Lead the Future of Football Philanthropy in NZ

The New Zealand Football Foundation (NZFF) is inviting expressions of interest for a new Chair of the Board of Trustees to lead the organisation into its next exciting chapter.

About the Foundation

Born from the legacy of the All Whites’ qualification for the 2010 FIFA World Cup, NZFF has become a driving force behind community football in Aotearoa. Since its inception, the Foundation has distributed over $2.2 million to projects and programmes that make football more accessible and inclusive — because our vision is simple: no one is left on the sidelines.

Our mission is to raise and distribute funds that create opportunities and remove barriers to community football, ensuring more New Zealanders can experience the joy of the game and develop a lifelong love for it.

- Our Story

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Leading NZFF into the Future

As we look to the future, NZFF is entering a new phase of growth, profile, and impact. The incoming Chair will play a pivotal role in guiding this next chapter — strengthening our capital base of approximately $7 million, advancing our fundraising ambitions, and amplifying NZFF’s influence across sport, philanthropy, and business.

The Board is made up of eight volunteer Trustees who bring a wealth of professional and governance experience. They are supported by a Chief Executive, based in Albany, Auckland, who leads day-to-day operations and there is intention to appoint a Fundraising Manager to grow our capacity to do more from 2026.

About the Role

As Chair, you will provide strategic leadership and direction to the Board and Chief Executive, ensuring NZFF continues to deliver on its purpose and operate with integrity, transparency, and financial stewardship.

You’ll champion NZFF’s vision, nurture key relationships across the football and philanthropic communities, and represent the Foundation as a credible and trusted voice.

This opportunity will appeal to an experienced and respected leader who believes in the power of sport to connect communities and create positive social change. While direct football experience is not essential, an affinity for sport and its impact on society is.

Key Responsibilities

Leadership and Governance

- Lead the Board to ensure NZFF fulfils its strategic and financial objectives.

- Ensure effective governance in line with the Trust Deed, Charities Act 2005, Trusts Act 2019, and all relevant legislation.

- Foster a high-performing, future-focused Board with a culture of integrity, transparency, and accountability.

- Provide guidance, support and counsel to the CE in executing the organisation’s strategic and operational plans.

- Set clear performance objectives for the CE aligned with the strategic plan.

- Oversee Board development and succession.

Strategy and Impact

- Lead the Board in developing and reviewing NZFF’s strategic direction.

- Ensure decisions and investment align with NZFF’s purpose, values and impact priorities.

- Monitor organisational and financial performance against agreed objectives and key performance indicators.

Representation and Advocacy

- Serve as an ambassador for NZFF’s values, reputation, and mission.

- Represent NZFF at key events, stakeholder meetings and public forums.

- Continue to strengthen relationships with New Zealand Football, the wider football community, philanthropic and commercial partners.

- Inspire confidence and engagement among donors, funders, and beneficiaries.

Fundraising and Partnership

- Leverage networks to attract new donors, partnerships and opportunities to grow the fund and extend NZFF’s impact.

- Support and advocate for NZFF’s fundraising and investment strategies.

Meetings and Decision-Making

- Chair all Board meetings, oversee the annual workplan and approve agendas.

- Facilitate open, constructive discussion and consensus-based decision-making.

- Ensure clear outcomes, actions, and follow-up.

Who We’re Looking For

We welcome expressions of interest from individuals who are motivated to create meaningful change, and have demonstrable experience in the following areas:

- Proven governance leadership experience, ideally as Chair of a not-for-profit or corporate board.

- Networks and credibility across the philanthropic, business and/or sport sectors.

- Time available to set agendas, lead meetings, support the CE and meet with key stakeholders.

- Strong strategic and financial acumen, with the ability to translate vision into action.

- Excellent relationship management and communication skills, with a collaborative leadership style that values and embraces diverse perspectives.

- Commitment to diversity, inclusion and equitable access within sport and the positive social impact football can have.

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Time Commitment

- The role is expected to commence in early2026.

- The Board meets approximately six times per year (for two hours), in person or online. Out of rotation meetings may be held from time to time as needed.

- An in-person strategy day is typically held each year.

- The Chair also participates in Committee meetings. There are currently two Committees of the Board who meet three times per year.

- The Chair engages regularly with the Chief Executive, typically meeting every two weeks, as well as meeting with key stakeholders and attending events between meetings.

- Face-to-face meetings are held from time to time, typically in Auckland, but may occur in other locations across New Zealand.

- Trustee terms are 3+3+3 years.

- The role requires eligibility to serve as a trustee under the Charities Act 2005.

How to Apply

If you’re motivated to make a lasting impact through football and community, we’d love to hear from you. Please send your CV and cover letter to neilc@footballfoundation.org.nz by 5.00pm, Friday 21 November 2025.

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Preferred candidates will have access to relevant Board documents under NDA during the due diligence stage.

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