Overview
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Application Deadline: 31 October 2025
Department: Professional Football
Location: Remote
This is a senior leadership role within FIFA’s global Talent Academies Programme, a cornerstone of the Talent Development Scheme (TDS). The role entails providing strategic leadership, governance, and direction for the FIFA Talent Academies Programme, ensuring it delivers world-class impact in the identification, development, and retention of elite talent coaches. It involves strategic oversight, stakeholder engagement, and managing a multidisciplinary team in a matrixed environment to strengthen talent systems and contribute to long-term performance success.
The position combines strategic leadership, technical expertise, evaluation and operational management to set up globally consistent and impactful talent academies and qualified talent coaches. The role uses the TDS framework to provide consultancy services to FIFA affiliated member associations (MAs) on developing and optimising their talent development strategy in line with the findings of the global ecosystem analysis. It requires operating at an executive level, influencing internal and external decision-makers, and ensuring the programme remains a recognised benchmark of quality within agreed budgets, timescales and quality requirements. It also involves building closer relationships with FIFA member associations and across FIFA units and divisions as part of an integrated approach.
Responsibilities
Note: Headings converted to bold where applicable but kept within allowed tags.
* Strategic Leadership
o Develop and implement FIFA’s global strategy for FIFA Talent Academies in alignment with the Talent Development Scheme.
o Define and monitor key performance indicators (KPIs) to measure the impact of FIFA Talent Academies.
o Collaborate with FIFA’s Member Associations (MAs), confederations, and other stakeholders to ensure academy programmes are locally relevant and globally consistent.
* Operational Oversight
o Lead the planning, launch, and management of new FIFA Talent Academies in collaboration with MAs and confederations.
o Manage budgets, timelines, and resources to ensure efficient and sustainable academy operations.
o Coordinate regular audits and reviews of FIFA Talent Academies to ensure adherence to standards and continuous improvement.
* Stakeholder Engagement
o Serve as the main point of contact for all academy-related matters within FIFA and externally.
o Build strong relationships with MAs, confederations, and technical partners to foster collaboration.
o Represent FIFA Talent Academies at internal and external events, conferences, and workshops.
* Team Leadership
o Foster a culture of excellence, innovation, and knowledge sharing within the academy community.
* Technical Excellence
o Work closely with the Technical Lead to define, regularly review, and update the technical standards and curriculum for FIFA Talent Academies, including training methodology, talent identification processes, and player development pathways.
o Guarantee the full integration of women’s and men’s programmes, ensuring equal opportunities for all talented players.
o Supervise the implementation of a holistic player development approach, covering education, wellbeing, and dual-career support.
YOUR PROFILE
* We work hard at FIFA. We are dedicated, ambitious and innovative. And we respect our values. Always.
* For all roles, we seek talented people with an entrepreneurial spirit and a global mindset.
The specific competencies we require for this position are:
* Minimum of 10 years of experience in elite youth development, academy management, or technical leadership.
* Proven track record in designing and implementing player development programmes at national or club level.
* In-depth knowledge of talent identification, training methodology, and long-term player development models.
* Management Skills: Strong leadership, strategic planning, and stakeholder management abilities.
* Experience managing budgets and international projects.
* Proven experience in developing, implementing and monitoring of football technical development programmes and strategies.
* Experience in working with senior leaders in sports, including MA Presidents, General Secretaries and technical staff.
* Master’s degree or equivalent experience in Sports Management, Coaching, or a related field.
* Technical Expertise with an UEFA Pro or A-License (or equivalent) is strongly preferred.
* Visionary leadership with a global mindset.
* Strong communication and presentation skills.
* Ability to work across cultures and build trust with diverse stakeholders.
* Results-oriented and highly organised.
* Passion for youth development and growing the game worldwide.
* Navigating complex and cultural contexts.
* Integrity, humility, resilience, and the ability to remain composed under pressure.
* Commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion in all aspects of programme delivery.
* Must be able to hold and attend meetings across time zones and during inconvenient working hours (reasonable adjustments made wherever possible).
* Execute additional tasks as required in order to meet FIFA’s changing priorities.
* Comply with all company policies and procedures to ensure the highest standards of health, safety and wellbeing can be maintained.
* Driven to empower people through coaching in order to understand context and determine where to share knowledge and where to lead with creating ideas through others.
* Authentic and personable, with high emotional intelligence showing genuine care and a desire to seek to understand others, and build long term relationships.
* Long-term mindset, with a desire to see others succeed and manifest sustainable success.
* Resilient character who is adaptable and agile with constant change; a proven track record to manage self in complexity and uncertainty, remain optimistic and that has a drive to find solutions.
* Curious to collaborate, actively seeking and receiving support with an open mind, operating from the belief that the team is greater than the individual.
* Self-aware and respectful individual with global dexterity; able to work effectively in multicultural environments.
* Fluency in oral and written English, additional FIFA languages (French, Spanish) are an asset.
* Proficient in MS Office (Excel, Word, PowerPoint, Visio & Project).
* Willingness and ability to travel internationally.
Seniority level
* Mid-Senior level
Employment type
* Contract
Job function
* Human Resources
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