At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead safety and security for Women's Super League matchdays, ensuring top-notch standards.
- Company: Join a pioneering organisation dedicated to elevating women's football.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, flexible hours, and a chance to make a real impact.
- Why this job: Be at the forefront of women's football, shaping safety and security strategies.
- Qualifications: Experience in sports safety operations and strong stakeholder management skills required.
- Other info: Dynamic role with opportunities for growth and collaboration in a vibrant environment.
The predicted salary is between 60000 - 80000 £ per year.
This key senior role will lead the delivery and continuous improvement of the League's matchday safety and security strategy. Working collaboratively with clubs, governing bodies, and external stakeholders, the role ensures the highest standards of safety and compliance across all women's football operations. The postholder will provide strategic leadership on safety and security matters and serve as the League's subject‑matter expert, advising senior leadership on emerging risks, trends, and best practices. In addition, the post holder will oversee and develop the League's Match Observer Programme.
What will you be doing?
- Safety & Security Leadership
- Lead the implementation and ongoing evolution of the League's matchday safety and security strategy.
- Chair and develop the WSL Football Safety and Security Working Group.
- Design and deliver the annual League Safety and Security Conference and monthly Safety Officer meetings.
- Develop and deliver training, workshops, and guidance materials to support the continuous development of club Safety Officers and operational teams.
- Represent the League on key committees and working groups, including: Safety Committee, Data Sharing Working Group, CT, WPFNCC Subcommittee, and SAFE.
- Lead and enhance the League Match Observer Programme.
- Monitor and analyse matchday insights throughout the season to inform strategic decision‑making.
- Collaborate with Premier League and EFL safety and security teams to ensure alignment across the professional game.
- Maintain strong relationships with key external partners, including SGSA, UKPFPU, FSA, FSOA, the Home Office, DCMS, and clubs.
- Ensure league and club compliance with relevant safety legislation, SGSA guidance, Green Guide standards, and FA/League regulations.
- Conduct periodic reviews and audits of club safety documentation, matchday plans, and certification.
- Maintain and regularly review the effectiveness of the League's Major Incident Plan.
- Act as a key member of the League's Crisis Management structure, providing specialist advice during incidents and leading post‑incident reviews.
- Lead the identification, assessment and mitigation of safety and security risks across the league, ensuring proactive planning and continuous improvement feeding into the league – wide operational risk register.
- Promote a culture of safety, learning, and shared best practice across the league.
- Coordinate meetings, logistics, agendas, and ensure accurate action recording and minute‑taking.
- Support departments with club promotion applications and case conferencing.
- Work closely with all League departments, particularly safeguarding, to support the successful delivery of the League Business Plan.
- Collate information and produce departmental reports, including monthly risk registers and operational summaries.
- Undertake additional duties as required in response to evolving business needs.
- Ensure full compliance with company policies and procedures, promoting the highest standards of health, safety, and well‑being.
- Complete the required level of DBS check in line with legislation and the responsibilities of the role.
- Champion an inclusive and respectful environment across matchday operations, ensuring safety practices reflect the needs of diverse participants, staff, and fans.
- Execute additional tasks as required to meet Women's Super League Football's changing priorities.
- Comply with all company policies and procedures to ensure the highest standards of health, safety, and well‑being can be maintained.
What are we looking for?
Essential for the role
- Strong knowledge and experience of safety and security operations within professional sport (ideally football), including the women's game.
- Demonstrable experience managing multiple projects and working groups.
- Proven stakeholder management skills across internal and external partners.
- Understanding of relevant policies, licensing requirements, and regulatory frameworks.
- Proficiency in Microsoft Office, PowerPoint, and relevant databases.
- Knowledge of financial and budgeting processes.
- Flexible approach to working hours, including matchday and out‑of‑hours requirements.
- Ability to remain calm and make sound decisions under pressure.
- Strong communication and influencing skills at all levels.
- High integrity and commitment to ensuring safe environments in women's football.
Beneficial to have
- Knowledge and experience of professional women's sport.
- Qualified to degree level or equivalent (such as crowd management or similar).
- Formal qualification in project management (such as Prince II or similar).
Living the values through our behaviours
- FOR THE LOVE OF THE WOMEN'S GAME – Every decision we make drives the growth, quality, and impact of women's football for future generations.
- GREATNESS NEVER SETS – We have the relentless drive to keep the women's game growing, and reaching for more. We have the courage to push boundaries, innovate boldly and continuously rewrite the playbook.
- FIND A WAY TO WIN, TOGETHER – We move as one – lifting each other up and having each other's backs. Together, we unite players, clubs, fans, and communities to achieve greatness.
- CHAMPION THE FEMALE ATHLETE, ON AND OFF THE PITCH – We celebrate and support female athletes, empowering them to shine in their football careers and beyond.
- PUT FANS IN THE FRONT ROW – Fans are the VIPs at the heart of our game. We must thrill, inspire, and connect with them to build lifelong loyalty.
Please note that the Women's Super League Football office is based in Farringdon in Central London.
Head of Safety and Security - Women\'s Super League Football employer: The Football Association
Contact Detail:
The Football Association Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Head of Safety and Security - Women\'s Super League Football
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Get out there and connect with people in the industry. Attend events, join online forums, and don’t be shy to reach out on LinkedIn. You never know who might have the inside scoop on job openings!
✨Tip Number 2
Prepare for interviews by researching the company and its culture. Understand their values and how they align with your own. This will help you stand out and show that you're genuinely interested in being part of the team.
✨Tip Number 3
Practice makes perfect! Do mock interviews with friends or family to get comfortable with common questions. The more you practice, the more confident you'll feel when it’s time to shine in front of the real interviewers.
✨Tip Number 4
Don’t forget to follow up after interviews! A simple thank-you email can go a long way in showing your appreciation and keeping you top of mind. Plus, it’s a great chance to reiterate your enthusiasm for the role.
We think you need these skills to ace Head of Safety and Security - Women\'s Super League Football
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Your Passion for Women's Football: When writing your application, let your love for women's football shine through! Share any experiences or insights that highlight your commitment to the game and how you can contribute to its growth.
Tailor Your Application: Make sure to customise your CV and cover letter to reflect the specific requirements of the Head of Safety and Security role. Highlight your relevant experience in safety operations and stakeholder management to show us you're the perfect fit!
Be Clear and Concise: Keep your application straightforward and to the point. Use bullet points where possible to make it easy for us to see your key achievements and skills. We appreciate clarity and brevity!
Apply Through Our Website: Don't forget to submit your application through our official website! This ensures we receive all your details correctly and helps us keep track of your application. We can't wait to hear from you!
How to prepare for a job interview at The Football Association
✨Know Your Safety and Security Stuff
Make sure you brush up on your knowledge of safety and security operations, especially in the context of women's football. Familiarise yourself with relevant policies, licensing requirements, and regulatory frameworks. This will not only show your expertise but also demonstrate your commitment to maintaining high standards.
✨Showcase Your Leadership Skills
Prepare examples of how you've led projects or working groups in the past. Highlight your experience in managing multiple stakeholders and how you’ve successfully collaborated with various partners. This role requires strong leadership, so be ready to discuss your approach to guiding teams and driving initiatives forward.
✨Be Ready for Scenario Questions
Expect questions that assess your ability to handle pressure and make sound decisions during incidents. Think of specific situations where you had to manage a crisis or mitigate risks. Use the STAR method (Situation, Task, Action, Result) to structure your answers and clearly convey your thought process.
✨Emphasise Your Passion for Women's Football
Let your enthusiasm for women's football shine through during the interview. Share why you’re passionate about promoting the game and how you can contribute to its growth. Align your values with those of the League, showing that you’re not just a fit for the role, but also for the culture they’re building.