Job Description:
Club Development Officer Hours: 37hrs Term: The role is offered initially as a two-year fixed-term contract, with funding in place to support a potential extension of up to five years in total. Salary: AP4 (£35,311.25 – £38,666.34) Location: Head Office/Hybrid Department: Active Communities (Community Sport) Reports to: Head of Strategic Planning and Development About KA Leisure KA Leisure and its dedicated workforce are committed to our mission of making North Ayrshire "More Active, More Often." We are passionate about supporting our people to be their best and providing the greatest possible experience for our customers. For 25 years, we have been dedicated to promoting, supporting and inspiring people to lead more active and healthier lives. Our organisation is the driving force of physical activity in the area, with state-of-the-art facilities which include gyms, pools, leisure centres, golf course, sports pitches and more. This is combined with our dedicated commitment to partnership working which delivers innovative and inclusive initiatives that address the diverse needs and aspirations of our communities. The Role: This post sits within KA Leisure's Active Communities Department, specifically within the Community Sport function. Job Purpose: The Club Development Officer will lead the creation, implementation and evaluation of a new North Ayrshire Club Accreditation Scheme designed to develop strong, sustainable, safe and inclusive community sports clubs. The postholder will work closely with local clubs, governing bodies, community partners, Active Schools, and internal KA Leisure teams to strengthen club structures, workforce development, safeguarding standards and participation growth. They will also play a key role in strengthening the links between school sport and community sport across North Ayrshire. Working closely with the Active Schools team, the post will ensure clubs are ready to work within schools and ready to support young volunteers. The role will also contribute to the wider wellbeing agenda across North Ayrshire by supporting clubs to act as inclusive, community-based settings that promote physical activity, social connection and improved health outcomes. People Strategy & Leadership: Lead the development and implementation of the North Ayrshire Club Accreditation Scheme, ensuring it aligns with: KA Leisure's Community Sport Strategy (participation growth, inclusion, community empowerment). The recommendations of sportscotland's Club & Community Review and the Sport for Life Strategy. Wider governing body strategies. Contribute to KA Leisure's community sport planning, workforce development approach and club support priorities. Identify strategic opportunities to strengthen community clubs' sustainability and relevance to local needs. Ensure the accreditation scheme supports wider health and wellbeing outcomes, including increasing physical activity, reducing inequalities and strengthening community resilience. Club Development, Accreditation & Capacity Building: Design, deliver and evaluate the North Ayrshire Club Accreditation Scheme, ensuring high standards in the areas of: Governance, Safeguarding, Coaching and workforce development, Community engagement, Inclusion and equality, Financial planning and sustainability. Provide hands-on support to clubs to help them progress through accreditation levels. Strengthen club capacity through resources, workshops, partnership links and development planning support. Promote best practice models from governing bodies, sportscotland and other local authorities. Support clubs to create welcoming, inclusive environments that promote wellbeing, social connection and lifelong participation. Partnership Development & Community Collaboration: Work closely with Active Schools to enhance school-to-club pathways. Develop strong working relationships with sportscotland, national governing bodies, local clubs, community groups, and North Ayrshire Council services. Support clubs to become community anchors in line with KA Leisure's Community Strategy values (place based, people led, partnership driven). Facilitate collaboration that strengthens local sport ecosystems, including joint delivery projects, festival frameworks, and shared workforce initiatives. Work with partners to position clubs as part of the wider health and wellbeing system, supporting prevention, early intervention and community engagement. Workforce Development & Volunteer Support: Develop and deliver a coordinated club workforce plan (coaches, volunteers, young leaders, officials) that supports the development of a workforce that understands the role of sport and physical activity in improving health and wellbeing outcomes. Support clubs with Volunteer Recruitment, Recognition & Retention pathways. Deliver training opportunities aligned with the needs of clubs and governing bodies (e.g., safeguarding, first aid, coaching awards). Work with Active Schools on young leader development and transitions into club volunteering. Insight, Monitoring & Continuous Improvement: Develop systems to monitor club progress, accreditation status and developmental needs. Maintain a database of accredited clubs for use by local and national partners. Produce reports for senior managers, governing bodies and KA Leisure Boards. Monitor and report on the contribution of clubs to wider participation, wellbeing and community outcomes. Ensure continuous improvement of the accreditation scheme. Marketing, Communication & Promotion: Develop marketing and promotional materials to raise awareness of the accreditation scheme. Celebrate and promote accredited clubs across KA Leisure channels, awards nights and database websites. Coordinate communications that reinforce community sport messaging in line with KA Leisure's Communication Strategy. Capture and share qualitative stories and impact, highlighting the difference clubs make to individuals, families and communities
