Fixed Term Contract until 31 July 2026 - Home-based

At grassroots level, football should be fair, safe and welcoming for everyone. Discipline plays a crucial role in making that happen.

We're looking for a County FA Football Discipline Services Officer to deliver high-quality, consistent discipline services for County FAs that are part of The FA's County FA Discipline Shared Service. Working closely with the County FA Football Discipline Services Manager, you'll support the delivery of The FA Grassroots Football Strategy and help ensure disciplinary matters are managed with integrity, care and transparency.

This is a home-based role, suited to someone who understands the grassroots football landscape, is confident handling investigations and enjoys working collaboratively to support volunteers and protect the game.

What you'll be responsible for:

• Delivering discipline services for County FAs within the FA's Discipline Shared Service

• Managing disciplinary cases fairly, transparently and in line with FA Rules and Regulations

• Conducting proactive and reactive investigations into alleged misconduct

• Raising appropriate misconduct charges within agreed timescales

• Conducting investigative interviews and reviewing all available evidence where required

• Preparing and overseeing case files for personal and non-personal hearings

• Arranging hearings and acting as Secretary to disciplinary commissions, including competition appeals

• Liaising with alleged victims, including sharing the Sporting Chance support offer for victims of discriminatory abuse

• Supporting club and league secretaries through the discipline process, providing clear guidance and updates

• Working closely with County FA Designated Safeguarding Officers on cases involving under-18s and adults at risk

• Ensuring under-18s involved in cases receive appropriate, age-specific support

• Acting on feedback from those involved in the disciplinary process to improve service delivery

• Collaborating with FA Regional Discipline Managers, Referee Development Officers and other stakeholders

• Providing regular updates to the County FA Football Discipline Services Manager

• Supporting appeals and complaints where required

• Delivering excellent customer service to volunteers using FA technology systems

• Helping embed safeguarding, equality and inclusion across discipline services and grassroots football

• Supporting additional priorities in line with The FA's evolving objectives

What we're looking for:

• Knowledge and understanding of FA Rules and Regulations

• Understanding of how County FAs operate in partnership with The FA

• Knowledge of grassroots football structures and the National League System

• Experience conducting and managing investigations in a County FA, regulatory or similar environment

• Experience preparing and managing disciplinary case files

• A strong working knowledge of safeguarding, equality, inclusion and anti-discrimination

• Experience working with and supporting volunteers

• Excellent written and verbal communication skills, including report writing

• Strong organisation, time management and prioritisation skills

• Confident decision-making and problem-solving ability

• Ability to work independently in a remote role and collaboratively as part of a wider team

• Excellent IT skills, including Microsoft Office

• A strong customer-focused approach

Desirable skills:

• Experience working in a regulatory or legal environment

• Experience acting as Secretary to disciplinary cases or hearings

• Knowledge of The FA's Grassroots Football Strategy and County FA Business Plans

• Experience building relationships with a wide range of stakeholders

• Ability to use data to monitor, evaluate and report on activity

• Experience producing reports, plans or budgets

What's in it for you?

We are committed to ensuring everyone can flourish in their roles, to achieve this we have unique office spaces under the arch of the iconic Wembley National Stadium, which is the home of English Football. We are also delighted to offer a world-class, Elite Performance Centre, St. George's Park in Staffordshire which is an exceptional setting to develop and inspire high-performing England teams and leaders.

We pride ourselves in offering a competitive salary as well as great opportunities to develop and grow in your role. But that is not all; we also have a range of exciting benefits, some of which can be found below:

• Access to event day tickets at Wembley Stadium, alongside a host of regular internal events throughout the season, encouraging you to connect and learn with your colleagues and look after your mental health and well-being.
• Free, nutritious lunches at Wembley Stadium and St. George's Park.
• Free private medical cover.
• A contributory pension scheme.
• An additional 'Thank You' days leave, volunteering days as well as 25 days annual leave (based on a full-time, permanent contract.)
• A hybrid working model which offers greater flexibility.

Currently, we are working within a hybrid working model whereby the expectation is to work from your contractual location for part of the week, and as and when required by the team. The remaining days can be worked remotely. We will continue to monitor this model, and it may be adjusted in future if deemed necessary. The contractual location of this role can be found on the FA Careers page.

We are a diverse workplace, aspiring to represent football across the country. The Football Association actively promotes inclusion and diversity, encouraging you to be the best version of yourself at work. 

We welcome applications from everyone and are proud to be an equal opportunities employer. If you have any particular requirements in respect of the recruitment or interview process, please mention this during your application.

As part of the FA's commitment to ensuring a safe environment for everyone in football, every employee will be required to complete a DBS check. The level of the check required will be based on the activity of the specific job role and in line with legislation and government guidance.