Job Summary
The Chief Executive Officer (CEO) is responsible for the overall leadership, strategy and performance of Burton Albion Football Club, with a primary focus on the business and organisational side of the Club.
The CEO ensures that the Club’s business strategy is clearly defined, effectively executed and fully aligned with the football strategy, working in close partnership with the Sporting Director and under the guidance of the Board.
Operating as the senior leader of all non-football functions, the CEO has direct oversight of the CFO and all business departments, ensuring strong financial discipline, operational excellence and sustainable growth.
The CEO also serves as the public face of the Club for all non-football matters and plays a central role in shaping, safeguarding and continuously developing a high-performance and psychologically safe culture across the organisation.
Role Responsibilities
Strategic Leadership & Alignment
- Develop, implement and continuously refine the Club’s business strategy in alignment with the Board’s vision.
- Work in close partnership with the Sporting Director to ensure strong alignment between football strategy and business objectives.
- Drive integration between sporting ambitions and financial sustainability.
- Lead the Club’s long-term planning processes, ensuring a balanced and sustainable model.
- Provide clear strategic insight and recommendations to the Board.
Organisational Leadership
- Lead and manage the senior leadership team across all non-football departments.
- Provide direct oversight of the CFO and ensure robust financial governance and control.
- Establish clear accountability, structure and performance management across all business functions.
- Build a high-performing leadership team capable of delivering on the Club’s strategic objectives.
- Ensure effective communication and collaboration across departments.
Commercial & Operational Oversight
- Maintain overall responsibility for commercial and operational performance.
- Drive growth across all key revenue streams, including sponsorship, partnerships, ticketing, retail, hospitality and events.
- Ensure effective cost control and operational efficiency across all areas of the Club.
- Oversee the Club’s infrastructure, facilities and matchday operations to ensure high standards and compliance.
- Ensure compliance with all EFL, FA and relevant regulatory frameworks.
Collaboration with Sporting Director
- Build and maintain a strong, trust-based working relationship with the Sporting Director as a peer reporting to the Board.
- Ensure alignment between football and business planning, particularly in areas such as budgeting, long-term investment, infrastructure and Club identity.
- Facilitate effective collaboration between football and business departments.
- Support constructive challenge and alignment on key decisions impacting both football and business performance.
- Contribute jointly to Board discussions where alignment between the two domains is critical.
Public Representation & Stakeholder Management
- Act as the primary representative of the Club in all non-football matters.
- Build and maintain strong relationships with sponsors, partners, governing bodies, local authorities and the wider community.
- Protect and enhance the reputation and brand of the Club.
- Ensure clear and consistent communication with stakeholders.
Culture & People
- Define, embed and continuously develop a safe, inclusive and high-performance culture across the Club.
- Promote strong leadership behaviours, accountability and collaboration at all levels.
- Ensure a working environment aligned with the Club’s values and ambitions.
- Oversee talent development, succession planning and organisational capability building.
- Act as a cultural role model for the organisation.
Governance & Board Relations
- Maintain a strong and transparent relationship with the Chair and Board.
- Provide regular reporting on financial, operational and strategic performance.
- Ensure high standards of governance and decision-making processes across the Club.
- Support the Board in strategic decision-making and long-term planning.
Key Performance Indicators (KPI’s)
To be set and reviewed annually in consultation with CEO and Board.
- Strategic Execution – Delivery of agreed strategic objectives
- Financial Performance – Revenue growth, profitability and cost management
- Football-Business Alignment – Effective integration between strategy and outcomes
- Culture Development – Progress towards a safe, high-performance environment
- Stakeholder & Reputation – Strength of partnerships, brand perception and community engagement
HEALTH & SAFETY RESPONSIBILITIES
- Take responsibility and care for the health and safety of yourself and other employees and members of the public who may be affected by your acts or omissions at work.
- To comply with all aspects of the Club’s Health & Safety Policy and arrangements, to enable the company to perform its civil and statutory obligations in relation to Health & Safety.
SAFEGUARDING
- Adhering to safeguarding policies and procedures as outlined by the Club; and report any safeguarding or welfare concerns to the Designated Safeguarding Officer in the first instance
- This position required an Enhanced DBS check due to the nature of the work involved
EQUALITY, DIVERSITY AND INCLUSION RESPONSIBILITIES
- Hold a commitment to equality, diversity and inclusion in the workplace
This is a guide only and should not be regarded as exclusive or exhaustive. It is intended as an outline indication of the areas of activity and will be amended in the light of changing needs of the organisation
Qualifications/Experience/Knowledge
- Proven experience in a senior executive leadership role (CEO, Managing Director, or equivalent).
- Strong track record of leading complex organisations and delivering strategic outcomes.
- Experience in professional sport and/or entertainment sectors preferred.
- Demonstrated ability to manage financial performance and drive sustainable growth.
- Experience working with boards and governance structures.
Person Specification – Skills/Abilities
- Strategic thinker with strong execution capability
- Inspirational leader able to operate across both business and football environments
- Excellent stakeholder management and communication skills
- High resilience and ability to perform under pressure
- Strong commercial and financial acumen
- Values-driven with a strong focus on culture and people
- A personal commitment to both Safeguarding and EDI
Code of Conduct
The Club expects the highest standards of integrity and conduct in all matters concerning the Club and its employees. The Code of Conduct (along with the Staff Handbook) makes clear the standards of conduct expected from its employees and explains the responsibilities of the Club, as the employer. All employees are expected to act wholeheartedly in the interests of the Club at all times. Any conduct detrimental to its interests or its relations with its customers, suppliers, the general public or damaging to its public image shall be considered to be a breach of Club rules and policies. Discriminatory, offensive and violent behaviour are unacceptable and any complaints or concerns will be dealt with and acted upon.
Equality Inclusion & Diversity
Burton Albion are committed to ensuring that equality, inclusion and diversity of opportunity is at the very heart of everything we do to ensure we provide fair and non-prejudicial access to the services across the Club. We uphold everyone’s freedom of rights and choice to be different and aim to provide opportunities for everyone to succeed. It is the policy of the Club that no person, whether player, job applicant, employee, volunteer or customer, shall be discriminated against. The Club opposes all forms of unlawful and unfair discrimination, either direct or indirect, or harassment, on the grounds of the following ‘protected characteristics’: Age, Disability, Gender Reassignment, Marriage & civil Partnership, Pregnancy & Maternity, Race, Religion or Belief, Sex and Sexual Orientation. Anyone who is found to be in breach of this could receive disciplinary action, which may well include suspension and dismissal. The Club is fully committed to the EFL Equality, Diversity & Inclusion Standards and we particularly welcome ‘entry level’ applications from women, individuals from Black and Minority Ethnicities, the LGBT community and anyone with a disability.
Safeguarding
Burton Albion are committed to and has both a moral and legal obligation to ensure that all children and vulnerable adults are protected and kept safe from harm whilst engaged in services organised and provided by the Club and believes that the general wellbeing, welfare and safety of all children and vulnerable adults engaged in Club activities is of the upmost importance. The Club will fulfill its responsibilities by ensuring it displays best practice in safeguarding matters – including Safer Recruitment – , carried out in a spirit of partnership and openness with the child or vulnerable adult, families and the relevant local authority. Potential applicants are advised to check on the government website (https://www.gov.uk/tellemployer-or-college-about-criminalrecord/what-information-you-need-to-give) whether cautions/convictions should be disclosed as part of their application.
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