Chief Executive Officer

Mō tēnei tūranga mahi | About this role

New Zealand Football is the country's largest and fastest-growing sport. As a result, it has undergone significant transformation over the last eight years. It now seeks a Chief Executive who can continue to build the sport, on and off the pitch.

Building on the legacy of the FIFA Women's World Cup 2023 and the All Whites' return to the 2026 FIFA World Cup, this is a rare chance to lead the game through its next chapter. Reporting to the Executive Committee through the President, the Chief Executive Officer will:

• Drive delivery of NZF's strategy, turning bold ambition into measurable results across the whole game.
• Build a strong revenue base, converting on-field success into a sustainable organisation and the NZF ecosystem.
• Manage a broad stakeholder landscape, including FIFA, OFC, federations, clubs, professional A-League franchises, government and media.
• Bring transformational and organisational leadership, fit for the next decade.
• Lead, develop and inspire NZF's people and the broader football community, from national office to grassroots clubs.
• Continue to build, resource and enable a high-performance environment across the game, supporting sustained improvement on the world stage.

 
Ko wai koe | About you

This role calls for a commercially astute, values-led leader who can match big ambition with the discipline to deliver it. You will bring:

• Proven Chief Executive Officer or senior executive experience leading large, complex organisations.
•  A strong commercial track record, with demonstrated success building new revenue streams.
• Experience operating across multi-stakeholder, federated or international environments.
• Financial discipline, governance credibility and sound judgement under scrutiny.
• Outstanding communication and relationship-building skills, and comfort with public and media profile.

A background in football or sport is not essential; genuine passion for the game will be valued.

Mō mātou | About the Organisation

NZF is the national governing body for football and futsal in Aotearoa/New Zealand, working with federations, clubs and schools to lead, promote and grow the game. Turnover has quadrupled since 2018, commercial revenue is up more than 400% and participation continues to climb, with football now the biggest team participation sport in the country. Few organisations in New Zealand sport offer this scale, this momentum and this platform for impact.

NZF is committed to upholding the mana of Te Tiriti o Waitangi and to a culture of respect, integrity and inclusion, from the national office through to community clubs. The organisation values people who can balance commercial ambition with a genuine connection to the volunteer base that underpins the game.

If you are ready to lead New Zealand's biggest and fastest-growing sport into its next decade, we want to hear from you.

Me pēhea te tuku tono | How to apply

To apply in strict confidence now, click ‘Apply for this job’ or email your cover letter and CV in a PDF format wherever possible to cvakl@sheffield.co.nz quoting 9108JIFsk. Applications close on 25 October 2026. Emails will be electronically acknowledged and further correspondence may be by email.

To view the Candidate Briefing document, please click here.

For more information please phone Raewyn Brown on +64 21 917 203 or Ian Taylor on +64 27 487 7424.