Overview
English professional football has, over recent years, invested considerably in elite talent pathways. Clubs and entities running elite talent programmes for young players must comply with advanced and evolving regulatory frameworks. These frameworks deliver on English football’s shared mission of developing more and better home‑grown players, and compliance is a condition for receiving central funding to support elite youth development.
On the boys’ side, as part of the Elite Player Performance Plan—the Professional Game’s national strategy for developing male youth footballers in England—professional club Academies are licensed and placed into one of four categories (Category 1 to 4). Categories are based on investment levels, facilities, staffing, and the quality of provision across key multidisciplinary areas. We are currently reviewing the audit and assessment framework used on the boys’ side.
On the girls’ side, the female talent pathway supports the development of more and better home‑grown players through two key programmes: around 60 licensed Emerging Talent Centres for girls aged eight to 16, and 20 licensed Professional Game Academies delivering training and development to girls aged 14 to 21. Licensing requirements for both categories, and the way PGAAC assesses them, will continue to evolve as the girls’ game grows.
To ensure compliance and support continual raising of standards, an independent standards organisation—PGAAC—has been established by The FA, the Premier League and the EFL. PGAAC oversees multidisciplinary assessments of all licensed training programmes, covering leadership, coaching, performance, duty of care, education, safeguarding, and productivity.
Background of the Board
The Board of PGAAC comprises an independent chair and representatives from its three shareholders: the EFL, The FA and the Premier League.
Key Responsibilities of the INED
* Support PGAAC in delivering its mission through a period of continued change.
* Contribute to and, where appropriate, lead discussions around strategy and forward‑thinking actions to create a clear plan and framework that enables focus and measures success.
* Ensure PGAAC is run transparently and equitably in line with accepted best practice in corporate governance.
* Review outputs of the audits of boys’ Academies and assess whether an Academy should be awarded or maintain its licence, making recommendations accordingly.
* Consider, advise on and make recommendations regarding systemic areas of quality, risk and developmental need in the male and female elite talent pathway.
* Offer check and challenge to the Chair, General Manager and PGAAC staff.
Experience and Capabilities
This role combines business and governance acumen with an understanding and passion for youth development in English football. While specific football youth development expertise is not required, the candidate will be motivated by the vision of PGAAC and the shared desire to produce more and better home‑grown players.
* Experience working with organisations during periods of developmental growth and change, building a strong organisational culture and fostering cohesion, particularly where staff work remotely.
* Experience operating within a Board or committee or C‑suite in a commercial organisation (not limited to sport) or national governing body of another sport.
* Capacity to contribute actively to strategic direction, demonstrated by evidence of strategic thinking and complex concept analysis.
* Confident, effective communication and influencing skills, speaking openly yet constructively and respectfully.
* Proven track record of independent decision making and effective teamwork in collective strategic decisions.
* Understanding of what constitutes ‘good’ organisational design, and proven business acumen to share for PGAAC development.
* Ability to review, understand and analyse complex technical reports, and summarise key points for robust, informed decisions.
* Open, constructive approach to PGAAC proceedings, offering full contribution and challenge in a collegial manner.
Desirable
* Experience of sports governance, working with or as part of a board.
* Experience managing complex projects to ensure delivery in line with expectations.
* Experience of audit and quality assurance processes.
Eligibility and Time Commitment
Applicants must be independent of any football club with an Academy, and of The FA, the EFL, the Premier League, County FAs, Football Club Charities, and organisations linked to the talent pathways. Independence means free from close connection with such organisations, perceived objectively as independent.
Time Commitment: This non‑executive role requires attendance at up to eight meetings throughout the year, including one strategy away day in the close season. Attendance is required at all Board meetings, with occasional short‑notice additional meetings. Meetings may be virtual via Teams or in‑person—preferably in London or other locations—depending on practicality. The role is remunerated at £500 per day, with all reasonable expenses covered. Full details will be shared during application.
Equal Opportunities & Safeguarding
PGAAC is an equal opportunities employer, striving to create an inclusive culture where talent can flourish. We believe in the potential of everyone and welcome applications from women, people from minority ethnic communities, LGBTQ+ people and disabled people. All appointments are made on merit. All occurrences are recorded in line with safeguarding policies.
We will remove barriers that prospective candidates might face at any stage of our recruitment process. If you have a disability and would like the advert in an alternative format, or would like to discuss adjustments to the interview process, please contact recruitment@premierleague.com.
#J-18808-Ljbffr