Head of Academy Recruitment in Essex, Tiptree

Colchester United Football Club is seeking an experienced, driven and forward-thinking Head of Academy Recruitment to lead recruitment across our Category 2 Academy. The successful candidate will be responsible for implementing the Academy Recruitment Strategy across the U9 U21 pathway, ensuring that recruitment activity identifies players with the potential to develop within Colchester United and progress towards professional football. This is a key leadership position within the Academy, requiring someone who can combine a strong eye for talent with strategic thinking, effective management of people and networks, and an evidence-informed approach to recruitment.

Key Responsibilities

• Oversee the implementation plan of the Academy Recruitment Strategy.
• Lead Academy recruitment activity across the U9 U21 age groups.
• Identify players with the potential to progress through the Academy and towards the Club's professional pathway.
• Develop recruitment priorities based on the needs of individual age groups, positions and future pathway requirements.
• Maintain an understanding of emerging player, positional and market trends to support informed recruitment decisions.
• Work with the Academy Manager and relevant Academy staff to continually review the effectiveness of the recruitment programme.

Talent Identification

• Identify, assess and recommend prospective Academy players across all age groups.
• Attend fixtures and recruitment events to assess potential players.
• Ensure player assessments consider both current performance and future potential.
• Produce clear, concise and evidence-based player recommendation reports.
• Coordinate appropriate observation, trial and assessment processes for identified players.
• Support the planning and delivery of Talent ID events and other recruitment initiatives.
• Ensure recruitment activity provides appropriate coverage across the Club's geographical recruitment area.

Recruitment Intelligence & Data

• Maintain accurate and up-to-date information within the Academy Recruitment Database.
• Develop clear processes for tracking identified players from initial observation through to recommendation, trial and recruitment decision.
• Use recruitment information and data to support objective decision-making alongside live scouting observations.
• Maintain appropriate succession lists and positional depth across Academy age groups.
• Monitor recruitment outcomes and provide evidence of the impact and effectiveness of Academy recruitment activity.
• Produce regular recruitment updates for the Academy Manager and wider Academy Management Team.

Scout Network Leadership

• Lead, manage and develop the Academy's network of scouts and recruiters.
• Recruit and induct scouts who can effectively represent Colchester United and identify players aligned to the Academy's requirements.
• Establish clear expectations, responsibilities and reporting standards across the scouting network.
• Provide regular feedback, support and continued professional development for Academy scouts.
• Monitor the quality and consistency of scouting reports and player recommendations.
• Build a positive, collaborative recruitment culture with clear accountability for performance.

Relationships & Recruitment Network

• Develop strong relationships with grassroots clubs, professional clubs, schools, development programmes and other relevant football contacts.
• Continually develop the Club's recruitment network and sources of player intelligence.
• Represent Colchester United professionally when engaging with players, parents, clubs and other stakeholders.
• Build trust and positive relationships with prospective players and their families throughout the recruitment process.

Multi-Disciplinary Working

• Work collaboratively with the Academy Manager, coaching, analysis, sports science, medicine, education, player care and safeguarding departments when assessing prospective players.
• Contribute recruitment insight to Academy pathway and player succession discussions.
• Work closely with coaching staff to understand the current and future requirements of each age group.
• Ensure relevant information is shared effectively to support informed and collaborative recruitment decisions.

Governance & Compliance

• Take responsibility for the organisation, management and delivery of the Club's policies and procedures relating to the recruitment of Academy players.
• Ensure all Academy recruitment activity complies with current EFL Youth Development Rules, EPPP requirements and Club policies.
• Take responsibility for the recruitment, registration, training and ongoing development of Academy scouts in accordance with applicable regulations.
• Ensure recruitment records, player information and associated documentation are accurate, secure and appropriately maintained.
• Undertake required continued professional development and in-service training.

Safeguarding

• Maintain accountability and responsibility for safeguarding within all Academy recruitment activity.
• Ensure the welfare and best interests of young people remain central to all recruitment decisions and processes.
• Ensure scouts and recruitment staff understand and consistently apply the Club's safeguarding expectations.
• Work closely with the Club's safeguarding team where required.

About You

• We are looking for an individual who combines strong football judgement with the ability to lead and develop a high-quality Academy recruitment programme.
• Strong experience within Academy recruitment, scouting or talent identification.
• A proven ability to identify potential as well as current performance in young players.
• A strong understanding of the Academy player development pathway from Foundation Phase through to professional football.
• An understanding of the demands and opportunities associated with recruitment within a Category 2 Academy.
• The ability to translate a recruitment strategy into a clear and measurable implementation plan.
• Strong knowledge of the grassroots, Academy and professional football landscape.
• An established and developing network of football contacts.
• Strong leadership and people-management skills.
• The ability to challenge and support scouts to improve the quality of recruitment decisions.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills.
• The ability to present and justify player recommendations clearly.
• Confidence using recruitment databases, video and other information to support talent identification.
• An organised and methodical approach, with the ability to manage multiple recruitment priorities.
• High levels of integrity, discretion and professional judgement.
• A commitment to the development and wellbeing of young people.

Essential Qualifications & Requirements

• Hold, or be actively working towards, The FA Advanced Principles of Talent Identification & Development in Football.
• Hold an Enhanced DBS appropriate to the role.
• Hold a current FA Safeguarding qualification.
• Hold a full UK driving licence.
• Be able to work flexibly, including evenings and weekends, in line with the demands of Academy football.

Equality, Diversity & Inclusion

All staff are expected to understand and uphold their responsibilities relating to safeguarding, equality, diversity and inclusion, as well as all relevant Academy and Club policies, rules and regulations. Colchester United Football Club is committed to creating a diverse and inclusive working environment and welcomes applications from all sections of the community.