July 2022 Premier League Stadium Fund - Stadia Improvement Panel Independent Chair Independent Panel Member Recruitment Pack
The Premier League Stadium Fund is the new name of the Football Stadia Improvement Fund (FSIF). It takes on the existing work of the FSIF with an extended remit, providing financial support to clubs throughout the football pyramid. The Premier League Stadium Fund is fully funded by the Premier League, and delivered and administered by the Football Foundation.
The Premier League Stadium Fund is administered by the Football Foundation, who’s purpose is to transform individual lives and communities by providing people with a great place to play. That’s an inspiring thought – but behind it sits a great team. The Foundation is an independent charity, but has at its heart a collaboration between the Premier League, The Football Association and Sport England. Our role is to facilitate their joint investment into community sports facilities. We do this through partnership working – being part of a team is really important to us. Being a part of the Stadia Improvement Panel will give you the chance to deliver a positive impact across England and help transform lives and communities through great places to play.
I hope you take the time to apply.
Robert Sullivan, Chief Executive Officer
The Stadia Improvement Panel (SIP) plays a very important role in the governance of the Premier League Stadium Fund. It ensures that all funding applications have been properly assessed by staff in accordance with the governance framework, and that the required investment would deliver the intended outcomes.
The Premier League Stadium Fund awards capital grants to clubs to support improvement of their stadium facilities for players, supporters and officials. Funding is available to clubs who play in Steps 1 to 6 of the National League System, Tiers 1 to 4 of the Women’s Football Pyramid and clubs promoted into the English Football League.
Introduction Thank you so much for taking the time to find out more about the Premier League Stadium Fund, which is delivered by the Football Foundation.
Following a long period of continuity of panel membership, we’re now seeking a new independent Chair and two new independent panel members to allow the essential work of the SIP to continue.
The Premier League Stadium Fund
5Our Impact Since 2000… 5,000+ Grants Awarded £164m+ Investment 900+ Clubs Supported
Premier
• Club Development Fund Funding available for both ‘on the pitch’ and ‘off the pitch’ projects which will help clubs develop links with their local communities and increase sustainability.
• Floodlight Replacement Fund Insight suggests that a significant number of existing floodlight systems will require replacement in the next few years. It is intended that a fund will be launched to provide greatest efficiency and value for money in helping to tackle this issue.
The Premier League Stadium Fund awards capital grants to clubs to support improvement of their stadium facilities for players, supporters and officials. Funding is available to clubs who play in Steps 1 to 6 of the National League System, Tiers 1 to 4 of the Women’s Football Pyramid and clubs promoted into the English Football League. Following a full review of previous FSIF processes and criteria, the Premier League Stadium Fund will now provide funding via several different opportunities:
• Core funding In a similar manner to the FSIF previously has, funding will be available for clubs to help undertake stadium improvement works and ensure compliance with the requirements of the FA National Ground Grading Criteria.
• Women’s Infrastructure Fund Providing funding to ensure stadiums can respond to the needs of the Women’s game. the League Stadium Fund
About
The Premier League Stadium Fund is the new name of the Football Stadia Improvement Fund (FSIF). It takes on the existing work of the FSIF with an extended remit, providing financial support to clubs throughout the football pyramid. As well as continuing to fund ground-grading requirements, the Premier League Stadium Fund includes a new Club Development Fund to help clubs grow and enhance sustainability.
The Premier League Stadium Fund Board of Directors has delegated financial authority to the SIP to approve grants from £50,000 - £250,000.
• The Premier League
• Providing objective-based recommendations to the Board of Trustees, as required.
Appointments are for an initial term of three years, which may be renewed for a maximum of two further terms of three years.
The SIP must act at all times within its fiduciary responsibilities, as delegated by the Board of Directors. It is required to achieve its aims and objectives in line with recognised good governance and practice, in accordance with its Terms of Reference and relevant legal and statutory requirements.
Size and Membership of the Panel
• The FA • The FA Men’s National League System
The Panel consists of seven members: an independent Chair and two independent Members recruited via an open national recruitment process, together with a representative from each of:
Purpose and Responsibilities
The key responsibilities of the SIP include:
• Ensuring that all funding applications have been properly assessed by the Foundation team in accordance with the governance framework, and that the required investment would deliver the intended outcomes.
The Stadia Improvement Panel
• Ensuring that approved guidelines and assessment criteria have been applied consistently and equitably.
The SIP will consider applications for grants above this level and make appropriate recommendations to the Board of Directors.
Applications for Premier League Stadium Fund funding are assessed by members of the Grant Management Team (GMT). This involves a robust and comprehensive process, designed not only to test that applications meet the necessary criteria, but to closely examine the viability and sustainability of applications. The GMT then provide a report to the Stadia Improvement Panel (SIP). Responsibility then passes to the SIP to provide independent
• The FA Women’s Pyramid of Football
scrutiny of all applications and recommendations made. This independent scrutiny is critical to our robust governance process.
Eligibility
Other contact – usually by email or telephone – may be necessary outside of the scheduled Panel meetings. Occasionally an additional Panel meeting may be scheduled for operational reasons, such as volume of applications or bespoke programmes.
It is anticipated that Members will dedicate around 12 days per year to the role, which will mainly be focused around preparing for and attending Panel meetings. The Chair and Panel Members must understand and accept the duties and responsibilities of their role. There must be a willingness to give at least the minimum time commitment required to the role, both during and between meetings.
The SIP currently meets five times a year (January, March, June, August and November), scheduled to tie in with the meetings of the Board of Directors. Members are expected to be available for all five meetings. Meetings are held either virtually via Microsoft Teams, or at the Premier League Stadium Fund’s offices in London. They usually run for half a day (excluding any travel time).
In preparation for Panel meetings, applications, assessment reports and supporting paperwork are issued electronically to all Members a week before each meeting. Members are required to commit the necessary time to study the papers, raise relevant queries and comments in reviewing the papers, prepare for meetings and follow up on any specific tasks.
The Stadia Improvement Panel
While this is not a Trustee or Director position, the Premier League Stadium Fund adopts the Charity Commission’s eligibility criteria for Panel membership:
a. You must be at least 16 years old.
b. You must not be disqualified under the Charities Act, i.e., you must not:
• Be disqualified as a company director.
• Have an unspent conviction for an offence involving dishonesty or deception (such as fraud).
• Be an undischarged bankrupt (or subject to sequestration in Scotland), or have a current composition or arrangement including an individual voluntary arrangement (IVA) with your creditors, and/or
Commitment
• Have been removed as a Trustee of any charity by the Charity Commission (or the court) because of misconduct or mismanagement.
Stadia Improvement Panel Chair Role Description and Person Specification
7. Identifying and promoting good practice in relation to project development with advice and guidance from the Executive team.
Role Description Premier League Stadium Fund – Stadia Improvement Panel Chair
4. Ensuring that Panel Members are fully engaged and that the SIP is satisfied that Premier League Stadium Fund investment will achieve required outcomes, depending upon the specific theme(s) it hopes to address.
Main Responsibilities:
2. Upholding the fiduciary duty invested in the role, especially in relation to governance process and the responsibilities invested by the Board. Undertaking such duties in a way that adds to public confidence and trust in the Premier League Stadium Fund and SIP.
Where applications exceed the financial powers that have been delegated to it by the Board, the Panel is responsible for making recommendations to the Board, as it deems appropriate.
Role Title: Stadia Improvement Panel Chair
1. Ensuring the SIP complies with any legal and regulatory requirements and acts within the confines of the Panel Terms of Reference (ToR).
3. Chairing SIP meetings effectively and efficiently, bringing impartiality and objectivity to the decision making process and ensuring a consistent approach to the SIP’s work.
5. Approving grants and/or making recommendations as appropriate, in accordance with the financial powers delegated by the Premier League Stadium Board and with regard to best practice.
Responsible to: Premier League Stadium Fund Board of Directors
6. Doing everything possible to ensure that Premier League Stadium Fund investment avoids duplication and always represents best value.
Main purpose and overview: To lead the Stadia Improvement Panel (SIP) and act collectively with other Panel Members, to ensure that all funding applications to the Premier League Stadium Fund are scrutinised independently, to ensure that they have been assessed in accordance with Premier League Stadium Fund Board of Directors (the Board) approved processes and criteria, good practice, and any legal and statutory requirements.
14. Providing feedback to the Executive with regards to the review and decision making processes, and highlighting where efficiencies and improvements could be made.
Main Responsibilities (cont.):
12. Maintaining absolute confidentiality with regard to any sensitive information received in the course of the Chair’s responsibilities for the organisation.
Role Description (cont.) Premier League Stadium Fund – Stadia Improvement Panel Chair
8. Updating the Board, as required, regarding the work of the SIP to facilitate and support the Board and general governance process.
15. Undertaking a periodic review of the performance of the SIP and working with the Executive and Panel Members to respond to the learnings.
16. Upholding the ‘four corners’ of the Football Foundation.
13. Committing to acquiring appropriate levels of personal understanding and knowledge of all areas and issues that funded projects will be aiming to impact upon.
10. Safeguarding the good name and values of the Premier League and the Football Foundation; ensuring that the SIP is effectively and efficiently administered.
9. Fostering, maintaining and ensuring that constructive relationships exist with and between the SIP Members and the Executive team.
11. Sitting on appointment panels for Panel Member appointment and selection, as required.
• Ability to apply knowledge and think strategically.
The Chair of the Grants Panel is expected to demonstrate all the following personal competencies and the capacity to apply these to the work of the Panel:
• Willingness to work effectively as part of a team and to accept collective responsibility for decision making.
• Strong inter-personal and relationship building skills, with the ability to lead and promote a collaborative team environment and successfully engage SIP Members.
• Empathy with the vision, mission and aims of the Premier League Stadium Fund and Football Foundation and a way of working that demonstrates this enthusiasm to others.
• Be able to exercise sound and independent judgement.
• Have a proven track record of effective, independent, decision making.
• Be able to analyse and evaluate management and financial information, as well as other evidence in support of project applications.
• Be able to maintain absolute discretion at all times with regard to confidential and/or sensitive information.
• Have personal credibility to act as an ambassador for the Premier League Stadium Fund with a variety of stakeholders.
Person Specification Premier League Stadium Fund – Stadia Improvement Panel Chair
• Ability to draw out views of all SIP Members, understand all viewpoints, whilst building a consensus.
• The ability to chair meetings effectively, taking an active part in discussions and challenging constructively, but being sensitive to and respectful of other SIP Members’ views.
Specialist experience The knowledge, skills and experience in the list below are relevant to the Premier League Stadium Fund’s main areas of activity. They are represented across the Executive and staff, who apply them at an operational level. It is desirable for the Chair of the SIP and Panel Members to have knowledge and understanding of at least some of these areas, and that the Panel, as a whole, should possess all of them: Person Specification (cont.) • FA Men’s National League structures, politics and dynamics • FA Women’s Football Pyramid structures, politics and dynamics • The FA Ground Grading Regulations • Financial management and accounting • Funders and fundraising • Legal (charity, company, employment, property or H&S) • Property/asset management • Procurement and obtaining best value • Community development • Equality, diversity, and inclusion • Charity/voluntary sector and charity governance • Public sector • Governance and regulation • Risk management • Board/committee experience Sector experience The Chair of the SIP is expected to have a working knowledge and a genuine interest in the FA Men’s National League and FA Women’s Football Pyramid, as well as a general interest in sports. Having an understanding of the inter-relationships between clubs, leagues and governing bodies would also be an advantage. Premier League Stadium Fund – Stadia Improvement Panel Chair
Stadia Improvement Panel Member Role Description and Person Specification
Responsible to: Premier League Stadium Fund Board of Directors and Stadia Improvement Panel Chair
5. Comply with any legal and regulatory requirements, and act within the confines of funding scheme criteria approved by the Board and the Panel’s ToR.
4. Undertake the role in a way that adds to public confidence and trust in the SIP. In doing so, uphold the fiduciary responsibilities of the role, especially with regard to the Premier League Stadium Fund’s governance process and the responsibilities invested in it by the Board.
To act collectively with the Chair of the Stadia Improvement Panel (SIP) and other Panel Members, to ensure that all funding applications to the Premier League Stadium Fund are scrutinised independently, to ensure that they have been assessed in accordance with Premier League Stadium Fund Board of Directors (the Board) approved processes and criteria, good practice, and any legal and statutory requirements. Where applications exceed the financial powers that have been delegated to it by the Board, the Panel is responsible for making recommendations to the Board, as it deems appropriate.
2. Approve grants and/or make recommendations as appropriate, in accordance with the financial powers delegated by the Premier League Stadium Fund Board and with regard to public accountability.
6. Maintain absolute confidentiality with regard to any sensitive information received in the course of undertaking duties as a SIP Member.
Role Description Premier League Stadium Fund – Stadia Improvement Panel Member
Role Title: Stadia Improvement Panel Member
General Responsibilities:
1. Work with the Chair and other SIP Members to scrutinise grant applications that have been assessed by the Premier League Stadium Fund Grant Management Team, to ensure consistency of assessment against Board-approved processes and criteria, good practice, and any legal and statutory requirements.
Main purpose and overview:
3. Prepare for, attend, and contribute to SIP meetings in accordance with the Panel’s Terms of Reference (ToR).
Specific Responsibilities
Premier League Stadium Fund – Stadia appropriate levels of personal understanding and knowledge of all areas and issues that funded projects aiming to the ‘four corners’ of the Football Foundation.
14. Refer
impact upon. 8. Uphold
Role Description (cont.)
9.
12. Be
13. Do
Improvement Panel Member General Responsibilities (cont.) 7. Commit to acquiring
concerns or
11.
Specifically, SIP Members must: Identify and promote good practice in relation to project development, with advice and guidance provided by the Premier League Stadium Fund Executive. Apply their own experience, expertise, and knowledge to support the work of the SIP. Through the Chair, update the Board, as required, regarding the work of the SIP to facilitate and support the Board and general governance process. satisfied that Premier League Stadium Fund investment will achieve required outcomes, depending upon the specific theme(s) it hopes to address. everything possible to ensure that Premier League Stadium Fund investment avoids duplication and always represents best value. any issues to the SIP Chair in the first instance.
will be
10.
Premier League Stadium Fund – Stadia Improvement Panel Member SIP Members are expected to demonstrate all of the following personal competencies and the capacity to apply these to the work of the Panel: • Have empathy with the vision, mission and aims of the Premier League Stadium Fund and a way of working that demonstrates this. Ability to communicate this enthusiasm to others. • Act collegiately at all times. Take an active part in discussions and challenge constructively but be sensitive to and respectful of other SIP Members’ views. • Willingness to work effectively as part of a team and to accept collective responsibility for decision making. • Ability to apply knowledge and think strategically. • Be able to analyse and evaluate management and financial information, as well as other evidence in support of project applications. • Be able to exercise sound and independent judgement. • Have a proven track record of effective, independent, decision making. • Be able to maintain absolute discretion at all times with regard to confidential and/or sensitive information. • Have personal credibility to act as an ambassador for the Foundation with a variety of stakeholders. Person Specification
League Stadium Fund – Stadia Improvement Panel Member Specialist experience The knowledge, skills and experience in the list below are relevant to the Premier League Stadium Fund’s main areas of activity. They are represented across the Executive and staff, who apply them at an operational level. It is desirable for the Chair of the SIP and Panel Members to have knowledge and understanding of at least some of these areas, and that the Panel, as a whole, should possess all of them: Person Specification (cont.) • FA Men’s National League structures, politics and dynamics • FA Women’s Football Pyramid structures, politics and dynamics • The FA Ground Grading Regulations • Financial management and accounting • Funders and fundraising • Legal (charity, company, employment, property or H&S) • Property/asset management • Procurement and obtaining best value • Community development • Equality, diversity, and inclusion • Charity/voluntary sector and charity governance • Public sector • Governance and regulation • Risk management • Board/committee experience Sector experience All SIP Members are expected to have a working knowledge and a genuine interest in the FA Men’s National League and FA Women’s Football Pyramid, as well as a general interest in sports. Having an understanding of the inter-relationships between clubs, leagues and governing bodies would also be an advantage.
Premier
THE FOOTBALL FOUNDATION
ABOUT THE FOOTBALL FOUNDATION
Whilst the Stadia Improvement Panel Chair and Members play a crucial role in ensuring good governance of the Premier League Stadium Fund, they will be engaged by the Football Foundation, and therefore it’s important that they understand the wider context – in terms of what we do and how we go about it. The Football Foundation’s purpose is to transform individual lives and communities by providing people with a great place to play. That’s an inspiring thought but behind it sits a great team. The Foundation is an independent charity, but has at its heart a collaboration between the Premier League, The Football Association and Sport England. Our role is to facilitate their joint investment into community sports facilities. We do this through partnership working being part of a team is really important to us.
Together we have ambitious plans and with the recent announcement from the government to invest a further £205 million into grassroots football over the next 3 years, the Football Foundation is well-supported to continue to invest in community pitches and facilities across the nation.
OUR FOUR CORNERS WE REFER TO OUR COMPANY VALUES AS OUR FOUR CORNERS AND THESE FORM A CENTRAL PART OF OUR WORKING CULTURE. WHEN APPLYING FOR ROLES WE ENCOURAGE APPLICANTS TO BE AWARE OF OUR FOUR CORNERS AS WE WILL FRAME SOME OF OUR INTERVIEW QUESTIONS AROUND THESE.
We unlock the power of pitches. We transform lives and We support each other and work together to deliver the greatest impact wherever it’s needed the most. Nothing brings people together like sport and teamwork is at the heart of what we do. We support the game in any way we can. We make sure applicants access funding as easily as possible. We work with partners to deliver outstanding football facilities. We transform lives and communities on behalf of our Funding Partners. Being inclusive and understanding diversity allows us to tackle inequalities through everything we do. We play fair regardless of gender, race, ability or place, from the star performers we recruit, to the way we work, from the facilities we fund, to the people who play on them.
striveweWhatevercommunities.strengthenpositionplayin,wealwaysforexcellence.
THE FOOTBALL FOUNDATION’S EQUALITY AND DIVERSITY COMMITMENT o To ensure we have the best chance of tackling inequalities through our work, we are determined to be an inclusive and diverse organisation that understands the communities we serve.
The Football Foundation is committed to, and values, the principles of diversity, equality and inclusion. We strive to provide an inclusive and supportive working environment where all our team feel respected and supported in fulfilling their potential. We encourage and welcome applications from all, regardless of background and are particularly interested to hear from individuals belonging to under-represented groups including diverse ethnic communities, individuals with a disability and those from the LGBTQI+ community. We request that all applicants complete our equal opportunities form as part of the application process. This anonymous and confidential form helps the Football Foundation to build up a picture of who is applying to join the organisation, and to monitor progress in this area. The link to complete this is in the application process.
THE FOOTBALL FOUNDATION’S EQUALITY AND DIVERSITY COMMITMENT 23
• Click here to fill it out. Please only submit one form, if you have any issues get in touch.
• CV • A cover letter highlighting the role you would like to be considered for – Chair, Panel Member or both - your motivation for applying and indicating how your skills and experience meet the criteria for the role.
2. Complete an anonymous Equal Opportunities form:
The Foundation aim to provide feedback to shortlisted candidates who are unsuccessful at interview. However, due to the volume of applications received for most roles, the Foundation will unfortunately not provide feedback to those candidates who are not shortlisted for interview.
Application process To apply, please follow the steps outlined below:
Closing date for applications: Wednesday 7 September, 9:00am We encourage candidates to apply as soon as possible, as we may close the advert and application window once we have received sufficient applications. We thank all applicants for taking the time to apply, however, please be aware that the Foundation only contacts candidates if they are shortlisted for interview. If you do not hear from us within two weeks of the closing date, you should assume your application has not been successful.
1. Please send the following to jobs@footballfoundation.org.uk
Under the Immigration, Asylum and Nationality Act 2006, you are required to provide evidence of your right to work in the UK. If called for an interview, you will be advised of the documents that you will need to provide, which, if you are offered employment, will be checked to ensure the Foundation complies with current legislation.
Selection All applications received will be short listed against the role requirements and person specification. Those most closely matching our requirements will be invited to take part in an online interview.
Application process
Checks and references If you are successful in your application, we will ask you to provide us with the contact details of two organisations that we can apply for an employment reference; one of which must be your current/most recent employer. Please be aware that the Foundation aim to have all references in place before new team members commence employment with us.
Data protection Information provided as part of your application will be used for the recruitment process. Any data about you will be held securely with access restricted to those involved in dealing with your application and in the recruitment process. If you are successful in your application, the information you provide during the application process will be retained by us as part of your employee file for the duration of your employment, plus 6 years following the end of your employment. If you are unsuccessful at any stage of the process, we will retain your personal information for a period of six months after we have communicated to you our decision about whether to appoint you to work. Please see the full Privacy Notice for job applicants on the Careers page of our website for more information about how and why your personal data will be used, namely for the purposes of the recruitment exercise, plus your rights in relation to your data.
For more information, please jobs@footballfoundation.org.ukemail:
