Overview
Business Development Officer Jobs in Tanfield Lea, England, United Kingdom at Re:Play Sports Network
Title: Business Development Officer
Company: Re:Play Sports Network
Location: Tanfield Lea, England, United Kingdom
About Re:Play Sports Network
Re:Play Sports Network is a community-focused, not-for-profit organisation dedicated to removing barriers to sport and reducing environmental waste. We believe every child should have the chance to play, feel included and take part with confidence – regardless of family income, background or circumstance.
Purpose of the Role
This is a new, part-time contract role for someone who wants to combine a passion for sport and sustainability with hands-on business development experience. The postholder will have two connected areas of focus:
- Primary focus (partnership development): identify, develop and nurture partnerships with grassroots football and sports clubs, schools, charities and organisations in the waste sector to increase the acquisition and sourcing of second-hand football boots;
- Secondary focus (commercial support): support Re:Play Football's commercial sales strategy, primarily by helping to plan and execute online marketing campaigns aimed at consumers.
The role is expected to split roughly 80% partnership development / 20% commercial and marketing support, though this may flex according to organisational priorities across the six-month contract.
Key Responsibilities
1. Partnership Development & Boot Sourcing (primary focus)
- Identify and map potential partners — grassroots football clubs, junior/youth sports clubs, schools, sports charities, and waste and recycling organisations — who could supply or help collect second-hand football boots through boot drives.
- Proactively approach, pitch to and build relationships with prospective partners, tailoring the approach to each type of organisation.
- Negotiate and set up boot collection and donation arrangements, including collection points, logistics and any partnership agreements required.
- Nurture and account-manage existing partnerships to maximise ongoing boot donations and identify opportunities to deepen or expand the relationship.
- Work with the waste and recycling sector to explore diversion of usable boots away from landfill and textile waste streams into the Re:Play pipeline.
- Represent Re:Play Sports Network at relevant events, matches, tournaments and community activities to build the partner network and raise awareness of the boot reuse mission.
- Maintain accurate records of partners, pipeline and boot volumes secured, and report regularly on progress against sourcing targets through the company’s CRM system.
2. Commercial & Sales Support (secondary focus)
- Support the Re:Play Football commercial team in delivering the sales strategy for refurbished boots sold direct to consumers.
- Plan, build and run online marketing campaigns (social media, email and paid channels) to drive consumer sales and awareness.
- Assist with content creation and messaging that connects the sustainability story to the commercial offer.
- Monitor and report on campaign performance, using insights to refine future activity.
- Support ad hoc sales and marketing activity as required, including seasonal or campaign-led pushes.
3. General
- Act as an ambassador for Re:Play's mission, values and commitment to sustainability in sport.
- Work collaboratively with colleagues across the organisation, feeding partnership and market insight into wider strategy.
- Undertake any other duties reasonably required and consistent with the purpose of the role.
Person Specification
Candidates will be assessed against the criteria below at application and interview stage. “E” denotes an essential criterion; “D” denotes desirable.
Experience
Criterion (Essential/Desirable)
Demonstrable experience in business development, sales or partnerships — winning, negotiating and/or managing relationships with external organisations.
E
Experience running or supporting marketing campaigns, particularly online/digital campaigns aimed at consumers.
E
Experience working with or within the grassroots sport, football or sports charity sector.
D
Experience working with schools, community organisations or the waste/recycling sector.
D
Experience working in a small team, start-up or social enterprise where you had to be self-directed.
D
Knowledge
Criterion
E / D
Understanding of business development and sales principles, including pipeline management and relationship nurturing.
E
Understanding of core digital marketing channels and how to plan a consumer-facing campaign.
E
Knowledge of the UK grassroots football and sports sector — how clubs, schools and governing bodies operate.
D
Awareness of sustainability, circular economy or textile/kit reuse issues in sport.
D
Awareness and understanding of safeguarding
D
Awareness of youth sports inequalities
D
Skills & Abilities
Criterion
E / D
Strong interpersonal and relationship-building skills, with the confidence to approach and pitch to new organisations.
E
Excellent written and verbal communication skills, adaptable to different audiences including content creation, presentations etc. to clubs, schools, charities, corporates etc..
E
Strong partnership creation, development and account management skills
E
Good planning and organisational skills, able to manage a varied workload independently across a part-time schedule.
E
Comfortable using CRM, spreadsheet and basic digital marketing/social media tools.
E
Ability to analyse campaign or partnership performance data and adjust approach accordingly.
D
Personal Attributes
Criterion
E / D
Genuine passion for sport and sustainability, and belief in the Re:Play mission.
E
Self-motivated and comfortable working independently, including remotely, with minimal day-to-day supervision.
E
Proactive, resourceful and resilient — comfortable making cold approaches and handling knock-backs.
E
Values-driven that align to the vision, mission and values that drive Re:Play Sports Network
E
Collaborative team player despite working part-time and potentially remotely.
E
Full, clean UK driving licence and willingness to travel to partner sites/events as needed.
D
Terms of the Role
- Contract: 6-month fixed-term contract, part-time.
- Hours: 20 hours per week, worked flexibly by agreement.
- Location: Office-based or home-based, by preference; travel required for partner and site visits. Driving license required.
- Salary: £15,000 baseline + commission
- Reporting line: Dr. Gill Owens, Director
How to Apply
Please apply by sending your CV and a short covering letter (no more than one page) setting out your relevant experience and why you are interested in this role either on Linked In or to [email protected].
The closing date for applications is the 24th July 2026. Interviews are expected to take place w/c 3rd August 2026.
Re:Play Sports Network is committed to equality of opportunity and welcomes applications from all sections of the community.
