Foundation Lead

Foundation Lead

East Lancashire Community Foundation

• Salary: £25,000 – £26,000 per annum + OTE up to £27,000
• Location: East Lancashire
• Contract: Full-time, Permanent
• Hours: 37.5 hours per week (including occasional evenings and weekends)
• Reporting to: Board of Trustees with operational support from Next Steps Sports
• Working Pattern: Flexible hybrid working, including community delivery, partnership meetings, administration, and home-based working where appropriate.
• Expected start date: August 2026

Are you passionate about using rugby and sport to change lives?

Join us as the first Foundation Lead for the newly established East Lancashire Community Foundation. This is an exciting opportunity to shape the charity, build strong partnerships, and deliver impactful programmes that improve social impact and enhance opportunities for rugby and community sports engagement across East Lancashire.

This is a unique opportunity to help build a new charity from the ground up and make a lasting difference within local communities through sport.

About the Role

As Foundation Lead, you will lead the development and delivery of a diverse range of rugby focused community and school-based programmes. You will build strong local partnerships, support the growth of the Foundation, and help establish effective operational practices. Working closely with the Foundation’s trustees and partner rugby clubs, you’ll have the freedom to shape and grow the charity from its earliest stages.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead and deliver high-quality rugby, community and school-based programmes that promote sport, health, inclusion and positive social impact across East Lancashire.
• Develop and maintain strong relationships with partner rugby clubs, schools, community organisations, local stakeholders and delivery partners.
• Coordinate and oversee the delivery of casual coaching staff and sessional workforce to ensure safe, engaging and high-quality provision.
• Support the development and growth of new community initiatives and participation opportunities aligned with the Foundation's objectives.
• Manage the day-to-day coordination of Foundation activities, including programme planning, timetabling, equipment management, venue coordination and administration.
• Ensure all delivery is completed in line with safeguarding, health and safety, equality and governance procedures.
• · Support the growth and sustainability of the Foundation by working alongside Next Steps Sports on funding opportunities, sponsorship engagement and partnership development.
• Maintain accurate programme records, monitoring data, registers and participant information in line with GDPR requirements.
• Collect data, evaluate programme impact and prepare reports and updates for trustees, funders and partners under the guidance of Next Steps Sports.
• Support the transition and retention of participants into partner rugby clubs and local rugby participation pathways.
• Attend community events, festivals, meetings and partnership opportunities as an ambassador for the Foundation.
• Contribute to the development of new partnerships and opportunities that increase the Foundation's reach and impact across East Lancashire.
• Work collaboratively with the Board of Trustees and Next Steps Sports to support the strategic development and long-term sustainability of the Foundation.

About You

We are looking for an enthusiastic, motivated and community-focused individual who shares our passion for creating positive impact through sport. You will bring:

• Experience delivering rugby, sports, school or youth-based programmes and activities.
• Knowledge and understanding of grassroots rugby club environments and community rugby development.
• Experience coaching or delivering rugby within schools, clubs or community settings is desirable.
• An understanding of how rugby can be used as a tool for community engagement and positive social impact.
• Strong communication, organisational and relationship-building skills.
• The ability to work independently, use initiative and manage a varied workload within a growing organisation.
• A passion for community sport, inclusion and supporting young people and local communities.
• An understanding of safeguarding, professional boundaries and good practice within community or educational settings.
• Experience working with children, young people, schools or community groups.
• An England Rugby Coaching Award, Level 2 Sports Coaching Qualification or equivalent (or willingness to work towards and obtain).
• An enhanced DBS check (or willingness to obtain).
• Ability to travel independently across East Lancashire as required by the role (essential).
• Confidence using basic IT systems including email, Microsoft Office, registers and reporting systems.
• Flexibility to work occasional evenings and weekends to support Foundation activities and events.

Benefits

• Salary: £25,000 - £26,000 per annum depending on experience, with On-Target Earnings (OTE) up to £27,000.
• 21 days annual leave plus bank holidays with additional leave for your birthday, child events and a full Christmas shutdown period.
• Pension scheme.
• Laptop or tablet and mobile phone provided.
• Free access to selected Foundation services and holiday clubs for dependants.
• Ongoing CPD and professional development opportunities.
• Branded Foundation kit provided.
• Mileage expenses for approved Foundation travel.
• The opportunity to play a key role in shaping and growing a new community foundation from launch.

We are committed to creating an inclusive and diverse environment and welcome applications from individuals of all backgrounds.

The East Lancashire Community Foundation is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and vulnerable adults. All appointments are subject to satisfactory enhanced DBS checks and relevant safeguarding procedures.

Application Deadline

15th June 2026

Shortlisted candidates will be invited to interview during June 2026

Pay: £25,000.00-£26,000.00 per year

Benefits:

• Childcare
• Company pension

Work Location: On the road