Vacancy: FIFPRO Secretary General (CEO)

About FIFPRO

Founded in 1965, FIFPRO is the global union representing over 65,000 professional footballers from around the world. FIFPRO's objective is to protect and promote the rights and interests of professional football players. It works towards improving the working conditions, health and safety standards, and overall well-being of players. FIFPRO also advocates for equal opportunities, and non-discrimination in football.

FIFPRO is recognised around the world as the leading global union representing men's and women's professional footballers, with the organisation keen to maintain this position going forward. Over the coming years, FIFPRO plans to expand its reach and support to an increased number of member unions, allowing the organisation to carry more weight and influence in negotiations with key stakeholders in the football ecosystem.

Position Overview

The Secretary General of FIFPRO is responsible for running the organisation on a day-to-day basis and combines the roles of external spokesperson and Chief Executive Officer. They represent FIFPRO in engagements with various stakeholders, advocate for player rights, and lead the organisation’s strategic direction. They are responsible for building an adaptable, high-performance organisation and ensuring suitable controls and risk management policies are in place.

The Secretary General will work in partnership with the Board to create a strategic plan that best serves its members' needs and objectives. They will be responsible for the successful implementation of this plan, leading the FIFPRO executive team to deliver against it.

The Secretary General will provide hands-on leadership to FIFPRO’s executive management team and wider staff, with a direct reporting line to the Board. Their direct reports will include, but are not limited to, the Chief Operating Officer and Chief Financial Officer. The wider organisation consists of 30 full-time employees across six departments.

The Secretary General will have responsibility for the transformation of FIFPRO’s capabilities, driving it to become a world-class sports organisation, that consistently delivers against its agreed agenda and strategy.

They will create a transparent and proactive organisational culture, that is focused on delivering tangible results for FIFPRO and building trust with its key stakeholders.

The new Secretary General will understand issues and opportunities that relate to player workload, data monetisation and the emergence of women’s football, which will enable them to successfully navigate, on behalf of the member base, the negotiations and relationships with fellow game stakeholders.

The Secretary General is expected to be based at FIFPRO’s headquarters in Hoofddorp, the Netherlands. International travel will be required, as necessary.

Role Responsibilities 

• Oversee the day-to-day running of FIFPRO (diverse team of ~30 FTEs);
• Create, develop and maintain a short, medium and long-term strategy in collaboration with the rest of the executive management team for approval by the Board and member unions;
• Alongside the CFO, propose an annual budget for the efficient and effective utilisation of resources; significant commercial revenue, of which ~80% is passed through to members, with ~20% in the scope of the Secretary General;
• Lead the development and implementation of FIFPRO’s strategic vision;
• Ensure the good governance of FIFPRO in accordance with the statutes;
• Serve as the primary spokesperson for FIFPRO, representing FIFPRO’s and the players’ interests when attending events involving federations, leagues, clubs and the media;
• Maintain relationships with key external stakeholders (e.g., FIFA, UEFA, WLA) alongside the Board;
• Attendance at internal and external events involving member unions and other core stakeholders to foster relationships and advocate for the interests of professional football players; frequent travel involved;
• Ensure FIFPRO members develop robust domestic unions and adhere to best practices through training, education, and setting clear priorities;
• Fulfil and honour fiduciary duties as a statutory director of FIFPRO, alongside the other members of the executive management team;
• Accountable for setting and embedding the organisation’s ED&I strategy;
• Lead FIFPRO’s executive management team and complete the annual performance reviews of the Chief Operating Officer and Chief Financial Officer in collaboration with the Board;
• Collaborate with the Chief Commercial Officer where appropriate;
• Provide strategic and business updates to the Board on a quarterly basis.

Assessed Key Competencies: 

Organisational Management

Proven track record of successfully managing an organisation of similar size, scale and complexity.

Team Leadership

Experience of creating and leading high performing teams to deliver against objectives.

Stakeholder Management

High emotional intelligence and low ego, with the ability to build trust and develop positive working relationships internally, as well as externally.

International Perspective

Previous experience of working internationally, across multiple cultures.

Communication Skills

Strong executive presence and presentation skills. Fluency in additional languages an advantage.

FIFPRO Mission Alignment

Alignment to FIFPRO’s mission and purpose

Minimum Requirements 

• Proven track record as a senior executive leading a comparable organisation;
• Strong executive presence, comfortable operating at Board level and with other senior stakeholders;
• Excellent strategic thinking and decision-making abilities, with a track record of driving impact;
• Strong intercultural communication skills and a team-oriented mindset, with the ability to work effectively with diverse stakeholders and act as an ambassador for the organisation;
• Credible, competent, well-presented and emotionally secure, projecting confidence and professionalism;
• Culturally sensitive, with a proven commitment to diversity and inclusion;
• High emotional intelligence, with the ability to develop a harmonious and productive working environment;
• Fluent in English and be proficient in either French or Spanish is advantageous.

Nice To Have

• Experience in a non-profit, trade union, or sports‑related organisation;
• A passion for football, potentially as a former player, with a strong understanding of the football eco-system (incl. challenges faced by professional players, women’s football and regulations);
• Expertise in leading collective bargaining discussions and negotiations with governing bodies;
• A proven track record working in a global multi-stakeholder environment.

Apply

FIFPRO are partnering with an executive search firm, TurnkeyZRG, to support with the recruitment process. All applications should be made via the TurnkeyZRG application portal which can be accessed through the ‘apply’ button below.