Director of Programmes at Football Beyond Borders

As the Director of Programmes, you’ll be at the helm of a work with young people, shaping the future of education for vulnerable youth across England.

Job Title: Director of Programmes
Reports To: Chief Executive
Start Date: July/August 2025
Location: National role – option to work from any of FBB’s three offices in West Midlands, Greater Manchester, or London
Hours: Full Time

Who are we?

Football Beyond Borders (FBB) is one of the UK’s leading educational charities and youth brands, established in 2014. With impressive growth, we now work with over 3,000 students across over 300 secondary school programmes across the North West, West Midlands, Greater London and more! Supported by strong partnerships, including with Nike, EA Sports and Gillette, FBB aims to become the UK’s leading charity for disengaged young people and the best place to work with youth. Young people are at the heart of everything we do, from leadership decisions to partner activations, as we challenge a system that often limits their potential. Our fast-paced, supportive culture ensures staff can ‘Go Beyond’ to make a real difference.

Relationships are central to FBB, both with young people and colleagues. We strive to create a workplace where work isn’t something you dread but a space to build meaningful connections and embrace new challenges. Learning is a priority, with a dedicated day each week for development, including external training, team collaboration, and reflection. As a young, ambitious team, we encourage trying new things and offer opportunities to work across Brand, Comms, Operations, Culture, and Programmes.If you’re keen to throw yourself into new environments and develop meaningful relationships with people from all walks of life, then FBB is the workplace for you.

Recognised as innovative and thought-leading, FBB is on a mission to help young people thrive and become their best selves. We’re always seeking talented, ambitious individuals to join our team and contribute to this vision. If you’re passionate about making a difference and working in a dynamic, collaborative environment, FBB is the place for you.

Do You Want to…

Join a movement committed to ensuring every young person in the country has a trusted, relatable adult by their side throughout secondary school?
Lead a growing team of 60 passionate practitioners who are transforming the lives of over 4,000 vulnerable young people across England?
Shape the future of education by challenging the status quo and pioneering bold, innovative approaches that deliver real impact?

If you answered yes, then this is your chance to step into a role that’s not just a job – it’s a calling.

Before You Read the Job Description…

You don’t need to meet every single requirement to apply. If this role excites you and you believe you can make a difference, we want to hear from you. Some of the best leaders grow into their roles – if you’re up for the challenge, are committed to learning and building relationships, apply anyway or reach out to us for a conversation.

Apply now and be part of something extraordinary.

Are You Ready to Lead a Movement That Changes Lives?

At FBB, we don’t just talk about making a difference – we do it. We’re one of the UK’s most impactful and fastest-growing education charities, and we’re on a mission to ensure that every young person, no matter their background, has the opportunity to thrive in school and beyond.

As our Director of Programmes, you’ll be at the helm of our work with young people, leading a growing team of 60 passionate practitioners across the country and shaping the future of education for over 4,000 vulnerable young people across England.

Relationships are at the heart of our work with young people. We will want a leader who believes in the transformative power of relationships, and has the expertise and track record of creating relational environments for young people.

This is a role for someone who thrives on challenge, purpose, and impact. If you’re ready to take on a leadership position that will test your skills, push your boundaries, and give you the autonomy to shape something extraordinary, we want to hear from you.

What You’ll Do

Lead the Charge: You’ll be the driving force behind FBB’s vision, ensuring our programmes deliver real, measurable impact for young people.
Build and Inspire: Lead a team of 60 talented professionals across three regions, fostering a culture that puts our young people at the heart of what we do and one of connection, autonomy, and mastery.
Shape the Future: Develop and implement strategies that grow our reach without compromising on quality, ensuring more young people benefit from our work.
Drive Innovation: Continuously improve our programmes, using evidence and insight to adapt and evolve in a rapidly changing educational landscape.
Manage Big Responsibilities: Oversee a £3 million budget and build relationships with key stakeholders, including Executive Headteachers and Multi-Academy Trust leaders.

Organisational Context

This role has a critical place at the heart of FBB’s vision and mission. You will be the lead person for all of our work with young people. Your closest internal working relationships will be with our Chief Executive, our Director of People, Culture and Operations, our Director of External Relationships, our Head of Impact, our Safeguarding Lead and our Regional Leads. You will also need the ability to set out an inspiring vision for our team of 50+ Practitioners who are working directly with young people every day.

Who We’re Looking For

You are driven, ambitious, and thrive on delivering results. You set high standards for yourself and those around you, understand the importance of relationships and you’re always looking for ways to push boundaries and create lasting impact. You care about the why and the how as much as you care about the outcome. You have a track record of leadership, strategic thinking, and the ability to inspire and empower teams. Most importantly, you are deeply committed to transforming the lives of vulnerable young people.

What You’ll Bring

A proven track record of leading teams and delivering impactful programmes.
A deep commitment to improving the lives of vulnerable young people.
The ability to inspire and motivate others, creating a culture where people feel connected, empowered, and driven to excel.
Strategic vision and the ability to turn big ideas into actionable plans.
Strong leadership skills, with experience managing senior teams and multi-million-pound budgets.
A bold, creative mindset that imagines an education sector where every young person has a trusted, relatable role model throughout their adolescence – and the drive to make that vision a reality.
Excitement about doing things differently, challenging the status quo, and pioneering innovative approaches to transform outcomes for young people.
The ability to think radically and act decisively, drawing on emergent practices from a wide range of fields and turning them into actionable insights that your team can put into practice.

This is your chance to bring your creativity, vision, and leadership to a role that demands nothing less than transformative thinking. If you’re ready to reimagine what’s possible in education and lead a team that’s changing lives, we want to hear from you.

Why Join FBB?

Be Part of Something Bigger: You’ll be joining an organisation with a clear North Star – We Put Young People First. Your work will directly contribute to creating a country where every young person has a trusted adult relationship.
Autonomy and Mastery: We believe in giving our leaders the freedom to innovate and the support to grow. You’ll have the autonomy to shape your role and the opportunity to develop your skills through executive coaching and reflective practice.
A Team That Has Your Back: You’ll work alongside a highly motivated, expert Senior Leadership Team who are as passionate about this mission as you are.
Investment in You: We’re committed to your growth. You’ll receive one-to-one executive coaching sessions, be a part of reflective practice groups, a dedicated development budget, and regular opportunities for professional and personal development.

Benefits and Perks

At FBB, we believe in empowering our team just as much as we empower young people. When you join us, you’re not just taking on a job, you’re stepping into a culture that values your growth, well-being, and passion for impact.

Here’s what you can expect:

Investing in Your Wellbeing

Wellbeing Budget – Your health and happiness matter. Use your personal wellbeing budget for therapy, fitness, or anything that helps you feel your best.
Tickets to Premier League, International & WSL Matches – Love football? So do we. Enjoy exclusive access to some of the biggest matches in the game.
40 Days Annual Leave – Work-life balance isn’t just a phrase here. Recharge, travel, or take time for yourself with an unbeatable 40 days off each year. 20 flexible and 20 as part of org-wide shutdowns where we are all off!
Free JD Gym Membership – Prioritise your fitness without the cost. Enjoy full access to JD Gyms across the UK.
Wellbeing Support – From Employee Assistance Programs (EAP) to reflective practice and supervision, we make sure you have the right support when you need it.

Fueling Your Growth & Development

Learning & Development Budget – Whether it’s leadership training, specialist qualifications, or a conference you’re excited about, we invest in your professional growth.
SKIP LEVELS / Mentoring / Coaching – Gain direct access to senior leaders and mentors who can help shape your career journey or aid in shaping others journeys as their mentors.
Regular Social & Team Events – We work hard, but we also celebrate, connect, and have fun as a team.

Making Work Easier

FBB Uniform – Look the part and rep our values with free branded Nike gear.
Travel Expenses for Schools – We cover your transport so you can focus on the impact, not the logistics.

If you’re looking for a role where you can make a difference while being supported, valued, and inspired every day, then FBB is the place for you.

Join us. Let’s change lives—starting with yours

The Challenge Awaits

This isn’t just a job – it’s a chance to lead a movement that’s transforming the lives of young people across the country. It’s a role that will challenge you, inspire you, and push you to be the best version of yourself.

If you want to build something that lasts, develop the next generation of leaders, and reshape the landscape of education for vulnerable young people, then step up. The challenge is big, the stakes are high, but the reward?

Application Process

Submit Your Application – Submit your application on this page and attach your CV (please list your full employment history, accounting for any gaps in employment) and cover letter detailing why you’re the perfect fit for this role.
Initial Conversation with Our Hiring Team – An informal call to learn more about you and answer any questions you may have - Early March to April. Can be a digital meeting or a face-to-face meeting.
Assessment Day – A chance to meet our team, take part in real-life scenarios, present your vision, and engage in discussions with staff and young people to see our work in action - Mid April.
Final 1:1 Interview – A deep dive into your experience, leadership approach, and how you align with our mission with our CEO Jack Reynolds and Directors - End of April.