Strategic Project Manager (Player Development) - 12 month FTC

The Strategic Project Manager will be responsible for supporting the Women's Technical Division to plan, monitor and deliver projects within the Player Development Programme, with a priority on the future club talent pathway model (PGA Transition beyond 2028). The programme is focussed on supporting and driving the development of a pipeline of outstanding female English talent for the game.

This is a key role that will work collaboratively with WSL Football, the FA's Club Talent Pathway and Women's National League teams to support the coordination of a cross-functional programme of multiple complex, interrelated and concurrent projects to bring increased focus, efficiency, integration and impact to the strategic initiative through management reporting, strategic planning and project delivery.

This role will be a 12 month Fixed Term Contract (FTC), and can be contractually based at either Wembley Stadium or The National Football Centre, St. George's Park.

Please include a cover letter with your application clearly outlining your interest in the opportunity and how your skills and experiences align with the criteria.

Interviews are currently scheduled to be held at The National Football Centre, St. George's Park on 23rd April 2026.

What will you be doing?

• Assist with the implementation and roll-out of specific projects within the Player Development Programme
• Lead the project management of critical player development projects by using best practice solutions across the lifecycle of the project, including initiation and scoping documentation, project plans and business cases
• Create and track regular project status against milestones for Women's Technical Senior Leadership Team
• Identify and manage risks, issues and dependencies across the business
• Prepare documents, presentations and supporting information to advise and influence senior decision makers within the organization, as well as wider external stakeholders
• Develop and track KPI's to ensure accountability against project objectives
• Prepare programme update reports on a timely basis
• Continuously improve the programme framework, procedures and project management tools
• Prioritise project activities across the programme to ensure we achieve primary strategic objectives
• Deliver internal consulting services where required including planning, delivery and consolidation of activity
• Effectively manage any project related budgets where applicable
• Provide support to new or adjacent projects as they emerge
• Effectively utilize data and technology functions to ensure efficient workflows
• Develop trusted working relationships with stakeholders associated with player development projects
• Executes 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 can be maintained.
• As part of the FA'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 activity of the specific job role and in line with legislation and government guidance.

What are we looking for?

Essential for the role:

Technical Skills

• Qualified to undergraduate degree level, or equivalent relevant experience
• Attention to detail and pride in the presentation of outputs
• Ability to write concise presentations and reports
• Strong analytical skills
• Proven skill in stakeholder management – both internal and external
• Ability to demonstrate flexibility where required
• Capable communicator with experience of dealing with sensitive and complex matters

Experience

• Project management and/or complex cross-functional programme management
• First-hand project delivery experience
• Experience in Microsoft Office applications, particularly Microsoft Excel and Microsoft PowerPoint

Beneficial to have:

Knowledge

• Background of working within sport (particularly women's football) and/or management consulting
• Understanding of, or exposure to, high performance sport

What's in it for you?

We are committed to ensuring everyone can flourish in their roles. To achieve this, we have unique office spaces under the arch of the iconic Wembley National Stadium, which is the home of English Football. We are also delighted to offer a world-class, Elite Performance Centre, St. George's Park in Staffordshire, which is an exceptional setting to develop and inspire high-performing England teams and leaders.

We pride ourselves on offering a competitive salary as well as great opportunities to develop and grow in your role. But that is not all; we also have a range of exciting benefits, some of which can be found below:

• Access to event day tickets at Wembley Stadium, alongside a host of regular internal events throughout the season, encourages you to connect and learn with your colleagues and look after your mental health and well-being.
• Free, nutritious lunches at Wembley Stadium and St. George's Park.
• Free private medical cover.
• A contributory pension scheme.
• An additional 'Thank You' day's leave, volunteering days, as well as 25 days of annual leave (based on a full-time, permanent contract)
• A hybrid working model offering greater flexibility.

For more information on what it is like to work at The FA, please visit our FA Careers page, https://www.thefa.com/about-football-association/careers

Currently, we are working within a hybrid working model whereby the expectation is to work from your contractual location for part of the week, and as and when required by the team. The remaining days can be worked remotely. We will continue to monitor this model, and it may be adjusted in future if deemed necessary. The contractual location of this role can be found on the FA Careers page.

We are a diverse workplace, aspiring to represent football across the country. The Football Association actively promotes inclusion and diversity, encouraging you to be the best version of yourself at work.

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

As part of the FA'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 activity of the specific job role and in line with legislation and government guidance.