Job Description: Community Engagement Officer
Reporting: Community & Operations Consultant

Background

There have been many changes to our football club, particularly over the last 20 years, but
through all this change we’ve stayed true to our local roots and loyal fans.
To us, being Darlington’s local club isn’t just about location. It’s an attitude, a set of beliefs
and an approach that has got us to where we are today and will be part of everything we do
as we write new chapters in the Club’s history. The future is brighter than ever.

The Role of the Community Engagement Officer
Darlington FC continues to experience new fans attending matches and engaging with us,
however there’s a clear opportunity to accelerate this growth as we get closer to aspiring to
play league football once more. This is a new volunteer role with the responsibility to build on
our engagement in the local community through establishing a focused programme of work
through Community hubs and Schools.
Initially reporting to the Community and Operations Consultant, this role will be responsible
for building our Club’s engagement within and across our community and schools in
partnership with the Darlington FC Foundation and Football in the Community, creating and
facilitating value based programmes, driving acquisition of data and ultimately generating
increased ticket sales.
The successful candidate will have a successful track record in community engagement and
delivery, be commercially savvy and always innovating.
The role is part of the Club’s Operations Management Group.

Main Accountabilities
• To build positive relationships with local community hubs and schools locally as an
ambassador of the club, incentivising them to attend Darlington FC matches
• To efficiently and effectively use the Club’s brand, including player appearances and
products to build compelling school and club affiliate programmes, designed to add
value and drive interest in Darlington FC across all stakeholders
• Ensure alignment between Club and Foundation programmes and relationships
through collaborating to create programmes that support the objectives of both
organisations
• Supporting the Commercial Director in delivery of sponsorship activations, leveraging
them to assist in driving your own KPIs related to building your network, acquiring
marketable data and ultimately growing attendances
• Owning delivery of community–related matchday benefits and events supported by
the broader matchday operations team
• Ensuring that the Media and Communications team are suitably armed with the
relevant detail so they can drive positive PR around the local area and amplify the
impact through social channels
• To undertake ad hoc projects, tasks and assignments across the community, as seen
appropriate by the DFC Board

General Club Accountabilities
• To ensure compliance with all relevant Club policies, including health and safety
policies and with specific reference to the data regulations (GDPR and PECR)
• To ensure compliance with all relevant legal, regulatory, ethical and social
requirements
• To build and maintain good working relationships both internally and externally,
maintaining a professional image at all times when representing Darlington FC (i.e.
appearances, attendances)
• To keep confidential any information gained regarding the Club and its personnel
• To maintain a flexible approach to work at all times
• Be an ambassador for the club at all times and role model the behaviours the club
expects.
• Promote equality and diversity in football and community work and engage the whole
community, not just traditional groups.

Key Internal Relationships
• Commercial and Marketing
• Fan Engagement via Darlington Football Club Supporters Group
• Football in the Community
• DFC Operations Management Group
• DFC Foundation
• Communications & Digital Media

Person Specification - Essential Personal Characteristics
• Managed relationships with community based organisations, good understanding of
football and the voluntary sector of sport
• Experience in community related events
• Exceptional interpersonal and communication skills both written and verbal, ability to
quickly build trust and relationships
• IT literate and competent in Word, Excel, PowerPoint and Outlook
• The ability to adapt & respond quickly to environment changes. Pro-active and a selfstarter
• Good organisational and planning skills (must be able to prioritise workload
especially at busy times)
• Key team player - the ability to work in a team, and can also work effectively as an
individual

Person Specification - Desirable Characteristics
• Strong organisational skills and attention to detail
• Experience in the sports industry within the community arm of a sports club
• Self-motivated, able to work quickly and precisely, multi-task, and respond to a
variety of needs, sometimes under pressure
• Experience in running community based events at scale
• Planning, systematic and analytical view with respect to delivery of business
opportunities
• Good knowledge of social media channels, whether that’s through use on behalf of
an organisation or for leisure purposes

Contact
Applications in writing including CV to Dave.Mills@darlingtonfc.org
Closing date: Thursday 12th December 2019