Following promotion to the Women’s Super League 2, Portsmouth FC Women appointed a Head of Womens Football to lead their transition to full-time football and Championship readiness.
Overview
Portsmouth FC, a club with strong ambitions in the women’s game, entered a new chapter. Following promotion to the Women’s Super League 2 , the club committed to full professionalism – a landmark move that required experienced leadership to oversee strategy, operations and long-term sustainability.
Challenge
Promotion represented a major step forward for Portsmouth FC Women. With the licence granted, the club was required to professionalise rapidly to compete at the next level. Transitioning to a full-time model brought new requirements across operations, commercial development and regulatory compliance.
To lead this evolution, Portsmouth FC needed a passionate advocate for the women’s game – someone who could oversee all aspects of the team, from personnel and budget management to commercial growth and day-to-day operations. The role would also be central to building strong relationships with key partners and ensuring the club met all licensing and regulatory requirements.
“Gaining promotion to the WSL2 meant we had to move quickly. This was a key hire at a pivotal time for the club. We appointed The Executives in Sport Group to lead the search, recognising the importance of finding a candidate who could shape and deliver a new era for the team.”
— Andrew Cullen, CEO, Portsmouth FC
Solution
Beth Reid, who specialises Women’s Sport and Medicine at The Executives in Sport Group, led the search. As both a recruiter and active player, Beth brought unique insight and empathy to the brief.
The process began with fully understanding the strategic significance of the appointment. This wasn’t about maintaining the status quo – this was about building a new professional era at Portsmouth FC Women from the ground up.
Beth mapped the candidate landscape across the women’s football pyramid, targeting professionals with experience in football operations, commercial development and regulatory compliance. The shortlist was carefully balanced across experience levels and backgrounds, with a strong emphasis on passion for the women’s game and proven capability to lead in a transitional phase.
Outcome
The club appointed a new General Manager within 12 weeks. The hire brought clarity, professionalism and direction to a pivotal moment in the club’s evolution. The appointment is central to the wider transformation of Portsmouth Women’s operations, alongside new roles in safeguarding, player welfare, sales and marketing.
The successful candidate is now in place and working to deliver the club’s strategic goals – supporting players moving into full-time contracts and ensuring Portsmouth FC Women is equipped for sustained success at Championship level and beyond.
“This was a really special project for me. Women’s football is my space – I’ve played in it, worked in it, and genuinely care about seeing it grow. Helping Portsmouth FC take this step into full-time professionalism and finding the right person to lead that journey was a real privilege.”
— Beth Reid, Consultant – The Executives in Sport Group
Want to know more about hiring in Women’s Sport?
Beth Reid specialises in leadership appointments across Medicine and Women’s Sport.
If you’re planning your next strategic hire and want to work with someone who truly understands the space, get in touch with Beth at br@eisg.com.