Development Manager - Maternity Cover

Contract:

12 Months Fixed Term, Maternity Cover

Salary: £32,000 (FTE) per annum

Full-time (35 hours per week) or part-time (minimum 27.5 hours per week):
Monday to Friday (with flexible working arrangements available)

Location:

Newtownards, BT23 4YH

What's it like to work at RYA NI?

You will join a team of eight who are passionate, caring, and proud of the contribution they make, supported and inspired by the volunteers, clubs, and organisations delivering sailing and boating in communities across Northern Ireland.

As a team, we are brave and ambitious, always open to testing new approaches and finding practical solutions. We value being visible and connected, regularly engaging with clubs and events to understand both the inspirational stories and the challenges facing the sport. This insight helps shape our work and ensures what we do truly makes a difference.

Strategic Leadership
Lead the delivery of RYA NI’s Development and Participation plans, translating strategy into clear priorities, programmes and measurable outcomes.

Identify emerging opportunities and challenges and provide development insight to the CEO and wider team.

Club and Affiliate Development
Lead RYA NI’s support for affiliated clubs, and classes

Help clubs identify needs and develop sustainable plans covering participation, membership, governance, volunteering, funding, facilities, inclusion and succession.

Encourage collaboration and sharing of good practice across the club network

Participation and Pathway Development
Lead programmes that grow, diversify and retain participation in sailing, & boating

Develop clear pathways from initial engagement to sustained recreational, club or competitive participation.

Work with clubs and partners to identify gaps and develop innovative, inclusive opportunities

Equality, Diversity and Inclusion
Embed inclusion across RYA NI’s development and participation work.

Support clubs and centres to become more welcoming and accessible.

Develop partnerships and targeted initiatives to reduce barriers and engage underrepresented groups.

Partnerships and Stakeholder Management
Build strong relationships with clubs, centres, Sport NI, local authorities, education providers, community organisations, funders, class associations, RYA and other key partners.

Represent RYA NI at relevant meetings, networks, consultations and working groups.

Funding and Programme Development
Manage funded programmes against agreed outcomes, budgets and timescales.
Support clubs to identify funding and strengthen their ability to secure investment.

Monitoring, Evaluation and Impact
Establish KPIs and oversee monitoring and evaluation of development programmes.
Use participation data, club insight and feedback to assess performance and improve delivery.
Report impact and outcomes to the CEO, Board, funders and partners.

Team Leadership
Lead and develop the Development and Participation team, setting clear objectives and priorities.
Coordinate programmes to maximise impact and effective use of resources.
Promote a collaborative, accountable and continuously improving team culture.

Communications and Engagement
Ensure clubs understand and can access RYA NI support, programmes and opportunities.
Develop effective ways of listening to clubs, participants and volunteers.
Support workshops, forums, roadshows and networking opportunities and ensure feedback informs future planning.
General Responsibilities Ensure programmes meet relevant safeguarding, equality, governance and RYA requirements. Manage assigned budgets effectively and undertake other reasonable duties appropriate to the role. This job description is not to be regarded as exclusive or exhaustive. It is intended as an outline indication of the areas of activity and will be amended in the light of the changing needs of the organisation.

The nature of the role requires the postholder to work in the evenings or at weekends on occasions.

• Demonstrable experience of club, community or organisational development, working effectively with staff, volunteers and stakeholders.
• Proven experience of planning, managing and evaluating projects or programmes, with the ability to monitor performance and demonstrate impact.
• Experience of managing budgets and resources effectively
• Familiarity with Microsoft Office applications.
• Data management and entry skills.
• A natural organiser, who is self-motivated, with the ability to work on own…