The former Wales full-back worked at League One side Reading as Sporting Director and Head of Football Operations until last year.
The 61-year-old, who also played for Norwich, West Ham and Charlton, was assistant manager to Mark Hughes with Wales, Blackburn, Manchester City, Fulham, QPR and Southampton. He won 41 Welsh caps between 1986 and 1997.
Bowen has previously been a head coach at Reading and also interim manager at AFC Wimbledon.
Forest Green have been without a director of football since Allan Steele left in early 2024.
The Gloucestershire club finished third in the National League last season but they were beaten by Southend United on penalties in the end-of-season play-off semi to miss out on the Wembley final and a chance to return to League Two.
[Lead image: Rex Features]
