Equality Diversity and Inclusion Lead

Salary: Please state your expectations within your application

Contract: Full Time, 37.5 hours a week

Location: The City Ground, Nottingham, NG2 5FJ

Working Arrangements: On site

Closing Date For Applications: 19th November 2025

The Perks of the Job:

• Opportunity to access tickets for events at The City Ground.
• Employee Assistance Programme.
• Access to high street and gym discounts.
• Discount within our Club shop.
• Free on-site parking.

Job Purpose

Equality Diversity and Inclusion Lead (EDI) is responsible for developing, implementing, and embedding strategies that promote an inclusive, accessible, and supportive environment across Nottingham Forest Football Club, whilst liaising and collaborating with the Community Trust's initiatives. This role ensures the Equality Diversity and Inclusion Lead at equity, diversity, inclusion, and employee wellbeing are integrated into policies, practices, and workplace culture.

To oversee the continuous evolution and implementation of two key Club strategies – Equality Diversity and Inclusion and Mental Health and Wellbeing - across all areas of the Club.

To champion a diverse and inclusive workforce, and supporter base, and influence practice in all areas that embeds the Club's commitment to EDI and mental health.

To ensure continued compliance with the Premier League Equality Diversity and Inclusion Standards (PLEDIS) and UEFA Accessibility Guidelines.

Key Responsibilities

Operational Delivery:

• Embed inclusion and wellbeing into all Club operations.
• Report regularly to senior leaders and the Board on progress and outcomes.
• Act as the Club's lead source of expertise, advice, and support on matters of EDI
• Lead on the development, implementation, and regular review of policies and good practice guidelines relating to equality, diversity, inclusion and wellbeing, ensuring compliance with statutory requirements and football authority standards.
• Work collaboratively with the Chief People Officer to develop the Club's EDI strategy and support the implementation of departmental action plans aligned to the Premier League Equality Diversity and Inclusion Standards (PLEDIS); develop seasonal and long-term commitments that highlight, prioritise and advance continuous work both within our football functions, and non-football functions.
• Work with media and match day stewarding teams on continuous zero tolerance strategies with home and visiting supporters, developing clear guidelines on reporting and managing incidents of discrimination, harassment or abuse.
• Provide support and guidance across all operations of the Club for new initiatives, projects, and events that have inclusion or wellbeing implications.
• Act as the Club's lead coordinator for PL/UEFA/FA initiatives relating to EDI
• Provide advice, resources, and training to help staff embed inclusive practices.
• Collaborate with the People and Culture team to deliver wellbeing and engagement programmes.
• Ensure facilities and matchday operations are inclusive to all
• Lead on data collection, monitoring, and reporting of EDI and wellbeing outcomes, providing insight to inform continuous improvement.

Culture and Awareness

• Work to embed a culture of EDI and Mental Wellbeing across the Club, ensuring all staff understand their individual responsibilities to promote an inclusive environment and promote positive wellbeing for colleagues, players, and supporters.
• Collaborate with the People and Culture team to develop and implement inclusive recruitment, inductions, and ongoing support practices that value diversity
• Provide support, guidance, and direction to staff in respect of inclusion and wellbeing matters.
• Provide guidance on and review inclusion risk assessments; support staff to develop and embed bespoke assessments across all activities and events.
• Create opportunities for active feedback and dialogue with staff, players, supporters, and community stakeholders to review and continuously improve the Club's inclusion, and wellbeing arrangements.

Training & Education

• Design, deliver, or coordinate EDI and wellbeing training for staff, players, and volunteers.
• Develop resources and toolkits that support staff to take ownership of inclusion and wellbeing within their teams.
• Evaluate training effectiveness and encourage ongoing learning.

Case Management & Compliance

• Manage and monitor EDI and wellbeing issues, ensuring fair and consistent handling whilst maintaining an effective case management system.
• Maintain effective reporting systems and ensure alignment with policies and statutory guidance.
• Liaise with external organisations (Premier League, FA, UEFA, Level Playing Field, etc.) to share best practice.
• Proactively identify and mitigate risks to inclusion and wellbeing across the Club.

Matchday & Operations

• Contribute proactively to pre- and post-match meetings by providing wellbeing risk assessments, ensuring effective communication with all relevant match day teams.
• Coordination with other matchday club staff ahead of the match e.g. the Supporter Liaison Officer, the Safety Officer, Safeguarding lead.
• Work as part of the Welfare team at First Team home matches to oversee EDI and Mental Wellbeing matters, coordinating support and resolving issues as they arise.
• Collaborate closely with the Head of Stadium Safety and Security on post-match reviews, including follow-up, referrals, and any actions required to address EDI or Mental Wellbeing concerns.
• Provide cover and support for EDI and Mental Wellbeing provision at Academy, Women's, or Netball fixtures as required.

Skills, Experience and Knowledge:

• Proven experience in EDI and/or Mental Wellbeing leadership within sport or a comparable environment.
• Strong understanding of relevant legislation, standards, and best practice.
• Excellent communication, influencing, and stakeholder engagement skills.
• Experience developing and delivering strategy, training, and case management.
• Ability to manage multiple projects, maintain confidentiality, and drive culture change.
• Commitment to personal and organisational development.

Desirable:

• Mental health first aid qualification or experience in wellbeing.
• Knowledge of EDI in stadium operations and football environments.

Forest For Everyone

At Nottingham Forest Football Club we are committed to creating an environment where differences are respected, individuality is celebrated, everyone feels valued, supported, and included. Our goal is to ensure every member of our team can be themselves, contribute fully, and reach their potential without barriers.

Our Commitment to Equality, Diversity, Inclusion and Mental Wellbeing

As an equal opportunities employer, we welcome applications from talented people of all backgrounds regardless of age, disability, gender identity or reassignment, marital or civil partnership status, pregnancy or maternity, race, religion or belief, sexual orientation, or any other characteristic protected by law.

We continue to develop policies and practices that promote equality, diversity, inclusion and mental wellbeing across our workforce. To help us measure progress and hold ourselves accountable, we ask all applicants to provide accurate diversity information during the recruitment process.

Disability Confident Committed Employer

We are proud to be a Disability Confident Committed employer, taking positive steps to attract, recruit, and support disabled people. As part of this commitment, we work hard to ensure our recruitment processes are fair, inclusive, and accessible to everyone. We are committed to offering interviews for disabled applicants who meet the essential criteria for a role and provide reasonable adjustments at every stage from the application process through to ongoing support in the workplace.

If you are likely to meet the definition of being a "disabled person" according to the Equality Act 2010, you may be eligible to apply for an interview via the Disability Confident Scheme. Please indicate this in your application form. The information you share with us about your health or disability will not be used in recruitment selections.

Our Commitment to Safeguarding

As part of the Club's commitment to safeguarding, the successful applicant may be required to undergo a Disclosure Barring Service ("DBS") check or an enhanced DBS check. The results of a DBS check will be considered on an individual basis, and the Club will act in a proportionate manner when deciding whether or not to proceed with the appointment.

An FA Enhanced DBS disclosure is required for all relevant new appointments to the Club. Individuals will be asked to declare any convictions, cautions or reprimands, warnings or bind-overs that may have been incurred. The Club reserves the right to carry out risk assessments where content has been disclosed on a DBS disclosure if it feels that it is relevant to the job requirements. Failure to satisfy the Club and the PL's safeguarding requirements may lead to the job offer being withdrawn or, if they have already started employment, summary termination of the employment.

Health and Safety

At Nottingham Forest Football Club, we are committed to ensuring a safe and healthy working environment for all employees. In accordance with the Health and Safety at Work etc. Act 1974, you are required to take reasonable care for your own health and safety and that of others who may be affected by your actions or omissions at work. You must also cooperate with the Club's health and safety policies and procedures. Should you identify any health and safety concerns, please report them promptly to your manager or a member of the Health and Safety/Facilities team.