Context:

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 Director of Football, and a key member of the Football Leadership team, the Head of Women and Girls Football will be involved in supporting and leading aspects of the FAI’s overall football, technical and development strategies for all levels of Women and Girls football across Ireland. This role presents a real opportunity to support transformational change in Irish Football.

The recent success of the Women’s National Team in qualifying for the 2023 FIFA Women’s World Cup represents a seminal moment for the FAI to drive forward its plans for growth in the game for women and girls, as well as to expand involvement for all women in the wider running and administration of the game.  This role is key to driving such growth.

The Position:

Working as part of a large football division to provide improvement, leadership and management in driving the development of Women and Girls Football. The role will involve working closely with all key stakeholders within Irish football, UEFA and FIFA, and supporting the Director of Football in working with the FAI Board, SLT and key FAI staff. The role will also include contributing to wider Football development strategies within the FAI and across Irish Football.

The newly-created Head of Women and Girls Football role will build on the foundations already in place and recent positive developments within Irish football, but will also lead the delivery of bold development strategies to take Women and Girls Football to the next level. The successful candidate will work across all areas of football for women and girls, with focus to growing participation and retention rates at all stages of the pathway. The successful candidate will be expected to work in a collaborative and holistic fashion to match the needs of all our players and stakeholders within the Women and Girls pathway.

Key Responsibilities:

• Lead the delivery on the newly created FAI Women’s Football Development Plan (WFDP)


• Integrate all relevant departments and programmes in the FAI, and with external stakeholders in relation to Women and Girls football including:
  
  
  
  • League of Ireland.
  
  
  • Women’s National League (WNL) clubs and their key management teams.
  
  
  • LOI Academy Directors.
  
  
  • Key Grassroots Affiliates including the School boy/girls Football Association of Ireland (SFAI).
  
  
  • Underage, Youth and Adult leagues.
  
  
  • Primary and Secondary Schools.
  
  
  • Central and Local Government.
  
  
  • FIFA and UEFA and other FAs.
  
  
  • The Education sector.
  
  
  
  


• Work closely with the Director of Grassroots and Women’s Football Programme Coordinator to grow participation and retention of Women and Girls at all levels of the pathway, including identifying opportunities for football in schools for Girls


• Support the development of wider football development strategies designed to grow the game and create clear and flexible pathways for all


• As part of a wider football review of current systems and structures, review the current Women and Girls pathways and make recommendations for improvement


• Support the delivery of the emerging talent programme, including the centre of excellence and national academy for girls


• As part of a review of the Women and Girls pathway, review, improve and oversee all FAI player development programmes in collaboration with the national co-coordinators and FAI football staff


• Working with the relevant Football staff to support the leadership and management of the Women’s International coaches from U15s – U19s


• Deliver all Women and Girls development programmes in an effective and efficient manner within a planned annual budget


• Support the Director of Football the leadership and management of the Football Division, identifying new systems and processes that create a high performing environment


• Support the delivery of the newly created FAI ‘Irish Football Pathways Plan’ (IFPP), that will be developed with extensive consultation in July 2023


• Represent the FAI on internal Women and Girls committees and working groups


• Under the direction of the Director of Football, represent the FAI where needed with all stakeholders within the game


• Oversee the development and delivery of specific programmes targeted at Women and Girls, namely opportunities and pathways for coaches, players, match officials, administrators and other roles within Irish football


• Conduct research and benchmarking on a regular basis to identify best practice and trends in the development of Women and Girls football across the globe


• Work with the FAI Marketing and Communications Division to develop and deliver a holistic communication strategy for the Women and Girls pathway of Irish football

THE PERSON:

The successful candidate will have the following:

Key Skills and Experience

Essential:

• A passion and motivation for the development of Women and Girls football in Ireland.


• Experience and understanding of the Women and Girls game in Ireland and in key international markets.


• A deep understanding of best practice in Women and Girls football development, including a broader understanding of best practice in football development and talent development


• A deep understanding of the Irish football landscape.


• Leadership experience in a business or sporting capacity.


• Experience of managing key relationship between internal and external stakeholders.


• Experience of developing a delivering strategies.


• Proven track record in the delivery, development, and implementation of a high performing culture and environment.


• Proven decision making and problem-solving ability with experience in managing diverse teams.


• Team Player, Talent Developer, and the ability to lead and inspire a team to success.


• Energetic, and enthusiastic with excellent people, interpersonal and communication skills.


• To be able to represent the FAI professionally and influence decisions with all stakeholders across the game.

Desirable:

• UEFA B Coaching qualification or above


• Playing experience


• Undergraduate degree qualification or above


• Existing relationships within government and other key public bodies