Football Operations (Administration) Apprentice - 2 Year Fixed Term Contract in Wembley

The FA believes football has the power to unite communities, promote wellbeing, and inspire positive change. The apprenticeship programme offers an entry into a rewarding career at The FA and an excellent opportunity to develop skills and gain experience within a supportive, inclusive and diverse organisation. The FA are looking for an enthusiastic and organised individual to support primarily Referee Operations and also wider Football Operations teams in the administration and governance of football. You will be employed on a two year fixed term contract, and will study towards a Level 3 Business Administration qualification with CMS Vocational Training. You will be contractually based at Wembley Stadium.

What will you be doing?

• Supporting the referee operations team with admin tasks including match official appointments, confirmations, and system updates.
• Managing and responding to real-time issues.
• Prioritising competing demands and juggling multiple deadlines.
• Handling communications with match officials, clubs and other departments via phone and email.
• Participating in wider football events – e.g. hosting visiting international referees, supporting matchday logistics.
• Using internal systems to update records and coordinate referee appointments across competitions.
• Gaining insight into how elite football operates at national and international levels.
• Executing additional tasks as required to meet The FA\'s changing priorities.
• Complying 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.

Qualifications & Requirements

• Live within England and have lived within the UK for the last 3 consecutive years.
• Must not be in full-time education at the start of your apprenticeship.
• Must be at least 16 years of age.
• If aged 16–18 you will need maths and English at grade 4/C and have the certification for this. If not, you will need to sit Functional Skills Level 2 as part of the programme.
• Must not hold a similar or higher qualification in the same area of study.
• This is a developmental role, so prior experience is not required. We are looking for:
  • A genuine interest in football (playing, volunteering, refereeing, or following the game; any involvement).
  • Good organisational skills and attention to detail.
  • Comfortable using the phone and email to communicate clearly.
  • A positive mindset, open to learning.
  • Experience of using Microsoft Outlook.
  • Experience of Microsoft Office, particularly Excel.
  • The ability to stay focused on repetitive tasks without losing quality.
  • Ability to stay calm and prioritise when plans change.
  • Willingness to take initiative and ask questions.
  • Some experience of creating presentations and public speaking.

What’s in it for you?

• We are committed to ensuring everyone can flourish in their roles. There are unique office spaces under the arch of Wembley National Stadium, home of English Football. We also offer access to St. George\'s Park in Staffordshire, the Elite Performance Centre, to develop high-performing England teams and leaders.
• Competitive salary and opportunities to develop and grow in your role.
• Benefits include: access to event day tickets at Wembley Stadium, internal events, nutritious lunches at Wembley Stadium and St. George\'s Park, private medical cover, a contributory pension scheme, and additional leave (25 days) plus volunteering days (pro-rata for part-time), with a hybrid working model.