You will be the engine of our top pathway as Operations Manager – Pro Development Program. You will make sure that coaches and players can focus on what they do best, which is perform on the pitch. You’ll be in charge of budgets, buildings, events, logistics, transportation, schedules, and making sure everything runs smoothly behind the scenes.
This fast-paced, hands-on job is great for someone who likes structure, loves problems, and can easily balance many things at once. We’re willing to pay between AED 15,000 and 20,000 a month, which is a fair amount for your experience and the difference you’ll make in the lives of future professional players.
Details of Football Operations Manager Job:
- Title: Football Operations Manager Jobs in Dubai
- Company: Gulf United FC
- Location: Dubai, UAE
- Job Type: Full-Time
- Salary: Competitive (based on experience)
- Visa Sponsorship: Available for eligible candidates
About Gulf United FC:
Gulf United FC is the most diverse football team in the UAE. They play professionally in the UAE First Division and have an academy with more than 600 players from 83 different countries. We started in 2019 and are now the biggest scholarship provider in the MENA region. We offer pathways to colleges in the US and Canada and are happy to work with adidas.
The Pro Development Program (PDP) is our top way for players ages 18 to 23 to get their first professional football experience. The program is a high-performance environment with schedules for training, travel, competition, and everyday life. Behind the scenes, there needs to be a very organized Operations Manager to make sure everything goes smoothly.
Responsibilities for Football Operations Manager Jobs in Dubai:
Program Operational Oversight:
- Oversee the PDP’s day-to-day activities and make sure that scheduling, planning, and administrative tasks run smoothly.
- Keep track of the PDP master schedule, which lists practices, games, trips, rest days, team events, and club activities.
- Create Standard Operating Procedures for operational tasks and keep making them better.
- As the main point of contact for the coaching staff, take care of all of the practical problems that come up.
- Make operational reports every week and every month, keeping track of funds and highlighting important activities.
Pitch Booking & Training Facility Management:
- Take care of all the pitch reservations for games and practices at Gulf United’s grounds.
- Coordinate how pitches are given out across the whole school to avoid problems.
- Keep in touch with place owners and keep an eye on booking contracts, bills, and renewals.
- Before the practice, check the fields, changing rooms, equipment, and medical supplies.
- As the program grows, look at new places to train or play matches and make suggestions to upper management.
Bus & Transport Management:
- Plan, book, and oversee how players and staff get to and from practice, games, matches, and events.
- Tell everyone involved ahead of time about changes to pick-up times, routes, and plans.
- Oversee the ties with authorized transportation providers, making sure they follow safety rules and don’t cost too much.
- Track how much money is spent on transportation against the budget and make sure that service standards are good.
Team-Building & Player Experience:
- Plan and organize camps, events, and experiences off the field that will help the team work together better.
- In charge of planning the details for events, such as hiring a venue and arranging food, transportation, and leaders.
- Get comments to make team-building programs better all the time.
- Help programs that get families involved and parents talking to each other.
Equipment, Kit & Inventory Management:
- Together with Adidas, be in charge of buying, distributing, and keeping track of PDP kit, equipment, and supplies.
- Keep accurate records of all your valuables and check them regularly.
- Personalize the kits, do the laundry, store them, and plan the arrangements for the game day.
Administration, Compliance & Safeguarding:
- Keep player data, such as registrations, medical clearances, and visas or residency, up to date.
- Make sure that all of your staff and players have the right paperwork for the UAE FA and the tournament.
- Back safety rules and make sure everyone can play in a safe setting.
- In charge of the PDP’s operational budget, buy orders, bills, and contracts with suppliers.
Requirements for Football Operations Manager Jobs:
Essential
- Three or more years of experience in running a business, managing events, or running a program, preferably in education or sports.
- Excellent organizational skills and the ability to handle many tasks at once.
- Good English-speaking skills to talk to staff, parents, players, and suppliers.
- Know-how about scheduling, transportation, managing venues, and planning events.
- Knowledge of how to use Google Suite, Microsoft Office, and tools for managing projects.
- Approach that is flexible, including nights and weekends when needed.
Desirable:
- Background in running high-performance school sports or football teams.
- Knowledge of local operations and experience in the UAE or GCC.
- Arabic language skills (reading and writing).
- experience with child safety or safeguarding.
- A valid driver’s license and the desire to drive club cars are required.
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Why Join Us?
- Be an important part of one of the most exciting sports clubs in the UAE.
- High-energy, fast-paced setting that has a clear effect on players and staff every day.
- Experience with how professional football is run at both the youth and first-team levels.
- Get access to Adidas kits and have the full Gulf United staff experience.
- There are chances to move up in your career at a club that is growing quickly.
- Work with a diverse, foreign group of people who value taking the lead and owning things.
Benefits of Football Operations Manager Job:
- Opportunities for career growth: Join one of the UAE’s fastest-growing football clubs and take charge of important tasks. There are clear paths to promotion in both school and first-team management positions.
- Competitive Salary Package: You’ll get a good salary that reflects your skills, experience, and contribution, which will keep you financially stable while you pursue a job in professional football operations.
- International Work Environment: You will work with people from dozens of different countries on a multicultural team, which will give you global experience and help you grow your business network in sports management.
- Professional Development: Get hands-on experience with high-performance youth football, including event management, logistics, compliance, transportation, and facilities. This will help you become more knowledgeable about how to run top sports organizations.
- Visa Sponsorship and Help with Moving: International applicants who meet the requirements can get a work visa sponsored by the UAE. This makes it easy to move and start a career in one of the most dynamic football markets in the world.
- Unique Sports Lifestyle Experience: As an Adidas partner, you’ll have access to matchday activities, be a part of a thriving football ecosystem, and have the chance to directly impact the growth of future professional football players.
How to Apply for Football Operations Manager Jobs in Dubai 2026?
Prepare Your Documents:
- Update your CV highlighting relevant operations, logistics, or sports management experience.
- Write a brief cover note explaining why you are the right fit for this role and any relevant sponsorship or commercial experience.
Submit Your Application:
- Email your CV and cover note to applications@gulfunitedfc.com.
- Use the subject line: “Sponsorship Coordinator Application – [Your Name]”.
- Application Review
- Applications are reviewed on a rolling basis. Early applications are strongly encouraged.
Selection Process:
- Shortlisted candidates will be contacted for interviews.
- Interviews may include operational scenario discussions and role-specific questions.
Offer & Onboarding:
- Successful candidates will receive an offer, followed by onboarding into the Pro Development Program operations team.
Do international candidates need a UAE work visa?
No. The club offers visa sponsorship for eligible international applicants. If you are selected, Gulf United FC will normally handle the employment visa and residency process so you can legally work in the UAE.
Is football coaching experience required for this job?
No, coaching is not required.
This role focuses on operations and logistics, such as:
- scheduling training and matches
- organizing travel and transportation
- managing facilities and equipment
- handling administrative tasks
However, experience in sports environments or academies is an advantage.
What is the expected work schedule?
Because it is a football operations role, the schedule is flexible and sometimes irregular. You may need to work:
- evenings during training sessions
- weekends for matches
- additional hours during tournaments or travel
This is common in professional football environments like the UAE First Division League.
