Building a Career in a Football Federation: The Path of FBA Alumnus Rodrigo Ribeiro
“Lifechanging for someone who wants to work in the football industry.” – Rodrigo Ribeiro
Building a career in a football federation can be life-changing for professionals looking to work in the football industry. But the journey there can leave some wondering where to start? Many Candidates join The Football Business Academy’s Professional Master in Football Business program already working in an industry that they enjoy but can feel like something is missing. That something tends to be their passion, Football. A lot of times during the admissions process, The FBA team hears, ‘I am just not fulfilled’. Candidates know they want to work in Football, but they don’t know how or if their current skills will allow them too.
For 14th Edition Alumni, Rodrigo Ribeiro, his background was in Consulting with some experience in Business Analytics and knew he wanted work in the Football Business Industry. Now as a Strategic Planning Analyst at the Portuguese Football Federation, he shared with us why he chose The Football Business Academy to help him jump start his career as well as his experiences in the program.
Applying Business Consultancy to a Lifelong Love of Football
Modern football has evolved far beyond the pitch, demanding the same level of strategic rigor and operational excellence as any global industry. While much is said about tactical analysis, the real competitive edge often lies in organizational efficiency and high-level decision-making. This is where Rodrigo’s expertise comes into play. By bringing a consultant’s mindset to the sporting world, he focuses on the frameworks that drive long-term success. Always having a passion for Football with a goal to work in the Football Industry, Rodrigo was able to take his consultancy work and apply it to his passion.
He told us, “In my current role as a Strategic Planning Analyst at the Portuguese Football Federation, I serve as a bridge between various departments to ensure the organization remains aligned with our long-term vision. We are currently in the process of building our new Strategic Plan. Once presented, my role will focus into its implementation and monitoring, ensuring cross-departmental alignment and operational integration”. Beyond this, his department is responsible for delivering key institutional projects, such as the Annual Activity Plan and the Portuguese Football Yearbook. The dynamic environment of the Federation also allows him to step outside of his core duties to support major initiatives like the Portugal Football Summit, which offers an invaluable, hands-on perspective into the large-scale events they deliver.
Thanks to the core fundamental, financial, commercial and strategic sides of football taught in the program, The FBA really helped him see the ‘bigger picture’. Understanding how each area and stakeholder fit together, makes it much easier for him to navigate such a large organization like the Portuguese Football Federation. It offered him clarity to manage complex processes and stakeholders without the chaos.
Real-World Learning for a Real-World Industry
“I chose The FBA because I felt it was the program that would most effectively help me break into the market. I was drawn to the specialized know-how provided in class, the opportunity for hands-on experience during the internship module, and the network they help us build.” All of Rodrigo’s expectations were confirmed, and they played a vital role in helping him reach where he is today. The real experience and the mix of industry mentors and professional projects made The FBA the obvious choice.
The program really allowed him to understand that the Football Industry is much more than what is seen on the pitch and that it’s really just the tip of the iceberg. There is a vast amount of ‘silent work’ happening behind the scenes that, while not always visible, has a crucial impact on everything the stakeholders see. The FBA provided Rodrigo with the right tools to look beneath the surface and understand those complex mechanics.
It wasn’t difficult for him to tell us how he felt about the professors either. In a simple but powerful word he said, “Amazing”. He told us that The FBA Candidates are very fortunate to have industry professionals rather than a purely academic faculty. They receive genuine insights from people who have spent decades working at some of the world’s biggest football institutions across various departments. That real-world perspective is a significant advantage for anyone aspiring to work in this field.
Not only do the Candidates have the support of the professors, who become mentors and a large part of their network, but The FBA staff is always available. He said, “they were always available and supportive whenever we needed it”. Career Services are offered throughout the program and for life after graduation. This support is invaluable when preparing resumes, for interviews, and applying to jobs.
Where Education Meets Industry
The program structure for Rodrigo was excellent. Starting with a theoretical first module to provide the basics, moving into a more practical second module, and then transitioning into a work experience module allowed him to truly feel what it’s like to work in football. Ending with the fourth module working on a real-world challenge with a football institution was the perfect way to touch upon every detail he needed for day-to-day life in the industry.
After carefully considering the diverse options proposed for his internship, Rodrigo decided to join NewC Sport. A decision that eventually led to a successful long-term professional relationship with the company. Throughout this period, he had the incredible opportunity to work with some of the biggest clubs in Portugal and Brazil, focusing on the expansion of digital products designed to revitalize the matchday economy and deepen fan engagement. “My role involved managing high-value partnerships in these countries, where I aligned commercial strategies to ensure both targeted financial growth and a better experience for the fans.”
During the first two modules of the program, Candidates are invited to a Networking Week. Rodrigo and his cohort went to Mexico City to attend World Football Summit, a two-day industry leading, networking event that brings thousands of attendees. This event is a Candidates first look into how important networking is, but also learning and understanding the intricacies from Football Industry leaders. He and his cohort also visited several great clubs and the Mexican FA. He said, “It was a fantastic time for all of us, especially as it was the first moment our entire class was reunited in person”.
The FBA’s final module ends with a hands-on project called a Student Business Project. This project works closely with one of The FBA’s partners or contacts, usually a Club or Federation. Rodrigo’s project was conducted in collaboration with Liga Portugal, where he and a few of his classmates developed a strategy to enhance stadium attendance and the fan experience for small to mid-sized clubs in the league. He told us it was a fantastic opportunity to build a real-world strategy that provided tangible insights and solutions to a highly relevant industry issue.
Rodrigo’s final words to anyone interested in joining The FBA is to “be resilient and stay curious. Put yourself out there, ask questions, and connect with as many relevant people as possible. Relationships and willingness to learn are key.” He continued to say that if you are considering The FBA, it has an amazing community of people from all over the world. It’s a great feeling to be able to share knowledge and experiences with others who share the exact same goals and passion as you.
If you are interested in joining The Football Business Academy’s Professional Master Degree in Football Business and kick start your career in the Football Industry, Apply Today!
