Community Engagement Lead

Company Overview

Preston North End Community and Education Trust (PNECET) is the official charity of Preston North End FC, a professional football club based in Preston, Lancashire, competing in the Sky Bet Championship. At PNECET, we employ over 50 full-time staff who all help to promote and deliver the life-enhancing work of the charity.

Utilising the power of Preston North End Football Club, we address the needs of our community and enhance lives through our health and wellbeing support, while providing opportunities through accessible education and connecting our community through positive engagement.

Summary

Preston North End Community and Education Trust (PNECET) is seeking a Community Engagement Lead to play a pivotal role in driving the strategic growth and delivery of our community engagement work.

Acting as the link between the Head of Community Engagement and the delivery team, the postholder will line manage Community Engagement Coordinators, oversee key projects, build partnerships, and identify funding opportunities to strengthen PNECET’s community offer.

The successful candidate will combine strategic oversight with hands-on leadership, ensuring that all community engagement activity is inclusive, impactful, and aligned with PNECET’s mission to connect our community through positive engagement.

Based at Deepdale Stadium, this is a full-time position offering a salary of £28,000 - £32,000, depending on experience.

Benefits include a laptop, pension scheme, up to 35 days of annual leave, and two PNEFC season cards.

Responsibilities

• Support the Head of Community Engagement in implementing departmental strategy and achieving strategic objectives.
• Oversee the delivery of community engagement programmes, ensuring all activities are effective, safe, and impactful.
• Line manage and mentor three Community Engagement Coordinators, providing supervision, guidance, and professional development opportunities.
• Lead on the identification, application, and management of funding opportunities through grants, commissioned work, and sponsorship.
• Build and strengthen partnerships with community organisations, schools, and local authorities to extend PNECET’s reach and reputation.
• Ensure that programme delivery aligns with PNECET’s #NorthEndTogether strategy and supports the Trust’s overall charitable mission.
• Represent PNECET at community events, partnership meetings, and local multi-agency forums.
• Contribute to departmental monitoring, evaluation, and reporting to evidence impact and outcomes.

Requirements

• Degree-level qualification in a relevant field (Community Development, Sport, Education, or similar) – essential
• Proven experience leading community engagement or outreach projects – essential
• Experience in line management and staff supervision – essential
• Experience in partnership working with local authorities, schools, or voluntary sector organisations – essential
• Experience identifying and securing external funding (e.g. grants, sponsorship, commissioned work) – desirable
• Excellent leadership, communication, and project management skills – essential
• Ability to work strategically while maintaining strong operational delivery – essential
• Knowledge of local community priorities and the charity sector in Preston – desirable
• Willingness to work flexibly, including some evenings and weekends – essential

Job Types: Full-time, Fixed term contract
Contract length: 30 months

Pay: £27,501.00-£30,500.00 per year

Benefits:

• Employee discount
• Free parking
• On-site parking

Work Location: In person