Academy Coach - Professional Player to Coach Scheme - Mash Barn Ln, BN15 in Ditchling

Role: Academy Coach - Professional Player to Coach Scheme (PPCS).

Salary: 31,500 per annum (Relocation allowance available to those based outside of the Sussex area)

Hours: 35 hours per week to include evenings and weekends

Location: American Express Elite Football Performance Centre, Lancing

Contract Type: 23-month fixed term contract

Key dates to know:

• Deadline Day for application: 19th May 2026
• Assessment Activities: Interviews to take place w/c 25th May 2026
• Start date: From August 2026 (pending completion of safer recruitment checks)
• PPCS Induction: Lake District September 2026 (4 days)

Join the Professional Player to Coach Scheme (PPCS) Brighton & Hove Albion FC in partnership with the Premier League, PFA and EFL, is offering a 23-month, full-time academy coaching role, to support the development of the next generation of football coaches as part of the Professional Player to Coach Scheme 2026/27. The scheme is open to all and we particularly welcome applications from individuals from Black, Asian and mixed heritage backgrounds, as they are underrepresented groups amongst the coaching roles that exist across the professional game.

What’s Involved?

You’ll split your time between BHAFC and the Premier League’s accredited Coach Development Programme. You’ll gain experience across development phases and work with multi-disciplinary teams.

Your development journey will include:

• Mentoring and bespoke support
• Immersive learning experiences
• Peer learning
• Access to FA/UEFA qualifications (based on development need and subject to availability)

Upon successful completion of all programme elements, you’ll be awarded a Diploma in Professional Football Coaching from Leeds Beckett University.

The role will work with our U13-U14, Youth Development Phase group within the boys academy whilst in employment at BHAFC. To find out more about the role and what the day-to-day will entail, please follow the link to the job description.

What we are looking for in an applicant:

• Professional Football Association (PFA) member.
• Registered on, or completed, the UEFA B Licence as a minimum
• No prior full-time first team or an academy coaching role at a Premier League or EFL club
• FA Safeguarding Certificate, FA Emergency First Aid, and an enhanced DBS (to be completed as part of safer recruitment checks).
• It would be desirable to have previous experience in a coaching role within a grassroots, community, education or development centre setting and experience of holistic youth development activities within or beyond sport. If you already hold a UEFA A or FA Advanced Youth Award, then that would be beneficial but not essential.

What you will bring to the role and how you will thrive:

• A drive to coach in the professional game
• Passion for player development & developmentally appropriate learning environments
• Commitment to fulfilling duty of care for children, young people, and adults in healthy, high-performance environments
• Resilience and commitment to high-performance environments
• Excellent communication and relationship-building skills
• A desire to be a role model and ambassador for diversity in the game

How to make your application:

• Upload your up-to-date CV (Please ensure your PFA number is included on your application).
• Please submit a two-part cover letter alongside your CV:
• Part 1 (max 500 words) to demonstrate how you fulfil the What We’re Looking For criteria.
• Part 2 (max 500 words) to answer all the following questions.

Our commitment to EDI:

We take pride in being an equal opportunity workplace that reflects the diversity of our society and the world around us. Our core values foster a strong ethical culture, enabling us to meet the needs of our diverse audience, both on and off the pitch. We welcome applications from individuals of all backgrounds, regardless of age, disability, sex, gender reassignment, sexual orientation, pregnancy and maternity, race, religion or belief, and marriage or civil partnership. If you require any reasonable adjustments to support your application, please contact.

Safeguarding is part of everything we do:

We are committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children, young people and adults at risk. We expect all colleagues and volunteers to share this commitment.

This position is UK-based and requires proof of the right to live and work in the UK. All job offers are conditional upon background checks, including a full 3-year reference history, DBS checks, and verification of your eligibility to work. Please note, we do not sponsor applicants without the right to work in the UK.