At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead and shape high-performing business operations for FA Learning, driving commercial success.
- Company: Join the FA Learning team at the iconic Wembley Stadium.
- Benefits: Enjoy competitive salary, free lunches, event tickets, and flexible hybrid working.
- Other info: Dynamic environment with opportunities for personal growth and development.
- Why this job: Make a real impact in football while developing your leadership skills.
- Qualifications: Proven experience in operational leadership and strong financial acumen required.
The predicted salary is between 60000 - 75000 £ per year.
The FA Learning Division are looking for a Head of Business Operations to provide clear, purposeful leadership of the Business Operations function, shaping a high-performing, commercially driven and service-led operation across a complex, multi-functional environment. As a key member of the FA Learning Senior Leadership Team and the wider FA Extended Leadership Group, this role drives commercial performance, ensures consistently high-quality and impactful customer experiences, and fosters a culture of continuous improvement and innovation to enhance efficiency and delivery impact.
What will you be doing?
- Own and drive the commercial performance of FA Learning, leading the delivery of domestic and international commercial strategy to maximise revenue, value and sustainable growth, underpinned by a strong values-led approach.
- Drive the execution of FA Learning's operational strategy, ensuring delivery is aligned to divisional priorities, financial targets and business plan ambitions.
- Translate financial and performance data into clear, accessible insight, ensuring teams across the Division understand the commercial position and drivers of performance, and can act on it.
- Maintain a clear and consistent grip on business operations, ensuring effective planning, delivery discipline and performance management across the division.
- Lead the development and management of strategic partnerships and suppliers, working with Procurement, Finance and Legal to negotiate effectively and secure optimal value.
- Set the standard for customer excellence, ensuring consistently high-quality, accessible and impactful experiences for learners and stakeholders.
- Act as the senior point of escalation for complex complaints, managing issues with professionalism and care to protect the FA‑Learning brand and reputation, and the customer experience.
- Inspire, lead and develop high‑performing teams, creating a collaborative, inclusive and people‑first environment that empowers individuals and connects people to delivery and purpose.
- Act as a trusted and commercially credible leader within the FA Learning Senior Leadership Team, influencing decisions and shaping outcomes beyond the immediate function.
- Build strong connectivity across FA Learning and the wider FA, particularly with key colleagues and functions, ensuring alignment and a ‘one FA’ approach to delivery.
- Ensure strong governance of partnerships, including clear service level agreements and performance expectations.
- Manage core course budgets and own operational resilience and business continuity planning for the division.
- Lead the continuous improvement of business operations, simplifying processes, increasing efficiency and impact, enhancing delivery impact across the division.
- Execute additional tasks as required to meet the FA's changing priorities.
- Comply with all company policies and procedures to ensure that the highest standards of health, safety, and well‑being can be maintained.
- 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.
What are we looking for?
Essential for the role
- Proven experience leading a commercially focused operational function, with accountability for driving revenue, value and performance across a complex, multi‑functional operation.
- Strong financial acumen, with the ability to interpret, translate and communicate financial data into clear, actionable insight.
- Demonstrable experience of leading high‑performing teams, with a values‑led, people‑first leadership style.
- Ability to maintain a clear and consistent grip on complex business operations, ensuring effective planning, delivery and performance management.
- Experience of driving continuous improvement, with the ability to simplify processes, increase efficiency and enhance delivery impact.
- Strong stakeholder management and communication skills, with the ability to build relationships and influence across functions and organisational boundaries.
- Proven experience of managing external partnerships and suppliers, including leading commercial negotiations and securing value.
- Commitment to delivering high‑quality customer experiences, with the ability to set and maintain service standards across a complex operation.
- Strong problem‑solving capability, with the ability to identify root causes and implement effective, timely solutions.
- A commitment to continuous self‑development, with a curiosity to learn, adapt and evolve in a fast‑moving environment.
Beneficial to have
- Experience working within a multi‑functional organisation, with the ability to build strong connectivity across central functions (e.g. Finance, Strategy, Digital).
- Experience operating within a commercially competitive or customer‑driven environment.
- Strong data literacy, with the ability to use insight to identify trends, inform decision‑making and track performance.
- Experience of leading operational change or transformation initiatives.
- High levels of resilience and adaptability, with the ability to remain calm, balanced and effective in a fast‑paced environment.
- Strong project management capability, including planning, prioritisation and delivery across multiple competing demands.
What's in it for you?
We are committed to ensuring everyone can flourish in their roles. To achieve this, we have unique office spaces under the arch of the iconic Wembley National Stadium, which is the home of English Football. We are also delighted to offer a world‑class, Elite Performance Centre, St. George's Park in Staffordshire, which is an exceptional setting to develop and inspire high‑performing England teams and leaders. We pride ourselves on offering a competitive salary as well as great opportunities to develop and grow in your role. Below are some of the exciting benefits we can offer:
- Access to event day tickets at Wembley Stadium, alongside a host of regular internal events throughout the season, encouraging you to connect and learn with your colleagues and look after your mental health and well‑being.
- 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, as well as 25 days of annual leave (based on a full‑time, permanent contract).
- A hybrid working model which offers greater flexibility.
Head of Business Operations - FA Learning employer: The FA
As an employer, the FA Learning Division offers a dynamic and inclusive work culture that prioritises employee growth and well-being. Located under the iconic Wembley National Stadium, employees benefit from unique office spaces, access to event day tickets, and a range of health and wellness initiatives, including free nutritious lunches and private medical cover. With a commitment to continuous improvement and a people-first leadership style, this role provides an exceptional opportunity to lead high-performing teams while contributing to the future of English football.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Head of Business Operations - FA Learning
✨Get Involved in Industry Events
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✨Engage in Professional Networks
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✨Showcase Your Leadership Skills
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We think you need these skills to ace Head of Business Operations - FA Learning
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Us Your Leadership Skills:In the corporate leadership and management field, it's essential to highlight your leadership experience. Use your CV to flesh out examples of how you've led teams to success or managed significant projects. We want to see specific instances where your actions made a tangible difference in your previous roles!
Quantify Your Achievements:Numbers talk, especially in management! When detailing your achievements in your CV or cover letter, don’t just say you improved team performance. Instead, say you boosted productivity by 30% over six months through effective strategy implementation. This makes your application pop and shows us what you can bring to The FA.
Craft a Compelling Cover Letter:Your cover letter is your chance to narrate your professional journey. We’re looking for motivation and a clear understanding of what corporate leadership means to you. Dive into your aspirations and how they align with the values and vision of The FA. Make it personal – we want to get to know you!
Tailor Your CV for Management Roles:Ensure your CV reflects the management skills that are essential for this role. Focus on competencies like strategic planning, team building, and problem-solving. Use a clean layout, and don’t forget to align your experiences with those keywords mentioned in the job listing. This will help you stand out from the crowd!
How to prepare for a job interview at The FA
✨Showcase Your Leadership Style
You’ll want to thoroughly convey your unique approach to leadership. During the interview with The FA, be ready to share real-life examples of how you've inspired and motivated teams in the past. Think about specific achievements that illustrate your strategic thinking and your ability to drive results.
✨Brush Up on Management Theories
Expect some technical questions related to management theories and practices. Brush up on concepts like transformational leadership, servant leadership, or situational leadership. Be prepared to discuss how you would apply these theories to the role at The FA, especially in the specific context of the challenges they’re currently facing.
✨Craft Your Vision for the Company
Since this is a full-time leadership role, spending time thinking about your vision for The FA could really set you apart. Consider potential strategies for growth and how you would lead teams towards achieving them. This shows not just enthusiasm, but also strategic foresight that they’ll likely be looking for in a candidate.
✨Emphasise Team Dynamics and Culture
In corporate leadership, team dynamics and organisational culture are everything. Be ready to discuss how you've fostered a positive work environment in previous roles. Bring up examples of how you've managed diverse teams effectively—this will resonate well at The FA as they’re likely seeking a candidate who can enhance their workplace culture.
