PA – Director of Professional Game Relations & General Counsel - 12 month FTC

About the Role

This role provides trusted, highly visible support to senior leaders, coordinating complex activities and engaging with influential stakeholders across the game. The post-holder acts as a central coordination point across Professional Game Relations, Legal & Governance and Football Operations, supporting two directors and their direct reports. It suits someone who thrives in a fast-paced environment and enjoys helping teams and leaders perform at their very best. The position is a 12-month fixed-term maternity cover contract, with the successful candidate required to start in early December 2026.

Key Responsibilities

• Provide high-level administrative support to the Director of Professional Game Relations and General Counsel, acting as a central coordination point for departmental activities and administrative operations.




• Act as a trusted point of support to the Directors and their direct reports, providing sound judgement, perspective and proactive support across Professional Game Relations, Legal & Governance and Football Operations to facilitate effective decision-making




• Collaboration and delivery of departmental priorities.




• Manage complex and frequently changing priorities across two directors' portfolios, ensuring competing demands are balanced effectively.




• Monitor and track actions arising from emails, meetings and committee or Board meetings to ensure completion and accountability.




• Manage diaries, travel and hotel bookings, expenses, and the coordination of meeting papers and agendas, providing full operational support.




• Provide business support to the Leadership Heads of Departments across the Legal & Governance and Football Operations divisions.




• Provide full secretariat support to the Football Regulatory Authority, Professional Game Board and other committees, including meeting planning, agenda compilation, paper distribution, minute taking, action tracking and maintenance of governance records.




• Build and maintain effective working relationships with clubs, leagues, professional game stakeholders and senior internal colleagues, communicating on behalf of the directors with their counterparts and other Support Executives within the game.




• Co-lead the planning and delivery of the annual Professional Game stakeholder conference, managing project timelines, delegate communications, registrations, venue and supplier relationships, programme coordination, budget administration and event execution.




• Manage budgets and raise Purchase Order Requisitions.




• Undertake additional tasks as required to meet changing priorities, and comply with all company policies and procedures to maintain the highest standards of health, safety and well-being.

Required Experience & Qualifications

• Substantial experience in a PA/EA role at director level.




• Proven ability to manage multiple senior stakeholders and their competing priorities simultaneously.




• Evidence of high-level diary and scheduling management.




• Excellent attention to detail and accuracy in all areas of work.




• Ability to exercise sound judgement and handle highly sensitive and confidential information with high levels of discretion, including previous experience working with confidential information.




• Excellent organisational and time management skills.




• Ability to communicate to a high level with internal and external stakeholders at all levels.




• Team and events coordination experience.




• Experience of taking accurate minutes at committee meetings and producing clear, timely and finalised meeting minutes.




• Experience of Microsoft Suite, including Teams.




• Experience of Adobe Acrobat.




• Experience of using board and committee portal systems to compile, manage and publish agenda packs and meeting papers.




• Ability to use own judgement, resourcefulness and initiative.




• Ability to work as part of an integrated multi-skilled team.




• Excellent verbal communication and written skills.

Preferred Skills

• Good knowledge and understanding of the men's and women's football pyramid in both the professional and semi-professional game.




• Knowledge of the wider football stakeholder landscape.




• Understanding of corporate governance principles and committee administration.




• Understanding of regulatory and disciplinary processes within football.




• Experience working within a legal, governance or regulated environment.

Workplace

• Hybrid working policy: team members are expected to be in the office two days a week (Tuesdays and Wednesdays), with the remaining days worked remotely.




• Flexibility on office days may be required from time to time.

Salary

Competitive salary

Benefits & Perks

• Access to event day tickets at Wembley Stadium, alongside a host of regular internal events throughout the season, encouraging colleagues to connect, learn and look after their mental health and well-being.




• Free, nutritious lunches at Wembley Stadium and St. George's Park.




• Private medical cover funded by The FA.




• A contributory pension scheme.




• An additional 'Thank You' day's leave and volunteering days.




• 25 days of annual leave (based on a full-time, permanent contract).




• A hybrid working model which offers greater flexibility.




• Unique office spaces under the arch of the iconic Wembley National Stadium, the home of English football, and a world-class Elite Performance Centre at St. George's Park in Staffordshire.




• Great opportunities to develop and grow in the role.

About the Company

The FA is committed to ensuring everyone can flourish in their roles, supported by unique office spaces under the arch of the iconic Wembley National Stadium, the home of English football, and a world-class Elite Performance Centre at St. George's Park in Staffordshire. The organisation is a diverse workplace aspiring to represent football across the country, and actively promotes inclusion and diversity, encouraging employees to be the best version of themselves at work. It welcomes applications from everyone and is proud to be an equal opportunities employer.

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