Head of Operations

AFC Wimbledon is a professional football club with a story like no other. Reformed by fans in 2002 to continue 135 years of Wimbledon sporting representation, the Dons returned home to Plough Lane in 2020 to its stunning new home, the Cherry Red Records Stadium. The 9,000-capacity ground was funded predominantly by our own supporters, used for AFC Wimbledon matches, other professional sports matches, and community events. The stadium is the newest in the English Football League.

What makes AFC Wimbledon genuinely unique is who owns the club. Through The Dons Trust, the club is majority fan-owned - with every one of its 7,500 members holding an equal stake and an equal vote. Our men’s team play in EFL League One. Our women’s team compete in the FA Women's National League Southern Premier (the third tier). Our Academy develops the next generation of professional players for our first team and beyond. And the AFC Wimbledon Foundation delivers award-winning community and charitable programmes across south London.

The stadium is designed to deliver excellent facilities for supporters, players, guests and staff and boasts a year-round roster of men’s and women’s football, rugby league, as well as - more recently - American Football matches. Our conference & event schedule is also flourishing. AFC Wimbledon are proud of delivering an outstanding matchday experience, which was recently ranked 2nd= in the entire EFL of 72 clubs based on supporter feedback. We were also recently awarded a Gold standard award for Family Excellence in the EFL.

About the role:

• We are seeking an experienced and dynamic Head of Operations to be responsible for overseeing and managing critical aspects of stadium and Training Ground operations, delivering safe and successful major matchdays and events.
• The successful candidate will be expected to lead and oversee operations on the vast majority of major matchdays held at the stadium (approximately 40 a year).
• The role oversees a blend of in-house and outsourced services, including maintenance, security, health & safety, Reception, and IT team.
• We also intend to hire an Operations Manager to support the Head of Operations and share the major matchday load.
• The successful candidate will play a critical role in ensuring the smooth functioning of the stadium all year-round, with an obvious focus on major matchdays and event delivery.
• This position reports to the club’s Managing Director and sits on the stadium team’s leadership team.

Key Responsibilities:

• Align operational strategies with the club’s long-term vision and objectives.
• Coordinate and supervise the day-to-day operations of the stadium, ensuring all facilities and services meet the required standards and comply with regulations.
• Lead, train, and motivate a diverse team of operations personnel.
• Oversee a range of partnership / supplier agreements, including catering, security, grounds management, and soft services delivery.
• Ensure all areas of the stadium are clean, safe, and well-presented.
• Liaise with government bodies such as councils, SAG and Police.
• Oversee the maintenance team, ensuring that all stadium assets are sustained and maintained.
• Work closely with the in-house and external security teams to ensure the safety and security of all stadium visitors, staff, and assets.
• Collaborate with the IT team to ensure the reliability and security of all technology systems.
• Supervise the grounds maintenance team, ensuring the stadium's playing pitch and surrounding areas are in optimal condition for events.
• Implement and enforce health and safety policies and procedures.
• Work closely with event managers / coordinators to ensure seamless operations during events.
• Develop and manage budgets for operations, ensuring cost-effective use of resources.
• Collaborate with internal and external stakeholders to ensure successful stadium operations.
• Identify and implement opportunities for operational improvement, innovation, and sustainability.

Qualifications & Requirements:

• At least 5+ years’ experience in operations management, in a sports stadium or large event venue setting.
• Bachelor's degree in Business Administration, Operations Management, Facility Management, or a related field is preferred.
• Demonstrated ability to lead and manage a diverse team effectively.
• Understanding of health and safety regulations, security requirements, and facilities regulations is expected.
• Knowledge of IT systems, security protocols, and facility management software is desirable.
• Ability to develop budgets and financially manage a department is required.
• Strong analytical and problem-solving abilities.
• Must be able to demonstrate the ability to enhance the customer experience.
• Ability to work irregular hours, including evenings and weekends, to accommodate event schedules.
• Ability to move throughout the stadium and access various areas as needed.

AFC Wimbledon is a club with deep roots in its community. All staff are expected to act as club ambassadors and to embody our values of Togetherness, Constant Improvement and Resilience.