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Community Development Manager
Manchester City
City Football Group (CFG) is the holding company established to oversee the creation and administration of a network of linked clubs and other footballing operations under the aegis of Manchester City.
Job Posted- 23 Oct 2025
Status- Full Time
Location- United Arab Emirates, UAE
Closing date- 3 Nov 2025
The Role
We are seeking a proactive and results-driven Community Development Manager to lead the growth, quality, and sustainability of our community-based programs across Abu Dhabi, UAE. This role will oversee the management of existing initiatives and teams, while also identifying and securing new business opportunities to expand impact. The successful candidate will bring strong expertise in community engagement, partnership development, and contract acquisition, along with excellent financial acumen and a passion for delivering meaningful social outcomes through sport and community initiatives.
Reporting to the Head of Football Operations MENA, the Community Development Manager will lead on bid management, program delivery, and stakeholder engagement to ensure operational excellence and long-term sustainability. This includes driving performance against financial and impact targets, fostering local partnerships with government bodies, NGOs, and schools, and ensuring all programs reflect the organization’s values of inclusion, wellbeing, and empowerment. The role offers the opportunity to make a lasting difference across communities in the UAE and wider region through strategic, high-quality program delivery.
The Perks
The role carries a competitive salary with the following benefits: Housing, Medical cover, Transport Allowance Flights and Visa.
Your Impact
- Business Development & Bid Management
Lead the full bid and proposal process, identify new opportunities, monitor market trends, and maintain a strong pipeline of potential projects and funding.
- Program & Contract Management
Oversee community program delivery, ensuring compliance, quality, and impact. Work with internal teams to design scalable programs aligned with UAE priorities such as sustainability, youth empowerment, and inclusion.
- Financial & Target Performance
Manage budgets effectively, monitor income and expenditure, and support the achievement of financial growth and sustainability targets.
- Stakeholder Engagement & Representation
Represent the organisation at events and meetings, build strong partnerships with local and regional stakeholders, and maintain effective communication with funders and partners.
- Strategic Planning & Reporting
Contribute to business planning, track performance and impact, and provide regular reports and risk assessments to senior leadership.
- People Management & Team Development
Recruit, develop, and support team members, ensuring they have the skills and resources to deliver high-quality programs.
- Regional Projects
Assist in delivering regional initiatives and strategic projects across the Gulf and Saudi Arabia, and support local activations and partners in the UAE.
What we are looking for
Essential
- Strong strategic and analytical thinking skills.
- Proven relationship-building and networking capabilities.
- Results-oriented with a focus on achieving financial and impact targets.
- Excellent organizational, problem-solving, and time-management skills.
- Bachelor’s degree in Sports, Community Development, or a related field.
- Demonstrated experience managing community-based programs.
- Experience managing staff or delivery teams.
Desirable
- Ability to work independently with initiative and accountability.
- International project or multi-market experience.
- Experience within football or sports-specific community engagement programs.
How to Apply
Please click “Apply Now” to begin your application.