Title: Club Secretary                   
Reports to: Chief Executive
Location: Vitality Stadium

About AFC Bournemouth

AFC Bournemouth is a family and community club. We strive to deliver a professional, friendly and welcoming approach in all areas of the club. With a small backroom operation, you will be joining a tight-knit group who pride themselves on hard work, passion and togetherness.

Main Duties

• To manage all aspects of professional player administration, including completion of player registrations, transfers, compensation agreements and loans, both domestic and international.
• Draft, review, complete and lodge all contracts and agreements relative to the permanent and temporary transfer and registration of all professional players, and ensuring professional players are appropriately registered to the club in accordance with the regulations of the FA, EFL, PL and FIFA.
• Draft, review, complete and lodge all intermediary documentation relative to professional players in accordance with the FA’s Working with Intermediaries Regulations.
• Completing applications/claims on the FIFA Transfer Matching System.
• Responsibility for the application and management of governing body endorsements for all players as required and maintaining work permit/visa requirements of players.
• Management and upkeep of the UK Home Office Visas and Immigration Sponsorship Management System.
• Maintain and hold copies of all professional players' passports and ensure regular checks are undertaken as to proof of Right to Work in the UK.
• Management of the annual player re-engagement process, in accordance with the regulations of the FA, PL/EFL.
• Manage all training compensation and solidarity claims in accordance with the FIFA regulations.
• On-going management of all player summary records including but not limited to appearances, professional squad lists, player contract reports, transfer and loan records.
• Management of international call-ups for players in accordance with FIFA regulations and ensuring regular liaison with first team staff, technical director and chief executive on call ups received. Main point of contact and regular dialogue with relevant national associations as required. Ensuring that relevant travel exemptions are in place and documentation has been produced prior to player departure as may be required by the Government or the EFL/PL/FA.
• Ensuring compliance with all regulatory requirements set by the various football governing bodies and acting as the first point of contact at the club for said bodies.
• Communicating all aspects of football rules, regulations and requirements to the board and club’s staff, and advising relevant staff of the club’s obligations and responsibilities.
• Responsible for completing all Premier League/English Football League/Football Association forms/surveys and submitting before the required deadline.
• Regular liaison with all governing bodies on behalf of the club, including but not limited to the English Football League, Premier League, Football Association, FIFA and UEFA (as applicable).
• Distribution of FA anti-doping material to relevant medical teams.
• Assistance with UEFA licensing applications and administrative requirements as required by the football authorities and requested by the operations director.
• Assist the finance department with unpaid invoices relating directly to permanent and temporary player transfers.
• Provision of support and advice for the academy manager and assistant manager in relation to player matters.
• Manage and maintain the club’s annual affiliation to the Hampshire FA each year.
• Organising and administering home first team fixtures and completion of necessary pre- and post-match documentation.
• Being the lead contact for visiting clubs and match officials, as well as liaising with Premier League, English Football League, Football Association and Hampshire Football Association, regarding the dating and staging of first team fixtures.
• Prepare and maintain fixture lists for the first team and to circulate details of changes to essential contacts.
• Liaising with the club’s kit manager and submitting choice of playing kit for away fixtures to the English Football League. 
• To be available to attend all first team matches played at Vitality Stadium unless otherwise agreed by prior arrangement.
• Ongoing confirmation of player eligibility ahead of each fixture and management of on-field player disciplinary records including cautions, suspensions and player fines.
• Management of the off-field player disciplinary process for all professional players, including the coordination and maintenance of all player disciplinary matters, including preparation of any disciplinary appeals, preparation of statements of mitigation for disciplinary hearings, attending disciplinary commissions, and liaison with finance department in respect of fines.
• Keeping the chief executive, technical director and head coach updated on all player related matters.
• Liaison with the chief executive, technical director and the head coach to ensure the smooth transition for any incoming player.
• Setting up of first team friendly fixtures, including the co-ordination and preparation of all match agreements for pre-season fixtures and obtaining the relevant permission from the governing bodies to hold such friendly fixtures.
• Any ad hoc duties as directed by the chief executive to support the smooth running of club operations.
• As a member of staff, to ensure that you to adhere to the club’s safeguarding policies and procedures and are committed to our safeguarding values, creating a safe and positive environment for all those who interact with the club.
• Obligation to adhere to the club’s health and safety policy and procedures.
• As a member of staff, ensure in all matters you follow and actively promote the club’s equality policies and practices to ensure a welcoming, safe and inclusive environment for everyone engaged with the club.

Key Competencies

• Able to work in a changing and fast paced environment.
• Previous experience working as a club secretary or similar role within the sporting industry.
• Strong knowledge of League and Football Association rules and regulations.
• Ability to work with a wider team but also have the confidence to work on own initiative.
• Ability to prioritise workload effectively.
• Ability to present information in a clear and accurate way.
• Ability to build positive relationships with all levels of hierarchy and stakeholders associated with the club.

Personal Qualities 

• Assertive
• Confident
• Reliable
• Hard working
• Discreet
• Trustworthy 

Staff Benefits 

In return for your hard work and commitment to us, you will receive a competitive reward package which will include, but is not limited to:

• Free onsite parking. 
• Season ticket & allocation of complimentary/purchased tickets.
• Subsidised lunches.
• Complimentary healthy snacks throughout the day.
• Discounts at the club superstore.
• Contribution towards eye tests and glasses.
• Club pension scheme.
• Life assurance scheme.
• Employee Assistance Programme (EAP) run by Health Assured.
• Paid parental leave (bank of five days per year).
• Discounts and benefits from partners and local businesses. (Umbro, Taylor Made Golf etc.).
• Christmas Party, End of Season awards and other social events throughout the year run by our social team.
• Paid volunteer opportunities (two days per year).
• A paid day's leave on your birthday. 

How to Apply

Please send your CV and covering letter to [email protected] by 21^st January 2022

AFC Bournemouth is an equal opportunities employer and ensures that staff and volunteers are able to achieve their full potential. AFC Bournemouth values the diversity of its workforce and welcomes applications from all sectors of the community (Equality Act 2010).

We actively encourage applications from women, and individuals ethnically diverse communities

For further information on accessibility within the stadium please click here.

AFC Bournemouth is committed to protecting all children, young persons, and adults at risk in its care or attending its premises and expects all staff and volunteers to share the same commitment.

We strive to create a positive and safe environment and ensure all who interact with the club feel safe, protected, and heard.