Key administrator Chris Pelchen is leaving St Kilda after a post-season review of the AFL club’s football program.

The Saints said that their head of football had resigned.

Pelchen, who previously worked in recruiting at Hawthorn, joined the Saints in August 2011.

He was a key figure in last year’s sacking of coach Scott Watters.

The Saints said on Tuesday that Pelchen and chief executive Matt Finnis had reviewed the club’s football setup.

“(They) identified that an increased high performance orientation within the football department was required to complement the clubs strong talent management platform,” the club said.

“The pair agreed that a restructure at the conclusion of the annual AFL trade period was an appropriate time to implement change.”

Finnis said Pelchen had led the football department “professionally”.

“However, following our end of season review, we agreed to make some changes to drive further development in our high performance programs across our football department,” Finnis said.

The highly competitive AFL landscape requires us to drive a program that combines bringing in and retaining the best players with uncompromising excellence in the development and performance of our team.

Pelchen was also quoted as saying he backed the club’s decision to change the football department.

“Like all AFL clubs, there must be a relentless pursuit of premierships and I fully support the club’s need to restructure their football program to reflect the ever-changing landscape,” Pelchen said.

Pelchen will leave once he hands over to other football department staff.

List manager Ameet Bains will be in charge until Pelchen’s replacement takes over.