Operations and Development Executive in London

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. 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.

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. We also intend to hire an Operations Manager to support the Head of Operations and share the major matchday load.

The Head of Operations will oversee the first team’s training ground and Academy site operations, currently located at a third-party owned, nearby site in New Malden. The Head of Operations will play a key part in the club’s Development Committee, which comprises board members and trusted advisors.

Key day-to-day relationships include:

• The Football department and specifically Director of Football
• The club’s commercial team (for matchday hospitality delivery, ground hires, filming bookings etc)
• The marketing team
• The General Manager of our catering operation
• Senior figures at London Broncos Rugby League team and Chelsea Women

The successful candidate will also work closely with the Safety Advisory Group, MET Police and Merton Council, alongside the club’s Head of Security, as well as local resident groups.

We require someone with significant experience in the management of outsourced contracts for areas such as catering, cleaning and security.

Responsibilities include:

• 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
• Conduct performance evaluations and provide guidance for career development
• Oversee a range of partnership/supplier agreements, including catering, security, grounds management, soft services delivery including cleaning, waste management, pest control, hard service providers
• Oversee the maintenance team, ensuring that all stadium assets are sustained and maintained, scheduling works accordingly
• 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, and our partner Ultima, to ensure the reliability and security of all technology systems, including networks, systems, ticketing, communications, digital, visual and audio
• Implement and enforce health and safety policies and procedures. Ensure compliance with all relevant regulations, insurance, and conduct regular safety audits
• Lead planning and execution of capital improvement projects, contractor performance and vendor relationships
• Collaborate with internal and external stakeholders, including vendors, contractors, and local authorities, to ensure successful stadium operations

Qualifications:

• Bachelor's degree in Business Administration, Operations Management, Facility Management, or a related field is preferred
• Understanding of health and safety regulations, security requirements, PPM compliance standards, COSHH and facilities regulations is expected
• Knowledge of IT systems, security protocols, and facility management software is desirable
• Ability to develop budgets (and adhere to budget controls), understand P&L and financially manage a department is required
• Ability to work irregular hours, including evenings and weekends, to accommodate event schedules

AFC Wimbledon is a club with deep roots in its community.