Head of Women's Football – Leeds United

Location: Elland Road, Leeds, UK

Responsible to: Sporting Director

Application Deadline: 22nd June 2026

Join the Team Behind the Team

At Leeds United, we know that success on the pitch starts with strength behind the scenes.

The Head of Women’s Football will provide leadership, vision, and strategic direction across all aspects of the Club’s women’s football operations. This is a pivotal senior leadership role responsible for defining and delivering a high-performance football strategy aligned with the Club’s long-term ambitions, values, and identity.

The successful candidate will establish and implement a clear football philosophy across the women’s pathway, foster an environment of excellence and development, and ensure sustained competitiveness at all levels of the women’s game.

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What You’ll Be Doing

Key Responsibilities:

Strategic Leadership & Football Philosophy

• Develop and implement a clear long-term vision for the women’s and girls’ programme, aligned with the Club’s values, ambitions, and strategic objectives.

• Define and embed the women’s football philosophy in collaboration with the Sporting Director and General Manager, ensuring alignment across all teams and departments.

• Oversee the entire female performance pathway, creating seamless progression from Academy through to the First Team.

• Lead the strategic development of all football operations to ensure consistency, continuity, and sustained competitive performance.

• Establish the programme’s football identity and DNA, including playing style, player profiles, behavioural standards, and team culture.

• Ensure alignment in playing philosophy, coaching methodology, and performance standards across all age groups and teams.

• Work collaboratively with senior leadership and the Club Foundation to increase participation, visibility, and community engagement within the women’s and girls’ game.

• Champion equality, diversity, inclusion, and the continued growth of women’s football across the Club and wider community.

Operational Leadership

• Provide leadership, management, and strategic oversight across all women’s football departments.

• Foster a high-performance culture built on accountability, collaboration, innovation, and continuous improvement.

• Work closely with the Women’s First Team Manager to support football operations including recruitment, performance analysis, medical services, psychology, player care, and performance support.

• Oversee player recruitment, retention, loans, and transfer activity, ensuring compliance with all relevant regulations and financial frameworks.

• Ensure full compliance with safeguarding, governance, league, and regulatory requirements relating to the women’s and girls’ game.

• Lead and implement operational improvement projects to enhance sporting performance and organisational effectiveness.

• Ensure facilities and infrastructure support the long-term growth and ambitions of the women’s programme.

Commercial Development & External Representation

• Collaborate with commercial, marketing, and communications teams to maximise revenue opportunities and support the sustainable growth of the women’s programme.

• Build and maintain strong relationships across football, commercial, and governing body networks to advance the Club’s strategic interests.

• Act as a senior ambassador and spokesperson for the Club in media, industry, and stakeholder engagements.

• Represent the Club at league, federation, and governing body meetings, contributing to strategic discussions affecting the women’s game.

• Support the integration and visibility of the women’s programme across the wider football club.

• Maintain strong working relationships with The Football Association and relevant governing bodies to ensure compliance with licensing, safeguarding, registration, and competition requirements.

• Lead the delivery of commercial commitments within the women’s department, including sponsor activations, partner engagement, and marketing obligations.

• Support the development of matchday revenue, fan engagement, and attendance growth strategies.

• Contribute to long-term commercial planning and the identification of new revenue streams in collaboration with internal stakeholders.

Financial & Strategic Oversight

• Develop and manage departmental budgets, ensuring effective allocation of resources aligned to strategic priorities.

• Advise the Sporting Director on football strategy, succession planning, player recruitment, and squad development.

• Provide regular strategic and operational updates to senior leadership to ensure alignment across all football operations.

• Lead the ongoing development and continuous improvement of both the Women’s First Team and Academy structure.

• Collaborate with internal and external stakeholders to promote excellence, sustainability, and long-term growth within women’s football.

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What We’re Looking For

We’re looking for someone proactive, personable, and who thrives in a busy environment. You’ll be a brand representative, so building trust, staying organised, and maintaining confidentiality are all essential.

Qualifications

Essential

Degree in Sports Management, Business, Leadership, or a related discipline, or equivalent professional experience.

Extensive experience in a senior football leadership role, with a proven track record of delivering success within elite or high-performance environments.

Knowledge, Skills & Experience

Essential

Significant experience leading football operations within an elite football or high-performance sporting environment.

Strong understanding of women’s football structures, talent development pathways, and elite player progression.

Proven ability to lead, manage, and develop multidisciplinary teams across football operations.

In-depth knowledge of football governance, regulatory frameworks, safeguarding standards, player recruitment, and transfer processes.

Demonstrated experience developing and implementing long-term strategic plans aligned to organisational objectives.

Experience managing departmental budgets and resources effectively within a performance-driven environment.

Excellent communication, leadership, and stakeholder management skills, with the ability to influence at all levels internally and externally.

Strong organisational and decision-making capabilities, with the ability to operate effectively in a fast-paced and evolving environment.

Collaborative and adaptable leadership style, with a commitment to building alignment and positive culture across the Club.

Resilient, proactive, and solutions-focused, with a clear commitment to delivering sustained success and continuous improvement.

Desirable

Experience working within women’s professional football

Knowledge of the women’s football landscape, including domestic and international competition structures and emerging trends.

Postgraduate qualification in a relevant field (e.g. MSc Sports Directorship, Master of Sports Directorship, Leadership, or High-Performance Sport).

UEFA A Licence or equivalent coaching qualification.

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Why Should You Join Leeds United?

Whether you are on the pitch or behind the scenes here, we’re united by passion, pride, and a drive to always improve. You’ll be joining a supportive people team where your voice is valued and your development matters.

In return for your dedication, you’ll receive a competitive salary package and pension scheme, along with a range of exciting benefits.