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Eastside People The Eastside People Logo

Independent Board Chair

Charity: Suffolk County Football Association

Location: Suffolk FA, Bill Steward House, The Buntings, Stowmarket, Suffolk IP14 5GZ & from home

Role Type: Board

Work Type: Hybrid

Salary: Voluntary role with reasonable expenses can be claimed

Closing Date: 07 April 2026

Chair Opportunity at Suffolk County Football Association

Can you lead our Board with a commitment to community, inclusion, and integrity? Do you share our passion to inspire positive change through football? If so, you could be our Independent Board Chair, here at Suffolk County Football Association!

This is an exciting opportunity to guide our forward-thinking and community-focused charity’s Board. Your expertise could support us in delivering positive impact through grassroots football!

Want to make a difference across our county through your governance skills? We welcome your fresh perspective and strategic insight to our Board, as you uphold best practices and values for our charity.

So, if you can bring effective leadership to guide us through periods of significant change, we are keen to hear from you!

Who are Suffolk County Football Association?

Suffolk FA is the not-for-profit governing body for grassroots football in Suffolk. We provide the leadership and support that enables players, coaches, referees, and volunteers to thrive in the game. We are proud to ensure football truly is for all in Suffolk.

Our purpose is to inspire positive change through football, by driving the local game to unite communities. We tackle inequalities and improve the health and wellbeing of people across Suffolk. We work with 330 clubs representing players of all ages, backgrounds, and abilities.

What matters to Suffolk County Football Association?

Our vision? A thriving local game that enhances the lives of people across Suffolk.

We also uphold the following values and behaviours throughout our work:

  • Inclusive
  • Teamwork
  • Respect
  • Open
  • Empowerment
  • Innovation

Suffolk FA endorses the principle of sports equality. We strive to ensure that everyone who wishes to be involved in football has an equal opportunity to participate.

Football is for all.

If you join us at Suffolk Football County Association…

You’ll be joining a dedicated team of staff and volunteers, striving to enhance football across the county. Your passion for our work and a desire for positive change through football will be invaluable!

You’ll support challenging conversations while decision-making, working closely with our new CEO. As Chair; you’ll be keen to lead on our strategic priorities including:

  • Improve playing choice and opportunities
  • Deliver equal opportunities for women and girls to play
  • Tackling poor behaviour
  • Building more and improve existing facilities
  • Develop a valued network of volunteers, coaches and referees

Being a Chair is also a great way to learn new skills while sharing your own governance expertise. It’s an opportunity to lead, challenge you to push the boundaries of your own knowledge, all while flexibly working around your other commitments.

What do Suffolk FA look for in our Chair?

We need a Chair who will encourage all Trustees to contribute thoughtfully, championing constructive debate on the Board with your governance skills.

As Chair, you’ll foster a culture of respect, trust, openness, and transparency within the Board and the wider organisation. We are looking for inclusive leadership, that advocates for the organisation’s vision and charitable objectives.

We are particularly seeking:

  • Demonstrable experience of leading a board or senior team
  • An independent thinker, able to make decisions in the best interests of the charity
  • Proven ability to inspire and guide others through periods of change

Please make sure you read our Candidate Information Pack before applying. It contains important details about the role and our organisation.

Don’t think you quite meet all the specifications? Please don’t count yourself out. We’d still love to learn more about your interest in joining Suffolk FA!

Working Model: Approx. 2-3 days a month

If you would like a call to discuss the role or any of the content of this pack in more detail, please email John Sanger to arrange a convenient time at [email protected]. Having a call of this kind will not influence the success or otherwise of your application.

We want you to have every opportunity to demonstrate your skills, ability and potential. If you have a disability or require reasonable adjustments during the application or interview process, please contact us so we can support you appropriately.

What’s next – how do I apply for the Independent Board Chair role?

Eastside People is supporting Suffolk Football County Association in the recruitment of this role. You can follow the link to apply today by submitting your CV and a cover letter, both in Word doc format.

Please use the cover letter (max 2 pages) as an opportunity to add to the information you have shared in your CV and ensure that you cover the following:
○ why are you interested in the Independent Board Chair role at Suffolk FA?
○ having read the information pack, what relevant experience and skills you feel you would bring to this role. This might come from paid work, study, community or voluntary work or other experience.

You are welcome to send your cover letter in writing, or as a video or audio clip, alongside your CV. Any video or audio submissions should be emailed to [email protected]

The closing date for applications is Tuesday 7th 9am.

Shortlisting interviews will take place shortly after, and shortlisted candidates will have an interview with Suffolk FA on 21st April.