Department: Aston Villa Foundation and Community Partnerships - Community Relations Team

Hours of Work: 35 hours per week

Contract Type: Specific Purpose Contract (2 years)

Salary: Up to £30,000 per annum depending on experience

Location: Villa Park and various community locations within the surrounding areas

Closing Date: 27 April 2025

1. The Department

The Aston Villa Foundation is the official Charity of Aston Villa Football Club and prides itself in being innovative in its approach to the club being used as a ‘Force for Good’.

The PlayZones Coordinator will operate within the Community Relations department at the Foundation, which has a number of functions to empower and support targeted communities local to the football club. This role will support the Senior Programmes Manager in engaging local residents and supporting community organisations within inner-city areas, by overseeing the delivery of a range of sporting and non-sporting interventions.

2. The Role

The successful post-holder will have key responsibilities on the planning and implementation of the PlayZones programme. The role is funded by the Premier League, Professional Footballers Assosiation and Birmingham City Council with the PlayZones sites funded by the Football Foundation.

The PlayZones Coordinator will be required to build and develop working relationships with the custodian organisations to support essential capacity building activities such as compliance and governance advice, financial sustainability and project development and management. They will also help identify local third-sector organisations to co-deliver weekly activities, to engage local residents within a fun, safe and welcoming environment.

This role will include evening work and weekend work if required.

For further information about the Role, please see the Role Profile.

3. The Person

The ideal candidate will understand the barriers and challenges faced by communities in Birmingham and be able to successfully coordinate sports-based projects within the seven newly built PlayZones in the city.

We are seeking a driven individual who is passionate about community engagement and using sport as a vehicle for good. You will be able to work in varied environments to conduct sessions and be able to work independently representing the Foundation to a high level with other partners.

We are seeking an individual who can building trusting relationships, as you will be working closely with third-sector organisations to identify and encourage local residents to participate in weekly sport and physical activity sessions. The communities that the coordinator will work with will predominantly be from ethnic diverse backgrounds, with a key focus on Women and Girls.

Key experiences and qualifications, such as an NGB level 2 in a sport, with a previous coaching portfolio within a community setting is essential for the role.

You must be willing to work evenings and weekends.

4. Why join us?

There has never been a better time to join us, we are celebrating our 150th anniversary, showcasing Aston Villa Football Club in all its glory to a global audience, and are determined to continue our growing success, both on and off the pitch. We currently offer a range of fantastic benefits* including:

• Offers on tickets for Men and Women’s matches (subject to match and ticketing arrangements)
• Pension scheme
• Employee Assistance Programme
• Free car parking
• Free staff breakfast and lunches
• Club Shop discount
• adidas discount
• Travel discount
• Death in service benefit
• Free Will writing
• Free mortgage and insurance broker consultations
• Free eye tests
• Mobile network discounts
• Gym discount

*Please note these are subject to change at any time

As part of your application, you will be asked to:

1. Upload your CV and Cover Letter

For further information and to ask any questions about the role, please contact Jennifer Tullett by emailing jt82@avfc.co.uk.

Right to Close Vacancy Posting Early

The Club reserves the right to close any advertised vacancies earlier than the advertised closing date if sufficient applications have been received.

Equality Statement

Aston Villa Football Club celebrates the diversity of its Club and embrace equal opportunities for all. We are proud to be a Disability Confident employer and fully support The FAs Football Leadership Diversity Code. 

We welcome applications from all candidates regardless of age, race, disability, gender reassignment, pregnancy and maternity, sexual orientation, marriage and civil partnership, sex and religion or belief**.**

Safeguarding Statement

Aston Villa Football Club is fully committed to safeguarding children and adults at risk across our Club. As such, we adhere to Safer Recruitment processes and for some roles a satisfactory enhanced disclosure via the Disclosure & Barring Service may be required prior to starting in a role at the Club. For more information, please see Aston Villa Football Club | The official club website | AVFC - Safeguarding