First Team Individual Development Coach in Blackburn

Job title:

First Team Individual Development Coach

Department:

Senior Coaching

Based at:

Senior Training Centre, Brockhall Village, Old Langho, BB2 8FA. Flexibility regarding location is required.

Reports to:

Assistant Head Coach and Head of Player Development

Responsible for:

N/A

Hours of work:

40 hours per week plus any additional hours necessary for the performance of duties. This will include evening and weekend work.

Contractual Status:

Permanent

Job purpose:

To embed a consistent, measurable and individualised player development approach within the first team, working collaboratively with staff to deliver the club’s philosophy through structured Individual Development Plans (IDPs) and ensuring every player’s progress is maximised, regardless of selection status, injury, loan or squad travel.

2. Duties and responsibilities:

• To be committed to ensuring the safeguarding and welfare of all staff and players, promoting their well-being whilst maintaining professional boundaries;
• Assist in the delivery process of the IDPs for first-team players and players in the Professional Development Phase (PDP), including those on loan and in transition to the first team;
• Tailor technical sessions that address technical skills, tactical understanding, physical conditioning and mental resilience, linked to the club's principles and each player's position-specific priorities;
• Develop an understanding of each player's learning style, personality and motivations, and tailor coaching approaches accordingly;

• Conduct regular one-to-one meetings with players to discuss performance, establish trust, set personalised goals and monitor progress, with a structured IDP review held with every player each development block;
• Work with the medical and sports science teams to ensure a seamless transition of players returning from both long and short-term injuries;
• Design a structured process for identified ‘high potential’ Academy players (YDP / PDP phases) to gain progressive exposure to first-team training and the matchday environment.
• Collaborate closely with the data department to connect the pitch, video and analysis evaluations of player performance and development with the objective breakdown of each player's performance and trajectory;
• Track and monitor individual development against defined benchmarks, ensuring all records are accurate, securely stored and accessible to authorised staff on the club's platforms;
• Create and deliver engaging and challenging individual and small-group sessions that cater to the specific needs of each player, utilising innovative coaching techniques and technology, including the club’s on-pitch coaching cart;
• Plan sessions with the existing coaching and sports science staff so that content fits within the weekly training load and match cycle;
• Build a position-specific best practice library of session plans with accompanying videos;
• Remain at the training centre on matchdays and during squad travel to coach players not selected for the matchday squad and players returning from injury;
• Oversee the technical content of these sessions in collaboration with medical and sports science staff, respecting return-to-play protocols and load targets;
• Review first-team / PDP matches to assess individual player performance;
• Produce clear, impactful presentations for players and staff in PowerPoint/Keynote, including match and training reviews;
• Work closely with the club's analysis department to clip, code and annotate training sessions and matches;
• Encourage players to take ownership of their learning through guided self-analysis and personal clip libraries; and
• Uphold the club's safeguarding, data protection and code of conduct policies at all times, with particular care when working with young professionals.