Director of Strategic Communications

Independent Football Regulator; City Of London; On-site; GBP 80,000 - 100,000; Full time

Job summary

A regulatory body for football is seeking a Director of Strategic Communications to lead the communications strategy and manage media relations. This role offers significant influence over the IFR’s regulatory approach and requires an in-depth understanding of football governance and financial regulation. The successful candidate will play a key role in articulating the IFR's mission and objectives effectively to all stakeholders. Application closing date is November 16, 2025.

Qualifications

• Deep understanding of football governance and financial regulation.
• Experience in effective communication strategies.
• Ability to manage media relations.

Responsibilities

• Set IFR’s regulatory strategy and oversee overall communications.
• Develop comprehensive communications and media strategies.
• Ensure clear articulation of IFR's mission to stakeholders.

Job description

About the Independent Football Regulator (IFR)

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.

IFR’s Objectives

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.

Role: Director of Strategic Communications

This role operates at the heart of setting the IFR’s regulatory strategy and is responsible for overall comms, including media management, across the IFR. It will give the successful candidate exposure to the very centre of football, significant influence over and shared responsibility for setting IFR’s regulatory strategy and developing and executing comprehensive comms and media strategies to help the IFR meet its objectives. This role requires a deep understanding of football governance, financial regulation, and effective communication to ensure the IFR effectively achieves its statutory objectives and duties, and clearly articulates its mission and actions to all stakeholders

Application Closing Date

Application closing date : Wednesday 16th November 2025

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