Head of Academy Education in Birmingham

Birmingham City Football Club is on the rise. With an incredible history dating back to 1875, Birmingham City Football Club is part of an exciting period of accelerated growth and modernisation, and is playing its part in a once-in-a-generation opportunity to support the transformation of England’s second city as part of the Sports Quarter project. With significant investment across our football, commercial, and community operations, we are rebuilding the Club for long-term success — on and off the pitch. The journey we’re on involves strengthening our structures, elevating our performance environments, growing our teams, and investing heavily in the people, processes and culture that will define the next chapter of Birmingham City FC.

Birmingham City Football Club are looking for a Head of Academy Education, to lead the Academy education programme, ensuring players receive high-quality academic, personal development and pastoral support in line with EPPP requirements, LFE guidance, safeguarding standards and the Academy Performance Plan.

About the Role

• Leadership and strategy
  • Develop and implement the Academy education strategy in line with EPPP guidelines, Club values and the Academy Performance Plan.
  • Lead the Academy education delivery programme, including BTEC, SEP and HYBRID provision.
  • Line manage education staff and support the delivery of departmental objectives, Critical Success Factors and Key Performance Indicators.
• Player education and progress
  • Maintain accurate education records, monitor academic progress and use data to inform player interventions.
  • Ensure phase-appropriate performance, parent/player and MDPR reviews are completed within required timescales.
  • Maintain Academy Education SharePoint records and relevant systems, including Kitman Labs/Football Intelligence, to track progress against each player’s academic flightpath.
  • Maintain an education timetable that supports Academy training and player learning needs.
• Stakeholder engagement and player support
  • Liaise with schools, colleges, LFE, EFL/Premier League representatives and external agencies to support player education and development.
  • Attend PRM and academic meetings with LFE and external providers to support PDP progress.
  • Support player transitions, exit pathways and aftercare planning with Player Support, Recruitment, Psychology and the Academy Loans Manager.
  • Provide pastoral and wellbeing support, escalating safeguarding or welfare concerns through Club procedures.
  • Support citizenship and life skills activities that enhance holistic player development.
• Quality assurance and PGAAC audits
  • Lead education preparation for PGAAC audits, ensuring evidence, records and quality assurance processes are accurate, current and inspection ready.
  • Lead internal and external education audits, inspections and reviews, including LFE, PGAAC and safeguarding-related activity.
  • Review education provision, identifying improvements, resource needs and opportunities to enhance learning.
• Professional standards and compliance
  • Manage education data securely in line with GDPR and Club data protection procedures.
  • Engage in the Club competency framework, appraisal process and relevant continuing professional development.
  • Comply with Staff Handbook policies, particularly safeguarding, equality, diversity and inclusion, data protection, health and safety, and safer working practices.
  • Undertake any other duties commensurate with the role, as requested by the Academy Manager.

What we’re looking for in you

Qualifications

• Essential
  • Educated to degree level or equivalent.
  • PGCE, ECT, QTS or QTLS qualified.
• Desirable
  • Valid driving licence.
  • FA Safeguarding qualification.

Skills and Abilities

• Essential
  • Teaching experience in primary, secondary or higher education.
  • Current knowledge of education systems and behaviour management for learning.
  • Knowledge of the Ofsted framework, including personal development, behaviour, safeguarding and wellbeing.
  • Strong knowledge of EPPP, LFE, safeguarding, PGAAC audit requirements and education quality assurance.
  • Ability to analyse education data and implement targeted interventions.
  • Excellent interpersonal, written and verbal communication skills.
• Desirable
  • Ability to engage a wide range of stakeholders.
  • Ability to apply and share subject knowledge.
  • Experience in an academy, elite sport or professional football environment.

The Benefits of Being Blues

At Birmingham City Football Club, we put people at the heart of everything we do. When you join the Club, you become part of the Blues family — and that comes with a range of benefits designed to support you both inside and outside of work.

• Matchday Tickets
• Blues Store Discount
• Life Assurance
• Volunteering Day
• Pension Scheme
• Eye Care Voucher
• Cycle to Work Scheme
• Help@Hand

Safeguarding

Birmingham City Football Club is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children, young people and adults at risk. The safety and wellbeing of all individuals within our care is paramount, and all staff are expected to share and uphold this commitment. All successful applicants will be subject to appropriate pre-employment checks, including an enhanced DBS check, and will be required to complete safeguarding training as part of the recruitment and induction process.

EDI

Birmingham City FC is proud to be an Equal Opportunities and Disability Confident employer. We welcome applications from all sections of the community and are committed to ensuring a fair and inclusive recruitment process. Candidates are assessed solely on merit, regardless of age, disability, gender identity or expression, marital or civil partnership status, pregnancy or maternity, race or ethnicity, religion or belief, sex, sexual orientation, socioeconomic background, or caring responsibilities. We value diversity and actively encourage applications from individuals of all backgrounds. If you require any adjustments to support you during the recruitment or interview process, please let us know when applying.