Lead Academy Coach - U16 in Birmingham

Location: Knighthead Performance Centre, Redhill Rd, Birmingham B38 9EL

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 it’s part in 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.

About the Role

The Lead Academy Coach will be responsible for leading the coaching programme for a designated Academy age group, with a primary focus on the U16s. The successful candidate will design, deliver and evaluate high-quality coaching sessions, support player development through Individual Learning Plans (ILPs), and work collaboratively with colleagues across the Academy pathway.

You will play a key role in creating a positive, challenging and development-focused environment that aligns with the Club's philosophy and long-term player development strategy

Leadership & Collaboration

• To lead and/or contribute to the multi-disciplinary team for the Pathway to Professional (U15–U21) phase.

• Liaise effectively with Pathway to Professional coaches to ensure alignment across training, fixtures, and player development

• Collaborate with all Academy departments to support a multi-disciplinary approach to player development

• Contribute to and attend all relevant meetings, including multi-disciplinary team meetings, ensuring clarity around priorities, processes, players, and KPIs

Coaching & Player Development

• Plan, create, and evaluate coaching sessions in line with the weekly programme for the designated age group

• Lead/support with delivering coaching within both training sessions and fixtures

• Support coaching delivery across the Pathway to Professional (U15–U21) development phase as required

• Implement a high-quality coaching programme that supports individual and team development

• Ensure all players have active Individual Learning Plans (ILPs), with clear objectives and ongoing review

• Deliver appropriate off-pitch coaching content to enhance learning (e.g. unit, individual, positional, and video-based sessions)

• Ensure the continuous development of players within the Pathway to Professional phase and support their transition towards First Team football

Performance Monitoring, Analysis & Reporting

• Monitor and evaluate player performance to inform development and succession planning

• Record and track training, fixtures, objectives, and attendance via the Football Intelligence Platform, ensuring the Performance Clock is updated daily

• Utilise performance data and analysis to inform coaching practice, player development, and identification processes

• Independently source and review video analysis in collaboration with the Performance Analysis Department

• Complete individual post-match feedback reports using Scoutastic

• Monitor Hudl usage across the relevant age group and ensure effective player engagement

Planning & Programme Delivery

• Develop and deliver 10-week coaching plans in collaboration with Pathway to Professional coaches

• Conduct formal reviews of each coaching cycle at designated intervals (10/20/30/40 weeks)

• Ensure player review processes are completed each mesocycle

• In conjunction with the Academy Operation’s team, support with the coordination of the fixture programmes for the relevant team and individual player development needs

• Oversee trialists within the relevant age group, providing appropriate evaluation and feedback in line with club processes

• Support and contribute to player succession planning across the programme

Operations and Logistics

• Support the coordination and management of programme logistics to ensure efficient daily operations

• Take responsibility for all training and matchday resources, maintaining the highest standards at all times

• Promote and manage player engagement with the Football Intelligence Platform

Compliance, Safeguarding & Professional Development

• Maintain up-to-date knowledge of Premier League/EFL Youth Development Rules relating to U15–U21 programmes

• Monitor player wellbeing at all times, liaising with the Club Safeguarding Team where necessary

• Ensure compliance with all Club policies and procedures, including Equality, Health & Safety, and Safeguarding

• Actively engage in continued professional development (CPD) and the Club’s appraisal framework

• Undertake a coach development role within the programme on at least four occasions per season

General

• The designated age group and its respective lead coach will be appointed by the Academy Technical Director, Senior Pathway to Professional Coach (U15-U21) and the Head of Coaching; and can be subject to change over the season(s).

• Undertake any additional duties appropriate to the role, as requested by the Academy Technical Director, Senior Pathway to Professional Coach (U15-U21), or Head of Coaching.

Qualifications

Essential

• UEFA A Licence
• FA Advanced Youth Award (AYA).
• FA Youth Award
• EFAiF (Emergency First Aid in Football)
• FA Safeguarding Certification

Desirable

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

Personal

Essential

• Ability to deliver high-quality coaching sessions
• Ability to build and maintain effective working relationships across
• Ability to design and implement a high-quality coaching programme for the designated age group
• Proven experience in developing professional football players
• Experience working within an academy football environment at U15–U21 level

Desirable

• Previous experience working within senior football environments.
• Ability to communicate effectively across the Pathway to Professional and Pathway for Potential phases.
• Previous professional playing experience

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.