Chief People Officer

Job Location: Selhurst Park Stadium, SE25 6PU

Contract Type: Full-time

Deadline: 15th March 2026

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.

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.

• 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.

• 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.

• 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

• 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…