Community Heritage Manager

Sale Sharks Foundation is recruiting for a Community Heritage Manager, made possible through funding support from The National Lottery Heritage Fund. This exciting new role will lead the delivery of the Northern Force project — a dynamic celebration of Sale Sharks’ 20th anniversary of European and domestic success, spotlighting the club’s players, supporters, and enduring legacy.

The postholder will be responsible for implementing a programme of heritage-based activities co-designed with local partners in Trafford, Salford and Stockport. These initiatives will bring ‘rugby-inspired’ experiences to children, families, older adults, and the wider Sharks supporter community. The role will involve close collaboration with stakeholders across education, health, and community development sectors to ensure successful delivery against agreed project and programme KPIs.

ROLES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

Design and Delivery Lead

• Develop and deliver planned activities as outlined within the ‘Northern Force’ delivery plan.
• Run Heritage taster sessions in local schools and care homes.
• Procure and create necessary learning resources, designing and delivering Heritage learning activities.
• Deliver schools activation of 6 hours of Heritage learning activities across 24 local schools.
• Create and deliver whole family Heritage learning activities.
• Create and present a ‘pop-up’ Heritage exhibition to be displayed at multiple venues across the local area, including the CorpAcq Stadium on specified match days, local care homes, schools and museums.

Programme and Project Management

• Be the key contact for ‘Northern Force’ with internal and external stakeholders, developing working groups and project plans to effectively monitor and deliver against targets.
• Work with local organisations, linked to the project, to track and evidence output and outcome attainment.
• Create pathways into sustained heritage engagement for all project beneficiaries.

Stakeholder Engagement and Community Outreach

• Build and maintain strong relationships with key stakeholders who can add value to delivered activities.
• Facilitate regular communication and collaboration with participants, community groups, local authorities and other relevant external organisations to support development of activity.
• Work with external stakeholders and our Marketing & Communications Manager to oversee the marketing and communications of the project, incorporating strategies to engage, recruit and retain participants.
• Ensure delivered activity remains accessible and inclusive for all communities and groups, supporting and upskilling colleagues to do the same.

Line Management and Leadership

• Provide line management to casual workers or staff from other departments supporting project activity, ensuring they are fully equipped and supported to deliver their work effectively.
• Offer inspiring and effective support and leadership to team members and those working towards Northern Force, fostering a positive, productive and collaborative work environment.
• Lead on the development of a volunteer programme, empowering participants to upskill and share their experiences as ‘Sharks Heritage Ambassadors’.

Safeguarding and Risk Management

• Ensure the set up and delivery of all activity remains compliant with all policies and procedures, including health and safety, safeguarding and GDPR policies, supporting delivery staff to keep on top of reporting requirements.
• Ensure all activities are correctly monitored with appropriate assessments, health and safety and delivery processes and procedures in place.

Monitoring and Evaluation

• Commission and work with an external research partner to implement monitoring and evaluation frameworks to assess the impact and effectiveness of programmes and projects Prepare and present regular reports on programme and project performance to senior management and key stakeholders, including Heritage Lottery Fund.

Budget Management

• Oversee budget spend for ‘Northern Force’, ensuring efficient and effective use of resources.
• Monitor and track expenditure and ensure compliance with financial policies and processes.

General

• Support with any delivery needs, as and when required, across the Foundation.
• Any other level appropriate duties as required by the employer.
• Contribute to a cohesive Foundation team by fostering collaboration, clear communication and a shared vision to achieve common goals whilst celebrating achievements.

This job description is not necessarily an exhaustive list of duties but is intended to reflect the range of duties the post-holder will perform. It will be reviewed regularly and may be changed in the light of experience and in consultation with the post-holder.