At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead commercial and operational performance, enhancing supporter and sponsor experiences.
- Company: Join AFC Fylde, an ambitious football club in the National League system.
- Benefits: Competitive salary up to £65,000 and a chance to shape the club's future.
- Other info: Dynamic role with flexibility for evenings, weekends, and matchdays.
- Why this job: Make a real impact on the club's growth and community engagement.
- Qualifications: Proven leadership, relationship-building skills, and experience in revenue growth.
The predicted salary is between 65000 - 65000 £ per year.
Location: Mill Farm Sports Village, Wesham
Contract: Full Time
Up to £65,000
AFC Fylde is searching for an exceptional Chief Operating Officer to lead and drive the club's commercial and operational performance off the pitch.
This is a pivotal leadership role within the football club, responsible for delivering a first-class supporter, sponsor, and customer experience across every touchpoint of the AFC Fylde journey. Working closely with the Chairman, Director of Football and senior leadership team, the successful candidate will ensure the club's commercial operations continue to grow while maintaining the highest standards throughout the organisation.
The Role
As COO, you will lead all non-football operations across the club, taking responsibility for commercial growth, matchday operations, fan engagement, media strategy, and revenue generation.
Commercial & Revenue Growth
- Develop and deliver commercial strategies that maximise revenue opportunities across the club.
- Drive sponsorship, advertising, and partnership sales.
- Build and maintain strong relationships with sponsors, partners, and stakeholders.
- Identify new commercial opportunities and revenue streams.
- Oversee lottery operations and promotional activities to achieve growth targets.
Matchday Operations
- Lead the planning and delivery of all matchday commercial activities.
- Oversee ticketing, hospitality, and parking operations.
- Ensure sponsors, corporate guests and supporters receive a first-class experience.
- Monitor and reconcile matchday revenues and operational performance.
- Drive season ticket sales and attendance growth.
Hospitality & Customer Experience
- Work closely with hospitality teams to ensure exceptional service standards.
- Maximise occupancy across all hospitality areas and corporate offerings.
- Ensure every supporter, sponsor, and guest experiences the highest level of service.
- Continuously review customer feedback and implement improvements.
Retail & Merchandise
- Manage all club retail operations and merchandise sales.
- Oversee stock control, purchasing and supplier relationships.
- Work with key stakeholders on future kit and product development.
- Ensure retail areas are well-presented, fully stocked and commercially effective.
Media, Marketing & Fan Engagement
- Oversee the club's media, communications, and digital strategy.
- Ensure websites, social media channels and club content remain engaging and up to date.
- Develop initiatives to grow the fanbase and strengthen supporter relationships.
- Work closely with supporters' groups and community stakeholders.
- Support the delivery of community engagement programmes across the Fylde Coast.
About You
The ideal candidate will have:
- A proven track record of leadership and delivering commercial success.
- Outstanding relationship building and stakeholder management skills.
- Experience driving revenue growth and identifying new business opportunities.
- Strong operational and organisational abilities.
- Excellent communication and people management skills.
- High levels of attention to detail and accountability.
- The ability to thrive in a fast-paced sporting environment.
- Flexibility to work evenings, weekends and matchdays when required.
Why AFC Fylde?
This is a unique opportunity to join one of the most ambitious football clubs in the National League system. You'll play a key role in shaping the future of AFC Fylde, driving commercial success, and helping create an outstanding experience for supporters, partners and the wider football community.
Chief Operating Officer in Preston employer: AFC Fylde
AFC Fylde Community Foundation is an exceptional employer dedicated to fostering a positive work culture that prioritises community impact and employee development. Located in Preston, this role offers the opportunity to lead meaningful projects while benefiting from a supportive environment that encourages professional growth and collaboration with passionate individuals committed to making a difference.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Chief Operating Officer in Preston
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We think you need these skills to ace Chief Operating Officer in Preston
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Us Your Leadership Skills:In the corporate leadership and management field, it's essential to highlight your leadership experience. Use your CV to flesh out examples of how you've led teams to success or managed significant projects. We want to see specific instances where your actions made a tangible difference in your previous roles!
Quantify Your Achievements:Numbers talk, especially in management! When detailing your achievements in your CV or cover letter, don’t just say you improved team performance. Instead, say you boosted productivity by 30% over six months through effective strategy implementation. This makes your application pop and shows us what you can bring to AFC Fylde.
Craft a Compelling Cover Letter:Your cover letter is your chance to narrate your professional journey. We’re looking for motivation and a clear understanding of what corporate leadership means to you. Dive into your aspirations and how they align with the values and vision of AFC Fylde. Make it personal – we want to get to know you!
Tailor Your CV for Management Roles:Ensure your CV reflects the management skills that are essential for this role. Focus on competencies like strategic planning, team building, and problem-solving. Use a clean layout, and don’t forget to align your experiences with those keywords mentioned in the job listing. This will help you stand out from the crowd!
How to prepare for a job interview at AFC Fylde
✨Showcase Your Leadership Style
You’ll want to thoroughly convey your unique approach to leadership. During the interview with AFC Fylde, be ready to share real-life examples of how you've inspired and motivated teams in the past. Think about specific achievements that illustrate your strategic thinking and your ability to drive results.
✨Brush Up on Management Theories
Expect some technical questions related to management theories and practices. Brush up on concepts like transformational leadership, servant leadership, or situational leadership. Be prepared to discuss how you would apply these theories to the role at AFC Fylde, especially in the specific context of the challenges they’re currently facing.
✨Craft Your Vision for the Company
Since this is a full-time leadership role, spending time thinking about your vision for AFC Fylde could really set you apart. Consider potential strategies for growth and how you would lead teams towards achieving them. This shows not just enthusiasm, but also strategic foresight that they’ll likely be looking for in a candidate.
✨Emphasise Team Dynamics and Culture
In corporate leadership, team dynamics and organisational culture are everything. Be ready to discuss how you've fostered a positive work environment in previous roles. Bring up examples of how you've managed diverse teams effectively—this will resonate well at AFC Fylde as they’re likely seeking a candidate who can enhance their workplace culture.
