Academy Operations Manager

Organisation: AFC Wimbledon
Salary: Negotiable
Location: New Malden
Contract type: Permanent (Full time)
Closing date: 30 September 2025
Job Description: AFC Wimbledon is a professional football club based in Wimbledon, London, with an astonishing history, having been reformed in 2002 to continue 135 years of Wimbledon sporting representation.

In 2020 the club returned home to Plough Lane, Wimbledon - to the brand-new Cherry Red Records Stadium - a purpose-built long-awaited modern stadium with 9,000 capacity and excellent corporate and event facilities, funded by the dedicated contributions of its fans.

The original Wimbledon FC played just yards away for 70 years and achieved worldwide fame by going from non-league to the Premiership, and beating Liverpool in the 1988 FA Cup Final.
Owned by its fans through membership of The Dons Trust, AFC Wimbledon exemplifies community spirit and fan engagement - with award-winning community schemes and charitable endeavours alongside its sporting achievements.

Our men's team play in League One, our women’s team also play in the third tier, and our Academy consistently develops young players who go on to become professionals in our first team or elsewhere, with our youth teams regularly beating those of Premier League and Championship sides.

AFC Wimbledon is looking to recruit an Academy Operations Manager to directly oversee all football operations within its Category 3 EPPP Academy including strategy, communication, administration, finance, audit, safeguarding, scheduling, and compliance.

This is a key leadership role within the Academy working closely with the Academy Manager and directly reporting to the Director of Football.

Key Responsibilities:

• Lead on coordination and communication of the academy with the wider club and externally.
• Oversee all academy logistics for training, fixtures, transport, accommodation and equipment.
• Line manage the Academy Administrator and the casual workforce of academy transport and matchday staff.
• Lead on Academy EPPP audit submission and management.
• Lead on all academy administration.
• Manage the academy calendars and schedule, liaising with internal and external stakeholders.
• Be a key member of the academy MDT regarding the induction and end journey of registered academy players, overseeing and managing the process amongst staff.
• Support the Academy Manager in the leadership of the academy and football delivery from time to time.
• Support all safeguarding and health and safety protocols.
• Be the academy point of contact for our training ground landlord.
• Manage the academy budget, including spend sign off.
• Liaise with key stakeholders such as parents and external partners.

Knowledge and Experience

• Experience in a similar operational, administrative or team management role within a professional sporting environment.
• Experience managing audit processes.
• Experience working within an EPPP academy.
• Knowledge of Safeguarding, child welfare and player development systems.

Key requirements

• You will be required to undertake a Disclosure and Barring Service Check at the appropriate level prior to starting work.
• Educated to degree level (or equivalent experience).
• Excellent organisational, communication and interpersonal skills.
• Strong computer literacy, particularly the Microsoft Office package.
• Full UK driving license with access to vehicle.

The role will be offered on a permanent basis working 35 hours per week.

Closing date: Tuesday 30 September 2025
How to apply: How to apply: email your CV and one page cover note to HR@AFCWimbledon.ltd.uk