Select Group Women's Professional Game Director

Select Group Women's Professional Game Director

We are looking for a Director to join us to lead the Select Group Women's Professional Game (SGWPG). This role will be responsible for developing and implementing a strategy for building a world-class group of Match Officials to serve the Women's Super League (WSL) and Women's Championship (WC) competitions. This will involve taking responsibility for all WSL, WC, WSL Cup, and Women's FA Cup appointments, ensuring that Match Officials receive appropriate coaching, training, and development as well as monitoring, reporting on and managing performance. This role will be key in managing the relationship with the WSL and WC competitions and will involve a high level of collaboration with the FA to develop the next generation of elite Match Officials to serve in the women's game. Finally, as a member of the Leadership Team, the SGWPG Director will contribute to the strategic vision of PGMOL and lead the organisation through a culture change.

We would love to hear from you if you have:

• A thorough understanding of the technical skills, coaching and training needs required of elite football Match Officials.
• Comprehensive knowledge of WSL and WC football.
• The ability to inspire and lead in a period of organisational change.
• Experience of managing and developing individuals and groups in an elite sporting environment.
• Proven experience of successful performance management in an elite sporting environment.
• Experience of working as part of a multi-disciplinary team to support Match Officials.
• Proficiency in using data to aid decision making.
• The ability to establish credibility and build accountability amongst staff and Match Officials.
• Experience of developing team members and empowering others.
• A forward-thinking mindset with the ability to prepare strategies and deliver creative solutions.
• The ability to respond positively, constructively and successfully to changing environments.
• Strong organisational skills with the ability to prioritise a mixed workload.
• The ability to progress day-to-day work while dealing effectively with tactical issues.
• The confidence and ability to challenge and be challenged.
• Experience of managing budgets.

What you can expect to be involved in:

Supporting strategic objectives

• Devise and implement a strategy for the development of Match Officials to serve the women's game.
• Consult with the WSL and WC clubs, competition, FA and Match Officials to ensure that the strategy appropriately reflects their views and the resources available.
• Provide the Leadership Team with views on WSL, WC strategic initiatives.
• Support the Communications Director in promoting refereeing in the women's pathway.
• Deliver the WSL and WC strategy in support of PGMOL's objectives, including the planning, management, and delivery of key projects.
• Contribute to the strategic development of PGMOL, using their skills and experience to challenge, change and create plans and projects to ensure PGMOL delivers on its key objective to provide a world-class service and to ensure its Match Officials are valued and trusted by the game.

Managing the SGWPG group

• Lead, inspire and manage the group to deliver high-quality service to the WSL and WC competitions.
• Provide appropriate performance information, advice, and feedback to Match Officials.
• Ensure technical performance analysis systems are effectively implemented.
• Liaise with key internal stakeholders to organise and contribute to the content of training meetings and events.

Coaching

• Liaise with the Coaching Director and Head of Coaching and Development to oversee the work of the SGWPG coaching team and to implement the coaching plan.
• Provide coaching support for selected Match Officials. This includes:
  • viewing live performances and reviewing video footage for the purpose of creating development action plans; and
  • monitoring performance holistically against the Key Performance Characteristics (outlined in the attached job description).
• Collaborate with specialists from the Performance Support team to incorporate specialist advice in training, development and action plans where appropriate.
• Provide monthly reports and performance assessments and participate in coaches' meetings.

Match appointments

• Prepare provisional 6-week and match day (weekly) appointments for review.
• Prepare and distribute the final weekly appointments approved by the Leadership Team.
• Regularly analyse and report the appointment profiles to the Leadership Team.
• Collaborate with other group Directors and the FA Head of Refereeing to manage the appointments of those officials who also officiate on their lists.
• Maintain MOAS records for all appointments and maintain the appointment database.
• Agree Match Official and team colours on a weekly basis in conjunction with WSL and WC.

General

• Manage all match day issues as they arise and liaise as appropriate with the Chief Refereeing Officer, WSL and WC competitions and club.
• Manage the relationship with all WSL and WC clubs to support PGMOL engagement with the competitions.
• Manage and lead an annual programme of WSL and WC club visits.
• Support the work of the Communications department.
• Work with the Leadership Team to develop all PGMOL Match Officials.
• Support the PGMOL Training Programme by attending events and participating in training as required.
• Attend and participate in the Annual Conference and other meetings as necessary.
• Develop relationships with UEFA and FIFA refereeing governing bodies.

Safeguarding

PGMOL is committed to safeguarding and ensuring the welfare and protection of children and vulnerable people and expects all staff to share this commitment. As such, the post holder will be subject to any relevant security checks as required.

About PGMOL

PGMOL is entering a new and exciting era as we strive to continue enhancing refereeing standards. PGMOL manage and develop the 600 match officials operating in the elite game in England and are building a broader, highly-skilled workforce to provide the best possible wrap-around support available to aid officials' performance for the benefit of the game.

We are a workplace that strives to be diverse and reflective of the populations we serve, therefore we welcome applications from everyone. As an organisation, we actively promote Equality, Diversity, and Inclusion to ensure everyone can bring their unique identities and the best version of themselves to PGMOL.

If you have any requirements in respect of the interview or recruitment process, please mention this during your application.