Training Ground Operations Manager

About the Role

Chelsea Football Club is seeking a Training Ground Operations Manager to lead and coordinate day-to-day operations across its training and performance environments at Cobham and Kingsmeadow. The role is highly visible and central to the Club, ensuring football activities, events, fixtures and business operations run seamlessly. The postholder works closely with stakeholders across the Men's, Women's and Academy programmes, as well as business functions, acting as the central point of operational coordination. The role is responsible for delivering outstanding service and creating an environment where teams can perform at their best.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead and oversee daily operations across Cobham Training Ground and Kingsmeadow.
• Coordinate the planning and delivery of all football, business and site-based activities, including operational readiness for training, fixtures, events, meetings and special projects.
• Act as the primary operational contact for internal stakeholders and build strong relationships across Football, Women's, Academy and Business departments to ensure seamless communication and delivery.
• Own and maintain the master operational calendar across both sites and coordinate scheduling activities, ensuring resources and facilities are effectively allocated.
• Identify operational requirements in advance and ensure all stakeholders are aligned on delivery plans.
• Support matchday and event operations, including coordination with broadcasters, officials, suppliers and external partners.
• Develop operational plans, procedures and event documentation, and lead post-event reviews and debriefs to drive continuous improvement through lessons learned and action tracking.
• Manage room allocations, meeting spaces and site resource utilisation, and coordinate office moves, departmental relocations and workspace planning.
• Oversee visitor management processes and ensure a first-class experience for players, staff and guests.
• Monitor service standards across all departments and continuously seek opportunities to enhance operational performance.

Required Experience & Qualifications

• Significant experience in operational management within a complex and fast-paced environment.
• Strong planning, scheduling and organisational skills.
• Proven experience coordinating events, fixtures, projects or multi-site operations.
• Exceptional stakeholder management skills with the ability to build credibility across diverse teams.
• Strong problem-solving ability and confidence making decisions under pressure.
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills.
• Sound understanding of health & safety, safeguarding and operational risk management.
• Ability to manage multiple priorities and deliver high-quality outcomes consistently.
• Customer-focused mindset with a commitment to delivering outstanding service.
• Commitment to embody the club's BLUE behaviours (Brave, Lead, Unity, Edge) in the approach to work and interaction with others.
• Commitment to adhere to the club's policies and procedures, including Health & Safety, Financial Authorisation, Confidentiality and GDPR.
• Commitment to act as an ambassador for diversity, equality and inclusion, treating others fairly in line with the club's Equality, Diversity & Inclusion Policy and reporting any acts of discrimination through appropriate channels.
• Commitment to create a safe environment and protect all young people and vulnerable adults in care or attending club premises, reporting any concerns to the Safeguarding Lead.
• Commitment to report any misconduct or suspected misconduct to the HR Department.
• Successful applicants must complete a DBS Check prior to starting employment; depending on the role, other child protection screening may also be required.

Preferred Skills

• Experience working within elite sport, professional football, venue operations or a similarly high-performance environment.
• Budget management experience.
• Experience managing suppliers and third-party service providers.
• Previous leadership experience within an operations team.

Workplace

Cobham Training Ground and Kingsmeadow