Community Engagement Executive - Players Fund

Working as part of the Premier League Foundation Programmes and Impact team, the Community Engagement Executive will support the effective delivery and ongoing development of the Premier League and Professional Footballers’ Association (PFA) Players’ Fund across England and Wales.

The role will work closely with colleagues across the Foundation, including the Community Engagement Manager, as well as football club charities and player foundations, funders and key partners, to ensure high-quality, evidence-led delivery aligned to strategic priorities. This includes supporting funded organisations to implement Fund activity, monitoring performance and outcomes, and contributing to continuous improvement in delivery standards.

A key aspect of the role will be supporting the oversight of the Premier League and PFA Players’ Fund ensuring strong grant management and governance, value for money, and impact aligned to Fund objectives. The postholder will work collaboratively with wider partners to help strengthen national outcomes, reflecting the Funds focus on tackling localised inequalities, supporting those most in need and supporting young people and creating safer, stronger, more inclusive communities.

Who we are
The Premier League Foundation was established in 2010 to distribute funding provided by the Premier League and its partners to professional football club charities across England and Wales, supporting them in their delivery in thousands of community venues and schools across the country. A total of 106 club charities are supported across the Premier League, English Football League, and National League.
More than 2.5 million individuals have benefitted from the charity, which aims to foster positive sporting, health, personal and education opportunities for children, young people, and the wider community.

The Premier League Foundation is an equal opportunities employer and strives to create an inclusive culture where talent can flourish. We believe in the potential of everyone and open our doors to those who share those values. All appointments will be made based on merit; however, we particularly encourage applications from women, people from ethnically diverse communities, LGBTQ+ people, and disabled people.
Our hybrid-working model also allows you some variety on your place of work, offering you the chance to work from home on some days each week. You will attend the office or site visits in line with our company policy. All staff liaise closely with their line manager to manage their time appropriately and according to their work and team requirements.

• Support the delivery and ongoing development of the Premier League and PFA Players’ Fund in line with agreed objectives and outcomes.
• Act as a key point of contact for football club charities and player foundations via both virtual and physical visits, providing guidance, support and constructive challenge.
• Work closely with the Community Engagement Manager to support the delivery of the Premier League and PFA Players’ Fund, ensuring effective allocation of funding, value for money, and delivery of agreed funded project and Fund outcomes.
• Support the implementation of evidence-led practice across the Fund, using data, participant and player voice, insight and evaluation to inform decision-making and continuous improvement.
• Develop and maintain strong relationships with key stakeholders, including the Premier League, The PFA, club charities, community partners and other local organisations to support joined-up approaches to achieving the Premier League and PFA Players’ Fund objectives.
• Support funding processes, including application reviews, assessment and recommendations.
• Monitor the Funds’ performance, including reviewing data, outputs, outcomes and case studies, and provide examples to colleagues to support the communication of impact to different audiences.
• Contribute to quality assurance and continuous improvement by applying agreed standards, using evidence and insight, and identifying and escalating quality or delivery concerns within the Fund.
• Work with delivery organisations to ensure high-quality, inclusive and impactful delivery that meets Fund standards, including supporting them with key elements of programme design such as player voice.
• Lead and support the delivery of national events, workshops and network meetings associated with Premier League and PFA Players’ Fund.
• Ensure compliance with the Premier League Foundation’s safeguarding policy and EDI commitments and work with football club charities and other partners to ensure the provision of safe and inclusive environments to all.
• Identify and share best practice across the network, supporting continuous improvement and innovation.
• Support across other areas of the Premier League Foundation’s provision, including training, conferences, resource development, football club charity delivery, and national and regional events.
• Share in Premier League Foundation’s values and participate as a full member of the Premier League Foundation team, and where appropriate, carry out other duties as may reasonably be required, including deputising as appropriate, and giving support to other members of the team at busy times.
• Ensure Premier League Foundation is connected to other initiatives, policies and organisations working in the same fields through participation in a range of relevant external forums and networks.

• Experience of working within the sport for development sector, preferably within a charitable and/or community development capacity, to deliver against programme/Fund objectives and outcomes which support participants to lead healthier, more active and successful lives.
• Understanding of the sport and community development sector including policy, initiatives and legislation relevant to the Fund which could include high-need areas, underserved and underrepresented communities, and at-risk people,
• Experience of supporting grant-funded programmes or projects including monitoring performance, analysing data and applying evidence to improve delivery.
• Knowledge and understanding of the role that football and player engagement can play in engaging and inspiring communities.
• Strong organisational and coordination skills, with the ability to manage multiple priorities and produce clear, concise reports for different audiences.
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills, with confidence engaging a diverse range of stakeholders.
• Proactive, adaptable and solutions-focused approach with strong attention to detail.
• Collaborative approach, with the ability to build trusted relationships across sectors.
• Ability to work collaboratively as part of a team and with partners.
• Problem-solving mindset with a proactive and solutions-focused approach.
• Passion for using sport, physical activity and football to create positive social change and behaviours and skills outcomes for vulnerable people in communities.
• Strong commitment to safeguarding, and equality, diversity and inclusion.
• Demonstrates integrity, professionalism and accountability.
• Flexible and adaptable approach, with a willingness to support wider team priorities and to travel within England and Wales as required.
• A satisfactory enhanced DBS check.