Organisation Chelsea Football Club Salary competitive Location Hybrid - Cobham/Remote Contract type Fixed Term (Full time) Closing date 3 December 2025 Job Description JOB TITLE: Grassroots Partnerships and Events Manager
DEPARTMENT: Academy Recruitment
LOCATION: Hybrid: Cobham/Remote
CONTRACT: Fixed Term until 30/06/2027. 5 out of 7 days - 40 hours a week managed flexibly with the requirement for evening and weekend work
JOB FUNCTION: To support the delivery of the Grassroots Plan within the Academy Recruitment Strategy through the effective use of club partnerships and running of key talent identification events.
Closing date: 3rd December
We encourage you to apply as soon as possible. In the event that we receive a large number of applications, the position may be filled before the listed closing date. To avoid missing out, please submit your application at your earliest convenience.
About Us:
As a member of the Chelsea team, you will become part of a long and proud history in the heart of iconic west London, which dates back to the club’s founding in 1905. Since that time the club has won every major domestic and international trophy, being crowned English, European and world champions in the process.
Chelsea are a club which proudly strives to be the best in everything we do, on and off the pitch, as shown by the further success of our Women’s and Academy sides, as well as the excellent work in the community undertaken by the Chelsea Foundation, while engaging with our many supporters from a wide range of backgrounds at home in the UK and around the world.
If you’re motivated and want to help us win more trophies, you’ve got a place here at Chelsea!
MAIN RESPONSIBILITIES
Partnership Management & Delivery
- Design, launch, and manage Chelsea FC’s new grassroots club partnership model, establishing clear frameworks, agreements, and delivery expectations
- Lead onboarding and induction processes for new partner clubs, ensuring alignment with Chelsea FC values, safeguarding, and programme standards
- Build strong, positive relationships with the grassroots scouting workforce that maintain the day-to-day links with partner clubs, ensuring clear standards, regular communication, and ongoing support
- Serve as a key point of contact for grassroots club leadership, coaches, coordinators, and local football stakeholders
- Monitor partnership delivery across the season, reviewing outcomes, gathering feedback, and identifying opportunities for improvement
- Plan and deliver a season-long partnership calendar of events and partner club interactions
- Work closely with Grassroots Scouts, the Grassroots & Partnerships Lead, and the wider Recruitment Team to ensure the partnership programme supports strategic Talent ID priorities
- Oversee safeguarding standards within all partnership activity, ensuring compliance with Chelsea FC policies
- Maintain accurate records of partnership activity, club engagement, event attendance, and programme impact on Chelsea FC systems
- Produce regular reports and insights for senior staff, highlighting progress, risks, and opportunities
Event Planning & Delivery
- Lead on the design, planning, and execution of key grassroots events, including tournaments, festivals, CPD days, and Talent ID showcases
- Collaborate with Grassroots Scouting Coordinators and Scouts to identify areas of maximum opportunity for Talent ID Events and Fixtures
- Work with key departments across the Academy to ensure high-quality event delivery, and positive stakeholder experience
- Manage event budgets, risk assessments, and operational plans
- Support other Academy Recruitment Events as required
PERSON SPECIFICATION:
Qualifications:
- Valid Passport and driving licence
- Minimum of FA Level 1 Talent ID Qualification or UEFA C Coaching Licence
- Fluent in English
Experience and Skills:
- Strong understanding of grassroots football in London and the South-East
- Experience working or volunteering in grassroots football
- Experience leading partnership programmes or projects and building streamlined processes
- Highly computer literate in office suite and ability to use in-house systems
- Capable of working with high levels of discretion in environments with sensitive information
Qualities:
- Willing to take responsibility and be proactive in solving challenges
- Be personable and enthusiastic with a strong work ethic
- Organised and Diligent
- Confident communicator to a diverse range of stakeholders
- Trustworthy and ethical
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.