At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead coach development and create a supportive environment for continuous improvement.
- Company: Fleetwood Town Football Club, a forward-thinking Academy with a strong player development track record.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, flexible working hours, and a state-of-the-art training facility.
- Other info: Join a passionate team dedicated to nurturing talent and fostering a culture of learning.
- Why this job: Make a real impact on coaching standards and player development in a dynamic football environment.
- Qualifications: UEFA A Licence, significant experience in professional football academies, and strong mentoring skills.
The predicted salary is between 40500 - 49500 £ per year.
Department: Academy
Location: Poolfoot Farm Training Complex
Reports To: Academy Manager
Working Hours: Flexible, as required by the Academy Manager. Evening and weekend work will be expected.
Salary: Competitive, dependent on experience
Length: Permanent
Role Overview
Fleetwood Town Football Club is offering an exciting opportunity for an outstanding Head of Coach Development to lead the development of coaching practice across the Academy. The Head of Coach Development will be responsible for creating an environment in which all full-time and part-time coaches are supported, challenged and empowered to continually improve their practice and maximise their impact on player development. Working across the Foundation Phase, Transition Phase, Youth Development Phase and Professional Development Phase, the successful candidate will lead the Academy's coach development strategy, ensuring coaches consistently plan, design, deliver and evaluate effective training sessions that are aligned to the Club's Playing Philosophy, Coaching Philosophy and Academy Performance Plan. The role will have responsibility for establishing and maintaining high coaching standards across the Academy through a combination of formal and informal observation, mentoring, feedback, individual development planning, CPD and reflective practice. The Head of Coach Development will work closely with the Academy Manager, Phase Leads and the wider multidisciplinary team to ensure that coach development remains central to the Academy's approach and has a direct and measurable impact on player development. You will be part of a forward-thinking Academy with a strong track record of developing players who progress through the football pyramid and regularly feature in the First Team. The role is based at the Club's £10 million Poolfoot Farm training facility.
Person Specification
- Essential
- UEFA A Licence
- Advanced Youth Award
- Significant experience working within a professional football academy environment
- Demonstrable experience of developing coaches through observation, feedback and mentoring
- Experience of designing and delivering coach education and CPD programmes
- Strong understanding of the EPPP and academy football
- Experience of developing coaches across multiple phases
- Excellent communication and interpersonal skills
- Ability to build effective relationships and provide constructive challenge
- FA Safeguarding Children requirements
- Emergency First Aid qualification
- Full driving licence and access to transport
- Desirable
- Experience working within a Category 1 or Category 2 Academy
- Experience of first-team integration and player pathways
- Experience of leading an Academy-wide coach development programme
- Experience of working with a Coach Expertise Framework or similar coaching competency framework
- Experience of developing coaching curricula and/or playing philosophy
Key Responsibilities
- Coach Development & Mentoring
- Act as a coach educator, mentor and critical friend to support the individual development needs of coaches across all phases of the Academy.
- Develop strong professional relationships with coaches, creating an environment of trust, openness, reflection and constructive challenge.
- Establish and manage a formal and informal coaching observation programme across the Academy.
- Conduct regular Coach Expertise Framework (CEF) observations and provide high-quality, individualised feedback to coaches.
- Use observations, coach self-reflection, player outcomes and other relevant evidence to identify development priorities.
- Ensure every Academy coach has a personalised Development Action Plan (DAP) with clear, meaningful and measurable development objectives.
- Regularly review DAPs with coaches and ensure actions are implemented, monitored and evaluated throughout the season.
- Support coaches to take ownership of their own professional development and develop a culture of continuous learning and reflective practice.
- Coaching Standards & Quality Assurance
- Establish, monitor and continually improve coaching standards across all phases of the Academy.
- Ensure coaching practice is consistently aligned with the Club's Playing Philosophy, Coaching Philosophy and Academy Performance Plan.
- Monitor the quality and effectiveness of training sessions and provide appropriate support and challenge to coaches.
- Identify areas of good practice and areas requiring improvement across the Academy's coaching programme.
- Promote consistency while recognising the individual needs of different age groups, phases, players and coaches.
- Work with phase leads to ensure coaching standards are understood, implemented and maintained.
- Coach Education & CPD
- Design, implement and manage the Academy's annual Coach Development and Continued Professional Development programme.
- Ensure CPD reflects the Club's Playing Philosophy, Coaching Philosophy, Academy priorities and individual coach development needs.
- Deliver and facilitate a varied programme of formal and informal learning opportunities, including workshops, mentoring, peer learning, practical sessions and reflective practice.
- Identify appropriate internal and external CPD opportunities for Academy coaching staff.
- Maintain accurate and up-to-date records of coaching qualifications, CPD and development activity.
- Ensure all coaches are supported in maintaining their relevant qualifications and licence requirements.
- Encourage coaches to engage with external learning opportunities, governing bodies and wider professional networks.
- Coaching Curriculum & Resources
- Support the development and continual review of the Academy coaching curriculum.
- Ensure coaching programmes are age appropriate, progressive and aligned to the Club's Playing Philosophy.
- Develop and maintain a library of best-practice sessions and coaching resources for Academy staff.
- Promote the sharing of good practice across phases and encourage coaches to contribute to the Academy's collective learning.
- Support coaches in planning, designing, delivering and evaluating effective training sessions with clear learning outcomes.
- Ensure coaching resources and documentation are accessible, relevant and regularly reviewed.
- Academy Strategy & Player Development
- Contribute to the Academy's decision-making processes relating to player progression, pathways, recruitment and retention.
- Ensure the development of coaches is directly linked to the Academy's wider player development strategy.
- Work collaboratively with phase leads and other Academy staff to ensure coaching practice supports individual player development.
- Contribute to succession planning for coaching staff to support the long-term sustainability and development of the Academy.
- Support the development of a clear and consistent coaching pathway throughout the Academy and into the professional game.
- Contribute to the Academy Performance Plan and provide appropriate evidence and reporting relating to the coaching programme.
- Multi-Disciplinary Working
- Build strong relationships with the Academy's multidisciplinary departments and collaborate effectively to support the coaching programme.
- Promote an integrated approach to player and coach development across technical, tactical, physical, psychological, social and educational areas.
- Work with relevant departments to ensure coaches have access to the information and support required to maximise their impact on player development.
- Leadership & Academy Management
- Attend and contribute to Academy Management Team meetings, providing updates and recommendations relating to the Academy's coaching programme and coach development strategy.
- Work closely with the Academy Manager to ensure the Academy's coaching strategy and coach development priorities are effectively implemented.
- Provide regular reporting on coaching standards, coach development activity, CPD and progress against identified priorities.
- Support the wider Academy leadership team in maintaining a positive, high-performance and learning-focused culture.
- Attend all relevant CPD and professional development opportunities as instructed by the Academy Manager.
- Take responsibility for maintaining and developing your own professional knowledge and practice.
- Carry out any other reasonable duties as directed by the Academy Manager.
Fleetwood Town Football Club is fully committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children, young people, and adults. We expect all staff, volunteers, and applicants to share this commitment and uphold the highest standards of professional behaviour. The post is subject to relevant DBS checks as part of our safer recruitment process.
Closing Date: 16th September 2026
Interview Date: 18th September 2026
Start Date: TBC
Head of Coach Development in Fleetwood employer: EFL
Cardiff City Football Club is an exceptional employer that fosters a dynamic and inclusive work environment, dedicated to the long-term development of its staff and players alike. With a strong emphasis on professional growth, employees benefit from access to cutting-edge analysis tools and a collaborative culture that encourages innovation and excellence in performance analysis. Located in the vibrant city of Cardiff, the club offers unique opportunities to engage with a passionate community and contribute to the success of a storied football institution.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Head of Coach Development in Fleetwood
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We think you need these skills to ace Head of Coach Development in Fleetwood
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Off Your Passion for Sports:In your cover letter, let your enthusiasm for sports and recreation shine through! We want to see your genuine interest in the industry and how it's shaped your career choices. Sharing specific experiences, like managing a team or organising an event, can really make you stand out.
Highlight Relevant Experience:When crafting your CV, focus on any relevant internships, volunteer work, or part-time jobs related to sports and recreation management. Make sure to quantify your achievements – did you increase team participation by a certain percentage or successfully lead a project? Numbers speak volumes!
Tailor Your CV for Sports Management:Use a CV format that emphasises your skills in leadership, teamwork, and event coordination. Don’t forget to include specific training or certifications that relate to sports management, as these can set you apart from other applicants. We love seeing candidates with relevant qualifications!
Express Your Long-Term Goals:In your application, we want to see your career aspirations in sports management. Don’t hesitate to include how you envision your future in this industry and how joining EFL aligns with those goals. We’re looking for candidates who are not just a perfect fit for the role but are also excited about growing with us!
How to prepare for a job interview at EFL
✨Highlight Your Passion for Sports
When chatting with EFL, make sure to express your genuine love for sports and recreation. Share experiences that showcase your passion, whether it's managing a local sports team, organising events, or simply being an active participant in various activities. This helps them see you're not just a fit on paper, but also someone who truly cares about the field.
✨Showcase Your Management Skills
This role is all about managing resources and people, so be ready to discuss your leadership and organisational skills. Prepare some examples from your past experiences where you've successfully led a team or managed a project, particularly in a sports or recreation setting. Use the STAR (Situation, Task, Action, Result) technique to make your answers concise and impactful.
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Expect case studies or scenario-based questions that assess your problem-solving and decision-making skills. You might be asked how you would handle a tricky situation, such as resolving a conflict between team members or managing a crisis during a major event. Think through these scenarios and practice how you’d articulate your thought process and solutions.
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In the sports and recreation management field, teamwork is essential. During the interview, be prepared to discuss how you work within a team and foster a collaborative environment. Share success stories where teamwork led to a positive outcome, emphasising how you built relationships and encouraged participation among team members to achieve a common goal.
