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Job Title: Academy Operations Manager
Department: Operations
Reports to: Head of Business Sports Operations

Purpose:

The role holder will lead on all aspects of strategic planning in relation to Academy Operations and Development. They will ensure all aspects of administration, player education/welfare, and logistics are managed in line with the requirements of national bodies, Club policies and procedures.

The post holder will sit on the Academy Management Team and will develop and manage the areas of administration, education, welfare and logistics, ensuring all functions are joined together for new and existing players in order to provide a seamless development program for their Academy years.

Accountabilities with Key Outcomes:

To lead and manage a total department with responsibility for administration, education, welfare and logistics holding the leaders of each function to account through regular monitoring of developments.

To oversee the appropriate budgets for administration, education, welfare, and logistics to ensure compliance with Club policies and procedures, and adherence with the overall agreed budget for the given year.

Manage the development of the priorities highlighted in the Academy Performance.

Collaborate and work closely with the coaching staff, and other Heads of Department, in order to plan and implement a co-ordinated approach to player development across the Foundation, Youth and Professional Phases.

Understanding and managing risk/compliance requirements; be an expert in compliance and protocol, ensure that the Academy abide by regulations and activities in scope and are compliant at all times (e.g. Premier League, FA and UEFA regulations)

Champion continuous process improvement; drive operational efficiency and effectiveness by identifying opportunities for improvement in processes and ways of working, establishing measurement and KPIs where relevant.

Connect with peers in other business areas in order to develop the businesses Operations capability and practice

Key points for the Operations Manager role:

• Strategically lead on the operational day-to-day running of the academy.


• Oversee the logistical planning of home and away fixtures.


• Lead and manage all non-football and performance departments (academy administration, education, player care, and team operations (team managers).


• Oversee the day-to-day running of the facility.


• Plan and manage the schedule of the facility working alongside key stakeholders (internal and external)


• Play a strategic role in the academy leadership team

Become a brand ambassador and reflect AJSCC values with all operational and strategic matters:

• Passion: We bring enthusiasm and energy to provide outstanding entertainment.


• Teamwork: On and off the field of play we all support each other working together for the good of the club and its fans.


• Ambition: Innovation, determination and hard work drive us to be world class in everything we do.


• Integrity: We take full responsibility and accountability for our actions, acting with respect and honour.


• Unity: We bring people together to unite Abu Dhabi’s diverse community.

Knowledge, Skills and Experience:

Essential

• Educated to degree level or equivalent, or has a formal qualification in project/operations management


• Previous experience in an Operations Management role


• Strongly focused on providing an excellent customer service/experience


• Proven experience in budgeting/ forecasting


• Proven resource and workforce planning skills


• Operational planning and roadmaps skills


• A team player, helps create team spirit


• Develops and delivers practical solutions to problems, takes action when sees an opportunity to ‘add value’


• Extremely flexible and able to work within the demands of a 24/7 operation, with extensive travel Desirable


• Experience of working in Football or Sports orientated Operations role


• Business Process Mapping, Analysis and Improvement skills


• Good understanding of Lean Management techniques and processes

Job Impact/Influence Measures:

Show data in approximate or in a range which job has impact on. Please state if the impact is direct or indirect. Think about financial elements e.g. budget, scale of role e.g. people management, network reach, sales impact etc.

Direct Impact on budget – is able to influence spend and cost out multiple options; supports the team in balancing demands of customer with requirement to operate within budget. # the Academy Operations Manager oversees the budget and makes ultimate decision.

Indirect impact on success of Academy Tems for each event - e.g. shared responsibility for ensuring all Team and travelling staff are eligible to work, travel and be fielded (passport and visa requirements), shared responsibility for ensuring pre- match preparation requirements are delivered

Has an indirect impact on reducing the risk of fines/penalties that could be issued, for example, if the Team arrives late for a Football event, if the player is illegally fielded

Qualifications & Experience

• 2-4 Years’ experience


• Knowledge in Safeguarding, Compliance, Health and Safety, and Wellbeing.

Personal Characteristics

• Patience and the ability to remain calm in stressful situations.


• A natural collaborator


• Cultural awareness


• Ability to move between showing patience and tenacity.

Relations

External

• Stakeholders


• Partners


• Sports Authorities


• Governmental entities.


• Suppliers

Internal

• Academy Technical Director


• Head of Business Sports Operations


• Academy Technical & Admin Staff


• Department Heads


• Sports Affairs


• Procurement team


• Facility Management Team

As requested by the club, we kindly ask that all interested applicants submit their applications exclusively through Jobs4football. Applications received through any other platform or method will not be considered.