Vacancy description
Key Information
- Division:Grassroots Football
- Location:Variable
- Vacancy Type:Voluntary
- Closing Date:17 August 2025
The FA Kickstart: Leaders Mentor Programme (Mentee)
OUR GOAL
Unite the Game and Inspire the Nation
BACKGROUND
One of the FA seven strategic objectives is to be ‘A world-leading education programme for a diverse football workforce'. The FA has examined its own under-representation of historically underrepresented groups in senior leadership positions and is committed to developing greater equality of opportunities. This includes ensuring that more under-represented leaders obtain relevant qualifications and gain essential experience to challenge for senior positions across the football industry.
This programme is open to all female and male applicants, particularly those from historically underrepresented groups.
Year 1 of the KICKSTART Programme concluded successfully in July 2025 with 20 mentors graduating from the programme. To learn more about the success of year 1, please visit the website by clicking here.
The Role: Mentee
Program Overview: The FA KICKSTART: Leaders Mentee Programme aims to provide aspiring leaders from historically underrepresented groups within the football industry the opportunity to gain valuable insights, guidance, and support from experienced professionals to become tomorrow's leaders. Mentees will have the chance to enhance their understanding of the industry, develop essential skills, and navigate their career paths with the assistance of seasoned mentors.
Commitment: Mentees are expected to commit to the programme for a minimum of nine months and must have line-manager and organisational approval to take part. During this period, they will engage in regular meetings with their assigned mentors both individually and in ‘mentoring circle' groups, actively participate in program activities, and demonstrate a proactive approach to their own professional development.
Group mentoring sessions shall be up to two hours per month in duration either online using the Guider platform or in person. Mentees will also receive one-to-one conversations every month. At various intervals throughout the period (up to 6), mentees will be invited to specific in-person sessions to receive training and development.
Eligibility Criteria:
- Professional Experience: Candidates must be working in the football industry across any discipline and must currently be operating at mid-manager level which typically means having 5-8 years of experience.
- Passion for Football: A genuine and demonstrated passion for the sport of football is essential. This includes a deep understanding of the game, its culture, and its impact on communities.
- Commitment to Learning: The mentee should be eager to learn, open to feedback, and committed to personal and professional growth within the football industry.
- Communication Skills: Strong communication skills, both written and verbal, are crucial. The ability to articulate ideas, ask insightful questions, and engage in meaningful conversations is highly valued.
- Adaptability: The football industry is dynamic and ever-changing. Mentees should be adaptable, able to navigate uncertainty, and embrace challenges as opportunities for growth.
- Networking Aptitude: An understanding of the importance of networking and a willingness to expand professional connections within the football industry.
- Professionalism: Demonstrated professionalism, including punctuality, respect for others, and a positive attitude, is expected at all times
- Goal Orientation: Clear goals and objectives for what the mentee aims to achieve through the programme, showcasing a proactive attitude toward their own development.
- Availability: Commitment to attend regular 1-2-1 and ‘mentoring circle' meetings, workshops, and other program-related events. Availability to dedicate time outside of scheduled sessions for additional learning and networking opportunities.
The Process
Application Process: Candidates interested in becoming mentees must submit a short application, including a CV and responses to specific questions addressing their eligibility and commitment to the programme. Shortlisted candidates will undergo an interview process to assess their suitability for the programme.
Note: The FA KICKSTART: Leaders Mentee Programme is designed to foster a mutually beneficial relationship between mentees and mentors, contributing to the overall growth and development of individuals within the football industry. Successful applicants will be those who align with the values and goals of the programme.
Reasonable expenses such as travel will be covered as part of the programme.
Stage 1: Expression of Interest
- Submission of CV/Covering Letter.
- Answering screening questions.
We encourage applications from candidates from historically underrepresented groups (based on race/ethnicity, gender, disability and sexual orientation, for example) and people with intersectional characteristics.
Please note, on the application form, you may be asked questions relating to salary expectations, and notice period - this can be marked as 1.
Candidates with the following role characteristics are eligible to apply:
- You must work in the football industry on a full-time basis (any type of role and any aspect of football which is ‘off the pitch'). This programme will not accept candidates from on-pitch roles such as players, coaches and referees.
- You have line manager approval to take part in the programme
- For mentee applications: You work in a middle management position typically at ‘Manager, Officer or Senior Manager' position. Candidates with 5-10 years work experience are preferable.
Screened candidates will be invited to advance to stage 2.
Stage 2: Video interview process
- Completion of online video submission questions.
Our equality, diversity and inclusion strategy forms an integral part of our long-term commitment to using our influence across English football to create a game free from discrimination.
https://www.thefa.com/-/media/thefacom-new/files/about-the-fa/2021/fa_a-game-for-all-strategy.ashx
A Game For All outlines three key strategic commitments – Lead the Change, Be the Change, and Inspire the Change – which will ensure tackling discrimination remains a core priority for English football for years to come.
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.
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.
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.
Share this page
Vacancy Alerts
Recommended Jobs
