FA Event Manager

Job description

Help us create unforgettable experiences for England fans across the country!

We are excited to be searching for an FA Event Manager, who will lead the development and delivery of spectator experience initiatives across The FA's events portfolio, enhancing the end-to-end spectator journey and helping to create memorable experiences for spectators, FA invited guests and key stakeholders attending our events.

Working predominantly across FA Events On The Road (OTR), while supporting fixtures at Wembley Stadium where required, you'll play a key role in improving spectator engagement and experience, while supporting the delivery of commercial opportunities across FA events.

You'll also contribute to strategic projects, commercial growth opportunities and wider business priorities, supporting the continued development of The FA's events function.

The role will require regular travel to venues across England, working closely with key colleagues and stakeholders to support the planning of upcoming England fixtures. Due to the nature of the role, regular evening and weekend working will also be required.

What will you be doing?

• Lead the development and delivery of spectator experience initiatives for general admission spectators and FA hospitality guests, across FA events, identifying opportunities to enhance the end-to-end spectator journey.
• Drive consistency and innovation in spectator experience across FA events.
• Support wider FA events and hospitality operational delivery requirements as required, contributing to the successful delivery of major events, tournaments and business priorities.
• Lead the planning and delivery of fan zones, activations and other spectator-facing experiences where appropriate, subject to budget availability, venue suitability, partner requirements and wider event planning considerations.
• Support spectator wayfinding plans with The FA's branding agency, providing input to enhance the spectator experience and the overall look and feel of FA events.
• Contribute to the Wembley fan atmosphere working groups where required, collaborating with our Sports Presentation agency and relevant FA departments to develop and deliver fan engagement initiatives and interactive experiences that enhance the matchday atmosphere and spectator experience.
• Lead the coordination of spectator-facing pre-event communications and emails to ticket holders working collaboratively with Marketing, Communications, CRM and other relevant departments to ensure spectators receive accurate, timely and relevant information ahead of FA events.
• Lead on the delivery and distribution of England matchday spectator guides, coordinating contributions from internal departments, host venues, and key stakeholders to provide spectators with comprehensive event, venue and travel information.
• Manage and evolve existing spectator-facing ticket products and experiences, including Pitch Side VIP, Prime Seats and Ticket+, identifying opportunities to improve value, spectator engagement, and commercial performance across FA events.
• Identify and develop new experiences and revenue-generating opportunities for spectators and FA commercial partners, utilising existing assets and event platforms to enhance spectator experience.
• Lead the coordination and delivery of the 'Here to Help' volunteer programme for OTR matches, working with host venues and delivery partners to recruit, brief, deploy, and support volunteers across FA events.
• Identify opportunities to develop and enhance the 'Here to Help' volunteer programme, ensuring the volunteer workforce continues to support evolving spectator needs and contributes positively to the overall spectator experience.
• Work collaboratively with the FA Insights team to shape spectator surveys, review survey findings and identify opportunities to enhance future event delivery and spectator experience.
• Work collaboratively with external spectator experience consultants and partners to undertake matchday experience reviews, audits and assessments, identifying opportunities to enhance future event delivery and spectator experience.
• Executes additional tasks as required to meet the FA's changing priorities.
• Comply with all company policies and procedures to ensure that 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 :

• Experience in planning and delivering high-profile sporting events.
• Experience developing and delivering spectator, customer, guest or visitor experience initiatives.
• Knowledge of sports presentation, fan engagement or matchday entertainment principles.
• Experience managing multiple projects, stakeholders and deadlines.
• Strong communication, organisational and stakeholder management skills.
• Ability to understand, monitor and interpret event budgets and financial information.
• Proficient in Microsoft Office.

Beneficial to have:

• Relevant degree or similar qualification advantageous.
• Experience working within football, stadium or major event environments.
• Experience working with commercial partners, agencies or sponsors to deliver spectator-facing activations and event experiences.
• Experience developing new event products, experiences or initiatives designed to enhance spectator engagement and commercial growth.
• Experience working with event technology, digital products, mobile ticketing platforms or spectator-facing applications.

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 on 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, encourages 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.
• Private medical cover funded by The FA.
• A contributory pension scheme.
• An additional 'Thank You' day's leave, volunteering days, as well as 25 days of 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.