DFY Sports
Academy Operations & Growth Manager
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DFY Academy Operations and Growth Manager
DFY | London (W10 based, Academy sites and partner schools in Brent) | Full-time, 40 hours | £30,000 rising to £35,000 after probation + up to £5,000 annual bonus | Start September 2026
DFY is a growing London-based charity founded by sports agency International Sports Consulting (ISC) using sport as a conduit to level the playing field for the next generation. We build confidence and life skills for children through after school programmes, holiday camps and DFY Academy, our football, basketball and dance programme, all backed by professional athletes as role models and mentors.
The role
You'll take ownership of the day-to-day running and commercial growth of all areas of DFY Academy, building its next phase: new sports, new teams, new locations. You'll work closely with our Programme & Safeguarding Manager, who also leads dance as part of the Academy.
Important: This is a growth role, not maintenance. We have expanded from 2 boys football teams 3 years ago to 12 boys and girls teams, 1 basketball team, 1 dance club currently and we want to continue that trajectory. You'll have autonomy, the backing of our senior team, and the chance to help shape what DFY becomes across London and beyond. The intention is for the role to develop into a senior management position as DFY continues to expand.
What you'll do:
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- Run football and basketball operations end to end: sessions, staffing, venues, fixtures, registrations and communications
- Lead and develop our freelance head coaches, setting clear standards for delivery and quality
- Grow participation: organising a pipeline of children coming on trial, new school partnerships, and launching our second basketball location
- Expand our footprint: help expand DFY into new areas of London and other parts of the country
- Work directly with DFY's professional athlete ambassadors, who bring mentoring, profile and inspiration to our programmes
- Build a pipeline of community partners and sponsors, including sports brands and kit providers, with the goal of securing full sponsorship for DFY Academy
- Track attendance, retention, capacity and income, keeping growth financially sustainable
- Manage parent relationships and expectations, keeping families informed and up to date on sessions, matches and Academy developments
- Support wider DFY programme delivery where required, particularly where Academy expertise, staffing or operational support is needed
- Uphold DFY's safeguarding, inclusion and behaviour standards across everything we deliver
What you'll bring:
- Experience running sports, education, youth or community programmes
- A track record of turning outreach into measurable participation, partnership or income results
- Experience managing coaches, staff or freelancers, with the confidence to set expectations and give feedback
- Strong organisation and attention to detail across multiple programmes and priorities
- Experience working with children and families from diverse backgrounds, and a genuine commitment to inclusion and safeguarding
- A proactive, ownership-driven mindset, comfortable in a growing organisation where you'll build as you go
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Some evening and weekend delivery is part of the role due to the timing of training sessions and matches.
Package:
- £30,000 during a six-month probationary period,
- £35,000 on successful completion of probation.
- Annual bonus of up to £5,000, linked to participant growth and sustainable income targets
- 20 days' annual leave + 8 bank holidays and a Christmas shutdown (normally + 3 to 4 days)
- Pension contribution in line with DFY policies
- Free places at DFY holiday camps for your children
- Invitations to selected ISC events, socials and sporting fixtures, with family tickets where available
- Regular mentoring, professional development, and opportunities to collaborate with professional athletes and the ISC and DFY ambassador network
The role is subject to an enhanced DBS check and proof of right to work in the UK.
DFY is a registered charity in England and Wales, no. 1152812.
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