Deputy Director, Chief Operating Officer (Finance)

Independent Football Regulator; Manchester; On-site; GBP 80,000 - 120,000; Full time

Job summary

A regulatory body for football in the UK seeks an exceptional Chief Operating Officer (COO) to lead all financial and corporate activities. The COO will be responsible for ensuring operational efficiency and governance, directly overseeing corporate teams. This pivotal role will support the sustainability and heritage of English football. Ideal candidates will have strong strategic leadership and finance experience. Closing date for applications is Wednesday, 26th November 2025.

Qualifications

• Proven experience in strategic leadership within a regulatory or corporate environment.
• Strong background in finance and governance.
• Exceptional communication and stakeholder management skills.

Responsibilities

• Provide strategic leadership and management of financial and corporate activities.
• Ensure operational efficiency and effectiveness of the IFR.
• Drive governance and decision-making processes.

Skills

Strategic leadership

Financial stewardship

Governance

Stakeholder engagement

Commercial awareness

Education

Relevant degree or equivalent experience

Job description

The Independent Football Regulator (IFR) has been established to protect and promote the sustainability of English football, for the benefit of fans and the local communities football clubs serve.

The IFR’s objectives are:

• to protect and promote the financial soundness of regulated clubs;
• to protect and promote the financial resilience of English football;
• to safeguard the heritage of English football.

On a day-to-day basis, we will supervise clubs against a licensing regime; set standards for clubs; and monitor, protect and promote financial resilience. The IFR has significant powers under the Football Governance Act and, if necessary, will use powers to enforce compliance on financial regulation, club owners and directors, fan engagement and heritage protection.

We are looking for an exceptional strategic leader to join the Independent Football Regulator (IFR) to provide strategic leadership and management of all financial, commercial, people and broader corporate activities within the IFR, providing expert advice and support to the business at a time of organisational set up. This role will ensure the operational efficiency and effectiveness of the IFR, ensuring its functions support the delivery of the IFR’s core objectives. This includes meeting the regulatory principles set out in the Football Governance Act 2025, including efficient resource use, proactive engagement with stakeholders, and necessity and proportionality of requirements.

The COO will be an executive member of the IFR Board. The COO will ensure robust financial stewardship, oversee effective governance and drive value in decision making, enabling the organisation to achieve its objectives. The COO provides direct leadership to the corporate teams which cover the key areas of the operations of the IFR. The COO will determine and designate tasks and make decisions about key business priorities and is accountable for ensuring policies and operational processes and procedures are effective, reviewing and amending as necessary.

This role requires exceptional leadership across a range of functions – finance, HR, commercial. By driving the success of corporate functions, the COO will play a critical role in safeguarding the sustainability and heritage of English football.

Application closing date: Wednesday 26th November 2025

Please download the candidate brief below for an in-depth overview of the role, and of details on how to apply:

Supporting Documents for Deputy Director, Chief Operating Officer (Finance)

• Download Job supporting document (PDF)