At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead and optimise football business operations across teams for maximum efficiency.
- Company: Join Nottingham Forest Football Club, a vibrant and inclusive sports organisation.
- Benefits: Enjoy event tickets, discounts, free parking, and an Employee Assistance Programme.
- Other info: We celebrate diversity and welcome applications from all backgrounds.
- Why this job: Make a real impact in elite sports while developing your career in a dynamic environment.
- Qualifications: Experience in football operations and strong procurement skills are essential.
The predicted salary is between 30000 - 40000 £ per year.
Salary: Please state your expectations within your application
Contract: Full Time, 42 hours a week
Location: The Nigel Doughty Academy, Nottingham, NG2 7SR
Department: First Team Operations
Reporting to: Head of Football Operations
Closing Date For Applications: 3rd June 2026
About the Role
Nottingham Forest Football Club are looking for a driven Football Business Operations Manager to lead the planning, coordination, and optimisation of all Football Business related operations. The role will oversee the sporting business functions between the First Team, Academy and Women’s departments and will have close ties with the wider Club Organisations’ infrastructure ensuring that resources, suppliers, and systems are aligned to deliver best‑in‑class operational support across all Football Departments.
The Perks of the Job
- Opportunity to access tickets for events at The City Ground.
- Employee Assistance Programme.
- Access to high street and gym discounts.
- Discount within our Club shop.
- Free on‑site parking.
Key Tasks and Responsibilities
Strategy & Planning- Oversee and execute a centralised procurement strategy across football operations
- Negotiate and manage supplier contracts to ensure best value, compliance, and performance
- Drive cost efficiencies across Football Opex Cost Centres
- Ensure the planning and implementation of shared resource across First Team, Academy and Women’s teams where possible.
- Drive continuous improvement in operational performance and service delivery.
- Establish clear governance frameworks for Footballing procurement and operational processes.
- Embed best practice in contract management and compliance
- Promote consistent processes, governance, and operational standards across all football departments.
- Collaborate regularly with senior stakeholders across all Football Departments to help develop drive a world leading performance environment.
- Stay at the forefront of industry developments, bringing innovative solutions into operational processes and delivery.
- Identify, evaluate and implement new suppliers to advance performance and operational efficiency in conjunction with department leads.
- Support the monitoring and control of football expenditure against budgets
- Evaluate all activities against a “best value” framework
- Lead the consolidation of systems and contractual knowledge to mitigate against contractual & financial risk
- Standardise processes across departments to ensure consistency and reduce the need for ad hoc payments
Key Focus Areas
- Cost efficiency and value creation
- Integrated Business Operations across Football Departments
- System and process optimisation
- Supplier and contract excellence
What are we looking for
- Proven experience in elite sport, football operations, or sporting business environments
- Hold a valid CIPS Qualification, working towards Level 4 or above
- Strong background in procurement, contract negotiation, and supplier management
- Experience working within high‑performance or Premier League‑level environments
- Strong financial acumen
- Experience of stakeholder management and delivery on key projects.
Personal Attributes
- Highly organised with strong attention to detail
- Commercially astute with a focus on value and efficiency
- Collaborative and confident communicator
- Resilient and adaptable in a fast‑paced, high‑pressure environment
Forest For Everyone
We aim to create a culture which embraces and celebrates our differences, enables individuals to feel comfortable, maximise their potential and eliminate discrimination. Nottingham Forest Football Club is an equal opportunities employer and welcomes applications from all suitably qualified persons, regardless of age, disability, gender, gender reassignment, marital / civil partnership status, pregnancy / maternity leave, race, religion/belief, sexual orientation, or any other legally protected characteristic.
Nottingham Forest Football Club is a signatory of the FA’s Football Leadership Diversity Code. We are committed to developing policies to promote equal opportunities and diversity within our workforce. To monitor our progress against these commitments, we require all applicants to provide accurate diversity data during the application process.
Disability Confident Committed Employer
We are a Disability Confident Committed employer. We encourage applications from people with disabilities and long‑term health conditions. If you need disability‑related adjustments to the recruitment process, please indicate this in your application.
If you are likely to meet the definition of being a "disabled person" according to the Equality Act 2010, you may be eligible to apply for an interview via the Disability Confident Scheme - please indicate this in your application form below. The information you share with us about your health or disability will not be used in recruitment selections.
Our Commitment to Equality, Diversity & Inclusion
Nottingham Forest Football Club is an equal opportunities employer and welcomes applications from all suitably qualified persons, regardless of age, disability, gender, gender reassignment, marital / civil partnership status, pregnancy / maternity leave, race, religion/belief, sexual orientation, or any other legally protected characteristic. Nottingham Forest are committed to developing policies to promote equal opportunities and diversity within our workforce. To monitor our progress against these commitments, we require all applicants to provide accurate diversity data during the application process.
Our Commitment to Safeguarding
As part of the Club’s commitment to safeguarding, the successful applicant may be required to undergo a Disclosure Barring Service (“DBS”) check or an enhanced DBS check. The results of a DBS check will be considered on an individual basis, and the Club will act in a proportionate manner when deciding whether or not to proceed with the appointment. An FA Enhanced DBS disclosure is required for all relevant new appointments to the Club. Individuals will be asked to declare any convictions, cautions or reprimands, warnings or bind‑overs that may have been incurred. The Club reserves the right to carry out risk assessments where content has been disclosed on a DBS disclosure if it feels that it is relevant to the job requirements. Failure to satisfy the Club and the PL’s safeguarding requirements may lead to the job offer being withdrawn or, if they have already started employment, summary termination of the employment.
Football Business Operations Manager in Nottingham employer: Nottingham Forest Football Club
Nottingham Forest Football Club is an exceptional employer, offering a vibrant work culture that champions diversity and inclusion while providing ample opportunities for professional growth within the elite sports environment. Employees benefit from competitive perks such as access to events at The City Ground, discounts on high street and gym memberships, and a supportive Employee Assistance Programme, all set in the heart of Nottingham, fostering a collaborative atmosphere that drives operational excellence across all football departments.
Contact Details:
Nottingham Forest Football Club Recruitment Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Football Business Operations Manager in Nottingham
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Get out there and connect with people in the football industry. Attend events, join relevant groups on social media, and don’t be shy to reach out to folks on LinkedIn. You never know who might have the inside scoop on job openings!
✨Tip Number 2
Prepare for interviews by researching the club and its operations. Understand their values, recent news, and how they operate across departments. This will help you tailor your answers and show that you're genuinely interested in being part of the team.
✨Tip Number 3
Practice makes perfect! Conduct mock interviews with friends or mentors. Focus on articulating your experience in procurement and operational efficiency, as these are key for the Football Business Operations Manager role. The more comfortable you are, the better you'll perform!
✨Tip Number 4
Don’t forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets seen. Plus, it shows you’re serious about joining Nottingham Forest and ready to contribute to our mission of excellence in football operations.
We think you need these skills to ace Football Business Operations Manager in Nottingham
Some tips for your application 🫡
Be Clear About Your Expectations:When you apply, make sure to state your salary expectations clearly. This helps us understand what you're looking for and ensures we're on the same page from the get-go.
Show Off Your Experience:Highlight your experience in elite sport or football operations. We want to see how your background aligns with the role, so don’t hold back on showcasing your achievements!
Tailor Your Application:Make your application stand out by tailoring it to our job description. Use the same language and focus on the key tasks and responsibilities we’ve outlined. It shows us you’re genuinely interested!
Apply Through Our Website:We encourage you to apply through our website for a smoother process. It’s the best way to ensure your application gets to the right people quickly and efficiently!
How to prepare for a job interview at Nottingham Forest Football Club
✨Know Your Football Business Inside Out
Before the interview, make sure you’re well-versed in the latest trends and challenges in football business operations. Research Nottingham Forest Football Club’s recent activities, their procurement strategies, and how they manage supplier relationships. This will show your genuine interest and help you speak confidently about how you can contribute.
✨Prepare for Scenario-Based Questions
Expect to face scenario-based questions that assess your problem-solving skills and operational efficiency. Think of examples from your past experiences where you successfully managed contracts or improved processes. Use the STAR method (Situation, Task, Action, Result) to structure your answers clearly.
✨Showcase Your Stakeholder Management Skills
As a Football Business Operations Manager, collaboration is key. Be ready to discuss how you’ve effectively communicated with various stakeholders in previous roles. Highlight specific instances where you’ve driven projects forward by engaging different departments or external suppliers.
✨Demonstrate Your Financial Acumen
Since financial oversight is a crucial part of this role, brush up on your financial management skills. Be prepared to discuss how you’ve monitored budgets, evaluated costs, and ensured value optimisation in past positions. Showing that you can balance operational needs with financial constraints will set you apart.
