Head of People

Head of People Reports To: Director of People, Culture & Operations Start Date: TBC Location: National role - with the option to work from any of FBB’s offices in London, Greater Manchester or the West Midlands Hours: Full Time Salary: £42,282 to £49,328 Deadline: Friday 26 June 2026 Who Are We? Football Beyond Borders (FBB) is one of the UK’s leading education and youth organisations. We exist to support young people from socio-economic disadvantage to thrive in school by building long-term, trusting relationships with adults who believe in them. We believe every young person should have a trusted adult relationship throughout secondary school. Since launching in 2014, FBB has grown into a national organisation working with thousands of young people across schools in London, Greater Manchester and the West Midlands. We combine relationship-based practice, education, youth work and culture to help young people feel seen, supported and successful both in and beyond school. But our ambition goes beyond programmes. We are working to help build a country where every young person has access to a trusted adult relationship - and where schools, systems and organisations are designed around belonging, connection and long-term development. As we grow, we are equally ambitious about the organisation we are becoming internally. We are trying to build one of the best places in the country to do meaningful work with young people: a relational, developmental and deeply human organisation where high standards and deep care coexist. That is where this role comes in. The Opportunity This role exists to shape the experience of working at Football Beyond Borders. As FBB grows, the challenge is not simply maintaining culture - it is deepening it whilst strengthening leadership, raising standards and building the organisational conditions required for exceptional relational work to happen sustainably over the long term. The Head of People sits at the intersection of: culture leadership wellbeing staff development organisational design and performance This is not a traditional HR role. It is a strategic leadership role focused on helping FBB become an increasingly coherent, disciplined, relational and high-performing organisation - one capable of sustaining exceptional work with young people whilst remaining deeply human. You will help shape: the quality of leadership and management across FBB the lived experience of working here how culture shows up day-to-day across teams how staff are developed, supported and challenged over time how we balance accountability with humanity and how organisational ambition becomes everyday practice At its best, this role helps build an organisation where people feel: connected challenged supported accountable developed and deeply connected to purposeful work Our Culture At FBB, our culture is rooted in three core principles: Connection, Autonomy and Mastery (CAM). We believe people do their best work when they: feel deeply connected to others and to purpose are trusted to lead and make decisions are supported to continuously develop their craft We are intentional about culture. Connection at FBB is designed, not hoped for. Development is scheduled, not squeezed. Wellbeing is held by the organisation, not left to the individual. We care deeply about: meaningful relationships reflective practice psychological safety accountability leadership development growth challenge belonging and collective responsibility We believe the quality of relationships inside the organisation shapes the quality of relationships young people experience through our work. What You’ll Do Leadership Development & Organisational Learning You will: Embed FBB’s leadership framework and management expectations across the organisation Strengthen the quality and consistency of leadership and line management Build manager capability in: supervision relational leadership accountability coaching feedback performance conversations conflict navigation Design and deliver leadership development initiatives, reflective learning spaces and management development programmes Work closely with the Head of Adult Learning and Training Team to support practitioner and support staff development through the Practitioner Training Programme (PTP) and beyond. Provide strategic input into practitioner development pathways and organisational learning Performance, Quality & Organisational Standards You will: Lead FBB’s performance management and appraisal approach Embed the organisation’s Quality Assurance framework across performance processes Help define and embed what excellent relational practice looks like at FBB Support managers to navigate: performance conversations accountability progression underperformance difficult conversations staff development Ensure probation, appraisal and progression processes are fair, developmental and high quality Strengthen organisational standards whilst protecting relational depth, sustainability and practitioner wellbeing Wellbeing, Reflective Practice & Staff Support You will: Lead FBB’s wellbeing strategy and staff support approach Embed Reflective Practice across the organisation Strengthen organisational approaches to burnout prevention, sustainability and team health Support managers and senior leaders to build healthy, high-functioning teams Help build a culture where people feel psychologically safe, supported and able to grow Support complex staff situations including: wellbeing support health adjustments relational repair staff support processes Culture, Belonging & Organisational Experience You will: Help shape and protect FBB’s relational culture as the organisation grows Strengthen a culture rooted in: connection accountability growth belief hard work relational practice Lead key organisational rituals including: residentials celebrations reflective spaces staff gatherings recognition moments Support identity forums and belonging spaces across the organisation Strengthen cohesion, alignment and connection across teams and regions People Team Leadership & Organisational Insight You will: Line manage and develop operational People Team staff Ensure strong delivery and quality assurance across People processes Use staff insight and organisational data to identify emerging patterns, risks and opportunities Bring proactive recommendations and interventions into leadership discussions Help ensure organisational growth remains sustainable, relational and high quality Who We’re Looking For We are looking for someone who: deeply believes in relational leadership and people development can balance high standards with deep care is an exceptional coach and manager developer can navigate complexity, challenge and difficult conversations with humanity and clarity understands how culture is built day-to-day through leadership, systems and behaviours is strategic whilst remaining deeply people-centred can connect organisational vision to everyday practice believes meaningful work with young people requires meaningful investment in the adults doing the work You may come from: People & Culture leadership Organisational Development Learning & Development Education leadership Youth work or youth sector leadership Coaching or leadership development Or a combination of these worlds There is no single “type” of leader at FBB. We know excellent leadership can look different across personalities, communication styles and lived experiences. More important than your exact background is your ability to build trust, develop people and help organisations become healthier, clearer and more effective. We particularly welcome applications from people whose identities, experiences or backgrounds are underrepresented within senior leadership across the charity, education and youth sectors. Before You Apply You do not need to meet every requirement to apply. If this role excites you and you believe you could contribute meaningfully to FBB’s mission, we would love to hear from you. Some of the best leaders grow into roles over time. If you are reflective, relational, ambitious and committed to learning, we encourage you to apply even if you are unsure whether you tick every box. Why Join FBB? Be Part of Something Bigger You’ll join an organisation working towards a country where every young person has a trusted adult relationship throughout secondary school. Your work will directly shape the culture, leadership and staff experience behind that mission. A Relational & Ambitious Culture At FBB, we believe: connection matters people grow through challenge and support leadership exists at every level wellbeing should be organisationally held culture should be deliberately designed and meaningful work should be sustainable over the long term We are ambitious about impact whilst refusing to lose the humanity, reflection and relational depth that make the work matter. Investment In You We invest heavily in staff development and wellbeing, including: reflective practice coaching and supervision leadership development learning and development budget mentoring and growth opportunities regular team connection spaces and staff residentials Benefits & Perks 40+ days annual leave (including organisation-wide shutdown periods) Wellbeing budget Employee Assistance Programme (EAP) Reflective Practice and clinical supervision Nike staff kit Access to football tickets through partners Dedicated learning & development budget Coaching and mentoring opportunities Team socials, celebrations and retreats Travel expenses covered for work-related travel Safeguarding at FBB Safeguarding is at the heart of everything we do. We are committed to creating a safe, inclusive and supportive environment for all young people and expect all staff to share this commitment. All appointments are subject to: Enhanced DBS checks Two professional references Safeguarding training and compliance processes Ongoing safeguarding CPD and learning By joining FBB, you are committing to upholding the highest standards of safeguarding and care for young people. How to Apply Please submit: your CV and a cover letter explaining why this role interests you and what you would bring to it We look forward to hearing from you. Department People and Talent Role Head of People Locations London Region Office, North West Region Office, West Midlands Region Office Remote status Hybrid About Football Beyond Borders At Football Beyond Borders, we exist to confront a growing crisis in education - one that disproportionately robs vulnerable young people of their right to thrive. In 2022/23, suspensions and exclusions in England’s schools surged by over 20%, with 32 million days of learning lost - equivalent to every pupil in two cities the size of Liverpool missing school for a year. Behind these numbers are real lives, futures, and systemic inequities we are determined to dismantle Founded in 2014 Co-workers 80 Turnover 3M