Main Purpose(s)

As part of the Football Development team, the Football Development Assistant will provide essential project-based administrative support to assist the team in achieving both the FA and BUCS strategic objectives. The successful candidate will be responsible for supporting the delivery of all football and futsal digital projects and systems, communicating regularly with key stakeholders, coordinating monitoring and evaluation processes and supporting our members to deliver football-based projects.

The role will suit a proactive individual who enjoys working within a supportive team environment, with an ability to multi-task and communicate effectively. You will be comfortable with managing your own workload and priorities and happy providing comprehensive support for the whole team.

Main duties and responsibilities

 Support the football and futsal intramural sport (IMS) BUCS Play project, providing support to all Football Accredited Universities on BUCS Play and the digitised Football Accreditation system.

• Support on the overall delivery of the project, whilst working together with the Digital Project Manager and Senior Football Development Manager to ensure it continues to meet strategic objectives.

• Support on the expression of interest, recruitment process and licensing for football accredited institutions’ utilisation of BUCS Play to run their football/futsal IMS programmes.

• Coordinate the ongoing relationships with all internal and external stakeholders.

• Work with the BUCS engagement team to create a communication plan.

• Deliver all project-focused seminars and training to accredited universities.

• Create participation reports that demonstrate impact against FA KPIs.

• Work with the Digital Project Manager to drive the continuous improvement of the system, and support with the scoping of enhancements.

Work alongside the Football Development Officer to support delivery of the football accredited universities model and associated member services including:

• Monitor and evaluate the BUCS and FA funded projects and events.

• Work with BUCS members to support transition into the digital accredited universities model.

• Coordinate BUCS football development events effectively from initiation to completion, including but not limited to Club Committee Leaders, Football Activators and Football Network Days.

• Design and distribute regular communications to football accredited universities.

• Support distribution of student support through the Inclusivity Fund.

Work alongside the Football Development Manager (Workforce & Leadership) to support delivery of the FA University Women’s’ Leadership Programme (FA WLP) including:

• Support with programme administration including collecting safeguarding information, creating and posting of resource packages and supporting programme participants.

• Deliver the FA WLP Recruitment and Delivery Plan, while liaising with our digital engagement team to support this.

• Support our monitoring and evaluation partner to collate feedback and recommendations on the programme’s impact and future improvements.

• Provide high quality administration and coordination support to the football development team by assisting with delegated tasks from colleagues in line with BUCS and FA funded project work.

• Build effective working relationships with internal colleagues and external partners identifying opportunities for collaboration.

• Provide quarterly progress reports against key performance indicators linked to the delivery of BUCS’s FA contract.

Other

• Provide support to the football development team with any additional work as and when required.

• Coordinate process improvements that add value through customer service and enhanced effectiveness and efficiency.

• Work in collaboration with other BUCS departments and teams to provide digital support when needed.

• Undertake duties as can be reasonably expected to ensure the smooth running of BUCS and in compliance with our policies.

Person Specification

Essential knowledge or experience

• A strong problem solver, with the ability to be creative and analytical.

• A good understanding and desire to work with digital technology (previous professional experience is not essential).

• Good time management skills with some experience of managing multiple concurrent projects either voluntary or professionally.

Essential skills and ability

• Coordinating projects and ability to set/meet deadlines.

• Ability to use evidence-based monitoring and evaluation to make informed decisions.

• Excellent stakeholder management and the ability to form effective cross-team working relationships easily.

• Good administrative and data management skills.

• Creative, innovative and enthusiastic, with the ability to inspire and motivate others, both internally and externally.

• Ability to work under pressure and manage tight deadlines.

• Excellent interpersonal skills with the ability to work both as part of a team and on your own initiative.

• Good written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to communicate with and negotiate with a wide range of people at all levels.

• Strong presentation skills (both verbal and written).

• Proficiency with relevant Microsoft software packages and ability to use Smartsheet’s.

Desirable knowledge and experience

• Working or volunteering in football development and/or sport development.

• Understanding of The FA National Game Strategy.

• Awareness of Higher Education sport structures and the participant journey through football and futsal.

• Knowledge of UK student sport structure and BUCS programmes.

• Ability to use Microsoft Dynamics or any other CRM software.

• Proficiency with relevant Microsoft software packages, especially Microsoft Excel.

This role may involve weekend and evening work as well as overnight stays at BUCS events (all reasonable expenses will be reimbursed). The role may involve national travel to BUCS member institutions and funded partners.

Closing date and Interview information

Applications close on 3 June 2024.

Successful candidates will be called to interview the week commencing 17 June 2024.