Interim CEO, Suffolk County Football Association

The Interim Chief Executive Officer will lead the day-to-day running of Suffolk County FA, taking responsibility for the delivery of its Business Strategy 2024–2028 and shaping the organisation’s strategic direction and culture.

Acting as an ambassador for the charity and grassroots football, the successful candidate will build relationships with partners, funders, key stakeholders and local communities. They will raise the charity’s profile, develop commercial revenue streams and support the adoption of FA technology systems across grassroots football.

As Senior Safeguarding Lead, the Interim CEO will oversee effective safeguarding delivery across Suffolk County FA and grassroots football, in line with The FA’s Safeguarding 365 requirements. They will also ensure the organisation operates in accordance with FA rules, The FA’s Code of Governance and all relevant regulations, policies, procedures and guidance.

02Key Responsibilities

Strategic

Lead Suffolk County FA to embody organisational values and deliver its strategic objectives

Lead the development and execution of innovative strategies, maximizing commercial opportunities to sustain and grow our community impact.

Build, nurture and develop effective and positive relationships with key stakeholders and participants to improve delivery and increase the relevance of football locally.

Embed a service delivery mindset to ensure the best possible customer experience for all who engage with the organisation.

03Governance

• Uphold the FA’s Code of Governance, ensuring transparency, accountability, and ethical
• management across all aspects of Suffolk County FA.

04Stakeholder Management

Lead the relationship management with The FA and ensure that all activities are managed with integrity and the highest levels of compliance.

Develop and manage relationships and effective communications with key stakeholders, participants and business partners.

Accountable to the board on matters relating to finance, corporate governance, football development, football services, marketing, communications, public relations and risk management.

Provide the highest level of customer excellence to support volunteers deliver grassroots football throughout Suffolk.

Ensure Suffolk County FA is committed to promoting equality and diversity throughout all areas of its work and grassroots football.

Embed a positive employee experience and be responsible for the wellbeing, development and ongoing performance of Suffolk County FA staff.

Guide the Senior Leadership Team, fostering an inclusive, collaborative culture that aligns with our community values and governance standards.

05Business & People Leadership

Ensure strong operational performance, financial stewardship, and compliance with charitable and regulatory standards.

Manage budgets through appropriate systems and processes and allocate resources to ensure that Suffolk County FA operations within sound financial principles

Maintain an oversight of all Suffolk County FA’s policies and procedures, ensuring that they are reviewed annually and updated where necessary.

Lead and encourage the Senior Leadership Team to ensure that regular and appropriate resource planning is undertaken to maintain an appropriate balance of skills and experience over time.

Deliver Suffolk County FA’s commitment to promoting, embedding and advancing diversity and inclusion in all its forms to make football in Suffolk FA a welcoming and inclusive experience for all.

06Safeguarding

Be accountable for ensuring that safeguarding is embedded throughout Suffolk County FA and grassroots football in accordance with Safeguarding legislation, FA Safeguarding Policy, best-practice guidance and education programmes.

Embed safeguarding responsibilities and accountabilities into Suffolk County FA’s Business Strategy, Budget, Risk Register and Operational Plan.

Be accountable for ensuring that staff and volunteers deployed by Suffolk County FA are suitable for their roles and uphold the values and behaviours of Suffolk County FA through a safer recruitment policy and that this is applied to new appointments.

Encourage a culture of listening to children and ensure there are processes in place to consider children and young people’s views as part of the decision-making process.

Ensure the Board is kept up to date on safeguarding matters and are provided with all information requited to fulfil their governance oversight duties and to scrutinize ongoing safeguarding policies and procedures.

07Person Specification

Essential Skills

Inspirational leadership and people management skills.

Ability to lead a charitable organisation through transformation and change

Strong communication skills, including team building and conflict management

Strategic level decision-making skills in fast-paced and stakeholder-intensive environment

Business planning, objective setting and managing team and individual performance

08Ability to influence effectively at all levels

• Expertise in managing and engaging a wide range of stakeholders to create sustainable partnerships
• Customer focused mindset and an ability to lead the team in delivering exceptional customer service
• Staff development and mentoring skills
• Financial and commercial competence and a proven ability to establish and monitor financial control systems and manage risk.
• Ability to work under pressure to meet deadlines and handle multiple and changing priorities

09Knowledge and Experience

Essential

10Managing and leading not-for-profit charitable organisations

Knowledge and understanding of working with volunteers

11Experience in delivering strategic objectives

• Experience of change management and skills to assist this

Working knowledge of good governance regarding relevant Company Law (Companies Act 2006), Charity Law (Charity Act 2022) and Charity Commission regulations and guidance appropriate to the business.

A good working knowledge and understanding of organisational policies, responsibilities, and duties regarding the management of staff and volunteers including Safeguarding, Health & Safety and Data Protection regulations and how they translate into best practise

12Desirable

A valid Driving License

13Sports and/or Football experience

• Knowledge of building regulations, laws, risk assessment and risk management
• Understanding Employment Law
• Ability to work under pressure to meet deadlines and handle multiple and changing priorities

14Personal Qualities/Behaviours

Inspirational leadership and people management skills

Able to respond well to change, be flexible and adaptable, a strong leader and team player

Ability to speak confidently and fluently to diverse groups of people, including the media

Ability to determine priorities, set realistic timescales and organise own time effectively.