Programme Manager – Digital & Data Transformation (FTC)

We have an exciting opportunity for a Programme Manager to join our FA Learning division. The Programme Manager plays a strategic and connective role in shaping and coordinating activity across FA Learning, with a particular focus on digital and data transformation.

Within the digital and data transformation space, the purpose of the role is two‑fold: to ensure digital and data change lands effectively across the business through strong business change, organisational readiness and adoption; and to ensure dependencies and connections across the strategy are clear, with digital and data activity effectively enabling wider strategic programmes and priorities.

Working closely with the Learn Pod and other delivery partners that lead the technical delivery, the role helps join up activity across FA Learning, ensures programmes and initiatives are aligned to FA Learning Strategy and Business Plans, and supports effective embedding across the wider business. The role will also pick up programmes outside of the digital transformation space, requiring someone who can adapt their approach across different programme contexts and work effectively across a varied portfolio.

The position is a fixed‑term contract until July 2027, located at St George's Park in Burton‑Upon‑Trent. The team works under a hybrid model: two days a week from the contractual location, with remaining days worked remotely.

What will you be doing?

• Strategic Alignment & Value: shape and steer strategic programmes to ensure they are clearly aligned to FA Learning’s purpose and priorities, embedded within core business activity, and focused on delivering measurable value and outcomes.
• Programme Leadership & Integrated Delivery: lead end‑to‑end programme coordination across multiple projects and initiatives, managing plans, milestones, dependencies, risks and resources to ensure coherence across activity, high‑quality delivery, and strong connectivity between strategy, business teams, Learn Pod/delivery partners and operational areas.
• Stakeholder Influence & Connectivity: build and sustain strong, trusted relationships across teams, departments, divisions and external partners, acting as a strategic connector between senior leadership intent, delivery teams and operational areas.
• Change Leadership & Adoption: champion engagement, adoption and behaviour change across FA Learning, supporting teams through transformation with clear communication and inclusive change approaches.
• Business Readiness & Operational Integration: ensure business readiness for digital and data initiatives by coordinating preparedness activities across people, processes, governance, capability and communication.
• Governance, Assurance & Financial Stewardship: establish and maintain effective programme governance, reporting, risk management and budget oversight.
• Insight‑Informed Performance & Value Realisation: work closely with Strategic Insight Leads to track programme effectiveness against agreed outcomes and measures of success.
• Capability Building & Continuous Improvement: support the Senior Lead – Programme Management to embed best‑practice programme management across FA Learning.
• Execute additional tasks as required to meet the FA’s changing priorities.
• Comply with all company policies and procedures to ensure the highest standards of health, safety and well‑being.

Knowledge

• Undergraduate degree or equivalent.
• Project management qualification.

Experience

• Experience managing business change programmes in complex and fast‑paced environments.
• Ability to align programmes with strategy and business plans.
• Strong leadership and influencing skills, with the ability to manage multiple stakeholders.
• Excellent analytical, problem‑solving, organisational and communication skills.
• Ability to work within matrix‑structured organisations and galvanise people within non‑direct reporting structures.

Technical Skills

• Experience with project management software, e.g. Smartsheet.
• Extensive experience with Excel and advanced reporting writing skills.
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office and presentation creation.

Beneficial to have

• Knowledge: MBA or relevant postgraduate qualification or equivalent. Programme management qualification.
• Experience: Experience working in an educational or sports‑focused environment. Passion for sport and/or football. Delivering project and programme management training to a diverse workforce. Strategy planning, financial planning and management. Understanding of the importance and requirements to develop the next generation of coaches and young players. Excellent influencing and negotiation skills.
• Technical Skills: Smartsheet proficiency.

What’s in it for you?

We are committed to ensuring everyone can flourish in their roles. We offer a competitive salary, access to exclusive facilities at Wembley Stadium and St. George’s Park, free nutritious lunches, private medical cover, a contributory pension scheme, additional leave, and a hybrid working model.

We are a diverse workplace and an equal‑opportunity employer. All prospective candidates are welcome to apply. For more information on what it is like to work at The FA, visit the FA Careers page at thefa.com/about-football-association/careers.

As part of the FA’s commitment to ensuring a safe environment for everyone in football, each employee will be required to complete a DBS check in line with legislation and government guidance.

Equal Opportunities

We welcome applications from everyone and are proud to be an equal opportunities employer. If you have any specific requirements in respect of the recruitment or interview process, please mention this during your application.