At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead finance strategy and drive performance for The FA, influencing key decisions.
- Company: Join The FA, a pivotal organisation in English football with a mission to inspire and unite.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, unique office spaces at Wembley, and opportunities for personal growth.
- Other info: Inclusive culture that values diverse perspectives and encourages exceptional candidates to apply.
- Why this job: Shape the future of football while making a meaningful impact on the game.
- Qualifications: Proven finance leadership experience and strong communication skills.
The predicted salary is between 75600 - 92400 £ per year.
Reporting to the Deputy CEO and working closely with the Executive Team and Board, you will lead The FA's finance function in a complex organisation with diverse revenue streams, significant commercial partnerships and substantial investment in the future of the game. This is a role for someone who looks beyond the numbers: turning complex financial information into clear, practical insight, building trusted relationships and ensuring strong financial stewardship and commercial ambition underpin everything The FA does.
You will:
- Lead strategically: act as a trusted adviser to the Deputy CEO, Executive Team and Board, informing and constructively challenging key decisions and supporting major investments with sound commercial judgement.
- Drive planning and performance: lead planning, forecasting and long-term financial strategy, strengthening reporting so leaders can make confident, data-led decisions.
- Safeguard governance and operations: ensure robust control, governance and reporting; oversee treasury, tax and risk; and modernise systems, processes and ways of working.
- Champion people and culture: lead, develop and inspire a high-performing finance team, build a strong leadership pipeline and shape a collaborative, inclusive approach to financial leadership.
ABOUT YOU
You are a commercially astute finance leader who combines technical excellence with strategic insight and influential, people-focused leadership. You may currently be a Finance Director, Director of Finance, Deputy Finance Director or divisional finance leader in a large, complex organisation or an accomplished Head of Finance ready for a broader leadership remit.
You will bring:
- Substantial finance leadership in a large, multi-stakeholder environment, with credibility across planning, control, governance, treasury and risk.
- A track record of partnering with senior executives to influence strategic and commercial decisions, driving transformation or significant business improvement.
- Strong commercial and analytical capability, balancing long-term ambition with operational delivery and sound financial judgement.
- Outstanding communication skills and the ability to build trust with a diverse range of stakeholders.
- Experience developing high-performing teams and building positive, inclusive cultures.
Above all, you are emotionally intelligent, curious and resilient comfortable with complexity, values-led and genuinely connected to The FA's mission and football's wider social impact.
WHY THE FA?
Few finance leadership roles offer this scale, influence and sense of purpose. This is a chance to shape decisions that extend far beyond the balance sheet, influence the future of English football and help steward an organisation that reinvests millions into the game every year. A leadership role where commercial impact and meaningful purpose go hand in hand. Football is for everyone and so is this opportunity. The FA is committed to building diverse teams and welcomes people of all backgrounds, experiences and perspectives. We value the difference you bring, and we know exceptional candidates may not meet every requirement listed. If you believe you could make a significant contribution, we would love to hear from you.
An exceptional opportunity to shape financial leadership at the heart of English football. The Football Association (FA) has partnered exclusively with Ruebik to appoint its next Finance Director. Together, we are delivering an inclusive search to find an exceptional finance leader who will bring fresh perspectives, commercial insight and outstanding leadership to The FA and help shape the future of the national game.
About The FA
Football has the power to inspire, unite and create lasting impact. The FA develops and governs the game in England from grassroots football to the national teams, Wembley Stadium and St. George's Park and reinvests its significant revenues to help the game grow at every level. As it continues to evolve as a modern, ambitious organisation, it is seeking an outstanding Finance Director to join its senior leadership team.
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.
Finance Director employer: The Football Association
The Football Association is an exceptional employer, offering a dynamic work environment that champions employee well-being and professional growth. With a hybrid working model and the opportunity to work at iconic locations like Wembley and St George's Park, employees benefit from a supportive culture that values collaboration and innovation, alongside comprehensive training and development opportunities.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Finance Director
✨Tap into Campus Networks
If you're still in uni, don’t forget to engage with your campus's career services and attend finance-related events. Banks often do presentations and recruitment drives on campus, so put yourself out there and make use of these opportunities to show off your passion for the field.
✨Get Certified
Consider pursuing relevant certifications like the CFA or ACCA while you’re job hunting. They not only beef up your CV but also connect you with professional bodies which can lead to networking opportunities and even job openings in banking and financial services.
✨Connect on Professional Platforms
Join finance-focused groups on platforms like LinkedIn and engage in discussions. This can really help you stand out from the crowd, allowing potential employers to see your knowledge and interest in industry trends. Plus, you might stumble upon job postings shared exclusively within the group.
✨Apply Directly and Be Proactive
Don’t shy away from reaching out directly to firms like The Football Association. Use their websites and apply through them, but also consider following up with a polite email to express your enthusiasm. Being proactive can make a huge difference in getting noticed in the competitive financial services sector.
We think you need these skills to ace Finance Director
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Off Your Numbers!:In the banking and financial services world, quantifiable achievements are key. Make sure your CV highlights your grades in relevant subjects, any financial certifications you hold, and specific projects where you've delivered measurable results. Employers love to see how your skills translate into real-world success.
Tailor Your Cover Letter to the Role:When applying for a full-time position, your cover letter should make a direct connection between your experience and the job description. Don't just state your enthusiasm for finance—dive into how your background in banking or financial analysis sets you apart. Let your passion shine through while being specific about what you can bring to The Football Association.
Include Relevant Financial Software Experience:If you've worked with financial modelling tools or software like Excel, SAP, or specific analytical tools during your studies or internships, bring that up! Highlighting your proficiency can really make your application pop and show you're ready to hit the ground running in a full-time role.
Research and Reflect:Before hitting that 'apply' button on The Football Association's website, do a little digging. Look up their recent projects, values, and culture. Reflecting their ethos in your application can make a huge difference and show you’re genuinely interested in being part of the team!
How to prepare for a job interview at The Football Association
✨Brush Up on Financial Analysis Skills
Make sure you're well-versed in financial concepts and analytical techniques relevant to banking and financial services. Get comfortable with tools like Excel for modelling or financial forecasting, as technical questions in this area are common during interviews with The Football Association.
✨Prepare for Case Studies
Expect to tackle case studies that demonstrate your problem-solving skills in real-world banking scenarios. Familiarise yourself with the types of problems you might face—think risk assessments or investment evaluations—and be ready to articulate your thought process clearly.
✨Show Your Passion for Finance
Since this is a full-time position, employers at The Football Association will be keen to see your genuine interest in finance. Be prepared to discuss recent industry trends or news articles that excite you, showcasing your enthusiasm and engagement with the field.
✨Network with Industry Professionals
Before your interview, reach out to current or former The Football Association employees on platforms like LinkedIn. They'll offer unique insights into the company's culture and the interview process, which can give us a delightful edge in showcasing a good fit for the team.
