Head of Football Operations

About the club

We are the heartbeat of the city. Come and be a part of a long and proud history where we strive to be the best in everything we do, on and off the pitch. Bringing the people and communities together, join the Newcastle United Family, as we embark on the next steps of our exciting journey.

About the role

Newcastle United Women are seeking a dynamic and experienced Head of Football Operations to lead the strategic and day-to-day delivery of our women’s football programme.

This senior leadership role will be pivotal in shaping a high-performance environment across the First Team and Academy, ensuring operational excellence in everything from matchday logistics and training facilities to player welfare and compliance.

Your impact

Reporting directly to the Director of Women’s Football, you’ll drive the club’s ambitions forward, managing budgets, leading cross-functional teams, and building strong relationships with internal and external stakeholders. You’ll be responsible for creating a professional and supportive infrastructure that reflects the values of NUW and supports our journey towards the top tiers of the women’s game.

We’re looking for someone with proven experience in elite sports operations, a deep understanding of football governance, and a passion for developing inclusive, high-performing environments. If you’re ready to play a key role in the future of women’s football at Newcastle United, we’d love to hear from you.

About the team

This is an exciting time to be part for Newcastle United Women. There is a clear vision, ambitious leadership, and the backing of a passionate fanbase.

Location

This role is based in Newcastle upon Tyne. Please note, if you are not located in the Northeast and unable to relocate, we regret that we will not be able to progress your application.

Why choose us?

We’ve got a range of great benefits and rewards, from flexible ways of working, NUFC life assurance, free parking, discount at Shearers Bar and the Club Shop, Helping Hand – where you can access free GP appointments, Wellbeing Resources, Legal and Financial Support, pension contribution, free lunch and the best part, free tea and coffee. In addition, we run a salary sacrifice scheme which includes, tech, car, cycle to work and many more.

Job summary

The Head of Football Operations (NUW) will be responsible for leading and overseeing all operational aspects of the women’s football programme, ensuring the effective delivery of high-performance support for players, staff and teams.

This senior role will manage day-to-day operations, match preparation, travel logistics, compliance with governing body regulations, and the implementation of welfare and support frameworks for players and staff.

Reporting to the Director of Women’s, the role will be central to the strategic and logistical development of the club as it continues its growth towards the top tiers of women’s football.

The post holder will be expected to lead cross-functional teams, manage budgets, liaise with key internal and external stakeholders, and ensure that all operations reflect the values and ambitions of NUW.

Management responsibilities

• As a member of the Club’s Senior Management Team, support the Director of Women’s Football in setting direction and delivering the Club’s vision; seeing the bigger picture, making effective decisions, being a change agent and driving continuous improvement whilst role modelling our leadership and valued behaviours.
• Represent the Club at internal and external stakeholder engagement events.
• Ensure your team(s) comply with all people management policies and processes, that
  these are applied fairly and consistently, and valued behaviours are lived.
• Work collaboratively to drive CPD within your teams, building capability for all to
  deliver performance excellence and commercial sustainability.

Role responsibilities

Operational Leadership

• Oversee all operational activities for Newcastle United Women’s First Team and Academy, ensuring a professional, high-performance environment.
• Lead on training logistics, facility management, pitch bookings, kit provision, medical/ gym access, and scheduling.
• Co-ordinate home and away matchday logistics including travel, accommodation, staffing, ticketing, and media/commercial requirements.
• Manage end-to-end planning and delivery of fixtures in accordance with FA, and WSL competition standards.

Compliance & Governance

• Ensure adherence to FA Women’s Championship licensing requirements, safeguarding frameworks, and EDI policies.

Player Services & Welfare

• Lead on player integration, housing, relocation, visas, and off-field support services.
• Develop and implement a player support framework that fosters wellbeing, inclusion,
  and performance sustainability.
• Handle transfer and registration documentation in collaboration with legal and club secretarial teams.

Strategic Planning & Budget Management

• Set and manage the operational budget for Newcastle United Women, ensuring value
  for money and clear financial oversight.
• Drive strategic planning across operations, supporting long-term growth in alignment
  with club ambitions.

Staff Management

• Line manage operations, kit, and player support teams, including recruitment,
  training, and performance appraisals.
• Build a collaborative and high-performing culture across operational functions.
• Attend technical, strategic, and cross-departmental meetings to represent the women’s operation at executive level.
• Any other reasonable duties.

Role requirements

• Perform duties with due regard to club policies and procedures and legislative
  requirements at all times.
• Ensure implementation of the club’s health & safety, safeguarding, welfare and
  equality policies to create a safe working environment for all.
• Ensure working practices are compliant with relevant legislation and data protection
  legislation and/or general data protection regulations (GDPR) requirements.
• Undertake continuous professional development (CPD) training and/ or additional
  training as identified or as required.

Qualifications & training

Essential:

• • Relevant degree or professional qualification in Sports Management, Business
    Administration, Operations Management, or a related field.
  • FA Safeguarding qualification (or willingness to complete upon appointment).

Desirable:

• • Postgraduate qualification in Sports Administration, Leadership, or High-Performance Sport.
  • FA/UEFA courses related to football governance, club management, or operations.
  • EDI (Equality, Diversity & Inclusion) training or certification.
  • Project Management qualification (e.g. PRINCE2, APM).

Knowledge, skills & experience

Essential:

• Significant experience in an operational leadership role within women’s or dual gender
  elite sports environment (football preferred).
• Strong understanding of football governance and compliance, including FA, and WSL.
• Demonstrated ability to manage complex logistics and planning, including training
  schedules, travel, and matchday operations.
• Proven experience managing budgets and delivering cost-effective operational
  outcomes.
• Competency in reporting, documentation, and handling confidential information
  professionally.
• Previous line management responsibility, including performance appraisals and
  recruitment.
• Ability to lead and develop cross-functional teams in a high-pressure environment.
  Experience supporting player welfare, housing, relocation, and visa processes.
• Strong communication, interpersonal, and stakeholder management skills.

Desirable:

• Experience liaising directly with national and international governing bodies.
• Track record of delivering safeguarding, welfare, and EDI programmes in a sporting
  context.
• Event and facility management experience, including CAPEX or infrastructure project
  planning.

How to apply

Click ‘Apply Now’ via THIS LINK

For further information on this role and about the club and our values please visit our careers page.

Please apply as soon as possible as this vacancy may close early should we receive a high volume of suitable candidates.

Recruitment Agencies – please note that we do not accept unsolicited / speculative candidate details or applications. Any candidates supplied, unless formally requested, will be taken as a direct / free candidate.

United As One

We’re committed to equality, diversity and inclusion and believe in equal opportunities for all. We recognise that the diversity of our people is one of our greatest strengths. We work together to reflect the communities we serve and to maintain an inclusive environment in which everyone can be their authentic self and is enabled to achieve their full potential.

General Statement

All employees of the Club must at all times carry out their responsibilities with due regards to all policies and procedures and in particular health and safety, confidentiality and data protection.

Safeguarding & Welfare Statement

The Club is committed to the safeguarding and welfare of all children, young people and adults at risk of harm and requires all staff, volunteers and others associated with the Club to share and endorse this commitment.

As part of this commitment, all staff are expected to undertake regular safeguarding and welfare related training and to ensure the environments in which they work remain safe at all times.

This includes ensuring ‘best practices’ are adopted at all times and incidents or concerns are proactively reported. Safeguarding is considered everybody’s responsibility.

Equality, Diversity & Inclusion Statement

The Club is committed to equality, diversity and inclusion, encapsulated by the Club’s brand United As One, and believes in equal opportunities for all. We expect that all staff, volunteers and others associated with the Club share and endorse this commitment in a positive manner.

The club does not tolerate any form of direct or indirect discrimination, victimisation or harassment. Your behaviour must align to the principles of equality as outlined in the Club’s equality policy which can be found at www.nufc.co.uk/UnitedAsOne

Health & Safety Statement

The Club is committed to effective management of the Health and Safety risks to all employees, visitors, supporters and any others associated with the Club. As part of this commitment all staff are expected to conduct your business in a proactive way that prevents injury and ill health to those who may be affected by your activities.

All staff are expected to undertake regular Health & Safety related training and to ensure the environments in which they work remain safe at all times, with the mindset that Health & Safety is everybody’s responsibility.