Head of Safeguarding - Americas (North)

JOB TITLE: Head of Safeguarding - Americas (North)
REPORTING TO: Director of Safeguarding CFG and COO/ Chief Legal and Administrative Officer

DEPARTMENT: Safeguarding/Legal
LOCATION: New York, NY

POSITION OVERVIEW:

'Head of Safeguarding - Americas (North)' is a senior member of City Football Group's ("CFG") safeguarding team working directly with New York City Football Club, City So Five, City Football US, and a range of commercial partners. This role will be supported by CFG's Director of Safeguarding and NYCFC's Chief Operating Officer and in close collaboration with stakeholders across these operations.

Working within all relevant local legal and regulatory frameworks, this individual will oversee and maintain the CFG Safeguarding* Strategy and framework (known as "SafeAtCity") and provide strategic direction, tactical guidance, and operational support to the safeguarding and child protection processes across all CFG-related operations in the 'Americas (North)' region, including but not limited to:

• New York City Football Club, United States;
• City So Five, United States; and
• City Football Education & Recreation activities and commercial partnerships
• City Football Foundation activities and charitable partnerships

[* Please note: the term "safeguarding" may not be used in some territories; it may also be known as Protection of Minors, Child Protection, Child-Safe, Risk Management, SafeSport or other. The CFG policy also requires our workforce to also protect adult participants (known in the UK as Adults at Risk) who may be at risk of harm whilst under our care as a result of additional vulnerability such as disability, mental health issues or other care, welfare or well-being needs. For more information see: ]

WHAT YOU'LL DO:

• Execute the vision and ensure the long-term objectives and processes that promote and protect the rights and well-being of any children and other vulnerable people who interact with CFG-related operations in the identified geographic region.
• Serve as a subject-matter expert providing leadership, visibility and co-ordination across the region, working with and supporting the businesses' leaders, strategic & operational managers, other safeguarding practitioners and the wider workforce.
• Ensure that all relevant local/regional operations are compliant with local legislative and regulatory requirements related to the rights and protection of children and/or other vulnerable people.
• Represent all relevant CFG subsidiaries in the safeguarding-related interface with statutory and regulatory bodies, including but not limited to: Police, Child Protective Services, Adult Protective services, soccer/football authorities, charity and medical authorities. Within the US, this includes US Soccer, MLS, MLS Next Pro, MLS Next/Pdev, and US SafeSport. This role serves as the NYCFC appointed and regulated role "MLS Safety Lead" overseeing and providing support to team-specific Safety Leads.
• Develop and/or lead the local safeguarding education program for the workforce and others. Where necessary, be an inspirational and knowledgeable educator or facilitator in order to support all colleagues on their safeguarding journey.
• Lead and/or support the co-ordination of the local 'safe recruitment' policies in accordance with local Human Resources departments, including appropriate criminal record vetting protocols.
• Lead or co-ordinate the organizational response to safeguarding-related incidents, concerns and complaints.
• To lead and co-ordinate the work of other local (ie in-market) designated safeguarding personnel where appropriate.
• To lead the development of processes that give children and other vulnerable people a voice within CFG business activities.
• Ensure the accurate maintenance of records in respect of all of the above and ensure all sensitive SafeAtCity data accordance with internal protocols and local data protection regulations.
• Contribute to the SafeAtCity management reporting processes as and when required, producing data, insights and recommendations where appropriate.
• Participation in NYCFC's Administration Leadership Team to ensure Safeguarding implementation and strategy is cohesive with Club strategies and priorities.

WHO YOU ARE:

• Graduate-level qualified or professional equivalent in contemporary safeguarding practice, children's / adults' rights, or similar.
• Experienced professional in a relevant senior and/or strategic organizational/management/business partner-type role.
• A team player who demonstrates an understanding of the need to share and work with others to achieve common goals and able to inspire those others on their safeguarding journey.
• Approachable, diplomatic, discrete, thoughtful and driven to succeed and demonstrates high levels of personal and professional integrity and a 'can do' attitude.

WHAT YOU'LL BRING:

• Experience developing and implementing policies, protocols, education programs and guidance in a child or adult welfare or social care-type settings and experience of managing and influencing people, meetings, projects, events within this setting.
• Experience handling sensitive data in accordance with local data protection regulations.
• Ideally, knowledge of the workings of professional sports businesses and particularly the application of safeguarding principles therein.
• Working knowledge and understanding of inclusion, equality and anti - discrimination legislation, policy and practice.
• Experience of working directly with children and listening to and valuing their views, opinions and concerns.
• Demonstrates ability to influence and negotiate with staff, other members of the workforce, participants, players and parents.
• Proven experience conducting or leading investigations of a sensitive nature.
• Able to travel domestically and internationally and for significant periods of time for program related purposes.
• Fluency in Spanish a plus

ADDITIONAL REQUIREMENTS:

• Applicant must be able to comply with MLS Next Safety and Well-Being policy and any other applicable child safety policies provided to applicants by NYCFC
• Ability to work flexible hours, including evenings, weekends, and holidays, as necessary
• Right to work in the U.S.

COMPENSATION:

This exempt position has an estimated annual base salary range of $110,000 - $115,000 and is not overtime eligible. Final compensation offer amounts are based on a wide array of factors unique to each candidate, including but not limited to demonstrated skill set, years and depth of relevant experience, and some role-dependent factors such as certifications and software expertise. We welcome direct conversations with each candidate about compensation in all of our initial calls.

WHAT WE OFFER:

• Excellent health, dental & vision insurance, with options to fit you and your family's needs
• Comprehensive and competitive benefit programs, including maternal & paternal leave
• Ancillary benefits: Commuter, and Citi Bike discounts
• Your health is important! Our wellness strategy focuses on mental and physical wellbeing through in-office and virtual programs
• Four complementary tickets to every NYCFC home match
• Team outings, happy hours, and annual staff gatherings to celebrate our co-workers
• A dynamic, ambitious, and fun work environment

NEW YORK CITY FOOTBALL CLUB OVERVIEW:
At New York City FC, we are on a mission to build this city into one of the soccer capitals of the world. The Club was announced as Major League Soccer's 20th franchise and is the first and only MLS team located within the five boroughs of New York City. The Club has qualified for the Audi MLS Cup Playoffs nine times over the past 10 seasons, winning MLS Cup in 2021. Games are available to stream via an Apple TV subscription, providing every match of the MLS regular season, the Audi MLS Cup Playoffs, annual Leagues Cup tournament, the MLS All-Star Game, the Campeones Cup, and more all in one place and with no blackouts. New York City FC is building New York City's first-ever soccer-specific stadium, Etihad Park, which is set to open in 2027. For more information, please visit:

New York City FC is also one of 12 clubs comprising City Football Group and counts Manchester City FC, Melbourne City FC, Yokohama F-Marinos, Girona FC, Montevideo City Torque, Shenzhen Peng City FC, Lommel SK, ESTAC Troyes, Palermo FC, Bahia, and Club Bolívar among its sister clubs.

We are an equal opportunity employer and all qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, disability status, protected veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by law.

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Job Questions:

1. Are you legally authorized to work in the United States?