Match Official Development Officer

Suffolk FA; Stowmarket; Hybrid; GBP 28,000; Full time

Job summary

A regional sports organization in Stowmarket is seeking a Match Official Development Officer to enhance the growth, retention, and development of referees across Suffolk. This pivotal role involves driving recruitment efforts, fostering collaborations with clubs and leagues, and contributing to strategic initiatives in grassroots football. The ideal candidate will be innovative, possess strong organizational and communication skills, and demonstrate a commitment to diversity and inclusion. A salary of £28,000 per year and a flexible work model are offered.

Qualifications

• Innovative and creative individual willing to try different things.
• Ability to manage multiple workloads effectively.
• Building meaningful relationships and partnerships.

Responsibilities

• Support delivery of Suffolk FA’s Strategy 2024 -2028.
• Drive the recruitment of match officials across Suffolk.
• Develop strategies to improve retention of match officials.
• Manage the logistics of appointing match officials.
• Manage relationships with clubs and leagues.

Skills

Strong organisational skills

Strong communication skills

Understanding of refereeing

Commitment to equality, diversity, and inclusion

Job description

SUFFOLK FA are recruiting for a new Match Official Development Officer to co-ordinate and lead the growth, retention and development of referees across Suffolk. This is an exciting and dynamic role, ideal for an individual who has experience working as or with referees and understands the refereeing landscape.

This is an exciting time to join Suffolk FA as the organisation goes through some transformation and enters the second year of ‘A Thriving Local Game’, the organisation’s strategy. As a relatively new charity as well, Suffolk FA are embarking on an exciting adventure to create and establish more opportunities to support local people and local communities across Suffolk and provide greater support for those involved in the game. Our match officials are a key part of this.

We are looking for someone that will innovate and explore fresh ways to support match officials across Suffolk, develop greater connections with our clubs and work closely with the leagues across the county, further shaping a collaborative approach to match official development.

If you are a people person, can nurture strong relationships, have great listening skills and are not afraid to try new things then please see the full job pack for full details of the role. The full job pack can be found at https://www.suffolkfa.com/news/2025/dec/11/vacancy-for-match-official-dev-officer.

If you wish to have an informal conversation about the role, please contact Andrew Wilesmith, Chief Executive Officer, on 07903 842747 or [e-mail]

The closing date for applications is Tuesday, January 6th 2026.

To apply please send us a CV and a covering letter of no more than 2 pages outlining how you meet the Person Specification and how you demonstrate the values outlined in the job pack. Please send this to Hayley Chart on [e-mail].

Role Title: Match Official Development Officer

Reports to: Football Services Manager

Direct Reports: Referees Appointment Officer x 2, functional management of Referee Mentors

Location: Based at the Suffolk Football Association offices in Stowmarket 3 days a week, remote working the rest of the week

Working hours: 37 hours per week. Some evening and weekend work will be expected.

Contract type: Permanent

Salary: £28,000 per year

You will:

• Support delivery of Suffolk FA’s Strategy 2024 -2028 ‘A Thriving Local Game’ and the FA Grassroots Strategy 2024-2028 and support the development of a Suffolk FA Referee Implementation Plan.
• Drive the recruitment of match officials across Suffolk, ensuring the game continues to have a strong infrastructure to grow and develop.
• Develop strategies and interventions that improves the retention of match officials currently within the game and ensuring there are sufficient high-quality match officials to service the game across Suffolk.
• Manage the continued development of match officials, providing suitable opportunities for those with aspirations to develop further up the levels.
• Manage the day-to-day logistics of appointing and allocating match officials within Suffolk FA’s scope.
• Manage relationships with clubs and leagues to ensure the there is a strong level of trust and understanding between clubs, leagues and Suffolk FA around refereeing.
• Contribute to the effective implementation of The FA’s Safeguarding Operating Standard for County FAs.
• Comply with FA rules, regulations, policies, procedures and guidance that are in place rom time to time.

What we are looking for:

• An innovative and creative individual who is willing to try different things.
• Strong organisational skills and an ability to manage multiple workloads at once.
• Strong communication skills and the ability to build meaningful relationships and partnerships.
• A good understanding of refereeing and the technical aspects of the referee pathway.
• Commitment to equality, diversity and inclusion and implementing this into their work.
• An understanding of grassroots football is important and an appreciation for the work of our clubs and leagues.