Join the Board of Ferdinand Collective Cambridge & West Suffolk Not‑For‑Profit
2 days ago Be among the first 25 applicants
The Opportunity Are you looking for a leadership role where you can make a tangible difference? Cambridge & West Suffolk (CWS) Ferdinand Collective is recruiting for Volunteer Directors and Strategic Leads to join our Board and Leadership Team. This is your chance to steer a high‑growth Community Interest Company (CIC) that prioritises people over profit.
About Us
Established in 2024, and as a franchise of the Ferdinand Collective, we are driven by a simple philosophy: "Build the Person, Not Just the Player." With Anton Ferdinand as our Ambassador, we use football as a vehicle for social change. In just one year, we have grown to coach ~hundreds of players weekly across Ely, Fordham, Histon, Isleham, and Mildenhall, becoming finalists in the Ely Hero Awards for coaching over 1,000 players from first kicks to first teams in our first year!
The Mission
We are now entering a major growth phase. We plan to significantly grow in the next 12 months, expanding our existing programmes and launching our new FC Academy, JPL Teams, as well as expanding into Cambridge City and West Suffolk. To do this, we need a Leadership Team with the passion and expertise to drive excellence.
We Are Recruiting For:
* Chair / Strategic Lead
* Strategic Funding & Grants Director / Lead
* Finance & Commercial Director / Lead
* Marketing & Communications Director / Lead
* Director / Lead of Coaching & Football Development
* Education & Schools Liaison Director / Lead
* Community Engagement Director / Lead
* Coaches
Why Join Us?
* Be Part of a Movement: Join a "football family" with ambition and values, connected to the wider Ferdinand Collective Group.
* Professional Development: Gain senior board‑level experience in a scaling organisation.
* Paid Coaching Opportunities: Uniquely, Directors/Leads who are also qualified coaches get paid for all coaching hours delivered (£15‑£30/hr) and gain access to the FC Coach Development Programme (CDP).
* Impact: Directly influence the physical, social, and emotional development of thousands of local children.
Chair / Strategic Lead
Title: Chair of the Board & Club Secretary (Volunteer)
The Opportunity We need a steady hand, a visionary leader, and a stickler for detail. This role combines the strategic leadership of a Chair with the vital administrative governance of a Club Secretary. You will be the "captain of the ship," ensuring the CWS Ferdinand Collective runs efficiently, legally, and in line with FA regulations as we scale to become the region's largest provider.
Key Responsibilities
* Governance & Compliance (Secretary Function): Manage all administrative duties including CIC reporting, Board agendas/minutes, and ensuring full compliance with County FA regulations and league affiliations.
* Strategy & Leadership (Chair Function): Drive the long‑term vision, ensuring we hit our growth targets while maintaining our "Football for All" ethos.
* Administration: Oversee player registrations (JPL/Leagues), disciplinary matters, and act as the primary liaison point for the FA and relevant leagues.
* Ambassador: Act as the public face of the organisation, representing us to key stakeholders, partners (Reebok, SHOT), and the wider Ferdinand Collective group.
About You
* Experience as a Club Secretary, Chairman, or in Sports Administration/Governance is highly desirable.
* Organised, detail‑oriented, and diplomatic.
* Passionate about social value and community sport.
Benefits
* Lead a high‑profile regional organisation.
* Work directly with high‑level partners and ambassadors.
* Paid Coaching: Access to paid coaching hours if qualified.
Strategic Funding & Grants Director / Lead
Title: Strategic Funding & Grants Director / Lead (Volunteer)
The Opportunity We are sitting on a massive opportunity. As a fast‑growing CIC with a powerful social mission, we are currently under‑utilising our ability to access grant funding. We need a dedicated Lead to unlock this potential. You will identify, write, and manage bids that will fund life‑changing community projects we currently cannot afford to run.
Key Responsibilities
* Grant Strategy (Priority): Identify untapped funding streams (Sport England, National Lottery, Football Foundation, Local Council Grants) that align with our mission.
* Bid Writing: Lead the writing and submission of grant applications to fund initiatives like "Free Football for Low‑Income Families" or "Girls‑Only Activators."
* Impact Reporting: Work with the Community Lead to gather data and stories that prove our impact to funders.
* Sustainability: secure long‑term funding partners to reduce reliance on player subscriptions.
About You
* Experience in Fundraising, Bid Writing, or Grant Management (Charity or Public Sector).
* Excellent written communication and storytelling skills.
* Understanding of the funding landscape for sport/community projects.
Benefits
* Directly unlock the funds that change children's lives.
* Paid Coaching: Access to paid coaching hours if qualified.
Finance & Commercial Director / Lead
Title: Finance & Commercial Director / Lead (Volunteer)
The Opportunity We are a "business with a massive heart." We need a financially savvy Lead to ensure our model is sustainable so we can maximise our reinvestment into the community. While the Funding Lead focuses on grants, you will focus on the business model, sponsorship, and financial health.
Key Responsibilities
* Financial Health: Oversee budgeting, cash flow forecasting, and financial reporting for the CIC.
* Commercial Partnerships: Identify and secure corporate sponsorships and local business partners to subsidise community places.
* Sustainability: Ensure the financial viability of new hub launches and expansion projects.
* Pricing Strategy: Model pricing structures that ensure affordability for parents while maintaining CIC sustainability.
About You
* Background in Accountancy, Finance (CFO/Finance Director), or Commercial Management.
* Strategic thinker who understands how to balance profit with purpose.
Benefits
* Apply your financial expertise to a social cause.
* Network with local business leaders and sponsors.
* Paid Coaching: Access to paid coaching hours if qualified.
Marketing & Communications Director / Lead
Title: Marketing & Communications Director / Lead (Volunteer)
The Opportunity Help us tell the story of "Building the Person." We need a creative leader to capture the joy, resilience, and community spirit of our sessions and share it with the world.
Key Responsibilities
* Brand Management: Champion the Ferdinand Collective brand and identity across East Anglia.
* Acquisition & Retention: Develop campaigns to drive player recruitment for new hubs and retain existing members.
* Digital Presence: Oversee social media strategy, PR, and website content.
* Community Storytelling: Showcase our impact stories to parents, schools, and partners.
About You
* Experience in Marketing, Brand Strategy, PR, or Digital Media.
* Creative, energetic, and passionate about storytelling.
Benefits
* Build a portfolio of successful community‑driven campaigns.
* Paid Coaching: Access to paid coaching hours if qualified.
Director / Lead of Coaching & Football Development
Title: Director / Lead of Coaching & Football Development (Volunteer Board Role)
The Opportunity Are you a football purist who believes in holistic development? This is your chance to be the "Guardian of the Game" for 1,000+ players, ensuring our curriculum builds good people, not just good players.
Key Responsibilities
* Curriculum: Oversee the coaching syllabus across all ages (Sparks to Academy), ensuring consistent delivery of the Ferdinand Collective ethos.
* Pathways: Lead the launch and strategy for our new FC Academy and JPL Teams, as well as recreational pathways.
* Coach Development: Drive the FC Coach Development Programme (CDP), mentoring lead coaches and ensuring high standards.
* Philosophy: Ensure player welfare and character development remain at the heart of every session.
About You
* UEFA B or A License Coach (or equivalent experience).
* Experience in Academy management or Coach Education (FA Tutor etc.).
* Passionate about "Football for All."
Benefits
* Paid Coaching: While the Board role is voluntary, any coaching hours you personally deliver are PAID.
* Shape the footballing philosophy of a major regional provider.
Regional Delivery Coaches
Title: Regional Delivery Lead (Volunteer / Hybrid)
The Opportunity We are looking for entrepreneurial leaders to "own" specific territories. Acting as a "Mini‑MD" for your region, you will consolidate existing sessions to build density and drive the launch of new hubs in high‑demand areas.
We are recruiting for 3 Strategic Regions:
* North Cambridge & Ely: (Focus: Ely, Histon, Northstowe, Orchard Park)
* West Suffolk & Borders: (Focus: Mildenhall, Fordham, Isleham, Newmarket, Bury St Edmunds)
* South & West Cambridge: (Focus: Cambridge City South, Cambourne, West Villages)
Key Responsibilities
* Growth: Scout new venues and drive local recruitment for Sparks & Hubs sessions.
* Consolidation: Optimize current sessions (e.g., merging groups in Fordham/Mildenhall) to ensure efficiency.
* Operations: Manage local kit, equipment, and coach scheduling within your region.
* Representation: Be the local face of CWS Ferdinand Collective for parents and schools in your patch.
About You
* Highly organised self‑starter with local knowledge of your specific region.
* Passion for grassroots sport and community building.
* Ideally an experienced Coach or Operations Manager.
The "Hybrid" Benefit
* Paid Coaching: This role is perfect for someone who wants to lead and deliver. You will be PAID for all coaching hours you deliver in your region, while gaining senior operational experience leading the territory.
Seniority Level
Executive
Employment Type
Volunteer
Job Function
Business Development and Sales
Industries
Sports Teams and Clubs
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