Sports Development Officer (Fixed Term)

37 hours per week - Fixed Term to 31 March 2028

Interview Date: 22 June 2026

JOB PURPOSE:

To contribute to the provision of sports development services across Perth and Kinross, with specific responsibility for the management and coordination of support to people, clubs and organisations within a specified geographical area. The post holder will also have a lead responsibility within the team to deliver specific club impact projects that focus on making clubs stronger, sustainable, safe and inclusive.  

DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

Operational Duties

Key Tasks

Locality Lead

• Contribute to the delivery of the strategic priorities of Live Active Leisure and Perth and Kinross Council’s Sport and Physical Activity Framework through the delivery of service action and improvement plans.

• To lead and shape the delivery of the Community Sport Hubs Action Plan for specific localities within Perth and Kinross and support hubs to have in place their own action plans focusing on sportscotland’s five guiding principles.

• To create and develop sustainable Community Sport Hubs, with strong leadership, vision and governance that have the capacity to support their own sporting community.

• Identify, recruit and develop community volunteers for leadership roles within community sport, influencing the decision-making process that ensures the right people are in positions that can support others.

• To manage, implement, monitor and evaluate the Club Accreditation Scheme, supporting the development and sustainability of local sports clubs within each locality.

• To maintain accurate information on local sports clubs using a membership database linked to the accreditation scheme which will inform the strategic priorities of the service and shape our support to local clubs.

• Lead and support community engagement and consultation to understand community needs in relation to sport, physical activity and active recreation, using these findings to shape the action plans for the development of community sport. Adopt an evidence-based approach to planning, with an emphasis on impact.

• Work closely with key internal and external partners to develop a strong sporting pathway within each locality that is accessible, progressive and in line with community need.

• Liaise regularly with other locality-based LAL employees acting as the advisor relating to community sport. (e.g. Active Schools Coordinators, Wellbeing Coordinators, Operations Managers)

• To identify best practice examples and attend national events and training opportunities relating to the development of sport within community settings.

• Create evaluative reports highlighting impact within localities and across Perth and Kinross, providing quantitative and qualitative monitoring data and information as requested by LAL or external funding partners.

• Ensure that ‘Sport for Change’ and inclusion principles inform our practice so that sport is accessible to all within our communities. Work with key local and national partners to break down barriers to participation.

P&K Lead – ‘Club Impact’

• To act in an advisory capacity to Live Active Leisure and specifically the Sports Development Manager on matters relating to Club Support and Development.

• Liaise regularly with SGBs and sportscotland to ensure strong connections between local, regional and national priorities relating club and sport development.

• Working together with local and national partners, identify Perth and Kinross sports clubs with the greatest need for additional support.

• Develop, deliver, support and evaluate ‘club impact projects’ that enhance the sustainability, inclusivity, safety and growth potential of local sports clubs.

• To act as a link between Live Active Leisure and Perth & Kinross Sports Council in matters relating to the development of sports clubs.

• To providing funding advice and information to community organisations to support inclusion, sustainability and development within clubs.

• To support clubs to secure additional funding to help them to achieve aims and objectives within their own club development plans.

• Embed inclusion principles within Club Development projects, supporting an increase in the diversity of participants engaged in club sport across Perth and Kinross.

• Lead on developments and improvements of the Perth and Kinross Accredited Club Excellence Scheme (PACES) ensuring that data capture, terminology and minimum criteria is up to date and aligned to local and national priorities.

• Monitor and evaluate the number and diversity of participants engaged in Club Sport in Perth and Kinross, seeking annual increases as a result of ongoing development work.

• To support a ‘club mapping’ process where appropriate, ensuring the LAL and PKC facilities are used efficiently and effectively and club needs are catered for. 

• To contribute, assist and liaise in the planning and production of marketing initiatives which support the development of local sports clubs.

• To contribute to the delivery and coordination of specific events, initiatives and projects as determined by the needs of the service. 

(Full Job Description available online)