- Senior
As the organiser of some of the biggest and most iconic sport events in the world, we lead the way in the sport and event industry.
Join the team as a freelancer and support us on our mission.
In 2021, FIFA launched the global Talent Development Scheme (TDS) to collaborate with its member associations (MAs) aiming to increase the competitiveness of their national teams following a 2-year landscape analysis. The underlying vision is that long-term, sustainable improvement of national team performance can only be achieved by creating the best possible talent development systems.
Join the team as a freelancer and support us on our mission.
In 2021, FIFA launched the global Talent Development Scheme (TDS) to collaborate with its member associations (MAs) aiming to increase the competitiveness of their national teams following a 2-year landscape analysis. The underlying vision is that long-term, sustainable improvement of national team performance can only be achieved by creating the best possible talent development systems.
We are now seeking to add to our team of top class thought leaders for the further development, implementation and monitoring of the TDS. FIFA is looking to recruit a Talent Academies Programme Lead responsible for leading FIFA’s global Talent Academy Programme, a cornerstone of the Talent Development Scheme (TDS). The role entails to provide strategic leadership, governance, and direction for the FIFA Talent Academies Programme, ensuring it delivers world-class impact in the identification, development, and retention of elite talent coaches. The role holds responsibility for the programme’s vision, strategic alignment, and delivery excellence, managing a team and working in close partnership with global stakeholders to strengthen talent systems and contribute to long-term performance success.
The role ensures that FIFA Talent Academies and its FIFA Talent Coaches operate at the highest technical and organisational standards, offering world-class environments for elite youth players and coaches. This position combines strategic leadership, technical expertise, evaluation and operational management to set up globally consistent and impactful talent academies and qualified talent coaches. Use the TDS framework to provide consultancy services to FIFA affiliated member associations (MAs) on developing and optimising their talent development strategy in line with the findings of the global ecosystem analysis. This is a senior leadership role requiring strategic oversight and influence across a multidisciplinary team, including global technical experts, consultants, and partner organisations, within a matrixed environment. Operation on an executive level, influencing internal and external decision-makers, managing complex political and cultural contexts, and ensuring that the programme remains a recognised benchmark of quality in global talent development and all within agreed budgets, timescales and quality requirements. Building a closer relationship with FIFA member associations and across FIFA units and divisions as part of an integrated approach.
THE POSITION
These are your key tasks:
Strategic Leadership
- Develop and implement FIFA’s global strategy for FIFA Talent Academies in alignment with the Talent Development Scheme.
- Define and monitor key performance indicators (KPIs) to measure the impact of FIFA Talent Academies.
- Collaborate with FIFA’s Member Associations (MAs), confederations, and other stakeholders to ensure academy programmes are locally relevant and globally consistent.
Operational Oversight
- Lead the planning, launch, and management of new FIFA Talent Academies in collaboration with MAs and confederations.
- Manage budgets, timelines, and resources to ensure efficient and sustainable academy operations.
- Coordinate regular audits and reviews of FIFA Talent Academies to ensure adherence to standards and continuous improvement.
Stakeholder Engagement
- Serve as the main point of contact for all academy-related matters within FIFA and externally.
- Build strong relationships with MAs, confederations, and technical partners to foster collaboration.
- Represent FIFA Talent Academies at internal and external events, conferences, and workshops.
Team Leadership
- Foster a culture of excellence, innovation, and knowledge sharing within the academy community.
Technical Excellence
- Work closely with the Technical Lead to define, regularly review, and update the technical standards and curriculum for FIFA Talent Academies, including training methodology, talent identification processes, and player development pathways.
- Guarantee the full integration of women’s and men’s programmes, ensuring equal opportunities for all talented players.
- Supervise the implementation of a holistic player development approach, covering education, wellbeing, and dual-career support.
YOUR PROFILE
We work hard at FIFA.
We are dedicated, ambitious and innovative.
And we respect our values. Always.
For all roles, we seek talented people with an entrepreneurial spirit and a global mindset.
The specific competencies we require for this position are:
We are dedicated, ambitious and innovative.
And we respect our values. Always.
For all roles, we seek talented people with an entrepreneurial spirit and a global mindset.
The specific competencies we require for this position are:
- Minimum of 10 years of experience in elite youth development, academy management, or technical leadership.
- Proven track record in designing and implementing player development programmes at national or club level.
- In-depth knowledge of talent identification, training methodology, and long-term player development models.
- Management Skills: Strong leadership, strategic planning, and stakeholder management abilities.
- Experience managing budgets and international projects.
- Proven experience in developing, implementing and monitoring of football technical development programmes and strategies.
- Experience in working with senior leaders in sports, including MA Presidents, General Secretaries and technical staff.
- Master’s degree or equivalent experience in Sports Management, Coaching, or a related field.
- Minimum of 10 years of experience in elite youth development, academy management, or technical leadership.
- Proven track record in designing and implementing player development programmes at national or club level.
- Technical Expertise with an UEFA Pro or A-License (or equivalent) is strongly preferred.
- In-depth knowledge of talent identification, training methodology, and long-term player development models.
- Visionary leadership with a global mindset.
- Strong communication and presentation skills.
- Ability to work across cultures and build trust with diverse stakeholders.
- Results-oriented and highly organised.
- Passion for youth development and growing the game worldwide.
- Navigating complex and cultural contexts.
- Integrity, humility, resilience, and the ability to remain composed under pressure.
- Commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion in all aspects of programme delivery.
- Must be able to hold and attend meetings across time zones and during inconvenient working hours (reasonable adjustments made wherever possible).
- Execute additional tasks as required in order to meet FIFA’s changing priorities.
- Comply with all company policies and procedures to ensure the highest standards of health, safety and wellbeing can be maintained.
- Driven to empower people through coaching in order to understand context and determine where to share knowledge and where to lead with creating ideas through others.
- Authentic and personable, with high emotional intelligence showing genuine care and a desire to seek to understand others, and build long term relationships.
- Long-term mindset, with a desire to see others succeed and manifest sustainable success.
- Resilient character who is adaptable and agile with constant change; a proven track record to manage self in complexity and uncertainty, remain optimistic and that has a drive to find solutions.
- Curious to collaborate, actively seeking and receiving support with an open mind, operating from the belief that the team is greater than the individual.
- Self-aware and respectful individual with global dexterity; able to work effectively in multicultural environments.
- Fluency in oral and written English, additional FIFA languages (French, Spanish) are an asset.
- Proficient in MS Office (Excel, Word, PowerPoint, Visio & Project).
- Willingness and ability to travel internationally.
