Job Title: UKFPU Deputy Director Investigations
Salary: The starting salary is £62,310, which includes allowances totalling £3,009.
The salary is broken down as £59,301 basic salary, which will increase annually until you reach the top of the scale £72,254. Plus, a location allowance of £2,009 and a non-pensionable allowance of £1,000.
Location: St James Park
The UK Football Policing Unit (UKFPU) operates within the business framework of the National Police Chiefs Council (NPCC) and sits under the National Police Coordination Centre (NPoCC). The UKFPU is a small team of 15 staff, made up of MET Police staff and two seconded police officers. The aim of the UKFPU is to work with police and partner agencies to reduce incidents of football related anti-social behaviour, violence and disorder involving UK supporters.
The core work of the UKFPU is to
- Coordinate policing activity to deliver domestic and overseas football policing operations
- Assist, engage and support police forces to enable effective and consistent operational delivery
- Deliver training and support professional development of police forces both domestically and overseas
- Provide support and act as a secretariat for the National Police Lead on Football Events
- Undertake the function/roles of the National Football Information Point and the Football Banning Order Authority.
This Vacancy
- The Deputy Director (Investigations) provides strategic leadership for all investigative functions within the UK Football Policing Unit (UKFPU), ensuring the effective prevention, disruption, and investigation of football-related criminality across the United Kingdom. Also offering advice and support to forces involved in football-related investigations.
- The post holder will lead national investigative strategies relating to football-related violence, disorder, hate crime, online offending, banning order enforcement, organised criminality, and emerging threats impacting football safety and security. They will oversee intelligence-led investigative activity, develop national standards and best practice, and provide specialist advice and support to police forces and partners.
- Knowledge and understanding of current safeguarding practices will be of benefit as the role also involves the strategic lead of SAFE, Safeguarding At Football Events.
- The role requires significant investigative experience, a strong understanding of criminal justice processes, and proven leadership in managing complex investigations within a policing environment.
Key Responsibilities
Strategic Leadership
- Lead the development and delivery of the UKFPU's national investigations strategy.
- Provide strategic direction on investigative priorities affecting football policing and safety.
- Support the Director in shaping organisational strategy and operational priorities.
- Ensure investigative activity aligns with national policing priorities and legislative requirements.
- Represent UKFPU at national and international meetings, conferences, and specialist working groups.
Investigations and Enforcement
- Lead and oversee complex and sensitive investigations relating to football-related criminality.
- Develop national approaches to identifying, disrupting, and prosecuting offenders involved in football-related violence and disorder.
- Provide advice, guidance, and support to forces undertaking significant football-related investigations.
- Oversee the development of investigative methodologies and evidential standards.
- Drive improvements in investigative performance and outcomes across the football policing network.
- Support the effective use of Football Banning Orders and other preventative measures.
- Ensure compliance with legislation, criminal procedure, and national investigative standards.
Intelligence and Threat Management
- Direct intelligence-led investigations into individuals and groups involved in football-related offending.
- Ensure effective management of intelligence development and evidential opportunities.
- Oversee national threat assessments relating to violence, public disorder, organised criminality, online threats, and emerging risks.
- Promote proactive identification of serious offenders and organised groups operating within football environments.
Partnership Working
- Build and maintain strong working relationships with strategic partners.
- Act as a senior investigative lead on multi-agency programmes and initiatives.
- Promote effective information sharing and partnership approaches to tackling football-related criminality.
Leadership and People Management
- Lead and develop investigative teams and specialist staff.
- Create a culture of professionalism, accountability, and continuous improvement.
- Oversee workforce development, training, and investigative capability programmes.
- Mentor and support investigators undertaking complex and high-profile investigations.
Governance and Performance
- Ensure robust governance arrangements are in place for investigations.
- Monitor investigative performance, operational effectiveness, and organisational risk.
- Oversee audit and compliance activity relating to investigations and evidence management.
- Contribute to budget planning and resource allocation.
Vetting
This post requires access to the most sensitive intelligence material on a daily basis. Applicants must hold or be prepared to undergo National Security Vetting (NSV) Security Check (enhanced) (SC(e)) level before taking up the post.
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
Flexible working arrangements are welcomed at UKFPU, but there is an expectation because of some specific work you will own that you will attend work in London at our offices at Broadway London whenever needed.
This role does not attract Shift Disturbance Allowance. If you are currently in a shift-working role, SDA should cease upon appointment to this job.
How to apply
To begin your career at the Met, please click the "apply button “. The application process requires a comprehensive CV, a Personal Statement, and an online application form. In your Personal Statement, you should explain your interest in the position and illustrate how your skills and experiences meet the essential criteria. Please note that you should not submit two copies of your CV, and ensure that your documents are saved in either PDF or Word format, clearly labelled as CV and/or Personal Statement.
Your application should refer to the Competency and Values Framework (CVF) Level 3.
Please answer the questions below related to the CVF and provide examples of your evidence. Please limit each answer to 500 words.
- We support and inspire - Please provide an example of a time when you communicated a clear vision or strategic direction that inspired others to deliver organisational objectives.
- We collaborate - Describe a time when you used strategic partnerships and stakeholder influence to deliver an outcome that could not have been achieved by your organisation alone.
- We take ownership –Please provide an example of a significant organisational challenge or improvement that you personally took responsibility for.
- We are innovative and open-minded - Please provide an example of a time when you led and implemented an innovative change that resulted in significant organisational improvement.
Completed applications must be submitted by 23:55 on 30th September 2026.
Once received, your application will be reviewed against eligibility criteria, following this, your application will be reviewed by the hiring manager.
Following application review, successful candidates will be invited to interview.
