As I scrolled through LinkedIn on Monday night I spotted a job being advertised by Manchester United for their first ever Head of Women’s Football. It highlighted the club’s search for an individual to spearhead their operations both on and off the pitch, after some devastating reports over the summer following Casey Stoney’s decision to stand down as manager.
The former Manchester United Women’s team manager reportedly became frustrated about the training facilities and other infrastructure issues, as per Sky Sports, so it only makes sense for the club to quickly address those problems and hiring a Head of Women’s football sounds like an important first step.
Let’s not forget that when Stoney took over as manager it was a big ordeal and it didn’t come as a surprise to anyone who followed her career that she was able take the United woman’s team so far.
Stoney led the side to promotion into the WSL in her first season and we went on to secure consecutive top-four finishes.
In Stoney’s final season in charge, United came short in their attempts to qualify for this season’s Champions League. The reds finished a point behind Arsenal to miss out on the qualification places.
The women’s side is currently managed by Marc Skinner.
Whoever becomes Head of Women’s Football at United will be tasked with ensuring the team meets strategic aims and objectives as well being responsible for implementing a playing style across all women’s teams.
Other principal accountabilities include (via LinkedIn):
- Lead and manage the day-to-day operational functions that support the 1st Team and Academy players & staff.
- Develop & implement a playing style/philosophy across all WF teams.
- Liaise with all key Club functions to provide the women’s team with an elite playing and training environment.
- Manage all interactions with internal club functions (media, commercial, People Services, GPS).
- Work with the 1st team manager and senior club officials on the long-term development of all aspects of WF:
- Squad planning/development
- As set in the Clubs ‘MU Red Print’ strategy lead on the transition of players from the academy to 1st team
- Facilities development
- Oversee the planning of the club fixture, pre-season and competition programme including but not limited to: management of related software programs, liaising with the opposition team and away game travel and accommodation
- Primary contact for the FA for all league business and meetings, including fixture related queries and issues
- Attend all FA WSL meetings on behalf of the Club.
- Supporting the coaching / senior management team on player recruitment, contracts, registration and associated salary management.
- Budgetary management including overseeing staff and player payroll, purchase orders and invoicing.
- Management of relationship with facility providers around contract management, availability, usage and maintenance plan.
- Responsibility for meeting FA Women’s Super League club licence requirements.
- Introducing fan-based programmes, events and initiatives to appeal to supporters of all ages and encourage their attendance at matches.
- Overseeing player appearances to drive awareness of the club locally and nationally.
- Implementing FA national marketing campaigns at a local level to increase awareness and attendance at home games.
- Work with the FA national marketing team to deliver joint objectives and attend FA meetings as and when required.
- Ensure there is a comprehensive quality assurance process in place to meet the needs of the programmes
- Recruitment of high-quality qualified coaches and professionals when required. Ensuring that they meet the quality standards required by the club and FA Licence requirements.