Location: St Mary’s Stadium and in Southampton-based school setting

Hours: Full Time

Contract Type: Permanent

Criminal Record Check: Enhanced with Child’s Barred List

Saints Foundation is the charity of Southampton Football Club. We support people in need throughout Southampton, providing life-changing opportunities to help our city and it’s communities thrive.

What is the role?

As a  Secondary School Engagement Officer , you will be working in our dynamic Education team and will be responsible for the delivery of Saints Foundation’s Secondary School Engagement programme. You will work within our partner schools in Southampton, using the power of the Saints badge to support those who feel the impact of inequalities most.

Through our education projects we work within local schools to improve attitudes towards education, raising the aspirations of young people and supporting their engagement in school life.

What will you be doing?

You will deliver full-time in an assigned secondary school, working in partnership with the school, to support referred high-need young people. You will be working with young people managing disruptive behaviour, disengagement and low mental health, providing the support they need to thrive.

You will do this by 1:1 mentoring on a 10-week program as well as small group interventions and extracurricular clubs. Your delivery will be tailored to be person-centric and outcome based.

As part of group delivery, you will run sessions on: Wellbeing, Emotional Regulation, Aspirations, Sports Leaders, Female Empowerment and Social Action. Extra-curricular clubs are targeted to suit the young people referred, for example, girl’s football club or lego club.

A key influencing factor for the success of the Secondary School Engagement project is the legacy work formed. The Engagement Officer and young people relationship is lasting due to its impact, and therefore, participants are often informally supported for a number of years.

You’ll also work closely with our Alternative Schools Coordinator and the rest of the Inspires team to deliver high quality events and competitions, provide impactful wider curriculum opportunities and to identify new initiatives to support young people.

You will be based within our partner schools in Southampton, whilst joining the rest of the team one day a week within the buzz of the Saints Foundation office at St Mary’s Stadium.

Is this you?

You are without a doubt a people-person who loves building relationships and being a positive influence on young people aged 11-16.

Person Specification

• Have experience engaging young people aged 11-16 with a range of specific behavioural or special educational needs.
• Be able to create and maintain strong relationships in schools with staff and pupils.
• Be a competent deliverer who is able to adapt a variety of sessions based on needs.
• Hold or be willing to work towards completing Level 2 Effective Mentoring

Desirable

• Experience working in a Secondary School environment.
• Experience of working with hard to reach young people.
• Youth Work Level 2 or 3, or equivalent.
• Multi-skills Level 2.
• FA coaching qualification.
• Teaching qualifications of any kind.

If you don’t hold the qualifications listed and are interested in the role, please still complete an application as we may be able to support you when in role to achieve this.

How this benefits you… 

If you are successful, you can look forward to a healthy benefits package; 

• Access to 2 free match tickets for every home league game
• Access to our staff Health & Wellbeing initiatives (Mental & Physical Health).
• Discounted Southampton Football Club merchandise.
• 25 days’ holiday per year excluding bank holidays plus your birthday off each year.
• Contributory Pension Scheme.
• Worldwide Travel Insurance for you and your family.
• Learning & Development opportunities - supporting you to develop your potential and achieve in your career.
• Free onsite parking.
• Cycle to Work Scheme.
• Collaborative & inclusive working culture.

How can I apply?

Just click on the link below, enter your details and answer a quick pre-screening questionnaire, then attach your CV.

The closing date for applications is 09 February 2026.

*We reserve the right to close this vacancy early, if a high volume of applicants are received.*