Join our team: We’re seeking new Head of Development and Participation

Thursday 5th June 2025

Head of Development & Participation

Responsible to: Chief Executive Officer

Line management responsibilities:National Club Managers (x3); National Community Impact Manager; jogscotland Programme Manager

Responsible for: Leading the effective delivery of the ‘Clubs and Pathways’ and ‘Community Impact and Health’ pillars of the scottishathletics strategy.

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Full vacancy details on our Jobs in Athletics section

About Us

scottishathletics is the national governing body for athletics in Scotland. Our vision is for everyone in Scotland to have the opportunity to participate in athletics and running and to achieve their personal ambitions.

Our mission is to deliver an integrated, inclusive and adaptable model of athletics and running provision that inspires everyone in Scotland to enjoy the sport and experience personal success.

Equality, diversity, and inclusion are at the heart of the work that scottishathletics leads, and the organisation works closely with all stakeholders in athletics across Scotland, to continue improving diversity and create an inclusive culture in the sport, and to be reflective of Scottish society.

Our strategy, Building a Culture of Success (2023-2027), captures the breadth of work that scottishathletics facilitates, from supporting performance athletes on the world stage to providing opportunities for people to participate in the sport within their local community.

About the Role

The Head of Development and Participation is a key role in the Senior Management Team at scottishathletics leading on the delivery of two of the five key pillars within our strategy.

Leading an experienced team, the postholder will assume responsibility for supporting the development of our member clubs, the evolution of our community impact and health programmes, and the delivery of our National Facilities Strategy.

The role is required to work closely and effectively with other departments across the organisation and is pivotal in supporting the delivery of our work with Scottish Action for Mental Health, Athletics Trust Scotland and other key partners.

With the Commonwealth Games in Glasgow in 2026 and the implementation of several key projects in the Development and Community Impact teams in 2025, this is an outstanding opportunity to work in a forward thinking and thriving sport.

About You

We are looking for an innovative and forward-thinking leader with a passion for developing athletics and running in Scotland, and positively changing lives through sport.

You will have experience of developing clubs and volunteers in sport, knowledge of equality, diversity and inclusion work in sport to address underrepresentation, and a proven track record of implementing an evolving services to meet the needs and aspirations of members.

Excellent inter-personal skills are essential along with evidence of your ability to build effective relationships internally and externally.

Staff

scottishathletics employs 32 members of staff and 19 Club Together Officers.

Place of Work

Hybrid working. The scottishathletics head office is based at Laurie Liddell Clubhouse, Peffermill Playing Fields, 42 Peffermill Road, Edinburgh, EH16 5LL. scottishathletics also has an office within the Emirates Arena, 1000 London Road, Glasgow, G40 3HG.

Salary

The starting salary offered for the post will be £45,000 per annum. Annual pay awards will be made in accordance with the salary review procedures agreed by the scottishathletics Board of Directors.

Notice

This post carries a three-month period to terminate employment after the satisfactory completion of the probationary period.

Application Process

Applicants should apply by submitting the application form, a covering letter (addressing how the applicant’s skills and expertise fit with the job role and candidate specification) and the equal opportunities form, to opportunities@scottishathletics.org.uk.

The closing date for applications is noon on Wednesday 25 June 2025. It is expected that interviews will take place on the week beginning 14 July 2025.