Senior Strategic Initiatives Manager

DEPARTMENT: Strategy, Transformation and Analytics

LOCATION: Stamford Bridge, with occasional travel as required

CONTRACT: Permanent, 35 hours, 5 days per week

JOB FUNCTION: Support the club, CEO and Management Committee in analysing critical business issues and structuring, sizing and executing new strategic initiatives.

MAIN RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Support on high-impact materials for senior stakeholders, including Management Committee meetings and Ownership / Board meetings – coordinating and working with stakeholders across the Club to translate priorities & activities into easily digestible materials in key forums.
• Own and deliver projects end-to-end, particularly those which require a strong degree of cross-functional collaboration – ensuring project delivery remains on schedule with optimal outcomes, with clear updates provided to the Management Committee at all times.
• Project manage challenging cross-functional projects to completion.
• Provide research, insight, benchmarking, due diligence and analysis, as requested by the Management Committee, on strategic projects across the Club.
• Undertake strategic reviews of existing business operations and help make and implement recommendations for brand and revenue optimisation as well as cost and budget discipline.
• Develop sound business cases for new and existing business ventures. Provide financial, market and strategic analysis to support each business case or recommendation.

MEASURES OF PERFORMANCE:

• Strong reputation across the Club’s leadership as a valuable internal resource for strategic thinking and robust analysis.
• Successful identification and delivery of new revenue generating initiative(s) or operational improvements.

PERSON SPECIFICATION:

• University level degree or equivalent experience.
• Additional qualification with a focus on Finance preferred.
• Language skills welcome.

• Demonstrable work experience in strategy consulting, investment banking or strategic role in related field.
• Demonstrable experience of utilising strategic analytical skills, including market situation/trend analyses, economic and P&L modelling and forecasting, scenario planning, go to market / roll out plans and operational feasibility assessments.
• Track record of strategic development and implementation planning, in a diverse commercial environment.
• Strong and credible presentational skills, having presented to senior management levels.
• International business experience an advantage.

• Analytical rigor, strategic thinker, ability to evaluate business opportunities and ability to deconstruct business problems.
• Advanced knowledge of analytical tools and frameworks, including issue identification, project structuring, data gathering and research, enabling end-to-end problem-solving.
• A creative, committed and resourceful team member who provides and is sought out for high-value opinions and recommendations.
• Strong motivational and interpersonal skills and with the ability to mix easily, work effectively and establish relationships both internally and externally across all levels.
• Excellent communication skills, as well as the ability to present his or her views in a precise and compelling manner, and the confidence and professionalism to represent the Club with style and authority.

OUR EXPECTATIONS:

• To embody the club’s BLUE behaviours (Brave, Lead, Unity, Edge) in the approach to work and interaction with others.
• To adhere to the club’s policies and procedures, including Health & Safety, Financial Authorisation, Confidentiality and GDPR.
• To act as an ambassador for diversity, equality, and inclusion, and demonstrate a positive commitment by treating others fairly in line with our Equality, Diversity & Inclusion Policy and reporting any acts of discrimination through appropriate channels.
• To create a safe environment and act to protect all young people and vulnerable adults that are either in your care or attending club premises, and report any concerns to the Safeguarding Lead.
• To report any misconduct or suspected misconduct to the HR Department.

Our commitment to Equality, Diversity and Inclusion:

At Chelsea we recognise that the diversity of our people is one of our greatest strengths and we are taking positive action to ensure our existing colleagues and job applicants can fully be themselves and bring their own unique experiences and perspectives to Chelsea FC. This means giving full and fair consideration to all applicants regardless of age, disability, gender reassignment, race, religion or belief, sex, sexual orientation, marriage and civil partnership, and pregnancy and maternity.

If you need reasonable adjustments made to the recruitment process, please reach out to your recruiter, who will be able to advise and support you.

Chelsea FC is fully committed to ensuring the safety and well-being of all children, young people and adults at risk (vulnerable groups). We therefore require all successful applicants to complete a DBS Check prior to starting employment. Depending on the role, successful applicants may also be required to undergo other child protection screening where appropriate.

This Job Description is not intended to be exhaustive; the duties and responsibilities may therefore vary over time according to the changing needs of the Club.