Head of Community - Barnet FC

Barnet FC is looking to appoint a proactive and highly organised Head of Community to lead and significantly grow the Club’s engagement with the local community.

A major focus of the role will be building strong, long-term relationships with primary schools, secondary schools and other educational organisations throughout the local area, ensuring Barnet FC has a visible and active presence within its community.

The Head of Community will also lead and coordinate the Club’s Walking Football volunteer group, using the group as an important community resource to support school visits, community events and outreach programmes.

The objective is simple: Barnet FC should have a meaningful relationship with as many schools and community organisations within our local area as possible., School & Community Outreach

• Develop and implement a structured community outreach programme for Barnet FC.
• Identify and engage with primary and secondary schools throughout the local area, with an initial focus on schools within approximately a 10-mile radius of The Hive London.
• Build a comprehensive database of local schools and relevant contacts.
• Establish direct relationships with Headteachers, Heads of PE, sports departments and other appropriate school representatives.
• Arrange regular Barnet FC visits and activities within schools.
• Ensure the Club has a consistent and visible presence within local schools rather than relying on occasional one-off visits.
• Develop opportunities for schools to visit The Hive and engage directly with Barnet FC.
• Work with schools to identify opportunities for football sessions, assemblies, tournaments, community initiatives and other activities.
• Attend school fairs, summer fairs, sports days and other appropriate school events on behalf of Barnet FC.
• Create a structured annual calendar of school and community engagement.

Walking Football & Volunteer Management

• Take responsibility for overseeing and coordinating Barnet FC’s Walking Football volunteer group.
• Build a structured volunteer programme that allows members of the Walking Football group to actively support the Club’s community work.
• Organise volunteers to attend schools, community events, fairs and other outreach activities.
• Create rotas and allocate volunteers to community activities.
• Ensure volunteers are properly briefed and understand their responsibilities when representing Barnet FC.
• Develop the Walking Football group into an important part of the Club’s wider community programme.
• Recruit additional suitable volunteers where required.
• Ensure appropriate safeguarding procedures and checks are in place for anyone working with children or vulnerable people.

Community Development

• Build relationships with local councils, charities, community organisations, youth organisations and other relevant groups.
• Identify opportunities where Barnet FC can positively contribute to the local community.
• Develop programmes that use football and the Barnet FC brand to encourage participation, health, education and community involvement.
• Ensure Barnet FC is represented at important community events throughout the year.
• Develop new initiatives that bring local families and young people closer to Barnet FC.
• Establish an annual programme of community events, including helping to develop and deliver a Barnet FC Fun in the Sun / Summer Community Fair at The Hive.
• Identify opportunities for community tournaments, school competitions and events hosted at The Hive.

Connecting the Community to Barnet FC

The role should ensure community activity creates a genuine connection between local people and Barnet FC.

This will include:

• Encouraging schools and families to attend Barnet FC matches.
• Developing school matchday initiatives and community matchdays.
• Promoting opportunities for children to participate in Barnet FC football programmes.
• Working closely with the Club’s football development operation to create pathways for young players identified through community engagement.
• Encouraging schools to use facilities at The Hive where appropriate.
• Supporting initiatives designed to grow the next generation of Barnet FC supporters.

Management & Reporting

The Head of Community will be expected to operate the department in a structured and measurable way.

The successful candidate will:

• Produce a clear annual community strategy.
• Maintain an up-to-date database of schools and community partners.
• Record all school visits and community activities.
• Set monthly targets for new school relationships and outreach activity.
• Monitor participation numbers and engagement.
• Produce regular reports to senior management demonstrating the reach and impact of the programme.
• Manage community budgets where applicable.
• Ensure all activities comply with Barnet FC safeguarding, health & safety and operational requirements.

Key Performance Indicators

Performance within the role will be measured against areas including:

• Number of local schools actively engaged with Barnet FC.
• Number of new school relationships established.
• Number of school visits delivered each month.
• Number of children engaged through Barnet FC community programmes.
• Number of schools attending activities or matches at The Hive.
• Number of community events attended or delivered.
• Participation and effective utilisation of Walking Football volunteers.
• Growth of the Club’s community database.
• Conversion of community engagement into longer-term participation with Barnet FC., The Head of Community will be responsible for making Barnet FC a highly visible and active part of the local community.

The priority will be to establish meaningful relationships with local schools, utilise and grow the Walking Football volunteer network, increase the Club’s presence at community events and ultimately create a stronger connection between Barnet FC, The Hive and the thousands of families living and studying within the surrounding area.

We are looking for someone who is energetic, organised and comfortable building relationships from the ground up.

The successful candidate should have:

• Experience within community sport, football, education, schools or a similar environment.
• Strong relationship-building and communication skills.
• Experience managing staff, volunteers or community programmes.
• The confidence to approach schools and organisations and establish new relationships.
• Excellent organisational and administrative skills.
• An understanding of safeguarding requirements when working with children.
• The ability to create and manage outreach programmes independently.
• A proactive attitude with the ability to generate new ideas and opportunities.
• A genuine enthusiasm for representing Barnet FC within its local community.

Pulled from the full job description

• Employee discount
• Gym membership
• Health & wellbeing programme
• On-site parking, * Employee discount
• Gym membership
• Health & wellbeing programme
• On-site parking