Professional Group Director

Organisation Overview: Formed in 2001 to improve refereeing standards, PGMO manages 600 match officials operating in the Premier League, EFL, Women’s Super League and Championship, National League and FA competitions. PGMO is responsible for recruitment, training, development and mentoring of all match officials.

Role Purpose: Reporting to the CRO, the Professional Group Director is a member of the PGMO Leadership Team and is accountable for leading the performance, standards and strategic development of the Professional Refereeing Group. The role is central to driving on-pitch accuracy and officiating standards across the Premier League and Championship, advancing PGMO’s ambition to deliver 12 ‘any game’ referees and increased international representation, and building a sustainable pipeline of high-potential match officials capable of performing at the highest level domestically and internationally. Professional Referee Group Managers, the Head of Assistant Referees, and the VAR Manager report into the Professional Group Director.

Main Duties: (Include but are not limited to)

• Leadership of the Professional Group: Lead the day-to-day operations and oversight of the Professional Refereeing Group, including Assistant Referees, ensuring high standards, performance and development across match officials and staff. Prepare Professional Refereeing Group appointments for approval by the CRO, supporting the delivery of high-quality officiating across the professional game. Foster a positive, open and transparent culture built on two-way dialogue, trust and mutual respect between staff and match officials. Oversee nominations to The FA for international appointments, supporting the ambition to strengthen PGMO’s international representation.
• Performance and Training: Coordinate training camps, including all pre-season planning activities, to support readiness, performance and consistent standards. Participate in and contribute to all meetings involving members of the Professional Referee Group, including those of the wider Professional Refereeing Group. Lead group-wide weekly performance coaching reviews to drive on-pitch accuracy, accountability and continuous improvement feeding-in on a six-weekly basis to the Performance Review Panel. Collaborate with the PGMO Technical Director regarding representation at Premier League and EFL KMI Panels, ensuring alignment between performance insight and officiating standards. Represent PGMO at the VAR Hub when needed. Collaborate with the VAR Manager to improve performance and strengthen the quality and consistency of officiating outcomes. Provide coaches and match officials with individual feedback, performance reviews and tailored support plans to enhance performance and accelerate development. Provide performance insights and guidance to support improved decision-making, standards and progression. Work with the Performance Support Director on performance-related matters to optimise readiness, resilience and sustain elite performance.
• Organisational Contribution: Produce reports for the PGMO Leadership Team and Board, providing clear insight on performance, standards and development priorities. Support the CRO in engaging with leagues and clubs and other stakeholders, including attending meetings and visits, to strengthen relationships and confidence in officiating standards. Provide communications support as needed. Contribute to the organisational goal of improving diverse representation in match officiating by helping create opportunity where high performance and potential merit progression. Attend and support the content for the annual PGMO conference and contribute to the wider development and profile of the organisation. Maintain the highest professional standards when representing PGMO.

Person Specification: (Experience, qualifications, skills, aptitudes, and personal qualities)

• Essential Qualifications/experience: Proven experience in high-level football officiating. Track record of educating sports officials with strong presentation and facilitation skills. Track record of identifying and developing talent. Strong ability to build and maintain effective working relationships. Good understanding of VAR procedures. Excellent communication and organisational skills. Flexible approach to work, with willingness to travel regularly and to work ‘unsocial’ hours reflecting the football calendar (weekends, evenings). Solution focussed, collaborative. Resilient and positive in approach. High professional and personal standards.

Safeguarding: PGMOL 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 subject to any relevant security checks as required.