National Talent Manager – Men's Refereeing (Part-Time)

Vacancy description

Key Information

Division:
Football Operations
Location:
Home based
Vacancy Type:
Part-time, Permanent
Closing Date:
10 August 2025

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The Role

ABOUT US

THE PROCESS

GROUP STRATEGY

EDI STRATEGY

Decide the game...

The FA is looking for a National Talent Manager to join our Football Operations Team on a part-time basis (0.6 FTE). The successful candidate will lead the development and implementation of the Men's Refereeing Talent Pathway, creating a Talent ID network that identifies, nurtures, and accelerates high-potential referees and assistant referees across the men's game. This role will collaborate closely with the Senior Manager, Refereeing Progression Pathway and National Referee Managers (responsible for Steps 2-6) to ensure early identification of high-potential referees and provide them with opportunities to progress within the football pyramid. Additionally, the role oversees the technical direction for the FA CORE Programme and National Performance Centre to ensure that match officials are prepared to transition into the Professional Game.

What will you be doing?

Talent ID and Pathway Development: Lead the development of the Men's Refereeing talent pathway by creating a Talent ID network to identify and nurture high-potential referees and assistant referees for the FA CORE – men's game programme. Ensure that talent is identified early in collaboration with National Referee Managers and is provided with opportunities to progress through the football pyramid.
Technical Leadership - FA CORE Programme and National Performance Centre: Oversee and implement the technical direction for the FA CORE Programme and National Performance Centre to ensure the highest standards of training, education, and development for referees at all levels. Ensure that referees are well-prepared to progress through the pathway and into the professional game.
Collaboration with National Referee Managers, National Talent Manager – Women's Refereeing & Operations team: Work closely with National Referee Managers, National Talent Manager – Women's Refereeing & Operations team, responsible for referee development across Steps 2-6, to ensure early identification of refereeing talent. Collaborate on opportunities to develop these referees within the talent pathway, ensuring they are well-positioned for advancement.
Collaboration with PGMOL: Establish strong working relationships with PGMOL to ensure referees are identified, supported, and prepared to progress into PGMOL development programmes. Ensure that talent identification and progression strategies are aligned to provide referees with the best opportunities to advance into the professional game.
Monitoring and Reporting: Track and report on the progress of FA CORE - Men's game refereeing programmes, identifying key successes and areas for further development. Ensure the programmes remain aligned with The FA's broader strategic objectives.
Diversity and Inclusion Initiatives: In collaboration with the Refereeing EDI Delivery Manager implement initiatives to increase the diversity of men's refereeing, ensuring that the talent pathway is inclusive and accessible to officials from underrepresented groups.
Mentorship and Support: Provide structured mentorship and development support for referees in the talent pathway, preparing them for the challenges of officiating at higher levels and helping to develop their leadership, resilience, and decision-making skills.
Innovation and Education: Utilise innovative learning strategies to improve the educational experience for match officials. Implement digital learning and provide tailored content for men's refereeing development.
Well-being and Professional Support: Ensure the holistic well-being of match officials by providing access to wellbeing resources and creating a supportive environment for referees as they progress through the talent pathway.
Compliance and Safety: Adhere to all FA policies and procedures to ensure the highest standards of health, safety, and well-being for match officials and staff.
Additional Responsibilities: Execute additional tasks as required to meet FA Group's changing priorities.

What are we looking for?

Essential for the role:

Experience in Referee Development or Talent Pathways: Proven experience in developing and managing talent identification systems and progression pathways for referees or athletes, with a focus on women's sports.
Strong Stakeholder Management: Demonstrated ability to build relationships with key stakeholders, including PGMOL, CFAs, and other football organisations, to deliver integrated talent programmes.
Leadership in Talent Identification: Experience in identifying and accelerating high-potential referees and officials through structured pathways, particularly in women's football.
Diversity and Inclusion Expertise: Proven track record of leading diversity and inclusion initiatives, ensuring the participation of underrepresented groups in talent development programmes.
Performance Management: Strong understanding of performance management systems, including match performance, data analysis and feedback processes to drive development and improvement.
Digital and Learning Innovation: Experience in implementing digital learning platforms and innovative educational strategies to enhance referee development.

Beneficial to have:

Experience within the Professional Game: Prior experience as a referee or assistant referee within the professional game, demonstrating a deep understanding of the standards and demands of high level officiating.
International Experience as a Match Official: Experience officiating in international matches, providing a broader perspective on officiating at the highest levels and contributing to the development of referees with global aspirations.
Experience in High-Performance Sport: A strong background in high-performance sport, with a proven track record of working in elite sporting environments to enhance performance and progression.

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 in 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, encouraging 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' days leave, volunteering days as well as 25 days annual leave (based on a full-time, permanent contract.)
A hybrid working model which offers 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

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.

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Location

Home based

Home based, United Kingdom

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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.

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.