Vacancy description
Key Information
- Division:CEO and Chair's Office
- Location:Wembley Stadium
- Vacancy Type:Part-time, Voluntary
- Closing Date:24 November 2025
The Football Association (The FA) is the not-for-profit governing body of football in England, dedicated to promoting the sport and inspiring positive change through the game. We are responsible for developing and advancing football at every level, from grassroots to the professional game, generating revenue to support investment in English football.
The FA oversees all England international teams, including men's, women's, youth, and para football. We manage FA competitions, such as the Emirates FA Cup, the Youth Cup, and the Adobe Women's FA Cup. Additionally, we oversee men's and women's leagues below the professional level in the National Leagues Pyramid. Our remit includes the world-class facilities of Wembley Stadium and St. George's Park.
The Steps 5 & 6 Operational Committee is a key Committee reporting to the National Leagues Pyramid Board. It controls and manages football at Steps 5 and 6 of the men's National League System. We have an exciting opportunity for a Co-Opted Member to join the Committee from the Club or League Network at this level of the game.
The Role
The primary role of the Committee Member is to provide insight and knowledge to help make the best decisions, in accordance with the NLS Regulations, for Steps 5 and 6 of the National League System
The Committee's Remit:
- Control and manage football at Steps 5 & 6 of the National League System and to ensure that the constituent leagues comply with the Regulations.
- Determine all matters pertinent to Steps 5 & 6 of the National League System against the relevant National League System Regulations as amended from time to time.
- Control all promotion, relegation and other issues relating to the movement of clubs within Steps 5 & 6 of the National League System and clubs wishing to enter the National League System.
- Responsible for making recommendations to the Stadium Accreditation Committee in relation to the National Stadium Accreditation criteria document insofar as it affects Steps 5 & 6 of the National League System.
- Agree on the implementation of the National League System Licensing Criteria and make recommendations thereof to the NLS Board on any matter pertinent to the same.
- Manage and develop the FA Vase competition.
- Propose changes to Rules and Regulations which affect Steps 5 & 6 of the National League System, after relevant consultation, including periodic reviews of the Standardised Rules and relevant FA Competition Rules (in conjunction with any relevant committee).
- Appoint members to sub-committees and working groups as may be established from time to time.
- Carry out such other responsibilities and activities as the NLS Board may from time to time decide.
Person Specification
- Strong knowledge of the football environment in the National League System, with significant experience of Steps 5 and 6 and the challenges facing Clubs who play at this level and/or the Leagues that operate at this level.
- Knowledge and understanding of the Rules and Regulations of the National League System.
- Experience as a committee member, trustee, or in a senior leadership position in any sector. We are also open to appointing first-time committee members with relevant experience and the ambition, talent, and commitment to help us, as long as the applicant can meet the Membership Criteria.
- Exceptional communication skills, with the ability to collaborate effectively with individuals at all levels of the sport, including Board members.
- Driven by a genuine passion for football and a strong belief in its potential as a positive force for good alongside the ability to take a holistic ‘for all' approach to complex matters within the Pyramid.
Term:
The Co-Opted Member will be appointed on an initial term of three years and can serve for a maximum of 3 terms of 3 years.
Time Commitment & Remuneration:
The OpCo meets a minimum of 6 times per season. Meetings are usually held midweek during working hours, either at Wembley Stadium or through Microsoft Teams. Additional meetings will be required with the Executive leads for the OpCo, and to attend matches and events as required.
An allowance can be claimed for attendance at each meeting of the OpCo (currently £150/meeting) along with any travel or subsistence expenses incurred.
Current meeting dates are:
Tuesday 9th December, 2025 – Wembley Stadium, 1100HRS
Tuesday 10th February, 2026 – Wembley Stadium, 1100HRS
Tuesday 17th March, 2026 – Wembley Stadium, 1100HRS
Tuesday 14th April, 2026 – Wembley Stadium, 1100HRS
Tuesday 12th May, 2026 – Wembley Stadium, 1100HRS
Applications and Restrictions:
The Terms of Reference for this OpCo set out the requirements for Membership of this Committee. We can only accept applications from interested candidates who are an official of a club in membership of a league at Steps 5 or 6 of the National League System, or an official of a league at Steps 5 or 6 of the National League System.
Applications for the role will be managed by a Nominations Committee of the OpCo. To apply, please email your CV and cover letter to NLS@thefhefa.com by the 20th November 2025.
Shortlisted candidates will be invited to an online interview and details will be circulated to the successful candidates following the closing date.
ABOUT US
The Football Association [The FA] is the not-for-profit governing body of football in England. It is responsible for promoting and developing every level of the game, from grassroots through to the professional game, and generates significant revenue to support investment into English football each year.
The FA oversees England international teams across men’s, women’s, youth and disability football, as well as running the National League System and FA Competitions including the Emirates FA Cup, and the Adobe Women’s FA Cup, and the world-class facilities of Wembley Stadium and St. George’s Park, all with a purpose to inspire positive change through football.
Our game can tackle some of society’s core challenges. It can bring communities together, nationally and locally. It can be a platform for inclusion, ensuring there is a place for all. It can get people active and promote wellbeing often at a time when we need it most. With UEFA EURO 2028 – hosted in the UK and Ireland – on the horizon, we have an incredible opportunity to transform football across the country.
Now is the time to inspire positive change.
We currently work 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.
Your contract with The FA will specify a fixed location of Wembley Stadium or St. George’s Park unless the role is advertised as a homebased contract. The contractual location of this role can be found at the top of this advert on our FA vacancy page.
THE PROCESS
We believe that assessment and selection should be robust, fair, and inclusive.
Following receipt of your application and the closing of the application process, you can expect a period of circa two weeks for us to thoroughly screen and shortlist, ahead of any next stage and interview.
Please note, we receive a high volume of applications so this can vary but we ensure that our assessor panel reviews all applications, and no use of automated screening or AI is used.
At an interview, we want to ensure that we see the best of you as an individual and increase our understanding of your skills and experience relevant to the demands of the role. It is very much a two-way process with importance placed on the candidate experience so that regardless of outcome, you feel valued, and treated fairly and hopefully have a positive experience.
No process is ever the same, but we would like to create an environment that is welcoming and ensures the experience is as enjoyable as possible.
We tailor our assessment and selection depending on the nature and demands of the role. The FA Resourcing Team will provide you with as much notice as possible about the process and the format of any interview will always be communicated to you in advance, including what to expect on the day and who you will be seeing.
We often receive a high volume of applications, and for certain roles, we will supplement your application, utilising our on-demand video interviewing platform. On-demand video interviews enable you to answer preset questions, in the comfort of your own home or office setting and at a convenient time for you, giving us greater insight into you as an individual and the skills and experience you might bring to the role and working at The FA.
We also utilise Microsoft Teams for virtual interviews and of course host you at our world class venues, Wembley Stadium and our National Football Centre, St. George’s Park.
GROUP STRATEGY
WE HAVE MOVED FOOTBALL FORWARD.
From 2020 - 2024, we have – in collaboration with our key partners – been able to deliver meaningful change across the game.
From winning our first major tournament in over 50 years to delivering thousands of high-quality pitches to the grassroots game.
BUT WE CAN’T STOP NOW - AND WE WON’T.
This new strategy is about doubling down. Our game can tackle some of society’s core challenges. It can bring communities together, nationally and locally.
It can be a platform for inclusion, ensuring there is a place for all. It can get people active and promote wellbeing often at a time when we need it most.
With UEFA EURO 2028 – hosted in the UK and Ireland – on the horizon, we have an incredible opportunity to transform football across the country.
NOW IS THE TIME TO INSPIRE POSITIVE CHANGE.
Our ultimate purpose is to ‘Inspire positive change through football’ – everything we do ultimately ladders up to this end goal.
The 2024-2028 strategy focuses on tackling four long-term strategic challenges that will fulfil this purpose and drive real change across the game, our ‘Game Changer’ objectives.
Underpinning these Game Changers are then four activities and approaches that will enable us to meet challenges head on, our ‘Drivers’.
EDI STRATEGY
Our equality, diversity and inclusion (EDI) strategy forms an integral part of our long-term commitment to using our influence across English football to create a game free from discrimination.
A GAME FREE FROM DISCRIMINATION
Our 2024 – 2028 strategy outlines three fundamental pillars for delivering a game free from discrimination – Boosting Representation, Driving Inclusion and Tackling Discrimination.
These pillars ensure that our work uniting communities, improving lives, and inspiring positive change on and off the pitch will remain a core priority for English football for years to come.
We are a diverse workplace, aspiring to represent football across the country. The FA 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.
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