Head of Women’s Football

Job Location: Academy Training Ground, BR3 1NZ & VBS Community Stadium, SM1 2EY

Contract Type: Full-time

Deadline: 4th February 2026

About this role

The Head of Women’s Football will lead the recruitment strategy for the Women’s First Team, working closely with the Manager to ensure a competitive, balanced, and high-performing squad. The role demands a deep understanding of the women’s game globally, strong scouting insight, and budget management expertise. This role is key to building a squad that aligns with the Club's long-term vision and ambitions.

Responsibilities

• Lead all aspects of player identification, scouting, and recruitment for the Women’s First Team.
• Collaborate with the Manager and coaching staff to identify positional needs, player profiles, and squad depth requirements.
• Liaise with relevant stakeholders such as General Counsel, Club Secretary, Head of Football Ops, and HR Department regarding recruitment planning, player recruitment, agent liaison, registration, player ‘on-boarding’, and loan management as needed.
• Work closely with the Assistant Club Secretary and General Counsel to manage and submit all transfer and registration paperwork to the FA and FIFA.
• Utilise a mix of live scouting, video analysis, and data insights to evaluate domestic and international talent.
• Maintain strong knowledge of global women’s leagues and markets to identify emerging and established talent.
• Ensure all recruitment activity complies with FA Women’s Football Regulations, including age, registration, and international clearance rules.
• Act as the primary contact for Leagues and any other relevant stakeholders and represent the club at relevant competition meetings.
• Work alongside the management consultant and Head of Ops to manage the women’s team playing budget.
• Build relationships with agents, clubs, and player representatives.
• Monitor and assess the development pipeline from the Crystal Palace Women’s Academy.
• Monitor and evaluate the performance of the female programme including player pathways from Academy to 1st team.
• Act as a coach and mentor for other people in the department.
• Develop collaborative working relationships within the department and with other internal and external stakeholders.
• Set/agreed season and longer-term performance goals in terms of recruitment for the women’s team.
• Work towards achieving designated strategic actions to contribute to overall strategic objectives.
• Provide regular reports to the Operational Board ensuring financial budgets are being adhered to.
• Other duties and responsibilities as required by line manager.
• Uphold and promote the Club’s policies and procedures, including Health and Safety, Safeguarding, and Equal Opportunities policies and procedures.

Experience, Skills and Qualifications

• Minimum 3 years' experience in professional football recruitment or technical leadership role.
• Proven track record in talent identification and player acquisition, ideally within the women’s game.
• UEFA Talent ID Award Level 3 or above.
• In-depth knowledge of the women’s football landscape, including Championship and WSL structures, player markets, and FA regulations.
• Strong analytical skills with experience in data-driven scouting and video analysis tools (e.g., Wyscout and InStat).
• Excellent communication and relationship-building abilities.
• Flexible travel availability across the UK and internationally.
• Understanding of FA and FIFA registration and transfer rules, including Home Grown Player and squad eligibility requirements.
• Commitment to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of women and girls in sport.

Benefits

• Complimentary match day ticket
• Reward and Discount Scheme through our Tech Scheme and Simple Health app
• Health and Wellbeing benefit scheme
• 20% Discount in our Retail Stores
• Discounts in various gyms through GymFlex
• Volunteering Day - 1 Workday off to support a charity of your choice.
• Travel Season Ticket loan
• Holiday allowance: 25 Days

Our commitment to Equality

At Crystal Palace Football Club, Equality, Diversity & Inclusion is spirited and continues to grow due to the working environment, which makes all staff feel appreciated and welcomed. Crystal Palace Football Club does this by encouraging good relations and practices towards different groups and is committed to promoting employment opportunities that celebrate diversity. We are committed to attracting, recruiting, and retaining the most talented candidates and the club intends to ensure that everyone who wishes to engage with the club, whether as matchday fans, staff, players, board members, participants in Foundation programmes, and any other person engaged with the club's activities, has a real and equal opportunity to do so.

Reasonable Adjustment

We are proud to be a Disability Confident Employer. We guarantee an interview to all disabled applicants who meet the essential criteria for the role, ensuring equitable opportunities for everyone. If you require disability-related adjustments during the recruitment process, please contact DLO@cpfc.co.uk (DLO inbox is for disability-related queries only; if you wish to gain further information regarding this vacancy, please contact cpfc.recruitment@cpfc.co.uk). We are here to help you through the whole recruitment process including trying to apply for a vacancy, getting in touch with us through the process, and/or helping with access in case you are required to come in for an interview.

Safeguarding

Crystal Palace Football Club is committed to safeguarding and ensuring the welfare and protection of children and vulnerable people and expects all staff to share this commitment. As such, the post holder will be required to undergo any relevant security checks, including a comprehensive background check, Enhanced Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) to ensure the safety and protection of children and vulnerable individuals.