Virgil Sports
Director of International Grant Funding – UK
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Location: Remote — UK-based preferred
Reports To: Director Football, Virgil Sports
Employment Type: Senior Freelance Consultant / Project-Based
Compensation: Commission-based compensation: 5–10% of grants successfully secured, uncapped. The more you raise, the more you earn — there is no ceiling.
Application Deadline: Rolling — early applications encouraged
About Virgil Sports
Virgil Sports is an international youth football development organisation headquartered in South Asia, operating multiple club branches, junior leagues, and community football programmes across several cities. Backed by national corporate sponsors and a growing media profile, we use football as a genuine tool for social change — developing young talent, empowering women and girls, and building community infrastructure from the ground up.
We are now expanding our international footprint and are seeking a senior UK-based Grant Writer to lead our fundraising efforts with British and international funders. This is a strategic role, not an administrative one. You will be a key part of our leadership team's effort to secure long-term, sustainable funding that accelerates our impact.
The Role
You will identify, develop, and secure major grants to fund a portfolio of high-priority projects. Key funding areas include:
- Inner City & Community Engagement: Programmes that use football to engage and empower young people in urban communities.
- Women's & Girls' Football: Expanding female football pathways from grassroots participation to elite development.
- Infrastructure & Facility Development: Capital grant applications to fund football facilities and community hubs.
- Events & Promotions: Funding for high-profile events and campaigns that raise the organisation's profile and drive participation.
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Key Responsibilities
- Strategic Funding Research: Identify and evaluate high-value grant opportunities from UK government bodies (e.g., DCMS, Sport England), major trusts, foundations, and corporate funders — with particular focus on the Football Foundation and the Premier League/PFA Community Fund.
- Proposal Writing & Development: Lead the development of compelling, evidence-based funding proposals that clearly articulate the organisation's mission, project outcomes, and demonstrable social impact.
- Stakeholder Collaboration: Work closely with club leadership, programme teams, and finance to gather data, develop project budgets, and build strong cases for support.
- Funder Relationship Management: Cultivate and maintain active relationships with key funders, programme officers, and decision-makers to build a sustainable long-term funding pipeline.
- Reporting & Compliance: Ensure grant conditions are met, manage reporting deadlines, and maintain accurate records of all applications, awards, and outcomes.
The Ideal Candidate
- Proven Track Record: Demonstrable experience securing significant grants in the UK, ideally within sport for development, social impact, youth work, or the charitable sector.
- UK Funding Landscape Expertise: Strong working knowledge of key UK sports and social impact funders, including Sport England, the Football Foundation, and the Premier League/PFA Community Fund.
- Exceptional Writing Skills: Ability to translate complex programme plans into persuasive, funder-ready narratives tailored to different audiences.
- Sector Knowledge: Understanding of UK funding priorities around social inclusion, Youth development, and gender equity in sport.
- Self-Directed & Organised: Comfortable managing multiple applications and deadlines independently in a remote environment.
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Why Join Us
- Real Impact: Your work will directly shape opportunities for thousands of young people across South Asia and beyond, with football as the vehicle.
- Strategic Autonomy: You will own and lead the UK grant strategy end-to-end, with direct access to executive leadership and a mandate to grow.
- International Exposure: Join an ambitious, expanding football brand with national sponsorships, multi-city operations, and a growing media presence.
- Flexible Working: We are a results-driven organisation. We measure success by outcomes, not hours or location.
Important Notice
This is a freelance, project-based engagement. The successful candidate will be engaged as an independent consultant and will be responsible for their own tax, National Insurance, and compliance obligations. No employment relationship is created by this engagement. Virgil Sports reserves the right to vary or terminate the engagement with reasonable notice in accordance with the terms of the consultancy agreement to be agreed upon appointment.
To Apply
Please submit the following to Steve@virgilsports.com with the subject line "UK Grant Funding Director – Application":
- Your CV or professional profile
- A cover letter (no more than two pages) outlining your relevant experience and your approach to grant fundraising
- A portfolio or summary of successful grant applications, including approximate values secured
We welcome applications from candidates of all backgrounds. Virgil Sports is committed to equal opportunity in all its engagements.
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