Income Generation and Innovation Manager
£40,000 - £46,000 yearly
- EFL (English Football League)
- Remote
- 13 Mar, 2026
Job Description
Post Title: Income Generation and Income Manager
Contract Type: Permanent
Workplace: Remote, Regional (flexible and tbd)
Contract Type: Permanent
Workplace: Remote, Regional (flexible and tbd)
How many roles: 2
Reporting to: Head of Income Generation and Innovation
Working Pattern: M-F, 35 hours
Reporting to: Head of Income Generation and Innovation
Working Pattern: M-F, 35 hours
“The EFL is about two things – great football competitions and supporting communities 365 days a year”.
The EFL is looking for a proactive, collaborative and committed Income Generation and Innovation Manager. The role will strengthen the ability of Football Club charities to identify, develop and secure local and regional funding opportunities through practical, hands-on business development and bid support.
More information is available in the downloadable Candidate Brief that is attached to this advert.
JOB PURPOSE
To strengthen the ability of Football Club charities to identify, develop and secure local and regional funding opportunities through practical, hands-on business development and bid support.
The role operates within the Income Generation & Innovation function and contributes to delivery of the wider funding strategy through regional and place-based engagement.
We are looking for two roles to be filled, each with a defined regional focus to ensure accessibility, relationship depth and responsiveness.
The role operates within the Income Generation & Innovation function and contributes to delivery of the wider funding strategy through regional and place-based engagement.
We are looking for two roles to be filled, each with a defined regional focus to ensure accessibility, relationship depth and responsiveness.
KEY RESPONSIBILITIES
LOCAL & REGIONAL INCOME DEVELOPMENT
- Proactively identify, assess and prioritise local and regional funding opportunities aligned to Club charity capacity and need
- Support Club charities to develop and submit high-quality funding applications
- Assist Club charities to move from small, one-off grants towards more sustainable, multi-year funding
- Support the development of place-based or collaborative consortia where this strengthens funding potential
- Encourage forward planning and pipeline management rather than reactive bid submission
REGIONAL RELATIONSHIP MANAGEMENT
- Build strong working relationships with Club charity CEOs, senior managers and funding leads
- Develop an understanding of local context, strategic priorities and capacity across assigned geography
- Broker connections between Club charities where shared learning or collaboration is beneficial
- Support Club charities to strengthen relationships with local partners (e.g. local authorities, trusts, health bodies and education providers)
FUNDRAISING ENABLEMENT
INTERNAL COORDINATION
- Support Club charities to consider how unrestricted income or local fundraising can strengthen funding bids
- Share effective approaches to match funding and co-funding
- Ensure consistency in how funding contributions are positioned within applications
- Work closely with the Head of Income Generation & Innovation, the Club Charity Support Team and thematic leads (Health, Education, Early Years etc.)
- Ensure regional funding activity aligns with national priorities and existing programmes
- Maintain oversight of regional funding pipelines and provide regular progress reporting
ACCOUNTABILITY & SCOPE
- Manage a defined regional portfolio of Club charities
- Contribute to agreed income generation and bid development targets (shared accountability model)
- Operate autonomously within agreed parameters, escalating strategic matters appropriately
- Regular travel across assigned region
- Occasional national travel for meetings and network events
- No direct line management responsibility
WHO WE ARE LOOKING FOR
KNOWLEDGE & UNDERSTANDING
- Strong professional competency in fundraising, grant development or business development within the charity, public or voluntary sector
- Educated to degree level or equivalent professional experience
- Evidence of continued professional development in fundraising or business development desirable
- An understanding of bid writing and how to support and train others with bid writing
- Able to operate across multiple organisations and regions
- Knowledge of statutory, trust and foundation funding environments is desirable though not essential
- Understanding of the Football Club charity landscape is desirable though not essential
TECHNICAL SKILLS
- Demonstrable track record of developing and securing funding from local and/or regional funders
- Skill in preparing and reviewing funding budgets and costings
- Ability to manage multiple funding opportunities simultaneously
- Strong written communication skills and attention to detail
- Able to build and maintain effective stakeholder relationships, including with senior managers
- Experience within sport for development, community sport or youth services is desirable though not essential
ATTRIBUTES
- Practical, solution-focused approach to projects and problems
- Strong organisational skills and ability to manage a funding pipeline
- Analytical, able to assess funding fit and feasibility
- Confident engaging with senior stakeholders
- Collaborative and relationship-led
- Comfortable operating within a matrix structure
- Able to work independently in a hybrid/home-based environment
- Lead by example by contributing to promoting the values of the EFLitC:
- We are passionate about people
- We listen to learn
- We continually improve
- We lead by example
INTRODUCTION TO THE EFLitC
The English Football League (EFL) is the highest attended football league, and largest single body of professional clubs in Europe.
It is responsible for administering and regulating the Sky Bet EFL, Sky Bet Play-Offs, Carabao Cup and Vertu Trophy competitions, plus youth and reserve team football.
A vital part of sporting life, both in the UK and across the globe, the EFL operates in some of the world’s most competitive, popular and successful football competitions, acting as part of the fabric of life for millions of fans and families.
EFL Clubs are truly embedded in the hearts of their 72 local communities, spanning the breadth and depth of England and Wales. Away from match-day, Clubs and Club charities interact seven days a week, 365 days a year, making a positive contribution to the communities in which they serve.
EFL in the Community is the charitable arm of the EFL (English Football League).
EFL in the Community (formerly the EFL Trust) was established in 2008 to support the ground-breaking work of EFL Football Club charities.
This network of charities across England and Wales uses the power of the Club badge to reach people who need help. They deliver a wide range of initiatives focused on improving health and wellbeing raising aspirations and realising potential – building stronger, more cohesive EFL communities.
Football Club charities engaged over 1.1 million participants last season and generated a total of £1.24 billion worth of social value across the full range of community initiatives and programmes.
It is responsible for administering and regulating the Sky Bet EFL, Sky Bet Play-Offs, Carabao Cup and Vertu Trophy competitions, plus youth and reserve team football.
A vital part of sporting life, both in the UK and across the globe, the EFL operates in some of the world’s most competitive, popular and successful football competitions, acting as part of the fabric of life for millions of fans and families.
EFL Clubs are truly embedded in the hearts of their 72 local communities, spanning the breadth and depth of England and Wales. Away from match-day, Clubs and Club charities interact seven days a week, 365 days a year, making a positive contribution to the communities in which they serve.
EFL in the Community is the charitable arm of the EFL (English Football League).
EFL in the Community (formerly the EFL Trust) was established in 2008 to support the ground-breaking work of EFL Football Club charities.
This network of charities across England and Wales uses the power of the Club badge to reach people who need help. They deliver a wide range of initiatives focused on improving health and wellbeing raising aspirations and realising potential – building stronger, more cohesive EFL communities.
Football Club charities engaged over 1.1 million participants last season and generated a total of £1.24 billion worth of social value across the full range of community initiatives and programmes.
OUR TEAM AT THE EFL & EFLitC
The EFL & EFL in the Community offers a unique opportunity to work with some of the biggest sporting competitions, Clubs, commercial partnerships and media in the market. We look for the best people who approach their work with energy, excellence and commitment.
Our employees are crucial to our success and Equality, Diversity and Inclusion are fundamental elements of building our team. Each of us has an array of qualifications, skills and life experiences.
If you have any particular requirements in respect of the recruitment or interview process, please mention this in your application.
Our employees are crucial to our success and Equality, Diversity and Inclusion are fundamental elements of building our team. Each of us has an array of qualifications, skills and life experiences.
If you have any particular requirements in respect of the recruitment or interview process, please mention this in your application.
The EFL reserves the right to close this vacancy early should we receive enough applications.
About EFL (English Football League)
ABOUT THE EFL
Formed in 1888, the English Football League (EFL) is the world’s original and oldest league football competition. With 72 Member Clubs, it is the largest single body of professional Clubs in European football and is responsible for administering and regulating the Sky Bet EFL, Carabao Cup, Vertu Trophy and youth and reserve football.
A vital part of sporting life, both in the UK and across the globe, the EFL operates some of the world’s most competitive, popular and successful football competitions, acting as part of the fabric of life for millions of fans.
One of the highest attended league bodies in Europe, EFL Clubs are truly embedded in the hearts of their 72 local communities, spanning the breadth and depth of England and Wales. Away from the matchday, Clubs and Club Community Organisations interact seven days a week, 365 days a year, making a positive contribution to the communities in which they serve.
Formed in 1888, the English Football League (EFL) is the world’s original and oldest league football competition. With 72 Member Clubs, it is the largest single body of professional Clubs in European football and is responsible for administering and regulating the Sky Bet EFL, Carabao Cup, Vertu Trophy and youth and reserve football.
A vital part of sporting life, both in the UK and across the globe, the EFL operates some of the world’s most competitive, popular and successful football competitions, acting as part of the fabric of life for millions of fans.
One of the highest attended league bodies in Europe, EFL Clubs are truly embedded in the hearts of their 72 local communities, spanning the breadth and depth of England and Wales. Away from the matchday, Clubs and Club Community Organisations interact seven days a week, 365 days a year, making a positive contribution to the communities in which they serve.
The EFL offers a unique opportunity to work with some of the biggest sporting competitions, clubs, commercial partnerships and media in the market.