County FA Regional Manager - South Region

Organisation: The Football Association
Salary: Competitive
Location: Home-Based
Contract type: Permanent (Full time)
Closing date: 29 January 2026
Job Description: The Football Association has an exciting opportunity within our County FA network for a Regional Manager in the South UK Region.

The purpose of the Regional Manager is to:

Be the relationship and contract manager between The FA and County FAs (CFAs), always acting as an FA ambassador.
To drive CFA business improvement including strategic and operational planning, workforce structures, performance management, corporate governance, financial management, facility development, customer service excellence, marketing & communications, commercial, football development and football services.
To lead implementation of The FA's Grassroots Football Strategy, and other strategic plans that are in place from time to time, and support CFAs in the creation of effective local action plans to achieve their targets, ensuring contractual obligations are delivered.
To work closely with the Grassroots 2040 core team and be integrally involved in working with CFAs on the implementation of Grassroots 2040.
The role will have flexible working locations with the expectation of regular travel within the region.

What will you be doing?

Within a designated region (south - see attached map and County FA list below for further details outlining the southern region);

Ensure County FAs have clear, effective strategies and action plans in place to deliver their key performance indicators (KPIs) and other targets as defined in The FA Grassroots Football Strategy or other strategic plans that are in place from time to time.
Co-ordinate the business planning process and allocation of financial distributions into County FAs through the reviews taking place throughout each season.
Communicate clearly and effectively with County FAs and drive adherence to the communications framework.
Support the implementation and ongoing compliance of Safeguarding 365 Standard, the Code of Governance for County FAs, Financial Operating Guidance and other standards/models that are in place from time to time.
Performance manage County FAs against their business strategies, operational plans and KPI progress.
Support County FAs in:
Recruiting, retaining and developing excellent people who are proud to serve the game.
Using research, insight and measurement to understand their stakeholders and location to aid decision making and delivery.
Building a strong financial and commercial base to ensure sustainability.
Creating effective leadership and governance structures to meet modern-day challenges.
Personally, provide excellent service levels to County FAs; responding to communications / requests for support and embedding a culture of customer excellence.
Champion the perspective of County FAs and delivery partners across The FA and with key partners, elevating their profile and the recognition of the work undertaken at local level.
Support County FAs to implement effective performance management systems, including the recruitment, retention and development of staff and volunteers and create a culture of high performance.
Prioritise time spent in County FAs through a risk evaluation process, ensuring that time is spent as effectively as possible, dealing with conflict and managing change.
Build a culture of trust between the County FAs and The FA.
Drive a culture of continuous improvement, aligned with The FA Grassroots Football Strategy.
Support the implementation of the County FA Operation Model and any future model developed.
Execute additional tasks as required to meet FA Group changing priorities.
Comply with all company policies and procedures to ensure that the highest standards of health, safety, and well-being can be maintained.

What are we looking for?

Essential for the role:

Business / Sport development qualification.
Strong influencing skills in the areas of strategy and policy.
Experience of FA programmes and grassroots football.
Track record of creating effective, detailed business strategies to achieve a range of outcomes.
Previous line management of team members.
Success in leading transformational change programmes.
Broad business development skills covering the areas of people, service, standards, compliance, governance and finance.
Experience in developing successful partnerships and attracting investment.
Ability to gain buy-in to equality objectives.
Strategic management, policy implementation and business improvement experience.
Ability to evaluate risk, manage conflict and oversee change.
Experience achieving results through performance management.
Relationship management skills through coaching and mentoring.
Valid UK driver's license.

Beneficial to have:

Knowledge of the FA Grassroots Football Strategy.
Knowledge of financial and HR management.
CEO and/or regional management experience.
History of working in partnership with County FAs.
Understanding of the political and functional workings of Local Authorities, Sport England and other partners.
Experience in shared service models.
Health and safety skills / qualification.
Project management skills / qualification.
Understanding of data analysis.

If successful, a final stage in-person interview will take place at Wembley Stadium on the 26th of November.

What's in it for you?

We are committed to ensuring everyone can flourish in their roles, to achieve this we have unique office spaces under the arch of the iconic Wembley National Stadium, which is the home of English Football. We are also delighted to offer a world-class, Elite Performance Centre, St. George's Park in Staffordshire which is an exceptional setting to develop and inspire high-performing England teams and leaders.

We pride ourselves in offering a competitive salary as well as great opportunities to develop and grow in your role. But that is not all; we also have a range of exciting benefits, some of which can be found below:

Access to event day tickets at Wembley Stadium, alongside a host of regular internal events throughout the season, encouraging you to connect and learn with your colleagues and look after your mental health and well-being.
Free, nutritious lunches at Wembley Stadium and St. George's Park.
Free private medical cover.
A contributory pension scheme.
An additional 'Thank You' days leave, volunteering days as well as 25 days annual leave (based on a full-time, permanent contract.)
A hybrid working model which offers greater flexibility.

For more information on what it is like to work at The FA, please visit our FA Careers page, https://www.thefa.com/about-football-association/careers

Currently, we are working within a hybrid working model whereby the expectation is to work from your contractual location for part of the week, and as and when required by the team. The remaining days can be worked remotely. We will continue to monitor this model, and it may be adjusted in future if deemed necessary. The contractual location of this role can be found on the FA Careers page.

We are a diverse workplace, aspiring to represent football across the country. The Football Association actively promotes inclusion and diversity, encouraging you to be the best version of yourself at work.

We welcome applications from everyone and are proud to be an equal opportunities employer. If you have any particular requirements in respect of the recruitment or interview process, please mention this during your application.

As part of the FA's commitment to ensuring a safe environment for everyone in football, every employee will be required to complete a DBS check. The level of the check required will be based on the activity of the specific job role and in line with legislation and government guidance.
How to apply: https://careers.thefa.com/jobs/vacancy/county-fa-regional-manager---south-region-hb0287-home-based-/2912/description/