WREXHAM AFC Academy Manager

To plan, deliver and review the Strategic Performance Plan for the Wrexham AFC Academy, though exceptional motivational leadership, detailed organisation and influential communication

To provide leadership to all areas of the Academy so that it is able to produce well rounded footballers into the professional game.

MAIN RESPONSIBILITIES

• Be responsible for the planning and delivery of the Academy Performance Plan, and Coaching Curriculum ensuring that it is representative of the ambitions, vision and philosophy of the Football Club.
• Lead on all Academy audits in accordance with Elite Player Performance Plan (EPPP) regulations (for example, Safe to Operate, Compliance, Academy Standards, Health & Safety and Safeguarding).
• Lead on Academy reporting mechanisms such as the Board and Academy Management Team meetings.
• Lead on the Agendas for Technical Board Meetings in collaboration with the Academy Administrator and CEO.

  Decision Making:

• Be responsible for all scholarship decisions for the Professional Development Phase.
• Present and cost strategic development opportunities to improve the Academy that align with the Academy Performance Plan and the vision of the Football Club.
• Identify and recruit key staff members that will help shape the continual improvement of the Academy to promote a high-performance environment and ensure a competitive edge

  Impact & Influence:

• Drive and deliver the vision of the Academy through strategic planning, operational management, cultural development and transformational leadership.
• Be innovative and creative with programme regarding the schedule, facilities and resources, making the best of what is available.
• Guide the Academy’s playing and coaching philosophy while ensuring it is aligned with the Club’s overall football philosophy
• Champion the Academy throughout the Club, local community and the wider football industry through the formation of positive and influential relationships with the Board, staff, sponsors, players and parents; Wrexham AFC Community Trust, Wrexham AFC Women’s and Girls Programme, governing bodies and stakeholders, local schools, colleges, and universities.
• Support the Academy Technical Board and ensure members are continually updated on Academy issues

  Skill Level:

• Oversee player development and progression through the Head of Coaching and Lead Phase Coaches.
• Update the CEO and Board on player development pathways and lead in the recommendation of players for scholarships and professional contracts through the Academy Technical Board
• Remain up to date with advances in the field of youth development and coaching through regular CPD activities and attend any courses required by the EFL/FA/FAW

  Communication:

• Represent the Academy when communicating with relevant key partners and stakeholders (for example, the EFL, FAW, FA, The Professional Footballers Association, and The League Football Education).
• Maintain regular and relevant communications with staff, players and parents through a variety of channels

  Build the reputation of the Academy by positively representing the Club at internal and external CPD and networking events.

• Develop strong positive relationships with other North Wales clubs and clubs in NW England.
• Develop strong positive relationships with tour organisers across all age groups.
• Be the first point of contact for all internal and external stakeholders, partners and sponsors regarding the Academy.

  Budget Management:

• Review and propose the Academy budget while ensuring it is aligned with the long-term strategic ambition of the Club.
• Cascade budgets to individual heads and provide regular management reporting.
• Ensure all financial actions are within the remit of the agreed budget.

  Lead & Develop:

• Lead and develop all areas of the Academy while promoting the Club’s vision, values and philosophy to facilitate the development of well-rounded footballers into the professional game.
• Develop and drive the Academy games programme for all age groups with an aspiration to be best in class.
• Ensure the safeguarding of children and young people in the Academy in line with the Club’s policies and procedures
• Ensure that equality, diversity and inclusion are maintained and developed across all programmes and areas of the Academy.
• Lead the recruitment of Academy staff and create a staff succession plan.
• Ensure that all Academy staff undertake a programme of continuous professional development relevant to their role.

  Operating Parameters:

• Define the Academy’s operational and performance plans and the coaching curriculum to deliver strategic objectives based on KPI outputs and EPPP requirements. Reviewing and adapting these objectives with subsequent reporting to the CEO and the Board will be a key component of the role.
• Identify and manage change effectively through effective communication and a process of continuous improvement.
• Effectively manage all Academy staff to ensure they understand their role requirements and are sufficiently supported and challenged to achieve role objectives through performance management activities including, goalsetting, team meetings, and individual staff reviews.
• Ensure all appropriate Academy staff effectively use the Performance Management Application and Performance Clocks and record all relevant data in keeping with GDPR

  SAFEGUARDING RESPONSIBILITIES

• We are committed to ensuring everyone who engages with the Club and Academy has a positive, safe, and supportive experience.Staff are required to comply with all aspects of the Club and Academy Safeguarding Policies and arrangements and to take personal responsibility and care to enable strong safeguarding practices to be embedded in the Academy and across the Club too.
• This post is subject to an Enhanced DBS Check (with Children’s Barred List)

  HEALTH & SAFETY RESPONSIBILITIES

• Take responsibility and care for the health and safety of yourself and other employees and members of the public who may be affected by your acts or omissions at work.
• To comply with all aspects of the Club’s Health & Safety Policy and arrangements, to enable the company to perform its civil and statutory obligations in relation to Health & Safety.

EQUALITY, DIVERSITY AND INCLUSION RESPONSIBILITIES

• Hold a commitment to equality, diversity and inclusion in the workplace.

About The Candidate

EXPERIENCE/QUALIFICATIONS REQUIRED

• Hold (or actively working towards) FA Youth Award and FA Advanced Youth Award
• A current FA/FAW Safeguarding Children Workshop Certificate (or willingness to complete within 1 month of appointment)

  PERSONAL SPECIFICATION – SKILLS/ABILITIES REQUIRED

  Proven track record of effectively delivering youth development strategies in an elite setting

• Influential, collaborative and motivational leadership style with an ability to create a positive culture, and effectively manage change while championing the Academy vision
• Experience in talent identification and the recruitment of youth players
• An operational understanding of and commitment to safeguarding
• Excellent strategic, organisational and managerial skills
• Comprehensive experience and understanding of the EPPP
• Experience in planning and managing a budget
• Experience in defining, planning and delivering an Academy Performance Plan in an elite setting
• Experience in leading and developing a coaching curriculum within a youth development setting
• Experience of working within a professional football setting as a player or coach
• An understanding of long-term athlete development strategies
• An understanding and experience of the collation, interrogation and implementation of Data in football decision making and learning
• Working knowledge of the Performance Management Application
• Committed to, and an understanding of, equality and diversity in sport
• Flexible approach to meet the nature and demands of the business

About The Club

CLUB VALUES

Code of Conduct

Wrexham Football Clubexpects the highest standards of integrity and conduct in all matters concerning the Club and its employees. The Code of Conduct makes clear the standards of conduct expected from its employees and explains the responsibilities of the Club, as the employer. All employees are expected toalways act wholeheartedly in the interests of the Club.Any conduct detrimental to its interests or its relations with its customers, suppliers, thepublicor damaging to its public image shallbea breach of Club rules and policies. Discriminatory,offensive,and violent behaviour areunacceptable,and any complaints or concerns will be dealt with and acted upon.

Equality, Diversity & Inclusion

Wrexham Football Club arecommitted to ensuring that equality,diversityand inclusion of opportunity is at the very heart of everything we do to ensure we provide fair and non-prejudicial access to the services across the Club. We uphold everyone’s freedom of rights and choice to be different and aim to provide opportunities for everyone to succeed. It is the policy of the Club that no person, whether player, job applicant, employee,volunteer,or customer, shall be discriminated against. The Club opposes all forms of unlawful and unfair discrimination, either direct or indirect, or harassment, on the grounds of the following ‘protected characteristics’: Age, Disability, Gender Reassignment, Marriage & Civil Partnership, Pregnancy & Maternity, Race, Religion or Belief, Sex and Sexual Orientation. Anyone who is found to be in breach of this could receive disciplinary action, which may well include suspension and dismissal.

The Club is fully committed to the EFL Equality, Diversity & Inclusion Standards and as we are under represented in these areas; we particularly welcome ‘entry level’ applications from women, individuals from Black and Minority Ethnicities, the LGBT community and anyone with a disability.

Safeguarding and Safer Recruitment

Wrexham Football Club are committed to and has both a moral and legal obligation to ensure that all children and vulnerable adults are protected and kept safe from harm whilst engaged in services organised and provided by the club and believes that the general wellbeing, welfare and safety of all children and vulnerable adults engaged in club activities is of the upmost importance. The Club will fulfil its responsibilities by ensuring it displays best practice in safeguarding matters – including Safer Recruitment – carried out in a spirit of partnership and openness with the child or vulnerable adult, families, and the relevant local authority.

Having a criminal record will not necessarily bar a potential candidate from working with the Club. This will depend on the nature of the position and the circumstances and background of the offence(s) committed. As an organisation using the Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) to assess applicant’s suitability for positions of trust, the Club complies fully with the DBS Code of Practice and undertakes to treat all applicants for positions fairly. Potential applicants need to check on the government website (https://www.gov.uk/tell-employer-or-college-about-criminal-record/what-information-you-need-to-give) whether cautions / convictions should be disclosed as part of their application.

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