Assistant Head of Coaching in Birmingham

Business: Birmingham City Football Club

Location: Knighthead Performance Centre

Reports to: Head of Coaching

Department: Academy Coaching Department

Purpose of the Post: To lead the delivery of the Academy coaching and player development programme within the U9-U14 Pathway to Potential phase, working through the Head of Coaching’s strategy, delivering the coaching programme, driving individual player development, and implementing progression across the pathway in alignment with the Head of Coaching.

The role is responsible for the day-to-day implementation of the coaching programme, line management of coaching staff within the phase and ensuring individual player development.

Key Accountabilities:

• Development and Management of Academy Coaches within the U9-U14 Academy programme.
• Delivery and management of the coaching programme as part of the Head of Coaching’s strategy across the Pre Academy to U14.
• Support the progression and movement of players across the pathway, ensuring appropriate challenge and transition between age groups.
• Ensure all players within the Pathway to Potential phase have active and quality Individual Learning Plans (ILPs).
• Monitor and support the consistent application of ILPs across the phase.
• Line manages all coaching staff within the Pathway to Potential phase, ensuring role clarity, accountability and delivery standards.
• Implementation and management of the coaching programme of the highest quality for all Academy Coaches across U9-U14.
• Support the delivery of the Club’s Continued Professional Development programme, which shall reflect the Club’s Playing Philosophy and Coaching Philosophy U9-U14.
• Support the HOC with the Expertise Framework across the U9-U14 programme.
• Leading on the U9-U14 departmental Targets.
• Actively engage in a fully functioning Expertise Framework and integrated appraisal process.
• Monitor the well-being of Academy players at all times, liaising with the Club Safeguarding Team.
• Ensure compliance with all the Policies and Procedures contained within the Staff Handbook, paying particular regard to the Equal Opportunities Policy and Health and Safety Policy and procedures at all times.

Key Relationships:

• Academy Technical Director
• Academy Manager
• Head of Coaching
• Academy Leadership Team
• Academy Management Team
• Pathway for Potential Lead Coach
• Pathway to Professional Lead Coach
• Head of Academy Goalkeeping Coach
• Academy Goalkeeper Coaches
• Academy Coaches
• Pre Academy Coaches

Scope of Duties and Responsibilities:

• Line management of Academy coaches U9-U14, ensuring that all duties are fulfilled with individual job descriptions.
• Work to the Club Philosophy and Academy Performance Plan.
• Support with the delivery of the Coach’s Coach Expertise Framework (individual coach development action plans, coach observations, feedback, and the formal appraisal process).
• Liaise with the Head of Coaching to design and implement a coaching and multidisciplinary CPD programme for coaches.
• Ensure Individual Player development is being managed and reviewed.
• Maintain effective processes enabling coaches to work within a multidisciplinary team with a focus across U9-U14.
• Ensure coaches have a clear understanding and acceptance of their development needs across U9-U14.
• Management of the coaching environment, coaching behaviours, session format, and content U9-U14.
• Develop close working relationships with key stakeholders of the game.
• Attend meetings where appropriate for the role.
• Work with coaches individually and within groups to develop their abilities and potential.
• Work with the Head of Coaching to ensure alignment between U9-U21 Groups from a playing principle and curriculum process perspective.
• Liaise with all Academy Departments on all related matters.
• Liaise with Head of Coaching and all coaches to ensure smooth running of daily activities.
• Manage access and promote the use of the Football Intelligence Platform for players U9-U14.
• Be aware of and assist with the implementation and compliance of the PL/EFL Youth Development rules and requirements.
• Any other duties commensurate with the grade and fall within the scope of the post, as requested by the Academy Technical Director and Academy Manager.

Person Specification:

Essential Requirements:

• UEFA A License
• FA Advanced Youth Award
• FA Youth Award
• EFAiF
• FA Safeguarding certification
• European Mentoring and Coaching Council Foundation Award

Desirable Requirements:

• UEFA PRO Licence
• Coaching related degree qualification
• QTS
• Leadership Qualification
• EHOC
• Valid Driving Licence

Skills & Abilities:

• Ability to deliver high quality coaching sessions
• Ability to build and maintain relationships
• Ability to lead programmes
• Previous experience working with all phases across U9 -U16
• Experience developing professional football players
• Experience working within academy football
• Experience of developing coaches within academy football

Personal Requirements:

• A hardworking, honest, and committed individual
• An individual who puts the player at the centre of their decision making
• An individual committed to the development of coaches and young people
• An individual committed to enhancing growth and development of the Academy department and wider football club

Terms of Appointment:

• 37.5 hours per week of which these are hours to suit the needs of the business
• Employment benefits to include Pension Scheme and Life Assurance
• Holiday entitlement
• Probation period to successfully complete and pass

Special Conditions:

• Applicants will be required to undertake a DBS check, (previously a CRB check)
• Employment offer will be subject to a medical clearance process
• Employment offer subject to right to work
• Employment offer subject to references