We are inviting applications for the position of Chief Operating Officer to lead the Club’s internal operations and oversee the delivery of key development projects.
Based at Blundell Park in Cleethorpes, this is a permanent position offering a salary of £55,000 per annum.
As Chief Operating Officer, you will provide overall leadership and oversight of the Club’s internal operations, including people, facilities, safety, compliance, procurement and project delivery, working closely with specialist departmental leads to ensure the effective running of the Club.
A principal responsibility will be to lead the development of the Club’s new training ground, taking the project from initial planning and business case through design, construction, commissioning and eventual occupation.
You will also play a key role in shaping and delivering investment across the Club’s infrastructure, identifying opportunities to improve facilities, create commercial opportunities and enhance the supporter experience at Blundell Park and beyond.
This is a role for an experienced operational leader who can combine strategic oversight with effective project delivery, ensuring the Club’s operations are safe, sustainable and equipped to support its long-term ambitions.
The Role
Key responsibilities will include:
- Providing overall leadership and coordination of the Club’s operations across Blundell Park, training facilities and other sites.
- Leading and developing the operational team, establishing clear reporting lines, responsibilities and performance standards.
- Taking senior responsibility for the new training ground programme, including planning, business case, design, procurement, construction and delivery.
- Managing project budgets, costs, risks, timelines and stakeholder engagement to ensure approved projects are delivered effectively.
- Overseeing facilities, safety, security, matchday operations, catering, maintenance, HR and business continuity through the relevant departmental leads.
- Providing direct line management of the Senior Head Grounds Person and overall leadership of the grounds team.
- Identifying and delivering approved investment in stadium infrastructure, including hospitality, food and beverage facilities, fan zones and digital connectivity.
- Leading fair and controlled procurement and contract management.
- Managing operational and project budgets alongside the finance lead, maintaining effective financial controls and reporting.
- Providing senior oversight of the Club’s safety, security, accessibility, emergency planning and facilities compliance arrangements.
- Ensuring the Club maintains appropriate operational risk registers, controls, insurance, contract records and audit trails.
- Reporting material risks, incidents and operational issues to the CEO and Board.
- Working collaboratively across the Club to ensure operational decisions reflect its heritage, supporters and community impact.
About You
The successful candidate will have:
- Significant senior leadership experience covering multiple operational functions, teams and material budgets.
- A proven track record of delivering complex property, construction, relocation, capital investment or significant operational-change projects.
- Strong experience in procurement, contract management, cost control, programme delivery, risk and governance.
- Demonstrable experience of leading and developing multidisciplinary teams, including specialist functional leads.
- Good working knowledge of health and safety, safeguarding, facilities, people management, compliance and business continuity.
- Strong financial and commercial acumen, with the ability to manage budgets and make decisions that support long-term sustainability.
- Experience reporting to a Board or equivalent and working with senior, technical, regulatory and public-sector stakeholders.
- Evidence of relevant senior-level professional development and continued learning.
- The ability to demonstrate the honesty, integrity, financial soundness and competence required to support an IFR SMF4 assessment.
Experience in professional sport, stadia, leisure, events or another regulated and complex environment would be advantageous, as would experience delivering a sports campus, training ground or comparable major facility.
Relevant degree-level qualifications, professional qualifications in operational leadership, project management, property, construction, facilities or health and safety, and knowledge of EFL, FA, Academy, women’s football or Football Foundation requirements are also desirable.
The successful candidate will be required to complete the prescribed Independent Football Regulator (IFR) suitability process before undertaking the role.
Join The Mariners
This is an exciting opportunity to play a leading role in the continued development of Grimsby Town Football Club, overseeing the operations that underpin the Club’s ambitions and helping to deliver a major new training ground project.
Applications are now open.
Apply for the Chief Operating Officer position via iRecruit here
Location: Cleethorpes
Position: Chief Operating Officer
Contract: Permanent
Salary: £55,000 per annum
Closing date: Sunday 22nd November 2026
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