Reid, who announced last month he was resigning from the position of Otago Rugby Football Union general manager that was set to become defunct, is joining Capital Football as its new chief executive.
He will take up the position with the Wellington-based organisation at the end of January.
It is effectively a homecoming for Reid, who was born in Wellington and played cricket for the province.
"I describe myself as a Wellingtonian, and I've always been a closet Hurricanes supporter," Reid said yesterday.
"But I've only spent about four years there in the last 30."
Reid, who turns 53 on Saturday, came to Otago and Highlanders rugby after a spell at Canterbury cricket.
In New Zealand's two major sports, unions/franchises are judged almost entirely on the success, or lack thereof, of the flagship team.
Reid pointed out running a football region in a small country was more about the grass roots.
"Obviously, football is a bit different here because it's not all about the success of your top team. If you're any good in football, you're not playing in New Zealand when you're 20.
"It's about club and school football, and the development of players. Where your teams will be strong is in that 13 to 18 years range."
Reid has been a football fan since he was a schoolboy. He adopted Wolves, because they wore gold and black - Wellington colours.
"I got into Goal and Shoot magazines in a big way. I think I could probably still answer most questions about English football in the 1970s and 1980s."
Capital Football covers Wellington as well as Hutt Valley, Horowhenua-Kapiti and the Wairarapa.
Yesterday was Reid's last official day at Otago rugby. His replacement, in a new role of rugby manager, has not yet been found.
