Academy Recruitment Operations Manager

The Opportunity

The Academy Recruitment Department is responsible for identifying and securing the highest-potential young players for Chelsea Football Club.

This role provides vital operational, administrative and executive support to the recruitment function, working closely with the Recruitment Strategy Lead and Head of Youth Recruitment. The successful candidate will coordinate scouting activity, manage key departmental processes and projects, support workforce planning, and oversee communications, logistics and administration across the department.

Through excellent organisation, stakeholder management and attention to detail, the role will help ensure recruitment activity is delivered efficiently, professionally and in line with the highest standards of safeguarding, confidentiality and operational excellence.

Key Responsibilities

• Coordinate the Academy Recruitment department’s operations, managing calendars, meetings, records and administrative processes to ensure efficient delivery of key activities.

• Lead operational projects, monitor progress and provide regular updates to Recruitment leadership, highlighting priorities, risks and opportunities.

• Manage departmental budgets and administration, including purchase orders, invoices, compliance records and confidential information.

• Coordinate scout onboarding, offboarding, accreditation, equipment and kit provision, ensuring a seamless experience for the recruitment workforce.

• Oversee youth scouting schedules, fixture coverage, match access requests and tournament planning, working closely with Senior Scouts to maximise workforce effectiveness.

• Act as the central point of contact for the scouting network, managing communications, operational queries and departmental updates.

• Produce regular communications, including departmental newsletters, and help foster a positive, inclusive culture across office-based and remote scouting teams.

• Drive continuous improvement by identifying and implementing more efficient processes and ways of working.

• Support the day-to-day management of the recruitment office and undertake additional duties in line with departmental and club priorities.

• Ensure compliance with all club policies and procedures, maintaining the highest standards of safeguarding, confidentiality, health and safety

Skills & Experience

Experience

• Experience in an administration, executive support or operations coordination role.

• Proven ability to manage multiple priorities, schedules and deadlines in a fast-paced environment.

• Experience providing support to senior stakeholders and driving actions through to completion.

• Track record of improving processes and successfully delivering operational projects.

Skills & Attributes

• Highly organised with excellent attention to detail.

• Professional and confident communicator, with strong relationship-building skills.

• Strong planning and coordination skills, with the ability to manage competing priorities effectively.

• Proficient in Microsoft Office (Outlook, Excel, Word and Teams) and quick to learn new systems.

• Trustworthy and discreet, with a strong understanding of confidentiality and safeguarding.

• Flexible and adaptable, with the ability to support occasional evening, weekend and event activity.

Our Expectations:

• To embody the club’s BLUE behaviours (Brave, Lead, Unity, Edge) in the approach to work and interaction with others

• To adhere to the club’s policies and procedures, including Health & Safety, Financial Authorisation, Confidentiality and GDPR.

• To act as an ambassador for diversity, equality, and inclusion, and demonstrate a positive commitment by treating others fairly in line with our Equality, Diversity & Inclusion Policy and reporting any acts of discrimination through appropriate channels

• To create a safe environment and act to protect all young people and vulnerable adults that are either in your care or attending club premises, and report any concerns to the Safeguarding Lead

• To report any misconduct or suspected misconduct to the HR Department