Safety Officer
Department Matchday
Reports to CEO and Head of Operations
Location The Cledara Abbey Stadium
Salary £22,000 per annum, pro-rata 
Hours This role is based upon an average of 20 hours per week across a 44-week year and includes the preparation and delivery of all fixtures staged at the Cledara Abbey Stadium, as well as all General Responsibilities as listed below. 

Role Summary
The Safety Officer is responsible for ensuring the safe and compliant delivery of all match day operations within the stadium. This role involves overseeing all aspects of crowd management, risk assessment, staff coordination, and emergency procedures to maintain the safety and security of supporters, staff, players, and officials.
The position requires excellent communication, leadership, and organisational skills, with the ability to make sound decisions under pressure and uphold the highest standards of safety and professionalism on behalf of the club.
The Safety Officer plans and implements match day safety operations, liaising closely with the Head of Operations, Safeguarding Officer, Police, Emergency Services, and other key stakeholders. They are accountable for producing pre-match risk assessments, coordinating safety staff, monitoring match day activity, and managing incident reporting and post-match reviews.

Key Job Outcomes

General Responsibilities
• Ensure the Club adheres to all requirements of its Ground Safety Certificate and relevant legislation
• Create and maintain an operations manual and event-specific plans for all matches and events 
• Liaise with other departments to develop and update contingency and evacuation plans
• Assist with the recruitment process for safety staff on an ongoing basis throughout the calendar year
• Organise and support the delivery of training and CPD on an ongoing basis throughout the calendar year 
• Management of safety staff, being the first point of contact for all queries and concerns
• Act as the primary contact with the Safety Advisory Group, attending meetings and submitting reports as requested. 
• To ensure proactive planning, anticipation of risks, preparing contingency measures and ensuring compliance with safety legislation and club policies on an ongoing basis throughout the calendar year
• Design and management of the Club’s matchday safety budget

Pre-Match Responsibilities
• Book stadium and control room staff, communicating appointments to relevant parties
• Conduct pre-match inspections of the stadium, and review and report on incidents and spectator behaviour after events
• Accountable for creating both the pre-match and match day risk Assessment
• Update the Staff Car Parking List
• Attend the Pre-Match Meeting
• Discuss match day operational plans and potential issues with the Head of Operations and create an Action Plan if required
• Discuss potential Safeguarding Issues with the Safeguarding Officer and create an Action Plan if required
• Document any requests from the SLO/DSLO regarding:
o Disabled or special needs supporters
o Guide dogs
o Drums or other supporter equipment
o Any other match day accommodation requests

Match Day Responsibilities
• Deliver the overall Match Day Safety Operation
• Ensure completion of all Match Day Paperwork
• Conduct Stadium Safety Checks
• Lead Staff Briefings and oversee Staff Deployment

Post-Match Responsibilities
• Conduct the Post-Match Briefing with key personnel
• Responsibility, post-match to compile reports, addressing safety-related complaints and updating incident, medical, and statistical records
• Update the Police and Club on incidents such as:
- Hate crimes (racial or homophobic abuse)
- Any other relevant safety or security issues
• Update the Medical Report
• Update the Match Statistics Document
• Responsibility, post-match to compile reports, addressing safety-related complaints and updating incident, medical, and statistical records
This job description sets out the key outcomes required. It does not specify in detail the activities required to achieve these outcomes. As a term of your employment, you may reasonably be expected to perform duties of a similar or related nature to those outlined in the job description.

Person Specification
Skills, Knowledge, Qualifications & Experience Required/ Desirable
Holds a valid Level 4 (or above) NVQ Diploma in Spectator Safety Management (or working towards)
Current First Aid / Emergency First Aid at Work certificate
Up-to-date Safeguarding Training certification
Demonstrated knowledge of relevant legislation, including the Safety at Sports Grounds Act, Guide to Safety at Sports Grounds (Green Guide), and Health & Safety at Work Act
Proven experience in a stadium safety management or crowd safety supervisory role
Experience in creating and implementing match day risk assessments and operational safety plans
Demonstrated ability to manage, brief, and deploy event safety staff effectively
Experience liaising with emergency services, local authorities, and football governing bodies
Previous involvement in incident reporting and investigation.
Experience in delivering or contributing to staff training and development.
Experience of writing and reviewing policies
Experience of developing and managing budgets
Competent in Microsoft Office and capable of producing professional reports and documentation

Personal Qualities/Attributes
Strong understanding of match day operations and stadium safety procedures
Excellent organisational and planning skills, with the ability to prioritise and manage multiple tasks
Effective communication and interpersonal skills with a range of stakeholders, including staff, supporters, and partner agencies.
Ability to remain calm under pressure and make quick, informed decisions in emergency situations
Strong interpersonal skills, with the ability to prioritise tasks, meet deadlines and manage a varied workload
Knowledge of safeguarding processes relating to vulnerable and disabled supporters
Excellent team player and motivator
A professional confident and approachable manner, demonstrating leadership, integrity and accountability
Strong attention to detail and commitment to maintaining high safety standards
Flexible and willing to work unsociable hours, including evenings, weekends and public holidays
Committed to promoting equality, diversity, and inclusion and ensuring a safe and welcoming environment for all supporters

Application Process
Application Instructions Interested applicants should apply by submitting their application form, CV and Cover Letter, applications which do not include all documents will not be reviewed. 
Application Closing Date 4th January 2026
Interview Date(s) First Stage: 8th January 2026, Second Stage: 12th January 2026
Start Date Immediate / Upon Notice 

Mission, Vision & Values Mission
Cambridge United aspires to compete at the highest level of the English Football League, whilst operating a financially sustainable football club embedded within the heart of its community.
We are custodians with a collective responsibility to protect and enhance the Club for future generations.

Vision
Creating Memories  
We engage current and future generations of supporters by creating memorable moments.
Driving Standards & Performance 
We will evolve by driving standards and performance through self-reflection and education. 
Enhancing Lives
We are an inclusive Club that is United in Endeavour to enhance lives through the power of sport.  

Values
We engage positive and inspiring characters who are committed to serving and strengthening our community, by adopting our 3 keys values.
Teamwork We achieve more through working together than alone and are United in Endeavour.
Hard Work We are committed to learning and working towards our pursuit of excellence in everything we do. 
Humility We will celebrate each other’s successes and recognise that no individual is greater than the collective.


Employability Statement Cambridge United FC is committed to promoting equality of opportunity for all staff.  We aim to create a supportive and inclusive working environment in which all individuals can make best use of their skills, free from discrimination or harassment, and in which all decisions are based on merit.

Safeguarding Statement Cambridge United FC is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people and expects all staff to share this commitment.
For those positions where a criminal record check (DBS) is identified as necessary, this will be carried out in line with other safer recruitment checks.
The post holder will be required to undergo Safeguarding training periodically.

Equality, Diversity & Inclusion
Cambridge United FC is committed to promoting equality of opportunity for all staff and job applicants. We are committed to creating an inclusive workplace and welcome applications from disabled candidates. If you require any adjustments during the recruitment process, please let us know. 
We aim to create a supportive and inclusive working environment in which all individuals can make best use of their skills, free from discrimination or harassment, and in which all decisions are based on merit. We do not discriminate based on age, race, nationality, ethnic origin, religious or political belief or affiliation, trade union membership, gender, gender reassignment, gender identity, marriage and civil partnership status, pregnancy and maternity, sexual orientation, disability, socio-economic background or any other inappropriate distinction or characteristic covered by the Equality Act 2010.

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