JOB TITLE: Head of Operations & Player Services
DEPARTMENT: Women’s Operations
DIRECT REPORTS: Operations, Kit and Player Services.
LOCATION: Cobham Training Ground and travel where required
CONTRACT: Full-time, 40 hours per week.
About the role:
Chelsea FC is seeking an experienced and dynamic Head of Operations and Player Services to oversee all operations and player services functions for the Women’s first team. This senior role is integral to ensuring smooth day-to-day operations, while providing leadership in player welfare and operational efficiency. The Head of Operations and Player Services will work closely with senior leadership, coaching staff, and the broader support team to optimize performance, enhance player experience, and ensure the highest level of operational excellence.
Main Responsibilities:
* Oversee and manage the day-to-day operations of the Women’s first team, ensuring smooth and efficient functioning including match day operations, kit, player welfare, facilities maintenance and all commercial / media activities e.g. player appearances and player activations.
* Oversee and manage the operations team budget.
* Support the Registrations Manager with player registrations for 1st team/loanees/Academy players where needed.
* Liaise with FA & UEFA on fixtures, rules, regulations and be a point of contact.
* Attend all FA/UWCL meetings as required.
* Attend monthly Senior Leadership Team Meetings (SLT) to provide key operational updates and insights.
* Attend matches and tours required to support the team with operational duties.
* Collaborate with the Head of Performance Support to review and align on plans and schedules – days off, training, travel, matches, overnight stays, recovery, winter breaks etc.
* Oversee daily office operations, including headcount management, facilities maintenance, pool car, parking, catering services, office supplies, IT support, waste and recycling, staffing, and social/team building events.
* Liaise regularly with Safeguarding leads and other relevant staff within the Club.
* Conduct regular performance reviews with the team, setting objectives, driving high performance and fostering an inclusive culture.
* Accountable for leading Equality, Diversity & Inclusion (ED&I) within their own business area.
* Align the teams’ activities to Equality, Diversity & Inclusion (ED&I) outcomes.
Skills and Behaviours required:
* Proven significant experience in a similar senior leadership role.
* Previous experience in motivating, leading and inspiring a team to achieve high performance and meet goals.
* A background in project management or operations in high-performance environments.
* Previous experience in an elite sporting environment (preferably football).
* Previous budget management experience and the ability to effectively allocate resources.
* Ability to analyse situations, identify problems, and develop effective solutions.
* Knowledge and understanding of safeguarding children / vulnerable adults.
* Excellent planning and organisational skills with high attention to detail.
* Confident communicator, with the ability to manage high profile players.
* Good decision-making skills, with the ability to make timely and informed choices.
* A flexible approach and the ability to travel is required for this role.
* Excellent interpersonal skills to build rapport and foster collaboration amongst the team and wider departments.
* Excellent IT skills.
* Knowledge of women’s football desirable.
Our commitment to Equality, Diversity and Inclusion:
At Chelsea we recognise that the diversity of our people is one of our greatest strengths and we are taking positive action to ensure our existing colleagues and job applicants can fully be themselves and bring their own unique experiences and perspectives to Chelsea FC. This means giving full and fair consideration to all applicants regardless of age, disability, gender reassignment, race, religion or belief, sex, sexual orientation, marriage and civil partnership, and pregnancy and maternity.
If you need reasonable adjustments made to the recruitment process, please reach out to your recruiter, who will be able to advise and support you.
Chelsea FC is fully committed to ensuring the safety and well-being of all children, young people and adults at risk (vulnerable groups). We therefore require all successful applicants to complete a DBS Check prior to starting employment. Depending on the role, successful applicants may also be required to undergo other child protection screening where appropriate.
This Job Description is not intended to be exhaustive; the duties and responsibilities may therefore vary over time according to the changing needs of the Club.
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