Football Development Systems Manager

Football Development Systems Manager

Full-Time 40000 - 50000 £ / year (est.) No working from home possible
The Premier League

At a Glance

  • Tasks: Drive innovation in football systems and support the launch of the Premier League Player App.
  • Company: Join the Premier League's Football Development team in London.
  • Benefits: Permanent role with competitive salary and opportunities for professional growth.
  • Other info: Dynamic environment with a focus on collaboration and continuous improvement.
  • Why this job: Make a real impact on football development and work with cutting-edge technology.
  • Qualifications: Experience in managing business education platforms and strong stakeholder management skills.

The predicted salary is between 40000 - 50000 £ per year.

The Premier League’s Football Development team is responsible for the delivery of the League’s strategic plans to support its ambitions to develop the best Players, Coaches and Staff and Match Officials. These strategies, delivered in collaboration with domestic football partners include the Elite Player Performance Plan, the Elite Coaching Plan and the Elite Referee Development Plan.

To support this, the Premier League is looking to appoint a Football Development Systems Manager who will work within the Elite Performance team to drive innovation and efficiency through system development and key technology projects. Football Development Systems is one of the four Elite Performance focus areas (alongside Player Health, Performance Support and Pathway Management) and aims to promote a culture of world‑leading insight, research and innovation – preparing for the future game.

This position offers a unique opportunity to support the continuous improvement of football systems, including performance, education and learning platforms, while contributing to the launch of the new Premier League Player App: a unified, intelligent and player‑centric mobile application that will become a central digital hub across a player’s lifecycle, from Academy to Alumni. The role will also support the delivery of evidence‑based insights through integrated systems and reporting processes.

The role will primarily focus on contributing to the effective operation, improvement and adoption of core systems; coordinating and documenting system processes and integrations. The successful candidate will have a strong track record for managing central systems and processes, have a proven ability to engage a range of stakeholders and be comfortable working with leading‑edge technology suppliers in a dynamic environment.

System Management
  • Day‑to‑day operational support, maintenance and administration of core systems and platforms.
  • Provide technical support to users across departments, including troubleshooting issues and liaising with third‑party vendors where required.
  • Manage LMS administration activities including user accounts, enrolments, permissions, course set‑up and reporting.
  • Support the Education team with seasonal onboarding and new cohort administration processes.
  • Assist with the operational delivery of platform updates and integrations.
Process and Governance
  • Document and maintain system processes, supporting the development and implementation of governance frameworks to ensure consistent and effective use.
  • Document and analyse system integrations and data flows, with a particular focus on education systems and related workflows.
  • Help critically assess system requirements and contribute to the ongoing prioritisation of system enhancements based on user feedback and operational needs.
Stakeholder Engagement
  • Build and maintain effective working relationships with all stakeholders to support alignment, integration and the effective operation of core systems.
  • Foster collaboration with staff across the department, and wider organisation, to align business processes and digital initiatives.
  • Co‑ordinate with suppliers to ensure they can deliver requirements to parameters as agreed, resolve operational issues and support system updates.
Reporting and Insight
  • Monitor system performance and project outcomes through the collection and analysis of relevant management information; identifying areas for improvement.
  • Maintain data integrity across football systems and reporting outputs.
  • Create and maintain performance dashboards and insights reports to support decision‑making across the department.
Skills, Knowledge And Expertise
  • Experience in managing and administering business education platforms or similar.
  • Business systems analysis experience, with a background in the development and implementation of new systems and technologies.
  • Familiarity with system integrations, APIs or workflow automation tools.
  • Awareness of emerging AI technologies and their practical application within a business and sporting environment.
  • Project management skills and familiarity with productivity tools.
  • Familiarity with data visualisation tools (e.g., Power BI, Looker).
  • Ability to prioritise and allocate time effectively across multiple work streams.
  • Excellent planning, organisational and presentation skills.
  • Team player who understands and values collaboration.
  • Strong attention to detail and highly motivated to deliver all work to an excellent standard.
  • High level emotional intelligence.
  • Demonstrable experience in stakeholder management.
  • Excellent written, verbal and interpersonal skills.

Our commitment to safeguarding includes implementing robust safer recruitment procedures to assess the suitability of individuals applying for roles that involve work with children and adults who are or may be at risk of harm. For further information, please see our Safeguarding Policy and Safer Recruitment Guidance.

Football Development Systems Manager employer: The Premier League

The Premier League is an exceptional employer, offering a dynamic work environment in the heart of London, where innovation and collaboration are at the forefront of our mission to develop world-class football talent. Employees benefit from a culture that prioritises professional growth, with opportunities to engage in cutting-edge technology projects and contribute to impactful initiatives like the new Premier League Player App. Join us to be part of a team that values insight, research, and the continuous improvement of football systems, all while enjoying the vibrant atmosphere of one of the world's leading sports organisations.

The Premier League

Contact Details:

The Premier League Recruitment Team

StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫

We think this is how you could land Football Development Systems Manager

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We think you need these skills to ace Football Development Systems Manager

System Management
Technical Support
LMS Administration
Process Documentation
Business Systems Analysis
System Integrations
Project Management

Some tips for your application 🫡

Show Off Your Passion for Sports:In your cover letter, let your enthusiasm for sports and recreation shine through! We want to see your genuine interest in the industry and how it's shaped your career choices. Sharing specific experiences, like managing a team or organising an event, can really make you stand out.

Highlight Relevant Experience:When crafting your CV, focus on any relevant internships, volunteer work, or part-time jobs related to sports and recreation management. Make sure to quantify your achievements – did you increase team participation by a certain percentage or successfully lead a project? Numbers speak volumes!

Tailor Your CV for Sports Management:Use a CV format that emphasises your skills in leadership, teamwork, and event coordination. Don’t forget to include specific training or certifications that relate to sports management, as these can set you apart from other applicants. We love seeing candidates with relevant qualifications!

Express Your Long-Term Goals:In your application, we want to see your career aspirations in sports management. Don’t hesitate to include how you envision your future in this industry and how joining The Premier League aligns with those goals. We’re looking for candidates who are not just a perfect fit for the role but are also excited about growing with us!

How to prepare for a job interview at The Premier League

Highlight Your Passion for Sports

When chatting with The Premier League, make sure to express your genuine love for sports and recreation. Share experiences that showcase your passion, whether it's managing a local sports team, organising events, or simply being an active participant in various activities. This helps them see you're not just a fit on paper, but also someone who truly cares about the field.

Showcase Your Management Skills

This role is all about managing resources and people, so be ready to discuss your leadership and organisational skills. Prepare some examples from your past experiences where you've successfully led a team or managed a project, particularly in a sports or recreation setting. Use the STAR (Situation, Task, Action, Result) technique to make your answers concise and impactful.

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Expect case studies or scenario-based questions that assess your problem-solving and decision-making skills. You might be asked how you would handle a tricky situation, such as resolving a conflict between team members or managing a crisis during a major event. Think through these scenarios and practice how you’d articulate your thought process and solutions.

Demonstrate Enthusiasm for Team Collaboration

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