Location:
East London (hybrid working with travel across the London Boroughs of Newham, Barking & Dagenham and Redbridge)
Salary:
£32,000 per year
Contract:
Full-time, 35 hours per week, 18-month fixed-term contract
Reporting to:
Regional Development Manager
Important Information About This Role
This is a community engagement role, not a tennis coaching role.
You do not need any tennis experience or qualifications to apply.
We are looking for someone with skills in community engagement, partnership working, and programme development. Tennis will be used as a tool to support communities, and you will be supported by experienced coaches within the National Tennis Association.
Benefits & Opportunities
In addition to the salary, the National Tennis Association offers a range of benefits designed to support professional development, wellbeing, and engagement with the sport:
* Access to tennis equipment and kit to support delivery of community programmes
* Professional development opportunities, including support to gain tennis coaching qualifications and relevant training
* Free access to tennis courts and opportunities to participate in tennis sessions across our programmes
* Complimentary access to selected NTA coaching sessions and activities
* Flexible and hybrid working arrangements to support work–life balance
* Opportunities to be part of a national network of coaches, mentors and community leaders working to grow tennis participation
* Regular team gatherings and social events to build connections across the organisation
About the National Tennis Association (NTA)
At the National Tennis Association (NTA), we believe tennis can be a powerful enabler for positive change. Our mission is to make tennis accessible to everyone — regardless of age, background or ability — by delivering opportunities in parks, schools and communities across the UK.
Across East London, NTA currently delivers park tennis programmes in Newham, Barking & Dagenham and Redbridge, creating accessible opportunities for local residents to play tennis within their communities.
Working with the LTA Tennis Foundation, we are now launching a new community engagement pilot designed to widen access to tennis among underrepresented communities and strengthen connections between our park programmes and the communities around them.
About the Role
We are seeking a community-focused individual to lead a new East London community engagement project designed to widen access to physical activity, using tennis as a tool to engage communities.
Working across Newham, Barking & Dagenham and Redbridge, the role will focus on building strong partnerships with local organisations including youth centres, schools, housing associations, faith groups and voluntary organisations.
The role will introduce activity in ways that feel relevant, inclusive and accessible to local communities — embedding delivery within trusted community settings rather than expecting people to access traditional sports venues.
You will work collaboratively with community partners to co-design activities, develop local volunteers and leaders, and create sustainable opportunities for people to engage with physical activity.
This role offers a unique opportunity to help shape a community-led model of engagement, with learning from the project informing future work across East London and beyond.
Key Responsibilities
Community Partnership Development
* Build strong relationships with community organisations across Newham, Barking & Dagenham and Redbridge
* Identify opportunities to introduce activity through youth programmes, community initiatives and local events
* Co-design inclusive activities with partners that reflect local needs and priorities
Programme Development & Delivery
* Develop and coordinate community-based activity in accessible settings, including youth clubs, faith venues and community spaces
* Support delivery of introductory sessions, events and outreach activities
* Work with NTA coaches and local delivery partners to ensure high-quality experiences
Workforce & Leadership Development
* Identify and support volunteers and community leaders interested in delivering activity
* Create opportunities for individuals to progress into volunteering, leadership or coaching roles
* Work with NTA coach mentors to support workforce development
Monitoring & Learning
* Collect participation data, feedback and case studies to demonstrate project impact
* Work with NTA’s monitoring and evaluation partners to measure outcomes and share learning
* Contribute to developing best practice for community-led engagement
Sustainability & Future Development
* Support community organisations to continue activity beyond the life of the project
* Identify opportunities to strengthen partnerships and support long-term community delivery
Skills & Experience
We are looking for someone who:
* Has experience in community engagement, community development, youth work, sports development or similar roles
* Has strong relationship-building skills and experience working with community organisations, voluntary groups or local partners
* Has experience supporting communities to develop their own activities, programmes or initiatives
* Is able to work independently and support projects from concept through to delivery
* Understands the barriers that prevent people from participating in sport and physical activity — whether through professional experience or lived experience
* Has excellent communication and organisational skills
* Is passionate about using sport and physical activity as a tool to improve wellbeing and strengthen communities
Desirable
* Strong community networks or relationships across East London boroughs, particularly Newham, Barking & Dagenham or Redbridge
* Experience working with volunteers, community leaders or grassroots organisations
* Experience within sport, physical activity, youth programmes or community initiatives
Additional Information
* Some evening and weekend work will be required to attend community events
* Flexible and hybrid working arrangements are supported
* Travel across East London will be required
How to Apply
Please send a CV and covering letter outlining your interest, experience and suitability for the role to:
You are welcome to submit a short video (up to 3 minutes) in place of, or alongside, a written covering letter explaining why you are interested in the role and what you would bring to the position.
Application Deadline: 12th April 2026
Interview Process:
Stage 1: Week commencing 20th April 2026 – Online interview
Stage 2: Week commencing 27th April 2026 – In-person interview
Start Date: Summer 2026
If you require any reasonable adjustments or accessibility support during the recruitment process, please let us know when submitting your application so we can ensure the process is accessible and supportive.
We welcome applications from all backgrounds and are committed to building a diverse and inclusive team.
We particularly encourage applications from individuals who reflect the communities we work with across East London and from groups currently underrepresented in sport and physical activity.