At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead safety and security for Women's Super League matchdays and improve strategies.
- Company: Join the Women's Super League Football, a leader in women's sports.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, inclusive environment, and opportunities for professional growth.
- Why this job: Make a real impact on safety in women's football while working with passionate teams.
- Qualifications: Experience in safety operations, strong communication skills, and project management expertise.
- Other info: Dynamic role with flexible hours and a focus on promoting inclusivity.
The predicted salary is between 60000 - 80000 £ per year.
Women's Super League Football has an exciting opportunity for a Head of Safety and Security. 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. The post holder will also oversee and develop the League's Match Observer Programme.
What will you be doing?
- 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 the 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, and ensure 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 and 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, feeding into the league‑wide operational risk register.
- Promote a culture of safety, learning and shared best practice across the league.
General Responsibilities
- 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.
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.
- Degree level qualification or equivalent (such as crowd management or similar).
- Formal qualification in project management (such as Prince II or similar).
Women’s Super League Football is based in Farringdon in Central London.
WSL Head of Safety and Security employer: The Football Association
Contact Detail:
The Football Association Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land WSL Head of Safety and Security
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Get out there and connect with people in the industry. Attend events, join relevant groups on social media, and don’t be shy about reaching out to folks who work in safety and security within sports. You never know who might have the inside scoop on job openings!
✨Tip Number 2
Showcase your expertise! When you get the chance to chat with potential employers or during interviews, make sure to highlight your knowledge of safety and security operations in professional sport. Share specific examples of how you've managed projects or improved safety measures in the past.
✨Tip Number 3
Prepare for those tricky questions! Think about the challenges you might face in this role and how you'd tackle them. Be ready to discuss your approach to risk assessment and crisis management, as well as how you’d promote a culture of safety across the league.
✨Tip Number 4
Don’t forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets seen by the right people. Plus, it shows you’re genuinely interested in being part of the Women’s Super League Football team. Let’s get you that dream job!
We think you need these skills to ace WSL Head of Safety and Security
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your Application: Make sure to customise your CV and cover letter to highlight your experience in safety and security within professional sport, especially football. We want to see how your skills align with the specific needs of the Women's Super League.
Showcase Your Leadership Skills: Since this role involves leading various initiatives, be sure to emphasise any previous leadership experiences. Share examples of how you've successfully managed projects or teams, particularly in high-pressure environments.
Highlight Stakeholder Management: Demonstrate your ability to work collaboratively with different stakeholders. Include examples of how you've built relationships and communicated effectively with both internal teams and external partners in your application.
Apply Through Our Website: We encourage you to submit your application through our official website. This ensures that your application is reviewed promptly and gives you a chance to explore more about us and the exciting work we do in women's football.
How to prepare for a job interview at The Football Association
✨Know Your Safety and Security Stuff
Make sure you brush up on the latest safety and security protocols in professional sport, especially in women's football. Familiarise yourself with relevant legislation and best practices so you can confidently discuss how you would lead the League's matchday strategy.
✨Show Off Your Stakeholder Skills
Prepare examples of how you've successfully managed relationships with various stakeholders in previous roles. Think about times when you collaborated with clubs or external partners to enhance safety measures, as this will demonstrate your ability to work effectively across different groups.
✨Be Ready for Scenario Questions
Expect questions that put you in hypothetical situations related to safety incidents or security breaches. Practice articulating your thought process and decision-making skills under pressure, as this role requires a calm and strategic approach during crises.
✨Highlight Your Project Management Experience
Since the role involves managing multiple projects and working groups, be prepared to discuss your project management experience. Share specific examples of how you've led initiatives, coordinated meetings, and ensured successful outcomes, showcasing your organisational skills.