WIF EVENTS

Careers in Football | Anna Deignan

Date and time: Friday 8 May 2026, 12 noon – 1pm (UK time)

Ever wondered how to turn your passion for football into a full-time career? Or maybe you’re looking for that next big step up? Our Careers in Football webinar series is here to help you navigate the world of football.

These sessions will highlight the incredible range of roles in football, and the diverse women shaping the game today. The series will feature women from different career stages, from entry-level to C-suite, and offer 60 minutes of open talk, practical advice, and networking opportunities.

We’re excited to welcome Anna Deignan as our special guest this May. As Director of Fans and Development at the Premier League, Anna is at the forefront of driving inclusivity and enhancing the fan experience. Anna's amazing work was recently recognised at the 2025 Women's Football Awards, where she won the Football Business Trailblazer Award.

What to expect:

• The journey: Anna will share her career path story
• Q&A session: Your chance to ask Anna a question and get the answers you need
• Networking: Connect with fellow WIF members in online breakout rooms

Don’t wait for the session to start your search. The Women in Football jobs board is packed with roles from across the industry. Whether you’re looking for your next challenge, or your team is hiring and wants to reach the best diverse talent in the game, it’s your go-to resource.

Register for the session here. To join this event you must be a Women in Football member.

So, you want to be a CEO? | In partnership with Excel Search & Advisory

Date and time: Thursday 21 May 2026, 12 noon – 1pm (UK time)

Women in Football and Excel Search & Advisory (formerly Nolan Partners) are hosting this special webinar with tips on how to make the jump to senior managerial and c-suite level roles. Join Rachael Congialdi (Associate, Excel Sports Management) for this interactive session and learn more about best practices for moving up the ladder.

Register for the session here. To join this event you must be a Women in Football member. 

What to expect:

• Industry trends for climbing the ladder 
• Best practices for internal growth 
• Best practices for external growth
• CV tips and tricks 
• Q&A

About Excel Search & Advisory

Excel Search & Advisory is the premier leadership consultancy and executive search practice specialising in sports, media, and entertainment worldwide. They are renowned for identifying leadership talent throughout global football, having partnered with over half the clubs in the English Premier League and Major League Soccer, as well as significant teams in the NWSL, WSL, Italy, Spain, France, and other major markets.

WIF Male Allies Round Table | 28 May 2026

Date and time: Thursday 28 May 2026, 12 noon – 1pm

Hosted by Women in Football's: Dan Taylor (Community and Marketing Manager) and Alex Stone (Communications and Policy Advisor)

WIF round tables are small online group networking events which enable our members to chat freely with one another and lead the conversation in whatever way they like. For this specific session we welcome applications from our male allies. They're a great forum just for getting to know some of your fellow WIF members. To keep the conversation flowing and make sure everyone’s voice is heard, places are limited.

To join this event you must be a Women in Football member. Links to register are sent to members by email so please check your inbox for the event invite if you'd like to attend. If you are new to Women in Football, join us and become a member for free to gain access to our events programme.

If you get a place but then can't attend, please do let us know in advance so we can offer your place to someone on the waiting list.

Careers in Football | Ini Umotong

Date and time: Thursday 11 June 2026, 12 noon – 1pm (UK time)

Ever wondered how to turn your passion for football into a full-time career? Or maybe you’re looking for that next big step up? Our Careers in Football webinar series is here to help you navigate the world of football.

These sessions will highlight the incredible range of roles in football, and the diverse women shaping the game today. The series will feature women from different career stages, from entry-level to C-suite, and offer 60 minutes of open talk, practical advice, and networking opportunities.

Joining us in June is sports marketing expert at Adidas football, Ini Umotong. Ini, a former professional football player, had a successful playing career with various clubs, including Brighton and Hove Albion in the Women's Super League, Växjö DFF in the Swedish Damallsvenskan and represented Nigeria and the 2015 FIFA Women’s World Cup. Ini holds a first-class degree in Economics from the University of Southampton and a distinction in an MBA - Football Industries from the Liverpool University, all while pursuing her playing career. Her passion for the game continues in her role with Adidas looking after women’s football in the UK, working to promote and increase the visibility of the women's game. 

What to expect:

• The journey: Ini will share her career path story
• Q&A session: Your chance to ask Ini a question and get the answers you need
• Networking: Connect with fellow WIF members in online breakout rooms

Don’t wait for the session to start your search. The Women in Football jobs board is packed with roles from across the industry. Whether you’re looking for your next challenge, or your team is hiring and wants to reach the best diverse talent in the game, it’s your go-to resource.

Register for the session here. To join this event you must be a Women in Football member.

Careers in Football | Polly Bancroft

Date and time: Thursday 25 June 2026, 12 noon – 1pm (UK time)

Ever wondered how to turn your passion for football into a full-time career? Or maybe you’re looking for that next big step up? Our Careers in Football webinar series is here to help you navigate the world of football.

These sessions will highlight the incredible range of roles in football, and the diverse women shaping the game today. The series will feature women from different career stages, from entry-level to C-suite, and offer 60 minutes of open talk, practical advice, and networking opportunities.

Polly Bancroft is CEO of Grimsby Town FC and a Director on both the Club and Foundation Boards, where she leads the club’s strategic direction across sporting and commercial functions, alongside long-term development projects including the creation of a new training ground designed to serve both elite teams and the local community.

With over 20 years’ experience across high-profile football organisations including The FA, UEFA, Brighton & Hove Albion and Manchester United, Polly has built a career spanning leadership, operations and stakeholder engagement at the highest levels of the game. She is passionate about driving sustainable growth in football and creating opportunities within the industry, with a strong focus on inclusion and long-term impact. 

What to expect:

• The journey: Polly will share her career path story
• Q&A session: Your chance to ask Polly a question and get the answers you need
• Networking: Connect with fellow WIF members in online breakout rooms

Don’t wait for the session to start your search. The Women in Football jobs board is packed with roles from across the industry. Whether you’re looking for your next challenge, or your team is hiring and wants to reach the best diverse talent in the game, it’s your go-to resource.

Register for the session here. To join this event you must be a Women in Football member. 

Careers in Football | Miriam Walker-Khan

Date and time: Tuesday 28 July 2026, 12 noon – 1pm (UK time)

Ever wondered how to turn your passion for football into a full-time career? Or maybe you’re looking for that next big step up? Our Careers in Football webinar series is here to help you navigate the world of football.

These sessions will highlight the incredible range of roles in football, and the diverse women shaping the game today. The series will feature women from different career stages, from entry-level to C-suite, and offer 60 minutes of open talk, practical advice, and networking opportunities.

Miriam Walker-Khan is a multi-award-winning freelance sports reporter, presenter and writer. She specialises in storytelling in women’s sport, around race and racism, para-sport and topics related to diversity and inclusion, with specialist knowledge in women’s football and Olympic sports - especially track and field, which was her sport growing up. For the past three years, Miriam was working as Diversity and Inclusion at reporter at Sky Sports News - the first in the sports media industry.

In her role at Sky Sports, Miriam presented and co-produced several documentaries including a deep-dive into English cricket for South Asian players in the aftermath of its recent racism scandals, Beyond the Boundary. In 2024, she presented and co-produced Football’s Hidden Talent, Fit for Purpose in 2023, the Represent series and is the presenter/co-producer of the series Real Talk, which won Podcast of the Year at the 2025 Broadcast Sport Awards.

What to expect:

• The journey: Miriam will share her career path story
• Q&A session: Your chance to ask Miriam a question and get the answers you need
• Networking: Connect with fellow WIF members in online breakout rooms

Don’t wait for the session to start your search. The Women in Football jobs board is packed with roles from across the industry. Whether you’re looking for your next challenge, or your team is hiring and wants to reach the best diverse talent in the game, it’s your go-to resource.

Register for the session here. To join this event you must be a Women in Football member. 

Women in Football Be Inspired Conference 2026

The Women in Football Be Inspired Conference returns to Wembley Stadium in September 2026 to offer an incredible professional development opportunity for women building careers in and around the football industry – on or off the pitch, in the men's game or women's.

Since its launch in 2022, the conference has already empowered hundreds of women with knowledge, insights and connections. And on 16 September 2026 the event returns to Wembley Stadium for another day of incredible keynote speakers and expert panellists, as well as networking opportunities galore.

Be Inspired has something for everyone – whether you’re new to the football industry or bringing a wealth of experience; a match official, media professional, marketer, manager or medic!

Last year's star speakers include:

• Julie Uhrman, President and co-founder, Angel City FC
• Kelly Cates, journalist and broadcaster
• Lise Klaveness, President, Norwegian Football Association
• Rosie and Mollie Kmita, broadcasters

Check out the 2025 agenda for the subjects covered by our sessions and the 2025 speaker line-up.

Register your interest to attend Be Inspired 2026.

Looking for information about our Leadership Course? Please see our professional development page

Please click here to register your interest in future Leadership Courses and we will get in touch once the next series is confirmed.