Education Lead - PGA Women's Academy

Job Location: Academy Training Ground, BR3 1NZ

Contract Type: Full-time

Deadline: 23rd June 2026

About this role

Lead, design and quality-assure the Academy Education Programme across the PGA, ensuring every player receives a personalised, high-quality academic support offer, developed in partnership with the player and their parents/carers, and aligned effectively with the football programme. Ensure players are equipped with the academic, vocational and personal development foundations that prepare them for life in, through and beyond a playing career, supporting long‑term wellbeing, career adaptability and informed decision‑making. Act as the PGA’s strategic lead and primary point of contact for all education providers (schools, colleges, universities and awarding bodies), ensuring clear communication, robust relationships and coordinated scheduling that balances learning, training and competition demands.

Responsibilities

• Create and sustain a safe, inclusive and aspirational education environment that supports individual ambition, manages academic pressure effectively, and meets all FA PGA Licence and safeguarding requirements.
• Work collaboratively within the multidisciplinary team, particularly with the Academy Performance Wellbeing Lead, to ensure education considerations are embedded within holistic player development, while maintaining clear professional boundaries and accountability for education provision.
• Ensure education continuity and coordinated arrangements for players experiencing changes in playing environment, including loan moves, academy dual registrations and academy contract transitions.
• Designing and periodically reviewing the overall Education Programme in partnership with learning providers.
• Coordinating academic pathways (GCSE, A-levels, BTECs, functional skills, FE/HE programmes, DiSE).
• Working with schools and colleges to align timetables with training/competition; arranging compensatory education where required.
• Monitoring academic performance:
• Tracking attendance
• Reviewing attainment and progress
• Implementing early interventions
• Ensuring accurate documentation, reporting and data management across academic records.
• Managing internal verification and quality assurance where the club delivers any elements directly.
• Providing guidance to parents/carers on academic pathways, expectations, and how to support learning alongside football.
• Attending MDT meetings and sharing education updates that may affect performance, wellbeing or availability.
• Liaising with coaches to manage training loads during exam periods or academic pressure points.
• Supporting transition planning for players moving between programmes, age groups or education stages, including supported education transitions for players exiting the PGA.
• Collaborate with the Performance Wellbeing Lead to identify and support wider personal and learning development opportunities for players, ensuring that academic, vocational and life‑skills development is embedded within holistic player care.
• Support education planning and communication for players involved in loan agreements, ADRs or changes to academy contract status, ensuring training, competition and academic schedules remain aligned.
• Support players to develop confidence and independence in managing their academic commitments.
• Coordinating and quality assuring any club-based education delivery (e.g., study).
• Providing guidance, induction and feedback to staff and partner tutors.
• Supporting audit, accreditation and compliance processes linked to the PGA education requirements.
• Modelling the club’s values, professionalism and high educational standards.
• Acting as the primary point of contact with all academic providers.
• Maintaining strong communication channels around progress, concerns and expectations.
• Supporting player transition into senior football, further education, higher education, apprenticeships or employment pathways.
• Support players transitioning into and from national teams, helping them balance the demands of education alongside their club and international football commitments.
• Working closely, but in a complementary way, with the Performance Wellbeing Lead to ensure holistic development is aligned but responsibilities remain distinct.
• Maintain effective relationships with external clubs involved in loan arrangements or ADRs, ensuring clear communication around education responsibilities, expectations and safeguarding.
• Other duties and responsibilities as required by line manager.
• Upholding and promoting the Club’s policies and procedures, including Health and safety, Safeguarding and Equal Opportunities policies and procedures.

Experience, Skills and Qualifications

• QTS or QTLS (with active SET membership for QTLS) – Essential
• FA Safeguarding Children qualification – Essential
• Emergency First Aid / FA IFAiF (or equivalent) – Essential
• Degree in Education, Sport, Social Sciences or a related field
• Coaching or mentoring qualifications that support MDT engagement.
• Teaching, tutoring, mentoring or academic coaching experience.
• Supporting young people through GCSE, Post-16 and FE/HE study pathways.
• Working with external learning providers and navigating dual career pressures.

Benefits

• Complimentary match day ticket
• Reward and Discount Scheme through our Tech Scheme and Simple Health app
• Health and Wellbeing benefit scheme
• 20% Discount in our Retail Stores
• Discounts in various gyms through GymFlex
• Volunteering Day – 1 Workday off to support a charity of your choice.
• Travel Season Ticket loan
• Holiday allowance: 25 Days

Our Commitment to Equality

At Crystal Palace Football Club, Equality, Diversity & Inclusion is spirited and continues to grow due to the working environment, which makes all staff feel appreciated and welcomed. Crystal Palace Football Club do this by encouraging good relations and practices towards different groups and are committed to promoting employment opportunities that celebrate diversity. We are committed to attracting, recruiting, and retaining the most talented candidates and the club intends to ensure that everyone who wishes to engage with the club, whether as matchday fans, staff, players, board members, participants in Foundation programmes and any other person engaged with the club's activities, has a real and equal opportunity to do so.

Reasonable Adjustment

We are proud to be a Disability Confident Employer. We guarantee an interview to all disabled applicants who meet the essential criteria for the role, ensuring equitable opportunities for everyone. If you require disability-related adjustments during the recruitment process, we are here to help you through the whole recruitment process including trying to apply for a vacancy, getting in touch with us through the process, and/or helping with access if you are required to come in for an interview.

Safeguarding

Crystal Palace Football Club is committed to safeguarding and ensuring the welfare and protection of children and vulnerable people and expects all staff to share this commitment. As such, the post holder will be required to undergo any relevant security checks, including a comprehensive background check, Enhanced Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) to ensure the safety and protection of children and vulnerable individuals.