At a Glance
- Tasks: Bring youth culture insights to the Board and champion women's football.
- Company: WSL Football, the leading body for women's professional football in England.
- Benefits: Gain invaluable Board experience and have travel expenses covered.
- Other info: Voluntary role with opportunities for personal and professional growth.
- Why this job: Make a real impact on the future of women's football and engage younger audiences.
- Qualifications: Experience in youth culture, marketing, or community engagement is essential.
WSL Football is the independent body responsible for the top two tiers of women's professional football in England: the Barclays Women's Super League and the Barclays Women's Super League 2. Following our successful transition into a club-owned independent entity, our mission remains clear: to build the most distinctive, competitive, and entertaining women's football competition in the world for the players and fans of today and tomorrow.
Led by CEO Nikki Doucet and Chair Dawn Airey, our Board is committed to agility, transparency, and thought diversity. As we continue to shape the future of sport, we are looking for a new Board Observer to represent the voice of the next generation.
The primary role of the Observer is to bring a youth culture perspective to Board discussions. This is a non-voting position intended to bring valuable perspectives to the Board and is a 1-2 year rolling position. The Observer will provide insight into youth culture habits and new technology that could impact the sports experience and consumption, ensuring WSL Football remains relevant, inclusive, and inspiring to a younger generation. This role offers an opportunity to upskill a young professional with Board experience.
In terms of commitment, the Observer will be required to attend four in-person Board meetings per season, which are all-day sessions hosted in central London, as well as ad-hoc BWSL and BWSL2 games and shorter online meetings. If they wish, the Observer may also attend shareholder meetings, which comprise an additional four all-day meetings per season. While this is a voluntary, unpaid position intended as a professional development opportunity, all reasonable travel and out-of-pocket expenses incurred in the performance of Board duties will be fully reimbursed.
Key Accountabilities- Champion the Game: Act as a passionate ambassador for women's football and the BWSL & BWSL2.
- Insights & Trends: Provide informed perspectives on youth culture trends and behaviours to ensure branding and outreach resonance.
- Strategic Advice: Offer guidance on programs and initiatives designed to engage younger audiences.
- Digital Innovation: Promote creative ideas to enhance physical and digital fan engagement.
- Board Integrity: Promote and encourage integrity within the WSL Football Board.
- Professional Foundation: Demonstrable work experience.
- Youth Culture Expertise: Experience in marketing, community engagement, or youth advocacy focused on youth culture.
- Tech Literacy: Familiarity with social media platforms, digital, and AI trends among youth.
- Football Knowledge: Passion for and knowledge of women's football is highly desirable.
- Creative Problem Solving: Ability to think creatively and propose innovative solutions to engage young audiences.
- Analytical Insight: Capability to analyse trends and data to make informed recommendations.
- Communication: Strong verbal and written communication skills.
- Collaboration: Ability to work collaboratively with board members, staff, and external partners.
- Inclusion Advocate: Experience in promoting diversity and inclusion within work environments or youth communities.
- Network: Established network within youth organisations, educational institutions, or cultural communities.
- Relevant Background: Background in marketing, sociology, youth development, sports management, or related fields.
- 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 SETTLES - 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.
Note: The Women's Super League Football office is based in Farringdon in Central London. For more details about the organisation, please visit the Women's Super League Football website.
Application Process & Timeline: Women's Super League Football welcomes applications from everyone. As part of the application process, we will ask you to submit a CV and cover letter. Our recruitment process consists of three structured interview rounds:
- Round 1: Conducted online.
- Rounds 2 & 3: Hosted in-person for candidates who successfully progress.
We aim to have the recruitment process complete by mid-August, ahead of the first Board meeting scheduled for 17th September. If you have any particular accessibility or adjustments requirements in respect of the recruitment or interview process, please mention this during your application.
Safeguarding & Compliance: As part of Women's Super League Football'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 specific activity of the job role and in line with current legislation and government guidance.
WSL Football Board of Directors Observer in London employer: WSL Football
WSL Football is an exceptional employer, dedicated to fostering a vibrant and inclusive work culture that champions women's football. Located in the heart of Central London, we offer unique opportunities for professional growth, particularly for young professionals seeking to gain invaluable Board experience while contributing to the future of sport. Our commitment to transparency, diversity, and innovation ensures that every team member can make a meaningful impact in shaping the game for generations to come.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land WSL Football Board of Directors Observer in London
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We think you need these skills to ace WSL Football Board of Directors Observer in London
Some tips for your application 🫡
Share Your Passion for Social Impact:When you're applying for a volunteer role at a nonprofit like WSL Football, don’t just list your skills. Show us why you're passionate about social impact! Use your cover letter to tell a story about what drives you and how you've been involved in similar initiatives. Personal connections to the cause can really make your application stand out.
Highlight Relevant Experience:Make sure to showcase any previous volunteer work or projects that demonstrate your commitment to social impact. Whether it’s fundraising, community outreach, or project management, detail your contributions and the results achieved. This kind of experience is invaluable in the nonprofit sector and can help us see your potential!
Get Creative with Your CV:In the world of nonprofits, a standard CV might not cut it. Consider using a more creative format that showcases your personality while maintaining professionalism. Use headings like 'Community Engagement' or 'Social Impact Projects' to highlight your experiences related to the role. Remember, we want to see what makes you unique!
Keep It Community-Focused:Make sure your application emphasises collaboration and community. Volunteer roles are about working well with others and contributing collectively towards a common goal. In your cover letter, mention any teamwork experiences or community projects you've been part of, and how you contributed to their success. This shows that you’re ready to jump into the collaborative spirit here at WSL Football.
How to prepare for a job interview at WSL Football
✨Know Your Passion
Dive deep into the mission of WSL Football and understand the issues they tackle. When they ask about your motivation to volunteer, share specific experiences that link your passion to their cause—whether it’s local community work or a broader social impact.
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Highlight any relevant skills that can aid in their projects, such as fundraising, project management, or community organising. Be prepared to share examples of how you’ve used these skills in past volunteer roles or relevant experiences.
✨Get Ready for Scenario Questions
In non-profit interviews, especially for volunteer roles, you might get scenario-based questions. Think about times when you've encountered challenges in team work or community engagement, and how you resolved them—this shows your problem-solving abilities.
✨Show Your Commitment
Since this is a volunteer role, they’ll likely want to see your commitment to the cause over an extended period. Be ready to discuss how much time you can dedicate, any special skills you can bring, and your eagerness to learn and grow with the organisation—this excites them to have you on board!
