Senior Lead - Programme Management

Set the bar for greatness

We have an exciting position for a Senior Lead - Programme Management to join our FA Education division.

The Senior Lead - Programme Management is responsible for establishing and overseeing the programme management framework and approach aligned to the FA Learning Strategy. This role sets the standard for programme governance, enabling and ensuring a cross-functional way of working to drive progress against strategic priorities. This role will lead the upskilling of the FA Learning division on effective programme and project management practices.

What will you be doing?

• Design, implement and manage the overarching framework for programme management and governance across FA Learning; ensuring the approach is aligned with the strategic priorities of the division and that it fosters effective cross-functional collaboration and programme delivery.
• Develop and manage strong relationships with internal and external stakeholders to ensure effective collaboration between teams, departments and divisions, in pursuit of FA Learning's strategic priorities whilst ensuring that FA Learning is effectively represented in cross-organisational initiatives.
• Collaborate closely with the Head of Strategy, Insight and Programme Management to conduct effective strategy, business and financial planning cycles.
• Oversee the implementation and ongoing management of a risk framework that identifies, tracks and mitigates risk across FA Learning.
• Oversee the monthly reporting process, in alignment with timeframes and requirements set by the Business Management Group and ensure progress is effectively communicated to all key stakeholders.
• Line manage two Programme Managers, ensuring they are well-equipped to deliver priority programmes by helping them to address challenges, identify risks, and drive successful outcomes.
• Lead initiatives to train and upskill the FA Learning division in project and programme management, helping to ensure that key programme management and governance principles are embedded across the division, enabling better project outcomes and a more collaborative approach to strategic execution.
• Collaborate closely with Strategic Insight Leads to develop and maintain a measurement and reporting framework, ensuring that this framework is used to monitor and evidence progress against strategic priorities, enabling insight informed decision making.
• Coach and mentor the Programme Management Team and contribute to the broader Strategy, Insight and Programme Management's team growth, utilise 1:1 meetings and provide regular feedback to build capabilities, enhance team performance, and foster a high-performing team culture.
• Stay updated with the latest trends and innovations in programme management.
• Executes additional tasks as required in order to meet FA Group's changing priorities.
• Comply with all company policies and procedures to ensure the highest standards of health, safety and well-being can be maintained.
• 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.

What are we looking for?

Essential for the role:

Knowledge:

• Undergraduate degree
• Programme management qualification
• Project management qualification

Experience:

• Extensive programme management experience in a variety of complex and fast paced environments.
• Ability to align programmes with strategy and business plans.
• Proven leadership experience.
• Delivering project and programme management training to a diverse workforce.
• Proven ability to work within complex or matrix structured organisations and galvanise people within non-direct reporting structures.
• Strategy planning and management.
• Excellent organisational and planning skills.
• Excellent interpersonal, communication and relationship building skills.
• Presence and gravitas to work alongside senior leaders.
• Proven ability to work across a wide range of stakeholders internal & external.

Technical Skills:

• Extensive experience of project management software e.g. Smartsheet.
• Extensive experience of Excel.
• Advanced Reporting Writing skills.
• Advanced Microsoft Office.
• Ability to create presentations and present to a wide range of key stakeholders.

Beneficial to have:

Knowledge:

• MBA or relevant post-graduate qualification.

Experience:

• Experience working in an educational or sports-focused environment.
• Passion for sport and/or football.
• Financial planning and management.
• Understanding of the importance and requirements to develop the next generation of coaches and young players.
• Excellent influencing & negotiation skills.

Technical Skills:

• Smartsheet experience.

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 wellbeing.
• 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.
• A hybrid working model offering greater flexibility.

For more information on what it is like to work at The FA, please visit our FA Careers page,

Our Organisation

The Football Association The FA is the not-for-profit governing body of football in England. It is responsible for promoting and developing every level of the game, from grassroots through to the professional game, and generates significant revenue to support investment into English football each year.

The FA oversees England international teams across men's, women's, youth and disability football, as well as running the National League System and FA Competitions including the Emirates FA Cup and Women's Adobe FA Cup, and the world-class facilities of Wembley Stadium and St. George's Park, all with a purpose to Unite the Game and Inspire the Nation.

We currently work 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.

Your contract with The FA will specify a fixed location of Wembley Stadium or St. George's Park unless the role is advertised as a home-based contract. The contractual location of this role can be found at the top of this advert on our FA vacancy page.

The FA, For All, For You

Our equality, diversity and inclusion strategy forms an integral part of our long-term commitment to using our influence across English football to create a game free from discrimination.

A Game For All outlines three key strategic commitments - Lead the Change, Be the Change, and Inspire the Change - which will ensure tackling discrimination remains a core priority for English football for years to come.

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.