Referee Development Officer
- Sussex FA
- Hybrid (Sussex County FA, Culver Road, Lancing, UK)
- 20 Feb, 2026
Job Description
We are looking to recruit a dedicated Referee Development Officer on a full-time, permanent contract. The role is responsible for leading the development, support and progression of referees across Sussex, ensuring match officials feel valued, engaged, and equipped to deliver safe, high‑quality matchday experiences at every level of the game.
The postholder will shape the county’s refereeing priorities and contribute to the overall delivery of the Grassroots Football Strategy.
With an increased focus on inclusion pathways, targeted recruitment, and referee wellbeing, and new digital systems to streamline referee availability, it is an exciting time to join a team helping to shape the future of officiating in Sussex.
The Referee Development Officer will lead the county’s end‑to‑end referee development framework, including recruitment, conversion, progression pathways, retention, stakeholder engagement, and the overall delivery of high‑quality support services for referees. The postholder will maintain compliance with FA regulations and safeguarding standards.
To join the team and be successful, the individual must be able to demonstrate an understanding of the role and how their expertise aligns with the essential and desirable criteria. They will demonstrate professionalism, commitment to development, and a passion for supporting referees. The successful applicant will report to the Football Development Manager.
Applicants should have experience within football development, refereeing, coaching or sports development, together with experience as a qualified football referee. They must be flexible and able to work evenings and weekends as required. A full role profile, including essential and desirable skills, can be found below.
We are committed to safeguarding children and adults at risk, and anyone working with us will be required to have follow our safeguarding policies.
Due to the nature of this role, the successful candidate will be required to undertake a Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) enhanced check through The FA DBS process. The possession of a criminal record will not necessarily prevent an applicant from obtaining this post, as all cases are judged individually according to the nature of the role and information provided.
What can we offer?
• An exciting opportunity to join a forward thinking, progressive business
• A chance to work with key stakeholders within the grassroots and professional game
• A commitment to empowered and supportive personal development
• A Workplace Pension Scheme
• A Personal Accident policy
• Additional leave after 5, 10 years’ service
• Flexible working hours
• Long Service Awards for 10, 15, 20 years’ service
• Health Scheme
• Multi Faith Prayer Room available
• Employee Assistance Programme
• Access to FA Cup Final & England tickets at Wembley
• Additional time off over Christmas, wellbeing leave and birthday holiday
• Personal Development Budgets
• Free Nike Staff Uniform every year
The role involves working 35 hours per week including some evening and weekend work as required.
The salary range for the position is £24,000 to £28,000. The position offers 20 days leave per annum (plus public holidays, birthday and additional Christmas leave) and is subject to a 3-month probationary period.
Either email your completed application to Victoria.Windslow@SussexFA.com or post it to the following address:
Strictly Private & Confidential
Vicki Windslow
Referee Development Officer Vacancy
Sussex County FA
Culver Road
Lancing
West Sussex
BN15 9AX
The closing date for applications is 5pm on Monday 9 March 2026, with interviews held on Tuesday 17 March 2026.
Disability Confident
We pride ourselves on being an employer committed to supporting candidates with disabilities throughout our recruitment and selection process. We have a dedicated team to support any employee with a disability. If you require any reasonable adjustments to support your application, please do not hesitate to get in touch.
Equality Statement
We believe that football belongs to, and should be enjoyed by, anyone who wants to participate in it. We are committed to promoting equality within the business in every aspect of its work and we encourage applicants from all backgrounds, cultures, beliefs, and experiences to apply for this role, regardless of age, disability, sex, gender reassignment, sexual orientation, pregnancy and maternity, race, religion or belief and marriage and civil partnership.
If you have questions about the role or require clarity on the recruitment pack, please contact:
Development
T: 01903 766855
E: Development@SussexFA.com
DEVELOPING AND SUPPORTING THE GRASSROOTS GAME IN SUSSEX SINCE 1882...
The Sussex County Football Association, also known as the Sussex County FA, was formed on the 23 September 1882 and is affiliated to The Football Association (The FA) as the governing body of football in the county of Sussex, England.
The Sussex Senior Challenge Cup was introduced by the Sussex County FA in the 1882/83 season, and was won for the first time by Brighton Rangers. The competition still runs today, and is the longest running football competition administered by the Sussex County FA.
For the next 100 years, like most other County Associations, the Sussex County FA was administered by what we would call today, volunteers. However, all that began to change, when the Sussex County FA purchased Lancing Football Club in July 1981, and relocated its operations to there, effectively making Culver Road, the Headquarters of the Sussex County FA.
Over the next few years, staff numbers steadily grew, with paid employees taking on more duties from volunteers and carrying out The FA strategy of the day, with FA grants being paid to the County Association for employing full-time members of staff for certain roles and duties.
The Sussex County FA became an incorporated company on the 2 November 1999 and became a Limited Company. At this time, a new Board of Directors was created, with a second tier of volunteers called ‘the Council’.
In August 2007, work to redevelop Culver Road into a modern stadium complex came when the old wooden stand was demolished and replaced with new dressing rooms, toilets, bar, servery and meeting rooms. This work was completed in June 2009, and new facility was officially opened on the 21 August 2009.
In December 2013, Mathew Major was elected as Chairman of the Sussex County FA, and he introduced more focus on finance, budgeting and business planning.
In June 2015, work to transform the grass pitch into a 3G Artificial Turf Pitch began. This work was completed 65 days later, on the 2 September 2015, and was officially opened a few weeks later by the then FA Chairman, Greg Dyke. The installation represented a major investment in facilities, and has already made a huge impact on income.
In late 2015, additional solar panels were installed on the roof of the main stand, generating further income and contributing to power generation. This power has been put to good use, with the installation in January 2016, of new ‘state of the art’ LED floodlights, which have saved considerable power usage.
In mid-2017, a new structure was proposed and adopted, which removed ‘the Council’ as a body and replaced it with ‘County Members’ and a series of Working Committees, designed to run football matters more effectively, leaving the Board of Directors to run finance, personnel and strategy. It is also hoped that the new structure will be more inclusive and help attract new members.
The Stadium, 3G pitch and new floodlights, all contribute to the vital additional income to the Sussex County FA, and are appreciated by current users, which include Lancing FC (Southern Combination FL), Horsham FC (Bostik / Isthmian FL) and the Sussex Disability FL.
Today, the Sussex County FA is considered by many to be a forward-thinking, dynamic, reliable and modern County Football Association, with strong links to Brighton & Hove Albion, senior clubs, leagues and grassroots football, as well as local authorities, businesses, charities and other stakeholders.