At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead the Women’s Technical Division, shaping strategy and overseeing operations for elite women's football.
- Company: Join The Football Association at the iconic St George's Park.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, free lunches, private medical cover, and flexible hybrid working.
- Other info: Access to event tickets and a supportive, inclusive work environment.
- Why this job: Make a real impact in women's football and drive strategic initiatives.
- Qualifications: Proven experience in strategic planning and leadership within elite sports.
Head of Women's Technical Strategy and Operations
The Football Association is seeking an exceptional leader to join us as Head of Women's Technical Strategy and Operations, based at the iconic National Football Centre, St George's Park. This pivotal role will lead the strategic direction and operational leadership of the Women’s Technical Division, working closely with the Women’s Technical Director to shape, govern and drive delivery of divisional strategy, governance, and the operating model that underpins successful football operations, major tournament planning, policy and financial planning. The role is contractually based at St. George’s Park and follows a hybrid working model with on‑site attendance part of the week.
Responsibilities
Divisional Strategy & Governance
- Lead the development, management and continual evolution of the Women’s Technical divisional strategy, setting clear objectives, outcomes and performance measures aligned to FA priorities and the wider women's game.
- Establish and own governance frameworks, programme management processes and oversight mechanisms to ensure delivery is prioritised, sequenced and assured.
- Provide regular strategic updates to the Women’s Technical Director, highlighting progress, risks, dependencies and opportunities.
- Chair the Division’s Research and Innovation Committee.
Operational Leadership & Oversight
- Lead the development and continuous improvement of the Women’s Technical operating model, ensuring clear accountabilities, effective processes and consistent ways of working across teams and programmes.
- Provide senior oversight of team operations across all England women’s national teams, ensuring delivery to a consistently high standard with appropriate support, escalation and problem‑solving.
- Oversee the delivery of cross‑divisional and cross‑departmental programmes, identifying operational risks and dependencies, and ensuring operational readiness for tournaments and major initiatives.
Tournament Strategy & Major Programmes
- Lead the cross‑divisional tournament strategy and governance for all Women’s European Championships and FIFA Women’s World Cups.
- Lead cross‑department tournament project groups for Women’s U17 and U19 European Championships and FIFA U17 and U20 World Cups.
- Provide senior leadership input to tournament planning, readiness and strategic alignment, including attendance at key reconnaissance activities.
Policy, Identity & Change Leadership
- Develop and deliver strategic priorities across Women’s Technical, leading high‑impact initiatives aligned to divisional objectives and fostering effective collaboration.
- Support and challenge senior leaders and SLT members to deliver against strategic priorities, providing project management oversight where required.
- Lead the development of football policy across the Women’s Technical Division, including player eligibility, contracts, loans and GBE‑related policy areas.
- Own and assure the Women’s Technical Division identity, brand and ways of working, ensuring consistency across teams and programmes.
- Create executive‑level presentations for the Women’s Technical Director and SLT to support effective decision‑making.
Financial & Resource Accountability
- Hold overall accountability for business planning, strategic financial planning and resource allocation across the Women’s Technical Division, ensuring budgets align with strategic priorities and outcomes.
- Oversee the Women’s Technical Strategy & Operations Project Manager’s delivery of effective budget management and financial controls.
Leadership & Representation
- Represent the Women’s Technical Division within cross‑divisional leadership forums and working groups.
- Champion inclusive leadership and a positive culture across elite women’s football environments.
- Execute additional tasks as required to meet the FA’s changing priorities.
- Comply with all company policies and procedures to ensure the highest standards of health, safety, and well‑being.
As part of the FA’s commitment to ensuring a safe environment for everyone in football, every employee will be required to complete a DBS check. The level of the check required will be based on the activity of the specific job role and in line with legislation and government guidance.
Qualifications and Experience
Essential for the role
- Proven track record of success in a strategic planning, business development, or corporate strategy role.
- Excellent project management and execution capabilities, with a focus on delivering results.
- Experience leading football or team operations within an elite sport environment.
- Understanding of tournament operational planning and delivery in a high performance environment.
- Experience working with a range of football stakeholders.
- Experience of complex and sensitive stakeholder management.
- Excellent communication and presentation skills, with the ability to influence and inspire stakeholders.
- Leadership experience, including the ability to motivate high‑performing teams.
Beneficial to have
- MBA or relevant post‑graduate qualification.
- Passion for elite sport and or football.
- Experience working in an elite sports environment.
- Project management qualification, such as PRINCE2, AgilePM, APM or equivalent.
What’s in it for you
We are committed to ensuring everyone can flourish in their roles. The role offers a competitive salary, a range of benefits and a supportive environment, including:
- Access to event‑day tickets at Wembley Stadium and regular internal events throughout the season.
- Free, nutritious lunches at Wembley Stadium and St. George’s Park.
- Free private medical cover.
- A contributory pension scheme.
- An additional ‘Thank You’ day’s leave, volunteering days, and 25 days of annual leave (based on a full‑time, permanent contract).
- A hybrid working model that offers greater flexibility.
We welcome applications from everyone and are proud to be an equal opportunities employer. If you have any particular requirements in respect of the recruitment or interview process, please mention this during your application.
Head of Women's Technical Strategy and Operations The Football in Burton upon Trent employer: Kick it Out
Kick It Out is an exceptional employer dedicated to fostering a positive work culture where passion for sport meets personal development. As a Football Education Coach, you will not only enjoy a competitive salary and generous annual leave but also have the unique opportunity to inspire and mentor young people in South London, making a meaningful impact in their lives. With a focus on growth and community engagement, this role offers a rewarding experience for those looking to contribute to youth development through football.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Head of Women's Technical Strategy and Operations The Football in Burton upon Trent
✨Dive Into Corporate Strategy Communities
Get yourself involved in online communities or forums focused on corporate strategy. Places like LinkedIn groups or specific Slack channels can hook you up with industry insights, trends, and many potential job leads. Don't hesitate to share your thoughts or ask questions; it’ll boost your visibility!
✨Attend Industry Conferences and Events
Keep an eye out for corporate strategy conferences or networking events in your area (or online!). These gatherings are gold mines for meeting hiring managers and making impactful connections. Plus, having a few good conversations can lead to job referrals at companies like Kick it Out!
✨Showcase Your Strategy Skills
Create content that showcases your knowledge of corporate strategy—think reports, blogs, or even video discussions. Sharing these on platforms like LinkedIn or Medium can demonstrate your expertise and make you stand out to employers looking for fresh talent.
✨Apply Directly Through Our Website
Don’t forget to apply for the Head of Women's Technical Strategy and Operations The Football position at Kick it Out via our website! This shows your genuine interest, and who knows, you might just land that interview in a matter of days. Keep your application focused on how you can add value to their strategy team.
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Us Your Strategic Thinking:When crafting your CV and cover letter, highlight your strategic analysis skills. Focus on past experiences where you've effectively assessed market trends or made impactful recommendations. Evidence-based achievements, like improving processes or contributing to significant projects, will help us see your potential for driving corporate strategy at Kick it Out.
Tailor Your Narrative:Don’t just send us a generic application! Personalise your cover letter by connecting your experiences and aspirations to Kick it Out’s mission and goals. We love seeing candidates who genuinely understand what we do; share how your vision aligns with ours and what you can bring to the table.
Highlight Relevant Academic Credentials:In your CV, make sure to showcase your academic background, especially if you have qualifications in business, economics, or analytics. We appreciate candidates who can back up their skills with relevant degrees or certifications, so don’t be shy about flaunting those achievements!
Utilise Professional Language:While we want you to be yourself, remember that corporate strategy roles demand a level of professionalism in communication. Use clear and concise language in your application materials, ensuring that your ideas come across as well-structured and sophisticated. It’s all about making a great impression right from the written application stage!
How to prepare for a job interview at Kick it Out
✨Master the Numbers
Corporate strategy often involves data analysis and financial forecasting. Brush up on your quantitative skills, and be prepared to handle case studies or numerical problems during the interview. We might get questions about how to approach market trends or assess the performance of a hypothetical company — so practice these scenarios!
✨Know Your Frameworks
Familiarity with strategic frameworks like SWOT, PESTLE, or Porter’s Five Forces can set you apart. We should be ready to discuss how we’d apply these tools to real-world business situations — maybe even relating them to Kick it Out. This shows we’re not just theory-happy but can articulate our practical application.
✨Engage in Strategic Conversations
In a full-time role like this, it’s crucial to show that we're engaged and informed about current trends in the industry. Keep up with major news and prepare to discuss how recent developments could impact strategic decisions at Kick it Out. This will demonstrate our passion and proactive approach to the field.
✨Showcase Relevant Experience
Whether through internships or projects, we should highlight any experience that relates to corporate strategy. Have specific examples ready to talk about how we’ve contributed to strategic growth or improvements. It's about showcasing our unique journey and how it will bring value to Kick it Out.
