Academy Player Loans and Transitions Lead

Derby County are seeking to recruit an Academy Player Loans and Transitions Lead to join the Academy Coaching Department at Moor Farm. Working for Derby County Football Club offers a unique opportunity to be part of one of England’s most historic and passionately supported clubs. With a proud legacy, a dedicated fan base, and an exciting vision for the future, Derby County offers a dynamic and rewarding work environment both on and off the pitch. Whether you’re joining the team in coaching, administration, marketing, or operations, you’ll be contributing to a culture rooted in ambition, community, and progress. Employees benefit from a collaborative work environment and opportunities for professional development.

The successful candidate will be responsible for delivering a robust Academy strategy for player development loans by creating a loan cell around each player, ensuring a high level of Inter‑Disciplinary support through structured check‑ins, consistent monitoring, and efficient interventions. The postholder will also lead on the exit & transition strategy, providing best‑in‑class support for players leaving the programme across the U9‑U21 age groups. This will be facilitated by working closely with Academy leadership, Football Operations, Recruitment, and Education & Player Services. Strong relationship management is vital, and the successful candidate should possess outstanding communication skills, a strong contact base across Academy football, and the emotional intelligence to support players and families at key transition points.

Key Role Responsibilities

• Loan Management (U17–U21)
  • Create a robust assessment framework for all potential loan destinations to ensure player placement can be assessed against key factors such as playing style, coaching styles, cultural fit, training demands, and likelihood of meaningful playing minutes.
  • Identify, arrange, and manage suitable loan opportunities aligned to each player’s developmental needs and the club’s long‑term strategy.
  • Create and maintain strong relationships with loan clubs to ensure expectations, playing opportunities, and development plans are monitored effectively.
  • Conduct regular check‑ins with loaned players, both in person and remotely, ensuring alignment with the Loan Cell’s monitoring plan.
  • Attend matches and review footage to assess performance, match minutes, positional demands, and progress against IDP KPIs.
  • Ensure training observations are completed to monitor player behaviours within their temporary environment.
  • Oversee the collection and review of GPS data, training loads, physical benchmarks, and medical updates.
  • Ensure professional standards are upheld, including punctuality, behaviour, lifestyle, and training habits.
  • Produce structured weekly updates for the Academy Manager and relevant staff.
  • Work with Football Administration to ensure all loan agreements are compliant and delivered efficiently.
• Loan Cell Leadership & MDT Coordination
  • Establish a Loan Cell for every player going on loan, ensuring representation from Coaching, Medical, Performance, Analysis, Education and Player Services.
  • Lead the Loan Cell to deliver a consistent, high‑quality monitoring process aligned to club standards and the Academy Loan Process framework.
  • Ensure all pre‑loan checks are completed, including IDP review, KPI agreement, medical needs, communication expectations, and risk considerations.
  • Coordinate the frequency, format, and quality of all MDT check‑ins, ensuring each discipline fulfils its responsibilities.
  • Maintain a centralised record of all communication, reports, and interventions across the MDT.
  • Ensure concerns around wellbeing, performance, safeguarding, or conduct are escalated promptly and appropriately.
• Player Exits & Transitions Out of the Academy (U9–U21)
  • Junior Academy (U9–U16)
    • Lead alongside our Head of Education & Player Services a structured, compassionate exit process for all U9–U16 players leaving the Academy.
    • Provide individualised next‑step guidance, including football opportunities, grassroots placements, education support, and wellbeing resources.
    • Build and maintain a network of local clubs, schools, and community partners to support positive destination outcomes.
    • Support on age‑appropriate exit meetings with players and families, ensuring clarity and psychological safety.
    • Produce written transition summaries outlining strengths, development areas, and recommended next steps.
    • Ensure all exit processes meet EPPP, safeguarding, and welfare standards.
    • Track outcomes for released players to evaluate programme effectiveness.
  • Professional Development Phase (U17–U21)
    • Manage the transition process for players not offered scholarships, professional contracts, or retention.
    • Provide tailored support for trial opportunities and agent engagement.
    • Coordinate with Recruitment, Player Services, and external clubs to secure appropriate next‑step environments.
    • Ensure all decisions and communications are delivered professionally and sensitively.
• Operational & Administrative Responsibilities
  • Maintain accurate records of player interactions, loan progress, and match observations.
  • Provide consistent communication with key stakeholders, ensuring clarity and alignment across departments.
  • Support Academy audits, reviews, and reporting requirements related to loans and player transitions.
  • Lead end‑of‑loan reviews, ensuring all MDT staff contribute to the final assessment and next‑step recommendations, which are then presented to the Academy Manager and Technical Board.

Personal characteristics and experience

• Professional playing or working experience in men’s / women’s Senior or Academy football.
• Direct involvement in player development, recruitment, performance support or transition management.
• Evidence of building and maintaining relationships within Football / Sport.
• Experience of managing sensitive conversations with players and families, particularly around exits, performance and wellbeing.
• Experience of working in Elite / High Performance environments.
• Previous responsibility for loan management, player monitoring or external placements.
• Experience designing or delivering structured development frameworks or processes.

Qualifications Essential

• UEFA B License or working towards FA Talent ID Qualifications
• Current FA Safeguarding Certificate
• Enhanced DBS Clearance
• Emergency Aid Certificate
• Full UK Driving License

Salary is competitive, dependent on experience. This is a full‑time role, and due to the demands of professional football, there is a requirement for weekend and evening work, as well as regular national travel.