Pathway · Lateral move
Sporting Director / Director of Football to Club Chief Executive
How to move from Sporting Director / Director of Football to Club Chief Executive: what to learn, what to prove and what formal steps, if any, are needed.
Qualification check for Club Chief Executive
Not needed
No qualification is needed for the new role. Evidence of results, reputation and relationships decide this move. No set qualification. People reach the role from finance, law, commercial, operations or sporting backgrounds.
1 to 3 yearstypical timeline
1new skills to build
1qualifications to consider
+24%mid-point UK pay change, illustrative
The move at a glance
Sporting Director / Director of Football
Leads the football strategy across recruitment, coaching appointments and contracts.
Club Chief Executive
Leads the club's business and works with the board and owners.
Skills and knowledge to build
Experience and routes that help
The routes into your current role also work for this one. Focus on a wider scope of responsibility.
Qualifications to consider
Tools to learn
What the new role asks of you
- Set strategy and budgets with the board
- Oversee football, commercial and finance leaders
- Represent the club to leagues, media and supporters
Practical steps
- Ask for a small piece of the new role's work before you apply, for example one of the tasks above.
- Close the top gap first: Communication.
- Keep a record of two results that show you working at the next level.
- Talk to three people who do the job. Ask how they got in, and who they would recommend you speak to.