Role description
Our Organisation
We govern Football across Cheshire and have been doing that since 1878. Now, we are changing our approach to put our clubs, leagues, players, coaches and referees at the forefront of our thinking. These are our volunteers. These are our people. We help to grow the game in Cheshire and develop each and every area of Football.
The Role
Cheshire FA are looking for a committed and enthusiastic Football Development Officer to oversee our Women Girls Football. The successful candidate will be responsible for strategically leading the Female Pathway and provision across Cheshire. Working in partnership with our Football Development Team and key stakeholders/volunteers around the County, you will play a key role in the delivery of Cheshire FA's Business Strategy and Operational Plan to ensure football is accessible for ALL.
Key Accountabilities
Develop programmes to support and grow female football provision.
Analyse data to map participation and identify gaps in provision.
Retain and grow the number of affiliated female football teams within England Football Accredited clubs with a focus on developing complete female player pathways.
Deliver a programme of services to club and league volunteers, with an emphasis on gaining more FA-accredited clubs and leagues (England Football Accreditation)
Ensure that female football is inclusive, diverse and reflective of local communities.
Ensure that the development of the female game is embedded across the Cheshire FA and work with local strategic networks within education and the community to support the growth and retention of players, driven through key FA programmes.
Develop the infrastructure of the female game, including facilities and competition structure in the County.
Support the planning implementation/piloting of new FA initiatives. Including Wildcats, Squad Girls, Just Play, Equal Game Coach Mentoring.
Support the network of Girls' Football School Partnerships and a high-quality introduction to football for girls within schools.
Support clubs and leagues to grow and retain female teams,creating a female-friendly environment and an appropriate competition offer.
Create, maintain and communicate an inclusive player pathway for females through education, recreation, competition and talent to support growth and retention.
Collaborate with the Designated Safeguarding Officer in all matters involving under-18s and adults at risk within female football development programmes.
Support Regional Talent Clubs and Emerging Talent Centres with business planning and ongoing development.
Create a coach identification process to support the growth, retention and transition of female coaches through The FA coaching Pathway.
Work in partnership with the Referee Development Officer to support the development of female referee recruitment and retention initiatives.
Execute tasks as required to meet the Cheshire FA changing priorities.
What we are looking for
Essential
Educated to A Level or equivalent.
Ability to work strategically with partner organisations across different sectors to plan and deliver football programmes.
Project management skills and experience – to plan, set and achieve objectives to deadlines.
Excellent IT skills, including the use of Microsoft Office applications.
Ability to work independently and as part of a team.
Excellent time management and prioritisation skills.
Excellent creative problem-solving anddecision-makingskills.
Outstanding communication and presentation skills.
Exceptional customer service.
Budget management skills.
Report-writing skills.
Ability to use data to monitor and evaluate programmes.
Influencing skills to champion change.
Passionate about working in women's and girls' football.
Knowledge and understanding of the barriers to participation faced by females.
Knowledge of The FA's growth strategy for women's and girls' football.
Knowledge and understanding of the infrastructure and networks that exist within education, recreation, competition and talent that can support the development of women's and girls' football.
Knowledge of the structure and partner organisations within football both nationally and within the County FA locality.
Practical experience of sports / football development.
Demonstrate a working knowledge of inclusion, equality, anti–discrimination and safeguarding.
Knowledge of The FA coaching qualification framework.
Desirable
Two years of sports development experience.A Degree in Sports Development.
Practised at developing networks and relationships with a variety of stakeholders in order to support the delivery of strategic priorities.
Skilled in creating, delivering and maintaining pathways which support the growth, transition and retention of players.
Capability to create multiple reports, budgets and plans.
Knowledge of The FA's Grassroots Football Strategy.
Experience of project management.
Experience of utilising mapping programmes to support strategic and logistical planning.
Knowledge and understanding of working with volunteers.
