Vacancy description
Key Information
- Division:Grassroots Football
- Location:Variable
- Vacancy Type:Voluntary
- Closing Date:17 August 2025
The FA Kickstart: Leaders Mentor Programme (Mentor)
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 mentees graduating from the programme. To learn more about the success of year 1, please visit the website by clicking here.
The Role - Mentor
Program Overview: The FA KICKSTART: Leaders Mentor Programme seeks up to five experienced and accomplished professionals in the football industry to serve as mentors. Mentors will play a crucial role in guiding and supporting aspiring individuals, sharing their expertise, and contributing to the overall development of the next generation of leaders in the football industry.
Commitment: Mentors 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 mentees and ‘mentoring circles' groups, provide guidance, share insights, and actively contribute to the mentees' professional development.
Group mentoring sessions shall be up to two hours per month in duration. Mentors shall also provide up to 30 minutes of one-to-one conversations with each mentee per month, for a total commitment per mentor of up to 5.5 hours per month (maximum). At various intervals throughout the period (up to 6), mentees will be invited to specific sessions in person to receive training and development sessions, which mentors are welcome to attend.
Eligibility Criteria:
- Extensive Football Industry Experience: A minimum of 10 years of experience in the football industry, with a proven track record of success and leadership. Mentors should have a comprehensive understanding of the various business and professional disciplines of the industry, combined with a passion for equality, diversity and inclusion.
- Mentoring or Business Coaching Experience: Previous experience in mentoring, business coaching, or guiding individuals in a professional capacity. This could include formal mentorship roles, coaching positions, or leadership roles where mentorship was a key component.
- Networking and Industry Connections: Well-established professional networks within the football industry. Mentors should be able to leverage their connections to create opportunities for mentees and provide valuable insights into the industry landscape.
- Commitment to Education: A commitment to fostering learning and development, with a passion for contributing to the growth of individuals within the football industry.
- Communication Skills: Exceptional communication skills, both verbal and written, to effectively convey insights, provide feedback, and engage in meaningful discussions with mentees.
- Empathy and Patience: The ability to empathise with mentees, understanding their challenges and offering guidance with patience. A mentor should create a supportive and encouraging environment for mentees to thrive.
- Advisory and Strategic Thinking: Strong advisory and strategic thinking skills, with the ability to provide mentees with practical advice, guidance on career planning, and strategic insights into the football industry.
- Availability: Dedication to regularly meet with mentees (in person and online), attend program-related events, and contribute time outside of scheduled sessions for additional support and mentorship if required.
- Passion for Mentorship: A genuine passion for mentorship and a desire to make a positive impact on the next generation of professionals in the football industry.
- Commitment to Program Goals: Alignment with the goals and values of the programme, contributing to the program's success and the growth of mentees.
The Process
Application Process: Prospective mentors must submit an application which includes a CV, cover letter, and responses to specific questions addressing their eligibility, mentoring philosophy, and commitment to the programme. Shortlisted candidates will undergo an interview process to assess their suitability for the mentorship role.
Note: The FA KICKSTART: Leaders Mentor Programme relies on the dedication and expertise of mentors who are committed to making a meaningful impact on the professional development of mentees. Mentors will contribute to shaping the future of the football industry by sharing their knowledge and experiences.
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 mentor applications: You work in a middle management/senior position, typically at a ‘Senior Manager' or wider equivalent position. Candidates with 10+ years of work experience are preferred.
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.
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