Academy Operations Manager & PDP Lead

Reports to: Head of Academy Football Operations

Location: Training Ground - Jersey Road

Department / Sub-department: Football Operations / Academy Operations

The Club

Brentford FC is a bit different from other Premier League football clubs. We put our fans first, we are a true community club and while we are financially sustainable, we are not afraid to take calculated risks. We take huge pride in our environment and culture within the Club which focuses on development, inclusion and not being afraid to think differently. Being progressive, humble and respectful while sticking together as one team across the Club guides how we work and the decisions we make each day. We also firmly believe that a diverse workforce is a better workforce which will help us develop ideas, solve problems and ultimately grow Brentford FC. We play in a new stadium, 15 minutes from Heathrow in vibrant west London. We will never forget where we have come from, but we are excited about the future that lies ahead.

Job Overview

The Academy Operations Manager & PDP Lead will manage the operational delivery of the Academy games programme, with specific responsibility for PDP fixtures, tours, tournaments, scheduling and day-to-day planning. The role works with Academy football, performance and operational colleagues to ensure activity is safe, well organised, clearly communicated, compliant and aligned to player development objectives.

Key Responsibilities

• Tours and tournaments
• Manage the budget for tours and tournaments across U9-U21 age groups.
• Work with the Games Programme Technical Lead to ensure tours and tournaments support the Academy’s football objectives.
• Maintain planning processes for tours and tournaments, including risk assessments, contingency plans, travel, accommodation, venues, suppliers, activities and site visits where appropriate.
• Ensure trips are delivered in line with Premier League and other relevant regulations, including the Club’s Safe Event Management Policy.
• Lead post-event reviews, produce tour reports and implement agreed recommendations.
• Travel with the PDP squad for matches abroad, tours, tournaments and training camps, acting as team coordinator when required.
• Manage Academy Operations Coordinators to support FP and YDP tours and tournaments to agreed Academy standards.
• Match operations
• Manage the fixtures calendar for all Academy age groups from U9-U21.
• Work with the Games Programme Technical Lead and Lead Academy Sports Scientist to align the fixture programme with football and physical requirements.
• Maintain matchday planning processes, including officials, facilities, hospitality, transport, accommodation, food, accreditation and iFAS submissions where relevant.
• Ensure matchday regulatory requirements are met, including competition rules and required match information.
• Lead matchday reviews, maintain records and implement agreed improvements.
• Attend PDP matches as team coordinator and act as the operational point of contact for opposition clubs, match officials, scouts and other relevant stakeholders.
• Manage Academy Operations Coordinators to support FP and YDP match operations to agreed Academy standards.
• Scheduling, administration and systems
• Coordinate PDP scheduling requirements across Academy departments and develop weekly and monthly schedules with the Lead Academy Sports Scientist.
• Liaise with Grounds, Site Operations, Catering and other departments to confirm operational requirements.
• Share schedule, travel and matchday information with players, parents and staff through the relevant communication channels.
• Manage the Academy Operations department rota.
• Monitor Academy Operations department spend through the Club’s finance platform, including creation and/or approval of purchase orders and invoices.
• Maintain accurate information on the Football Intelligence Platform, Teamworks and other systems required for PGAAC, Premier League, UEFA or other compliance obligations.

Knowledge

• Essential
• Strong understanding of football operations, scheduling, logistics and matchday coordination within a performance environment.
• Practical knowledge of safe event planning, risk assessments, contingency planning and operational compliance.
• Understanding of the needs of young players, parents and multidisciplinary Academy staff.
• Experience managing operational budgets, purchase orders, invoices and supplier arrangements.
• Strong working knowledge of operational systems, records management and digital communication platforms.
• Desirable
• Previous experience working with children and/or in an elite sporting environment.
• Previous experience managing or supervising a team.
• Knowledge of Premier League, PGAAC, UEFA or other football administration and compliance requirements.

Specialist Skills

• Excellent planning and organisational skills, with strong attention to detail.
• Ability to coordinate complex logistics involving multiple departments and external providers.
• Budget management skills, including tracking spend, reviewing costs and supporting value for money.
• Clear written communication skills for schedules, travel information, matchday briefs and post-event reports.
• Confident use of operational, communication and finance systems.
• Strong problem-solving skills and the ability to respond calmly under pressure.

People Skills

• Manage and support Academy Operations Coordinators, setting clear expectations and maintaining consistent standards.
• Build strong working relationships with Academy football, performance, operations, facilities, catering and site teams.
• Communicate appropriately with players, parents, staff, opposition clubs, match officials, scouts, suppliers and external stakeholders.
• Work collaboratively while taking ownership for operational delivery.
• Demonstrate professionalism, sound judgement, flexibility and willingness to work evenings, weekends and travel when required.

External Impact

• The role shapes the experience of players, parents, opposition clubs, match officials, scouts, suppliers and event partners during Academy activity.
• The role supports Brentford FC’s reputation for safe, professional and well-organised Academy operations.
• The role contributes to the Club’s regulatory standing through accurate records and compliant operational processes.
• The role helps external stakeholders experience the Academy as organised, respectful and reliable.

Decision Making

• Make day-to-day operational decisions for PDP fixtures, tours, tournaments, scheduling, travel and logistics.
• Assess operational risk and determine appropriate contingency actions or escalation routes.
• Prioritise competing demands across age groups, departments, facilities and external stakeholders.
• Make spending decisions within agreed budget parameters and Club finance processes.
• Escalate safeguarding, welfare, regulatory, financial or reputational concerns appropriately.

Innovation

• Improve Academy operational planning through clearer processes and better use of systems.
• Reduce administrative duplication and improve schedule visibility across the Academy pathway.
• Use stakeholder feedback to strengthen future operational delivery without duplicating day-to-day review processes.
• Support continual improvement by sharing learning and embedding consistent operational standards.
• Explore practical uses of data and systems to improve operational readiness and service quality.

General Club Accountabilities

• To comply with all Club policies, including health and safety, safeguarding, data regulations and other legal, ethical and social requirements.
• To build and maintain good working relationships while maintaining a professional image.
• To keep confidential any information gained regarding the Club, its personnel, players and families.
• To always maintain a flexible approach to work.
• To model and uphold the Club values of being progressive, together and respectful.
• To undertake any additional duties as reasonably directed by senior leadership.

Inclusion Statement

Brentford FC is proud to be an organisation that values equity, diversity and inclusion. We strive to create a culture that celebrates difference and ensures fairness, safety, representation, and belonging. We recognise that some groups remain underrepresented in our workforce and are actively working to change this. As part of that commitment, we strongly encourage applications from people of all backgrounds - particularly those from ethnically diverse communities, women, LGBTQ+ individuals, and disabled people. We’re committed to a fair and inclusive recruitment process, with all decisions made based on merit and suitability - regardless of background or protected characteristic. Should you be selected for interview, we welcome the opportunity to discuss any specific arrangements, accommodations or reasonable adjustments you may require to be made.

Safeguarding Statement

Brentford FC is fully committed to promoting equality, and to safeguarding the welfare of all children and adults at risk. Safeguarding is everyone’s responsibility and is a core part of the Club’s culture. All staff and volunteers share a collective duty to create and maintain a safe and supportive environment, both on and off the field. To ensure this, all staff are required to complete regular safeguarding training appropriate to their role. This training supports a proactive and informed approach to safeguarding practice. The successful candidate will be expected to understand, adhere to, and actively uphold all relevant safeguarding policies and procedures. This includes recognising signs of abuse or harm, responding appropriately, and reporting any concerns in a timely manner to the Club’s Safeguarding Team. Brentford FC operates safer recruitment practices. We remind individuals that it is a criminal offence for a person barred from engaging in regulated activity to apply for a role that involves such activity.