustrative estimates scaled from a UK baseline. Check local job adverts and union or association data.