Job Title: Head of Community Welfare and Social Inclusion

Department: Executive

Location: Turf Moor, Harry Potts Way, Burnley, BB10 4BX

Salary: £40,000 - £47,500 per annum

Contract Type: Permanent

Working Pattern: 35 hours per week (Mon-Fri)

Closing Date: Sunday, 22nd November 2026

About Us:

Burnley FC in the Community (BFCitC) is the award-winning official charity of Burnley Football Club. Driven by our mission to empower, connect and inspire people to thrive, we deliver life-changing programmes and services that make a lasting difference across Burnley, Pendle, Rossendale, Ribble Valley and West Yorkshire.

Through the power of football and the strength of our communities, we support thousands of people of all ages each year to improve their health, wellbeing, education and life opportunities. Our passionate and dedicated team works across a wide range of projects, creating positive change where it is needed most.

We believe Burnley and the surrounding areas are home to exceptional people and vibrant communities. If you're looking for an opportunity to make a real impact while working for an ambitious, values-driven organisation, we'd love to hear from you.

Join our team and be part of something bigger.

Why Join Us?

At Burnley FC in the Community, you'll have the opportunity to make a genuine difference to people's lives every day. You'll join a supportive and ambitious team that is passionate about creating positive change, while benefiting from opportunities for professional development.

About the Role:

The Head of Community Welfare and Social Inclusion will provide strategic and operational leadership for the Charity's Welfare and Inclusion Department, ensuring the effective delivery, continuous development and long-term sustainability of a diverse portfolio of community programmes.

The postholder will lead and support a team of managers and project staff to deliver high-quality, impactful services that respond to community needs, achieve contractual and funding requirements, and contribute to the Charity's strategic objectives.

Working closely with internal departments and external partners, the role will identify opportunities for growth, strengthen stakeholder relationships, secure funding, and ensure the department continues to deliver measurable social impact across Burnley and East Lancashire.

Key Responsibilities:

Strategic Leadership

• Lead the strategic development of the Welfare and Social Inclusion Department.

• Develop annual departmental plans aligned to the Charity's strategic priorities.

• Identify emerging community needs and develop innovative responses and programmes.

• Contribute to the wider strategic planning and business development activities of the Charity.

• Represent the department internally and externally, promoting the Charity's vision, values and impact.

• Develop opportunities for departmental growth, diversification and innovation.

Operational Management

• Provide leadership and oversight of all Welfare and Social Inclusion programmes, including but not limited to: Health and Wellbeing, Schools Mental Wellbeing, Targeted Interventions, Youth Engagement, Foodbank and Community Support Initiatives.

• Ensure all programmes operate effectively, safely and in accordance with contractual and funding requirements.

• Lead departmental quality assurance processes, project audits, monitoring and evaluation.

• Ensure departmental compliance with safeguarding, health and safety, GDPR and organisational policies.

• Monitor programme performance and implement improvement plans where required.

Funding and Financial Management

• Develop and maintain strong relationships with funders and commissioning bodies.

• Work collaboratively with project leads and the Head of Finance to identify funding opportunities and sustainability plans.

• Lead and support funding applications, contract negotiations and grant management.

• Ensure all programmes operate within approved budgets and demonstrate value for money.

• Monitor departmental financial performance and take proactive action to address risks and opportunities.

• Support the production of impact reports and funding reports for external stakeholders.

Partnership and Stakeholder Management

• Develop and maintain effective partnerships across the public, private and voluntary sectors.

• Act as a key representative of the Charity at partnership meetings, networks, conferences and strategic forums.

• Build relationships that create opportunities for collaborative working and service development.

• Maintain oversight of key strategic partnerships and ensure positive stakeholder engagement.

People Leadership

• Lead, manage and develop managers, project leads and staff within the department.

• Foster a high-performance culture focused on accountability, continuous improvement and collaboration.

• Ensure staff objectives are aligned to organisational and departmental priorities.

• Conduct regular supervision, performance reviews and professional development activities.

• Coach and mentor managers to strengthen leadership capability across the department.

• Support succession planning and talent development.

Monitoring, Evaluation and Impact

• Ensure robust monitoring systems are in place across all programmes.

• Oversee accurate recording of programme data and outcomes on organisational and funder systems.

• Lead departmental impact measurement, analysis and reporting.

• Ensure evidence of outcomes is used to improve services and demonstrate social value.

General

• To understand and implement the Charity’s Safeguarding policy, procedures, and best practice guidelines in your role. To use this understanding to ensure safe working practices, appropriate reporting of concerns and contribute positively to a safe environment.

• To be able to work flexible hours where the role of the job requires. You may be required to work the occasional match day which may fall on a weekend or evening.

• To work towards agreed objectives.

• Comply with all Charity policies.

• Promote the Burnley FC in the Community brand and ethos in a professional, strong, and positive manner.

• Work alongside other team members to support in other areas of the organisation as and when required to promote best practice.

• Hold a commitment to equality and diversity in the workplace.

• Willingness to attend training courses to enhance own professional development.

• Always demonstrate the Charity’s values which are: Resilient, Inclusive, Integrity and Passion.

About You:

To be successful within this role, you will have:

• Degree-level qualification or substantial relevant management experience.

• Evidence of continued professional development.

• Significant experience leading community, social inclusion, welfare, public health or related programmes.

• Experience managing and developing multi-disciplinary teams.

• Proven experience of managing complex projects, contracts or funded programmes.

• Experience of building partnerships across statutory, voluntary and private sectors.

• Experience of securing and managing grants, contracts or commissioned services.

• Experience managing departmental budgets and financial performance.

• Experience analysing performance data and implementing improvements.

• Experience leading safeguarding practices and compliance.

• Capacity to set goals and drive to achieve them is characterised by an innovative approach to ensuring performance integrates with the needs of the business.

• Seeks ways to improve leadership behaviours. Regarded as a role model internally and externally as an engaging leader and understands the organisational impact of leadership.

• Strategic response to change and uses it to provide direction for the business; looking to bring people on board – building a common vision for the future whilst managing its impact with sensitivity. Flexible, anticipates change and manages accordingly.

What We Are Looking For:

We're looking for a proactive, enthusiastic, and self-motivated individual who is passionate about making a positive difference within our communities. You will bring a positive, can-do attitude, a strong sense of personal responsibility, and a commitment to delivering high-quality outcomes.

The successful candidate will be reliable, organised, and conscientious, with the ability to work both independently and as part of a team. You will demonstrate resilience when facing challenges, take initiative to solve problems, and remain focused on achieving objectives and meeting performance targets.

Most importantly, we're looking for someone who is committed, supportive, and driven by a genuine desire to help others, embodying the values and ambitions of Burnley FC in the Community.

What We Offer:

• Generous long service holiday scheme

• Free health and wellbeing services

• Death in service benefit

• Subsidised Burnley FC match tickets

• Discounted holiday and activity camps

• Discounted gym membership

• Learning and development opportunities

• Access to additional staff benefits and discounts

Please email HR@burnleyfc.com to request a copy of the full Job Description and Person Specification.

How To Apply

Please submit your CV via our careers page https://vacancies.burnleyfccommunity.org/. Please note we cannot consider CV’s submitted via email.

Safeguarding Statement

Burnley FC in the Community is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children, young people, and adults at risk. We expect all employees, workers, and volunteers to share this commitment and uphold our safeguarding responsibilities.

All successful applicants will be required to undergo an Enhanced Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) check, the cost of which will be met by the Charity.

In line with statutory safeguarding guidance, including Keeping Children Safe in Education, an online search may be conducted for shortlisted candidates as part of our due diligence process. This role is exempt from the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974, and any offer of employment will be subject to the receipt of satisfactory references, appropriate safeguarding checks, and an Enhanced DBS disclosure.

Equality, Diversity & Inclusion Statement

Burnley FC in the Community is committed to creating a diverse, inclusive, and equitable workplace where everyone feels valued, respected, and able to reach their full potential.

We are proud to be an equal opportunities employer and welcome applications from suitably qualified candidates regardless of age, disability, gender identity, marital status, pregnancy and maternity, race, religion or belief, sex, or sexual orientation background.

We are committed to ensuring a fair and accessible recruitment process and will provide reasonable adjustments for candidates who require support at any stage of the recruitment process.

Armed Forces Covenant Statement

Burnley FC in the Community proudly supports veterans, reservists, service leavers, and members of the wider Armed Forces community.

We recognise the valuable skills, experiences, and qualities that military personnel bring to the workplace and are committed to promoting employment opportunities for members of the Armed Forces community as part of our ongoing support of the Armed Forces Covenant.

Mental Health Statement

Burnley FC in the Community is committed to promoting positive mental health and wellbeing across the organisation.

We strive to create a supportive and inclusive working environment where employees feel able to seek support, discuss wellbeing openly, and access appropriate resources when needed. We recognise the importance of both physical and mental health and are dedicated to helping our people thrive both personally and professionally.