Professional Player to Coach Scheme

Burton Albion Football Club is pleased to invite applications for the role of Academy Coach as part of the Professional Player to Coach Scheme (PPCS) 2026/27, delivered in partnership with the Premier League, PFA and EFL. This is a unique opportunity to join our Academy on a 23-month fixed-term, full-time basis, supporting the development of the next generation of football coaches while contributing to a progressive, player-focused environment.

Based at the Pirelli Stadium, Burton upon Trent, and the National Football Centre at St George’s Park, you will work within our Academy structure, supporting the coaching and development of players across a designated age group. As part of this programme, you will split your time between practical Academy coaching and structured learning through the Premier League’s accredited Coach Development Programme. This dual approach provides a comprehensive development experience, enabling you to work across different phases and alongside multi-disciplinary teams.

You will play an important part in delivering a high-quality player development environment, ensuring that coaching sessions are engaging, age-appropriate and aligned to the Club’s football philosophy:

• Plan, deliver and review coaching sessions in line with the Academy curriculum.
• Support and progressively lead coaching activities in both training and match settings.
• Contribute to individual player development through structured feedback and regular review processes.
• Work collaboratively within a multi-disciplinary team, supporting the holistic development of players.
• Engage fully with the Club’s coaching frameworks, development plans and performance standards.
• Support the monitoring of player wellbeing and contribute to safeguarding best practice.
• Maintain accurate records of training, fixtures and player progress using relevant systems.

You will also be expected to contribute to the wider Academy environment, including administrative responsibilities, continuous professional development and adherence to Club policies and performance frameworks.

Dedicated mentoring and tailored support, immersive and hands-on learning experiences, opportunities for peer learning and collaboration, and access to FA and UEFA coaching qualifications (subject to availability and development needs) will be provided.

On successful completion of the programme, you will achieve a Diploma in Professional Football Coaching from Leeds Beckett University, equipping you with the skills and knowledge to progress within the professional game.

We actively encourage applications from individuals from underrepresented groups within coaching, including those from Black, Asian and mixed heritage backgrounds, and we are committed to ensuring fair and inclusive recruitment processes.

Applicants must not have previously held a full-time 1st Team or Academy Coaching role at a Premier League/EFL Club.

Qualifications/Experience/Knowledge:

• PFA Member.
• UEFA B Licence; (UEFA A Licence and FA Advanced Youth Award would be desirable).
• A current FA/FAW Safeguarding Children Workshop Certificate (or willingness to complete within 1 month of appointment).
• Ability to meet the travel needs of the post (which includes travel across the UK and occasionally overseas).

Person Specification – Skills/Abilities:

• Demonstrated experience of delivering coaching and/or player development experiences to players.
• Good communication skills with a view to being able to speak with parents, coaches, players and contacts.
• Strong organisational skills and competent in administrative duties.
• Enthusiasm for the role with a drive to become a professional football coach.
• A proactive thinker who always looks for opportunities to improve and enhance the coaching strategy to help players and teams to successfully develop and perform.
• A dynamic, hardworking individual that is able to relate to all staff members and participants engaged in Academy activities.
• Is receptive to feedback about own behaviour, strengths and areas for improvement that identifies improvement strategies relating to Academy coaching/recruitment activities.
• Displays a high level of confidentiality and transparency and is able to contribute to team meetings in a professional manner.
• Committed to and an understanding of, safeguarding and equality and diversity in sport.
• Flexible approach to meet the nature and demands of the business.

Equality Inclusion & Diversity:

Burton Albion are committed to ensuring that equality, inclusion and diversity of opportunity is at the very heart of everything we do to ensure we provide fair and non-prejudicial access to the services across the Club. We uphold everyone’s freedom of rights and choice to be different and aim to provide opportunities for everyone to succeed. It is the policy of the Club that no person, whether player, job applicant, employee, volunteer or customer, shall be discriminated against. The Club opposes all forms of unlawful and unfair discrimination, either direct or indirect, or harassment, on the grounds of the following ‘protected characteristics’: Age, Disability, Gender Reassignment, Marriage & civil Partnership, Pregnancy & Maternity, Race, Religion or Belief, Sex and Sexual Orientation. Anyone who is found to be in breach of this could receive disciplinary action, which may well include suspension and dismissal.

The Club is fully committed to the EFL Equality, Diversity & Inclusion Standards and we particularly welcome ‘entry level’ applications from women, individuals from Black and Minority Ethnicities, the LGBT community and anyone with a disability.