Lead Academy Coach Lower YDP (U12-U14) in Brentford

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

To lead the early youth development phase managing the coaching programme, staff and operations of the U12-U14 programme implementing the Academy coaching methodology, curriculum and game model across training and matchdays ensuring all age groups within the phase are aligned and operating to the required standard and impacting long term player development.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead and manage the early youth development phase with regards to coaching and operations across the U12-U14 age groups managing the day to day running of the programme and ensuring the phase is operating efficiently and that the staff are adhering and delivering to the required standards.
• Ensure decisions within the phase are made in the best interest of the club and player development that blends improving performance and nurturing potential to support long term development.
• Ensure Academy coaching methodology, curriculum and game model are being implemented fully across the U12-U14 age groups acting as a role model for staff supporting their understanding.
• To lead the planning of the U12-U14 schedule on a weekly, monthly and annual basis working alongside the Assistant Head of Academy Football Development.
• Create planning and reflective processes for age groups U12-U14 to ensure an aligned approach to planning and delivery across the interdisciplinary team to support best practice within each session ensuring that planning and delivery is being maximised.
• Create a positive and collaborative culture amongst staff within the phase that work together in the best interest of the young people they work with.
• To support Head Coaches across the U12-U14 age groups with squad selection processes ensuring decisions are being made in line with Academy pathway plans and reflective of the context alongside tracking the utilisation of each player.
• To lead the implementation of Academy IDP model and methodology across the U12-U14 age groups ensuring each player within the phase has a tailored IDP to their individual needs.
• To support the design and implementation of Academy games programme for U12-U14 age groups ensuring suitable games and adequate minutes for all players within the phase.
• To be a key stakeholder in recruitment, squad review and individual player progress assessment processes providing diligent insights and acting with integrity.
• To track the development of each player within the early youth development phase ensuring each player is receiving adequate support to achieve their potential.
• Line manage staff within the early youth development phase completing 1-1 support and feedback as required ensuring there are clear roles, responsibilities and workflows and that staff are performing to the required standard.
• Support with staff scheduling ensuring all training and games across age groups U12-U14 are appropriately covered.
• To act as a senior point of contact for parents of players within the phase providing support, delivering inductions and workshops as required.
• Support with the development of coaching staff alongside the Head of Academy Football Development and Assistant Head of Academy Football Development completing training and game observations, DAP meetings providing feedback as requested and delivering CPD events as required in line with coach development processes.
• To complete all tasks as directed by the Head of Academy Football Development and Assistant Head of Academy Football Development.

Head Coach Responsibilities

• Plan and lead an elite level of coaching for the assigned age group within the early YDP, delivering the Academy coaching methodology, curriculum and game model across both training and games.
• Make decisions in the best interest of the club and player development that blends improving performance and nurturing potential to support long term development.
• Work as part of an interdisciplinary team (IDT) for the assigned age group leading the day to day operations of the IDT to support the holistic development and wellbeing of each individual.
• Form positive relationships with players and their families and motivate them towards achieving their potential.
• Lead the design and implementation of individual development plans both on pitch and off pitch for the assigned age group and provide feedback to players in line with IDP processes and timelines.
• Work closely with the Assistant Coach of the assigned age group ensuring a collaborative approach whilst being responsible for creating clear roles and responsibilities across training and games for you as a coaching team.
• Complete assessments and provide IDT notes for the assigned age group as required.
• Work with recruitment staff and complete trialists assessments as required.
• Complete all administrative duties regarding planning and data capture as required including the logging of relevant information to support players with their IDP’s (training attendance, game time & IDP progress tracking) maintaining up to date records on club systems as required by the Premier League and club.
• Support planning and delivery of analysis provision as required for both individuals and team utilising analysis as a learning tool in an age-appropriate manner in line with Academy analysis processes.
• Co-ordinate the filming of all training sessions and games and any other necessary sessions for your designated age group coding as required.
• Create and deliver pre and post-match workshops to support performance and reflection as appropriate.
• Share all video footage and coded events internally with staff and players via Hudl.
• Assist with the Academy’s databasing processes to support alignment across age groups, creating libraries of material to support learning and capture of best practice for individuals and team across training matchdays.
• Work in collaboration with Academy coaching and analysis staff to efficiently deliver the analysis programme to the highest standard.
• Maintain up to date records of training and game time on club systems as required by the Premier league as directed by the club.
• Attend all relevant CPD events and work with the Head of Academy Football Development & Assistant Head of Academy Football Development to develop self in line with Academy coach competency framework and development action plan.
• To travel domestically and internationally as required.
• To provide coaching cover for other Academy age groups as required to support delivery of programme and personal development.
• To carry out any other duties as directed by senior Academy staff.
• Work to ensure the Academy is continually achieving standards required within the EPPP guidelines.
• To ensure that any concerns you observe or are raised with you in your role are shared with the safeguarding team through appropriate channels.

Knowledge

• UEFA A License
• Advanced Youth Award
• Emergency First Aid in Football (EFAiF)
• FA Safeguarding
• Experience of coaching players within the youth development phase within an Academy environment.
• Understanding of how to work as part of an interdisciplinary team.
• Understanding of youth development rules and EPPP standards.

Specialist Skills

• Experience of leading and managing a programme and staff within an Academy environment or similar.
• Understanding of how to create and implement aligned processes across age groups.
• Ability to manage coaching and operational demands across multiple age groups on a weekly, monthly and annual basis dealing with short term demands whilst working towards long term plans.
• Expertise of how to deliver age-appropriate coaching for both training and matchdays.
• Expertise of how to support player development in line with their individual development plans both on pitch and off pitch.
• Understanding of how to provide age-appropriate feedback to players.
• Expertise of Talent ID for players within the youth development phase.

People Skills

• Ability to shape a positive and collaborative culture and motivate staff towards delivering objectives.
• Ability to set and drive standards and provide feedback to staff.
• Ability to develop positive working relationships with staff to support their development.
• Ability to lead with positivity and inspire everyone connected to the early youth development phase.
• Ability to engage parents within their son’s development using them as a key support network.
• Work collaboratively as part of an interdisciplinary team to best support long term development.
• Work closely with recruitment staff completing tasks as requested.

External Impact

• Represent the club and self positively with a professional image ensuring the values of Brentford FC and Academy purpose is delivered at all times.
• Represent a process driven and club aligned approach to long term player development.
• Act in the clubs best interests at all times.

Decision Making

• Make decisions that support the Academy in achieving its strategy and purpose.
• Make decisions in the best interest of the club and long-term player development.
• Make decisions that nurture players potential and improves their performance.
• Make decisions that support an interdisciplinary approach and the holistic development and wellbeing of players.
• Make decisions in line with club pathway and recruitment plans.

Innovation

• Look for ways in which to develop as a coach and explore new methodologies.
• Look for ways in which to gain a competitive advantage on other Academies with regards to player development.

General Club Accountabilities

• To comply with all Club policies, including health and safety, 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 and its personnel.
• To always maintain a flexible approach to work.

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.