Football Team Facilities Manager - UK & Ireland 2028 Limited

Fixed Term Contract until 2028

The Tournament

Contested every four years, the UEFA European Championship has been showcasing the continent's top talent since its inception in 1960 and is the world's third largest sporting event.

UEFA EURO 2028 is taking place across the UK & Ireland where Europe's top 24 national teams will compete in a 31-day, 51 match tournament, attended by over 3 million spectators and with a global tv audience of upwards of 2 billion people.

As one of the world's largest and highest-profile sporting events, UEFA EURO 2028 will attract the attention of the sporting and major event communities, the media, and the public at large across the UK& Ireland, Europe and the World. With its unique hosting model, the event promises to spread the impacts and benefits of the tournament across the nations and communities of the UK and Ireland.

UK & Ireland 2028 Limited has been set up as a new company to locally deliver several UEFA requirements for the tournament, working closely with UEFA, 9 Host Stadiums, 8 Host Cities and other key stakeholders.

The Role
This role is responsible for the planning and delivery of the team facilities at UEFA EURO 2028 including the sourcing, contracting and operational delivery of training and accommodation facilities for teams and referees. Additional responsibilities include managing the work of the pitch assessment and monitoring contractors, to ensure that first class playing surfaces are delivered to the teams as well the allocating, and provision of football related facilities in all host stadia.

What will you be doing?

1. Responsible for the sourcing and contracting of training centres and the day-to-day operational planning & delivery of elite team training and accommodation facilities for the 24 teams and referees in UEFA EURO 2028.
2. Provide input to and support setting up the UEFA team facilities catalogue for participating national associations.
3. Prepare detailed information for each selected training centre regarding the pitch conditions, security and privacy aspects as well as any branding requirements (incl. clean site).
4. Develop and write operational plans for each of the selected and contracted base camp and transfer training facilities based on UEFA requirements.
5. Work in close collaboration with the appointed accommodation agency.
6. Manage the team of regional staff during tournament time to provide best services to the participating national associations and ensure that training venues and associated services are delivered in line with wider tournament planning.
7. Source, deliver and oversee a pitch monitoring programme to ensure the delivery of first-class pitch conditions both at training venues and match venues working alongside appointed pitch consultants and existing grounds management teams.
8. Integrate team facilities planning into wider tournament planning including security, transport, medical services, signage, logistics and venue management (for stadium related matters) to ensure that their operational planning are aligned with wider tournament service levels and procedures.
9. Alongside the Senior Football Services Manager, develop the budget for the football facilities domain in line with agreed parameters.
10. Recruit and oversee a team for the delivering of elite, consistent facilities for the participating teams during the tournament in line with tournament requirements.
11. Facilitate participating national association visits to hotels and training facilities, including travel and base camp selection process.
12. Execute additional tasks as required to meet changing priorities.
13. Comply with all company policies and procedures to ensure the highest standards of health, safety and wellbeing can be maintained.

What are we looking for?

Essential Skills & Experience

1. Experienced project manager.
2. A detailed working knowledge of professional sports environments and their requirements.
3. Extensive knowledge of elite football/sports facilities within the UK & Ireland.
4. Experience managing a high performing team.
5. Proven experience in managing, negotiating, and executing contracts, ensuring compliance with legal and regulatory requirements.
6. Assist in developing a team culture where values such as excellence, hard work, service to stakeholders, honesty, integrity and achievement are paramount.
7. Ability to build strong internal and external relationships with senior figures.
8. Experience of budget management.
9. Excellent interpersonal skills and the ability to communicate across a levels.
10. Experience of relationship-building and negotiation skills.
11. Extensive experience of Microsoft Office, Excel, PowerPoint and Project Management tools.
12. Experienced in major event planning and delivery.
13. Proven communication skills and ability to deliver high quality written reports & presentations.
14. Accustomed to working with a high level of corporate and public scrutiny.
15. Willing to travel on a regular basis across UK & Ireland and in possession of a full driving license.

Desirable Skills & Experience

1. Experience working within a professional football environment.
2. Experience working on major international football events.
3. Ability to speak European foreign languages.

Why apply?

We offer a competitive salary (plus benefits of 25 days holiday, contributory pension, Private Medical Insurance etc), which coupled with the opportunity to be part of one of the biggest sporting events to ever take place across UK & Ireland we think makes for an exciting place to be!

Where is the role based?
Our head office is based at the iconic Wembley Stadium in London, however depending on your role you may be required to travel across the UK and Ireland to our 9 Stadiums and 8 Host Cities, with some roles being based in those locations.

As an event delivery organisation, it's important that we have regular time together in the office and currently employees come together at least 2 days a week at HQ in Wembley, with the number of days in HQ increasing as the project develops with a minimum of 3-4 days needed in and full time in the year of 2028.

Everyone is welcome

UK & Ireland 2028 Limited actively promotes diversity and inclusion and welcome applications from everyone. We 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 UK & Ireland 2028 Limited's commitment to ensuring a safe environment for everyone, 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.