Head of Academy Football Operations

Job Title: Head of Academy Football Operations

Reporting to: Academy Manager

Purpose: To support the strategic implementation of the Academy Performance Plan andprovision of Player Care services, whilst contributing to the identification and recruitment of players within the Academy at Accrington Stanley Football Club.

The accountabilities of the Head of Academy Football Operations shall include:

• Provide administrative support to the Academy Manager, Football Operations Team and Academy Management Team.
• Support the daily, weekly and monthly operations of the Academy alongside Lead Phase Coaches through being responsible for operational planning and communication with parents, players and staff.
• Be responsible for the maintenance and development of the Academy Parent’s Portal.
• Act as the main point of contact between the Academy and the League for all administrative matters.
• Assist in the management of the EPPP audit process and ensure all criteria are met and implemented during each audit cycle.
• Support the Head of Recruitment with the organisation, management and delivery of the Club’s policies and procedures for the recruitment of Academy Players from U8-U18.
• Implement and develop the Club’s robust induction and transition processes, including provision for when players join or leave the Academy, transition through age groups, enter the First Team, or enter into loan arrangements.
• Support the safe and proper exit of players from the Academy, following the Academy Next Steps Process and After Care Support Package.
• Support the Head of Recruitment & Player Care in leading the Academy’s Talent ID & Recruitment strategy for the recruitment of Academy Players from U8-U18.
• To assist the Academy Manager and Head of Education and Player Care in the development and delivery of the Academy’s Beyond Football Programme and Player Care & Player/Parent Experience provision.

Key Activities:

• Attend Academy Inter-Disciplinary Meetings, Academy Management Team Meetings, Player Care Working Group Meetings, Player/Parent Experience Working Group Meetings, and Talent Identification and Recruitment Working Group Meetings.
• Support the Head of Recruitment & Player Care in developing and supporting a Recruitment team of casual scouts to aid the recruitment of Academy Players from U8-U18.
• Support the Head of Recruitment & Player Care by actively identifying and reporting on players within grassroots and professional environments to aid the recruitment of Academy Players from U8-U18.
• Lead the implementation of the player grading system across the Academy, alongside the Coaching and Recruitment departments, to increase efficiency in regards to player pathway management, succession planning, and recruitment analysis.
• Complete regular talent identification & recruitment data analysis reports to update the Football Operations Team and Academy Management Team of the department’s efficiency.
• Alongside the Academy Manager and Head of Education & Player Care, lead player and parent information sessions including Apprentice player induction, education and parent reviews, and Schoolboy player inductions.
• In conjunction with the Designated Safeguarding Officer, ensure all policies, practices and procedures relating to the safeguarding of young people are implemented and updated annually.

About The Candidate

Required Qualifications:

• UEFA B Licence
• FA Youth Award
• National Talent Identification & Scouting in Football
• FA Safeguarding Qualification
• FA First Aid Qualification
• Enhanced DBS Clearance
• FA Advanced Youth Award
• Advanced Principles of Talent Identification & Scouting in Football

Required Knowledge, Skills and Experience:

• Strong leadership and management skills.
• Excellent communication skills (written and verbal).
• A working knowledge and understanding of talent identification and development.
• Experience in talent identification and the recruitment of players within Academy football.
• Competence in all MS Office packages with experience of recording and reporting information.
• Experience of dealing with minors and an excellent understanding of Child Protection and Safeguarding procedures including the relevant clearances for individuals.
• An understanding of the EFL Youth Development rules and regulations.
• A comprehensive understanding of the Elite Player Performance Plan (EPPP).

About The Club

General Information:

The employee must at all times carry out their duties with due regard to the Accrington Stanley Football Club policies and procedures.

The employee must ensure a positive commitment towards equality and diversity by treating others fairly and not committing any form of direct or indirect discrimination, victimisation or harassment of any description and to promote positive working relationships between all internal and external stakeholders.

Safeguarding:

Accrington Stanley Football Club is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people and expects all staff and volunteers to share this commitment. This role involves the supervision of and working with children and young people. The role will require CRC check through the DBS and clearance for work in football by the FA. As the role is exempt from the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974, the applicant must disclose all previous convictions including spent convictions.

Equality, Diversity and Inclusion:

Accrington Stanley Football Club’s commitment to equality, diversity and inclusion is to confront and eliminate discrimination whether by reason of age, gender, gender assignment, sexual orientation, marital status or civil partnership, race, nationality, ethnicity (race), religion, ability or disability, pregnancy or maternity and to encourage equal opportunities (Protected Characteristics, Equality Act 2010).

Employees of Accrington Stanley Football Club must ensure a positive commitment towards equality, diversity and inclusion by treating others fairly and not committing any form of discrimination, victimisation or harassment of any description and to promote working relationships between all internal and external stakeholders.

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