GIS Student Madeleine Wright Shares What It’s Like Working for Her Childhood Club

Working for the football club you supported as a child is a dream come true for Madeleine Wright, a lifelong Fulham FC fan.

A MSc Football Communications & Digital Marketing student at GIS, Madeleine is Fulham’s Hospitality Operations Manager, and has been in the role since March this year.

Beforehand, she was a Hospitality Operations Executive at the club, and has now spoken to GIS about her career, studies, and advice for other students aspiring to work in professional football just like her.

“Growing up as a Fulham fan inspired my interest in working in sports events,” Madeleine began, and this led her to pursue a degree in Sports Events Management at undergraduate level where she graduated with a First Class Honours.

Her first role in football, she then joined Fulham FC, and told GIS that the ability to create memorable experiences for fellow fans is what drives her to this day.

“Gaining insight into the fast-paced, high-pressure environment of delivering premium hospitality at a Premier League club has been both challenging and rewarding, highlighting the level of coordination and effort required behind the scenes to bring a matchday to life.”

While she began as Hospitality Operations Executive, Madeleine then progressed into the higher role she is in today, and shared the skills she believes helped her do so.

“I would say a combination of attention to detail, leadership, and the ability to remain calm under pressure. As an Operations Executive, I made a conscious effort to learn from those around me by gaining a full understanding of the new stand development and operation, not just my immediate responsibilities.

“Building strong relationships across departments has also been important, alongside showing initiative, taking ownership of tasks, and continually looking for ways to improve processes. These qualities, combined with my passion for football, have supported my progression into a managerial role.”

As Madeleine mentioned, she was part of the team that worked during a significant period for the club, namely the opening of the new Riverside Stand. “This included ensuring that all capacities, seating arrangements, and logistics were compliant with regulations while the stand was still under construction. This proved to be one of the most challenging aspects of the role.”

Now, Madeleine’s role leads up to matchday, where she oversees the experience of hospitality guests. This involves the planning and coordinating of operations between departments from customer service to logistics, and feels as that her studies, which she conducts part-time, have been of significant help.

“The MSc has given me a much broader understanding of the football industry beyond operations, and has helped me better understand fan engagement, branding, and how digital platforms influence football clubs and the matchday experience.

“This knowledge has been particularly useful when working cross-departmentally, especially with marketing and communications teams. It allows me to contribute more strategically, not just operationally, and helps ensure the hospitality experience aligns with the club’s wider objectives.”

Finally, Madeleine offered some advice to students who aspire to work in similar roles in sports events, listing proactiveness and practical experience as “incredibly valuable in this industry.”

“It is also important to develop strong organisational and communication skills, as operations relies heavily on coordination and problem-solving. Be prepared to start in entry-level roles and work your way up. The industry is competitive and challenging, but those who demonstrate skill, commitment, and reliability will quickly stand out.”

She then encouraged students to be as curious as they can, and not to be afraid to take on responsibility. “The best way to learn and grow is to engage actively, seek guidance, and surround yourself with those who support you. Learning from others already in the industry is extremely valuable.”

While challenging, Madeleine knows that a career in sport is worth the hard work, with the rewards making her efforts worth it when it comes to matchday.

To learn more about how you can start your journey to a career just like Madeleine’s, you can discover the MSc Sports Marketing & Media page. To view our other courses, explore our wider offerings.

Article by Zakaria Anani