Job Location: Selhurst Park Stadium, SE25 6PU
Contract Type: Full-time
Deadline: 15th March 2026
Who We Are
We are Crystal Palace Football Club, a Premier League Football Club with more than 160 years of proud history. Spread across three different sites - brand new main offices at Selhurst Park Stadium, our London office, and our Training Ground/Academy, we offer the best atmosphere and culture for our fans and our employees.
We strive for excellence in the workplace with a philosophy of high standards, professionalism, and a strong work ethic from our employees. We are constantly trying to grow, diversify and build with not only our team on the pitch, but also our team in the offices and on the ground.
About This Role
Crystal Palace FC is looking for an operationally focused Chief People Officer (CPO) to lead and manage the Club’s people function, ensuring HR operations are delivered consistently, efficiently and to the highest standards. This is a senor leadership role responsible for overseeing all core people processes, maintaining compliance, and driving operational excellence across the full employee lifecycle.
In addition, the Chief People Officer will oversee the Club’s payroll and safeguarding functions. Act as the Club’s EDI and sustainability lead as well as the Club’s Senior Safeguarding Lead. The CPO will be responsible for ensuring all regulatory obligations are met including PL, FA and statutory requirements.
Responsibilities
Leadership, Management & Governance
- Provide leadership and guidance to the HR, Safeguarding and EDI team.
- As part of the Senior Leadership Team the CPO will provide advice and guidance pertaining to ER, EDI, talent acquisition and L&D initiatives.
- Be the subject matter expert to all managers and employees regarding people related matters
- Design, implement and maintain the people strategy for the Club.
- Ensure the tactical action plan and objectives reflect the overall people strategy
- Constantly review the people strategy and operations to ensure the highest level of service is provided
- Act as the EDI Lead for the Club
- Ensure the Operational Board are fully aware and participate in the design, implementation and maintenance of the EDI strategy.
People Operations & Compliance
- Oversee all people operations and be actively involved in all organisational change initiatives
- Have a hands on approach to all people related operations
- Act as the subject matter expert for employment law and employee relations issues
- Overseeing talent acquisition, onboarding, talent management, upskilling, succession planning and performance management to ensure the right people with the right skills are in place.
- Ensure all policies and procedures are reviewed on a regular basis and are up to date with changes in current legislation and Premier League/ FA requirements.
- Ensure the Club are fulfilling its obligations with regards to the PLEDIS standard
- Ensure the Club are fulfilling its obligations with regards to the FA rule N
- Act as a champion for all EDI related activities and best practice.
Payroll, Reporting & Systems
- Responsible for overseeing the payroll
- Responsible for ensuring all statutory reports are submitted in accordance with designated deadlines
- Ensure the HRIS used within the Club are fit for purpose
- Provide high level KPI reports for senior management on a monthly basis
- Provide ad hoc reports as and when requested
- Analyse HR metrics and data in order to make informed decisions regarding HR processes and procedures
- Liaise with finance to ensure all labour budgets are compiled at the start of each budget season
Safeguarding & Matchdays
- Oversee the safeguarding function within the Club
- Work alongside the Head of Safeguarding to ensure the safeguarding strategy is being executed in accordance with designated timelines.
- Act as the Senior Safeguarding Lead for the Club and ensure all management are aware that safeguarding is a priority as part of everyday business.
- Be present on matchdays to oversee the matchday staffing operation
- Other duties and responsibilities as required by line manager.
- Upholding and promoting the Club’s policies and procedures, including Health and Safety, Safeguarding and Equal Opportunities policies and procedures.
Experience, Skills And Qualifications
- A relevant degree level qualification
- Chartered member of the CIPD
- Demonstratable experience working in a senior people role within a fast-paced commercial environment.
- Has an expert level of employment law and HR best practice knowledge
- Experience working with different levels of management across multiple sites
- Be commercially aware and have demonstrable experience in adding value to a business.
- Excellent communication (including written, oral and presentation) and report writing
- Personable, approachable and has excellent interpersonal skills
- Discretion and an ability to keep sensitive information confidential
- Ability to work under pressure and work to deadlines
- Keen to continuously improve processes and systems
- Experience working in the sporting industry (Desirable)
Benefits
- Complimentary match day ticket
- Reward and Discount Scheme through our Tech Scheme and Simple Health app
- Health and Wellbeing benefit scheme
- 20% Discount in our Retail Stores
- Discounts in various gyms through GymFlex
- Volunteering Day - 1 Workday off to support a charity of your choice.
- Travel Season Ticket loan
- Holiday allowance: 25 Days
Our commitment to Equality
At Crystal Palace Football Club, Equality, Diversity & Inclusion is spirited and continues to grow due to the working environment, which makes all staff feel appreciated and welcomed. Crystal Palace Football Club do this by encouraging good relations and practices towards different groups and are committed to promoting employment opportunities that celebrate diversity.
We are committed to attracting, recruiting, and retaining the most talented candidates and the club intends to ensure that everyone who wishes to engage with the club, whether as matchday fans, staff, players, board members, participants in Foundation programmes and any other person engaged with the club's activities, has a real and equal opportunity to do so.
Reasonable Adjustment
We are proud to be a Disability Confident Employer. We guarantee an interview to all disabled applicants who meet the essential criteria for the role, ensuring equitable opportunities for everyone.
If you require disability-related adjustments during the recruitment process, please contact DLO@cpfc.co.uk (DLO inbox is for disability-related queries only, if you wish to gain further information regarding this vacancy, please contact cpfc.recruitment@cpfc.co.uk). We are here to help you through the whole recruitment process including trying to apply for a vacancy, getting in touch with us through the process, and/or helping with access in case you are required to come in for an interview.
Safeguarding
Crystal Palace Football Club is committed to safeguarding and ensuring the welfare and protection of children and vulnerable people and expects all staff to share this commitment. As such, the post holder will be required to undergo any relevant security checks, including a comprehensive background check, Enhanced Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) to ensure the safety and protection of children and vulnerable individuals.
As part of our commitment to diversity and inclusion, we collect demographic data to monitor our recruitment trends. This information is processed independently of your application and has no influence on selection decisions. You may select ‘prefer not to say’ if you do not wish to disclose this information.
