Managing Director, Cambridge,

posted: 5th November 2025

Managing Director

Location: South East England

Package: Circa £100,000 per annum Comprehensive Benefits

Reports to: The Board of Directors

Our client is a professionally run Football League club, deeply embedded in its local community and competing within the English football pyramid. The club is poised for an exciting period of growth, with ambitions to build a sustainable, competitive, and forward-thinking organisation both on and off the pitch. The club is committed to excellence, integrity, and achieving its strategic goals while fostering a culture of unity and progress.

The Role

The Managing Director will serve as the strategic and operational leader of the club, responsible for delivering its commercial, financial, and sporting objectives. As the public face of the business operations, the Managing Director will hold full Profit & Loss accountability, driving revenue growth, managing costs, and ensuring long-term financial sustainability. This role is pivotal in bridging football operations and the business side of the club, fostering synergy between departments to execute the Board’s vision and capitalise on opportunities for growth.

Key Responsibilities

• Strategic Leadership & Governance – Develop and implement the club’s overarching strategic plan in alignment with the Board’s vision.
• Serve as the primary advisor to the Board, providing regular updates on performance, risks, and opportunities.
• Act as the public representative of the club’s business operations, building and maintaining strong relationships with key stakeholders, including the Football League, local authorities, sponsors, and community leaders.
• Financial Management & Sustainability – Assume full responsibility for the club’s P&L, annual budgets, and long-term financial planning.
• Implement robust financial controls and reporting systems to ensure fiscal discipline.
• Maximise revenue streams, including matchday income, commercial partnerships, broadcasting, and retail, while rigorously managing operational costs and capital expenditure.
• Commercial Growth & Innovation – Lead the development and execution of a comprehensive commercial strategy to grow sponsorship, advertising, hospitality, and partnership revenues.
• Explore and implement innovative revenue streams to diversify the club’s income and strengthen its financial resilience.
• Oversee ticketing strategies to optimise attendance and enhance matchday experiences.
• Collaborate closely with the wider leadership to align football strategy with business sustainability.
• Foster a cohesive and high-performance culture between football and business departments.
• Operations & Infrastructure – Oversee the safe, efficient, and compliant operation of the stadium, ensuring adherence to safety regulations (SAG) and data protection laws (GDPR).
• Manage the club’s formal agreement with the local Council regarding stadium operations.
• Marketing, Communications & Fan Engagement – Lead initiatives to enhance the club’s brand, protect its reputation, and deepen engagement with supporters.
• Drive the digital strategy, including social media, content creation, and e-commerce, to expand the club’s reach and impact.
• Champion fan engagement programs to ensure the supporter voice is integral to club decisions. 
• Community Engagement – Deepen the club’s role as a community cornerstone by overseeing outreach programs, youth development initiatives, and partnerships.
• Ensure the community strategy supports the business model, fostering long-term fan loyalty and nurturing local talent.

Experience & Attributes

• Proven track record as a Managing Director or in an equivalent senior leadership role.
• Demonstrable experience operating at a senior level within the Football League.
• Full P&L management and significant budget oversight.
• Expertise in strategic planning, commercial development, and negotiating high-value contracts.
• Strong understanding of the football industry’s regulatory frameworks and operational dynamics.
• An inspirational leader with the ability to build, develop, and motivate high-performing teams.
• A natural entrepreneur, adept at identifying and capitalising on new business opportunities.
• Exceptional financial acumen and analytical skills, with the ability to interpret complex data and drive sound business decisions.
• Unquestionable personal and professional integrity.
• A visionary mindset, capable of translating strategy into actionable plans that deliver both sporting and commercial success.