Brief Description
JOB TITLE: Head of Football Schools
LOCATION: Stamford Bridge
CONTRACT: Permanent
Closing date: 17th September
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.
Role Overview
Chelsea FC is seeking an ambitious, strategic, and commercially astute Head of Football Schools to shape the future of our Football Schools portfolio. This is a high-impact leadership role at the heart of our community and global engagement strategy; driving world-class football education, talent development, and commercial growth.
Reporting to senior leadership, you will spearhead the strategic direction, innovation, and expansion of our Football Schools programmes - spanning holiday camps, after-school clubs, international partnerships, and our flagship Player Development Programme (PDP). With a focus on footballing excellence, inclusivity, and financial sustainability, you will position Chelsea FC as the benchmark for football education worldwide.
This role demands an inspiring leader who can blend elite sporting standards with commercial ambition - enhancing the Chelsea brand, increasing participation, and creating exceptional football experiences that engage young players, their families, and communities across the globe.
Key Responsibilities
Strategic Leadership & Programme Development
* Lead the design and delivery of football education programs across all age groups (4–18), ensuring alignment with Chelsea FC’s coaching philosophy and safeguarding standards.
* Own full Profit & Loss accountability; linking commercial decisions to bottom-line impact
* Expand the reach of Football Schools through new formats, locations, and digital offerings.
* Enhance and increase programme adoption to drive growth across all formats.
Commercial & Revenue Growth
* Develop and execute a commercial strategy to grow revenue through camps, courses, merchandise etc.
* Identify and secure strategic partnerships across schools and brands to scale program delivery and brand exposure
* Monitor and optimise pricing models, customer acquisition strategies, and retention metrics.
Operational Excellence
* Manage budgets, staffing, logistics, and facilities across all Football Schools activities.
* Ensure compliance with safeguarding, health & safety, and regulatory standards.
* Implement data-driven performance tracking for program impact, customer satisfaction, and financial KPIs.
* Maximise allocated resources and nurture a high-performance culture across the team. Where necessary; lead the attraction and hiring of experienced value add hires.
* Ensure a consistently high quality of delivery across all football schools’ teams.
Stakeholder Engagement
* Collaborate with internal departments (Marketing, Foundation, Academy, Retail, Finance) to align Football Schools with broader club initiatives.
* Work closely with customers to understand wants and goals, tailoring programmes and responding to feedback where beneficial.
* Act as a brand ambassador for Chelsea FC in community, media, and partner engagements.
* Lead a high-performing team of coaches, coordinators, and support staff.
Qualifications & Experience
* Proven leadership experience in football education, grassroots development, or sports operations.
* Strong commercial acumen with a track record of revenue generation and partnership development.
* Deep understanding of youth development pathways and safeguarding best practices.
* Excellent communication, stakeholder management, and strategic planning skills.
* Degree in Sports Management, Business, Education, or related field; coaching qualifications desirable.
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. #J-18808-Ljbffr