Job Title: Chief Football Officer Location: FAI Headquarters, Abbotstown, Dublin 15, Ireland Direct Reporting Line To: Chief Executive Officer Commencement Date: ASAP
Duration: Permanent
Direct reports: Men's Senior Head Coach, Women's Senior Head Coach,Men's U21'sHead Coach,Assistant Director of FootballHead of Education and DevelopmentHead of Women and Girls Football,Head of Competitions and Football ServicesFootball Strategic Projects ManagerBackground: The Football Association of Ireland (FAI) is the governing body for Association Football in the Republic of Ireland.
The FAI has primary responsibility for all regulatory and footballing aspects of the game in Ireland.
Reporting to the FAI Chief Executive Officer, and a key member of the FAI Senior Leadership Team (SLT), the Chief Football Officer will set, drive and deliver the FAI's overall football, technical and development strategies for all levels of football across Ireland.
This role presents a real opportunity to build on the foundations already laid for transformational change in Irish Football, via the leadership and implementation of the Football Pathways Plan.
Context: Irish football has entered a defining and exciting new chapter.
Over the past two years, the Football Association of Ireland (FAI), in collaboration with stakeholders across all levels of the game, has developed and launched a new Football Pathways Plan - a whole-of-game plan designed to maximise the country's football potential from grassroots to elite international levels.
This marks a major step forward in aligning player development, coaching, and performance pathways under one coherent and actionable vision.
This is also a period of significant opportunity and momentum for Irish football.
Two new Senior Head Coaches are now in place, with key qualification campaigns underway/soon to commence for both the Men's and Women's teams.
At the same time, the current FAI Strategic Plan continues to guide progress across the organisation, while we will soon release our 2026–2029 strategy to sustain and accelerate this transformational change.
Looking ahead, Ireland's role as a host nation for UEFA EURO 2028, alongside our partners in Great Britain, presents a once-in-a-generation platform to further elevate the game domestically and internationally.
With strong foundations established and a clear path forward, the next Chief Football Officer will have the opportunity to lead lasting, football-first change, strengthening the game at every level and shaping its future for generations to come.
The Role: Working closely with all key stakeholders within Irish football, UEFA and FIFA and with the FAI General Assembly, Board, Senior Leadership Team and key staff, the Chief Football Officer role will build on the foundations already in place.
The role holder will provide leadership of the implementation of all aspects of the FAI Football Pathways Plan and work closely with all internal and external stakeholders to ensure its effective delivery to achieve the outcome's set out in the whole game plan.
The Chief Football Officer is a multifaceted role, overseeing all Football disciplines, encompassing strategic leadership, development pathways, stakeholder engagement, and operational oversight.
Key Responsibilities: Leadership and management of all Football matters from Grassroots to InternationalLead the Football areas of the organisation to deliver against its strategies, plans and KPIs.A key member of the FAI Senior Leadership Team (SLT), offering football expertise to benefit the wider business functions of the association.Represent the FAI domestically and internationally with key football stakeholders, including UEFA, FIFA, national associations, leagues, and clubs where required, ensuring Irish football is effectively positioned and engaged at all levels of the global game.Lead and manage key senior football and technical staff within the Football Division.Provide leadership and management of the Football Leadership team.Leadership and management of the international programme from U15s – Senior international teams across the Men's and Women's pathway, including management of the senior Head coaches of the Men's and Women's teams.Continuously review, set and deliver key technical and football development strategies having consulted and listened to the key stakeholders within Irish football.
The mechanism to achieve this is via the ongoing implementation of the Football Pathways Plan and wider FAI Strategic Plan.Engage, interact and consult with a wide range of key stakeholders and FAI staff on an ongoing basis, including: The FAI Board, CEO and COO. The Directors of Grassroots, League of Ireland and International Operations and their teams. LOI Clubs and their key management teams (Men's and Women's) LOI Head Coaches (Men's and Women's) LOI Academy Managers (Men's and Women's) Key Grassroots (Children, Youth and Adult) Affiliates Provincial FAs, Grassroots, Youth and Adult Leagues and Clubs Third Level programmes Primary and Secondary School External stakeholders including UEFA, FIFA and other FAs Sport Ireland Central and Local GovernmentProvide effective leadership and direction for the following core areas of the FAI including reviewing/supporting any budgetary requests that may be made from them to the relevant SLT Director or Director of Finance:Grassroots, International Operations, Technical and Performance Support, Education and Development, Women and Girls, Talent ID and Recruitment, Refereeing and Referee Development, Competitions and Football Services and Football StrategyWork closely with the LOI Director on league wide mattersProvide leadership, input and oversight of all aspects of Irish football including playing and coaching approach to enhance the Association's profile and position within the world of football.Represent the FAI executive on all key football committees, namely the International High Performance, Women's Football Strategic, Underage and National Leagues committees.Chair and attend internal committees and working groups where required and represent the FAI where needed with all stakeholders within the game.Play a key role in role in the review of existing football structures, as well as the consultation and implementation of the new Football Pathways Plan.Oversight and decision-making responsibility for all Football Division budgets.Key Skills and Experience Required: A senior and inspirational Leader with relevant experience in International and/or club football and a deep understanding of Irish football.Significant experience of working within the Men's and Women's game.Elite level experience in coaching with UEFA Pro License desirable.A team player, demonstrating evidence of leadership and inspiring teams of people to successDemonstrate personal integrity and core beliefs and behaviours that will set the standards for football development within Ireland.A track record of effective influence and interaction at Board and Director level.Strong communication skills and an ability to quickly establish gravitas with the FAI Board and SLT.A strong and relevant background in developing and implementing strategies, in particular around high performance, including underage international teams.Track record of driving improved coach performance.Experience working within an NGB is ideal but not a pre-requisite.The ability to think strategically, from strategy development to implementation and performance management, implementing a data-driven mindset where appropriate.Budget management experience including an understanding of the funding models of an NGB and a proven ability to make informed investment decisions.General knowledge of football including the wider rules and regulations that govern both the Irish and international game.Embrace sports science protocols, data & analytics, and predictive performance metrics.Proven track record in the delivery, development and implementation of High-Performance Systems.An excellent network of contacts in the wider football community.Knowledge of the internal workings of FIFA and UEFA.A strong understanding of the wider sporting landscape in Ireland.Undergraduate or master's degree in a relevant sports field and/or sports management is an advantage.This role will be as demanding as it is wide-ranging but it also one which offers a genuinely unique opportunity for an experienced individual to shape the future of football in Ireland. Closing date for receipt of applications is close of business on 24th June 2025 Shortlisting and interviews will take place shortly afterwards. The Football Association of Ireland is an equal opportunities employer.
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