Community Inclusion Manager

Post Title: Community Inclusion Manager

Contract Type: Permanent

Workplace: EFL House, Preston

Reporting to: Senior Inclusion Manager

Working Pattern: M-F, 35 hours

“The EFL is about two things – great football competitions and supporting communities 365 days a year”.

The EFL and EFL in the Community is looking for a passionate and outward-facing Community Inclusion Manager to work within our Inclusion Team. The role will focus on working with and supporting the 72 EFL Clubs and their Football Club charities in the delivery of their area of the Capability Code of Practice.

The ideal candidate may have worked within a Football Club charity or worked on EDI initiatives inside or outside of sport in the past. More information is available in the downloadable Candidate Brief that is attached to this advert.

JOB PURPOSE

The Community Inclusion Manager will be responsible for the delivery and compliance of the Equality elements of the Capability Code of Practice. Supporting and advising member Football Club Charities on all aspects of the Code, including the development and delivery of central inclusion initiatives.

The role will engage with EFL Equality stakeholders and support delivery of joint initiatives.

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES

CAPABILITY CODE OF PRACTICE

• Lead on all EDI specific goals in relation to the Sport England System Partnership
• Work with the EFL in the Community (EFLitC) Senior Management Team to review all projects ensuring they are inclusive and in line with Capability Code of Practice (CCOP) requirements
• Day-to-day management of Section 10 Capability Code of Practice
• Provide regular updates around the Capability Code of Practice and news to the Equality Football Club charity Officers / Inclusion Leads – helping to build and develop opportunities to share good practice
• Manage a Section 10 Capability Code of Practice annual review
• Representing the Section 10 of Capability Code of Practice programme in internal and external meetings including with counterparts at the Football Association, Premier League and Professional Footballers’ Association

FOOTBALL CLUB CHARITY SUPPORT AND STRATEGY

• Support Football Club charities of their Inclusion needs, coordinating support calls/visits
• Determine required support to Football Club charities in terms of Education and Systems
• Undertake the assessment of all participating Football Club charities during the Auditing period
• Be the first point of contact for Section 10 of the Capability Code of Practice across all EFL Football Club charities
• Working closely with the Director of EDI to develop and refine the strategic direction Inclusion within Football Club charities
• Support Football Club charities within the development of their Equality Action Plans
• Provide regular updates and reports, both verbal and written, on how EFL in the Community and Football Club charities are meeting the requirements of the Capability Code of Practice and relevant Equality Action Plans

FURTHER DEVELOPMENT

• Work with the EFL Inclusion Department to ensure support is provided in all aspects of Inclusion
• Further develop Club learning and development opportunities in conjunction with delivery partners
• Advocate and co-ordinate Inclusion input into broader EFL in the Community activity
• Develop and maintain appropriate project, action plans, stakeholder relationship and data monitoring systems, ensuring that they are managed effectively and delivered to a high standard
• Provide timely reports to the Director of EDI confirming project and action plan progress, action points and agreed timescales
• Participate and engage with Director of EDI to discuss and progress new initiatives, implementation of agreed actions and process change
• Maintain a professional, business-like approach when representing EFL in the Community with both internal and external stakeholders ensuring the reputation of the EFL in the Community is maintained and enhanced at all times
• Maintain and develop knowledge and skills relevant for the position of Community Inclusion Manager through regular training and professional development

WHO WE ARE LOOKING FOR

KNOWLEDGE & UNDERSTANDING

• Significant and current knowledge of developing equality and diversity initiatives, and implementing equality and diversity strategies within a large organisation
• Hold an undergraduate degree or equivalent working competency in a relevant field/subject
• A working knowledge of managing projects and programmes
• Demonstrable competency in leading and/or managing several projects simultaneously
• An understanding of equality legislation and equality initiatives in sport, in particular knowledge of inclusion and Anti-Discrimination programmes, pathways and initiatives being delivered by EFL and other football bodies e.g. The Football Association, Premier League, Professional Footballers Association and League Managers Association

TECHNICAL SKILLS

• Ability to translate strategy into practical, people focused, operational delivery and give professional support and direction to others
• Able to present complex issues clearly and simply, in writing and orally, including writing reports, delivering presentations, training etc.
• An analytical mind – capable at analysing quantitative and qualitative data and developing key findings and actions, with the ability to research, analyse and filter information into a strategic report
• Fully competent with Microsoft Office Packages (i.e. Outlook, Word, Excel and Power Point)

ATTRIBUTES 

• Aptitude to initiate and manage change with proven ability to provide guidance, support and think innovatively to create solutions
• Excellent communication, persuading/negotiating and networking skills, face to-face and digitally
• Ability to develop and maintain working relationships at all levels, including difficult and challenging circumstances
• Ability to organise and prioritise work and display excellent organisational skills, able to multi-task, prioritise and manage own workload amid conflicting demands and deadlines
• Self-motivated with the ability to work independently 
• Lead by example by contributing to promoting the principles of the EFL:

1. Everybody Working Together - We are one team supporting each other and collaborating on our shared goals
2. Fairness & Equality - Being consistent and inclusive for everyone - showing respect
3. Listening & Learning - Communicating with trust and honesty - growing as individuals and enabling others to do so too

INTRODUCTION TO THE EFL and EFITC

The English Football League (EFL) is the highest attended football league, and largest single body of professional clubs in Europe. 

It is responsible for administering and regulating the Sky Bet EFL, Sky Bet Play-Offs, Carabao Cup and Vertu Trophy competitions, plus youth and reserve team football.

A vital part of sporting life, both in the UK and across the globe, the EFL operates some of the world’s most competitive, popular and successful football competitions, acting as part of the fabric of life for millions of fans and families. 

EFL Clubs are truly embedded in the hearts of their 72 local communities, spanning the breadth and depth of England and Wales. Away from the match-day, Clubs and Club Community Organisations interact seven days a week, 365 days a year, making a positive contribution to the communities in which they serve.

EFL in the Community is the charitable arm of the EFL (English Football League). 

EFL in the Community (formerly the EFL Trust) was established in 2008 to support the ground-breaking work of EFL Football Club charities. 

This network of charities across England and Wales use the power of the Club badge to reach people who need help. They deliver a wide range of initiatives focused on improving health and wellbeing; raising aspirations and realising potential – building stronger, more cohesive EFL communities. 

Football Club charities engaged over 1.1 million participants last season and generated a total of £1.24 billion worth of social value across the full range of community initiatives and programmes.

EFL GROWTH AND THE INCLUSION TEAM

In August 2022 the EFL launched its ‘Together’ strategy which aims to provide its Clubs and Communities a pathway to their own EDI journey in which the EFL can fully support and guide to allow for the achievement of its outcomes in a consistent and meaningful way.

The Together Strategy cannot be achieved by the EFL alone in isolation. To remove all barriers across the sport and achieve its overall mission and vision, the EFL requires the support and collaboration of its ecosystem, ensuring the changes made as a football collective can be effective and sustainable to provide the best future for the game and for the individuals and communities who are involved.

Collaboration is required to maximise the potential impact the EFL can make and therefore, the League will work closely with all groups, organisations and communities within its ecosystem to maximise all outcomes and successes throughout the course of the lifespan of the strategy.

In its establishment, the Together Strategy has consulted extensively through the voices across the ecosystem to ensure that it provides sustainable outcomes and effective tactics to provide the best possible environment for the future.

OUR TEAM AT THE EFL

The EFL offers a unique opportunity to work with some of the biggest sporting competitions, clubs, commercial partnerships and media in the market. We look for the best people who approach their work with energy, excellence and commitment.

Our employees are crucial to our success and Equality, Diversity and Inclusion are fundamental elements of building our team. Each of us has an array of qualifications, skills and life experiences.

If you have any particular requirements in respect of the recruitment or interview process, please mention this in your application.

The EFL reserves the right to close this vacancy early should we receive enough applications.