At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead and develop the Academy coaching programme, ensuring high-quality player development.
- Company: Join a dynamic football academy committed to excellence in youth coaching.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, professional development opportunities, and a supportive team environment.
- Other info: Be part of a collaborative team with excellent career growth potential.
- Why this job: Make a real impact on young athletes' lives and shape the future of football.
- Qualifications: Experience in coaching, strong leadership skills, and knowledge of youth development rules.
The predicted salary is between 40000 - 50000 £ per year.
About The Role
The Lead PDP Coach and Head of Coaching is expected to lead the delivery and development of the Academy coaching programme. As a member of the Academy Management Team, the role supports the Academy Manager in implementing the Academy Performance Plan and ensuring compliance with EPPP and EFL Youth Development Rules. The role is responsible for designing and delivering a consistent, high-quality coaching curriculum, overseeing Individual Learning Plans for Academy Players, and coordinating multidisciplinary support to maximise player development. In addition, this role is expected to lead, mentor, and performance‑manage Academy coaches, ensuring coaching standards, professional practice, and player development processes are aligned.
Key Responsibilities
- Be part of the Academy Management Team (AMT), contribute to the Academy Performance Plan (APP), and assist the Academy Manager in running the operations of the Academy in accordance with the APP.
- Good working knowledge of the Youth Development (YD) Rules, ensuring that rules relevant to this position are being met.
- Lead the design, delivery, and continuous development of the Academy coaching programme in line with the APP.
- Deliver high‑quality training sessions for the PDP age group focused on the technical, tactical, physical, psychological, and social aspects of player development.
- Ensure each player in the PDP has an Individual Learning Plan (ILP), regularly reviewed and updated through multidisciplinary input in line with EFL Youth Development Rules.
- Mentor, support and manage academy coaching staff across all youth phases, with a specific focus on ensuring quality and consistency in coaching delivery and ensuring alignment of coaching practices across all age groups.
- Co‑ordinate and work with all academy departments including sports science, medical, and education departments to deliver an integrated development programme.
- Collaborate with the Head of Education to contribute to the delivery of the Sporting Excellence Programme (SEP) for football apprentices, ensuring they receive holistic support in their technical, tactical, physical, and personal development.
- Partake in Continued Professional Development (CPD) organised by the Academy, and attend the required amount of in‑service training provided by The FA each year.
- Accurately record session plans, reviews, and player progress reports, ensuring everything is tracked on the Football Intelligence Platform.
- Attend all fixtures and training sessions as well as Academy meetings, workshops, presentations and any other academy events as required.
- Onboarding and performance management of academy coaches, ensuring compliance with EPPP, YD Rules and EFL audit requirements.
- Ensure that personal and departmental KPIs are being met, and undertake the corrective necessary action if not.
- Uphold safeguarding, equality, and health & safety standards at all times, and contribute to a positive learning environment.
- Ensure all facilities and property (kit, equipment etc.) is kept in good order and properly used, stored and maintained to avoid damage, destruction or loss due to negligence.
- Abide by all Club policies and processes including, but not exclusive to, safeguarding, equality and health & safety.
- Maintain high standards of work and act in a professional manner at all times whilst representing the Club.
Pre‑employment Vetting Checks
- EFL self‑declaration form
- Criminal record checks (DBS)
- Two professional references
Lead PDP Coach and Head of Coaching employer: EFL
Portsmouth FC is an exceptional employer, offering a dynamic and inclusive work environment at our state-of-the-art training ground in Portsmouth. We are dedicated to the professional growth of our staff, providing extensive development opportunities and fostering a culture of collaboration and innovation. Join us to be part of a passionate team that values strong relationships and is committed to nurturing talent both on and off the field.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Lead PDP Coach and Head of Coaching
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to your contacts in the coaching world and let them know you're on the lookout for opportunities. You never know who might have a lead or can put in a good word for you.
✨Tip Number 2
Show up at events! Attend coaching workshops, seminars, or any relevant gatherings. It's a great way to meet people, learn new things, and showcase your passion for player development.
✨Tip Number 3
Be proactive! If you see a club or academy that excites you, don’t wait for a job posting. Reach out directly, express your interest, and share how you can contribute to their coaching programme.
✨Tip Number 4
Apply through our website! We’ve got loads of opportunities waiting for passionate coaches like you. Make sure to check it out and submit your application to join our team!
We think you need these skills to ace Lead PDP Coach and Head of Coaching
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Your Passion for Coaching:When writing your application, let your enthusiasm for coaching shine through! Share specific examples of how you've developed players or improved coaching practices in the past. We want to see that you’re not just qualified, but genuinely excited about making a difference.
Tailor Your Application:Make sure to customise your application to align with our Academy Performance Plan and the key responsibilities outlined in the job description. Highlight your experience with EPPP and EFL Youth Development Rules, as this will show us you understand what we’re all about.
Be Clear and Concise:Keep your application straightforward and to the point. Use clear language and avoid jargon where possible. We appreciate a well-structured application that makes it easy for us to see your qualifications and fit for the role.
Apply Through Our Website:Don’t forget to submit your application through our website! This ensures that your application gets to the right people quickly. Plus, it’s a great way to show us you’re tech-savvy and know how to navigate online platforms.
How to prepare for a job interview at EFL
✨Know the Academy Performance Plan Inside Out
Before your interview, make sure you thoroughly understand the Academy Performance Plan (APP). Familiarise yourself with how it aligns with the EPPP and EFL Youth Development Rules. This will show that you're not just interested in the role but also committed to the academy's vision.
✨Prepare to Discuss Coaching Methodologies
Be ready to talk about your coaching philosophy and how you would design and deliver a high-quality coaching curriculum. Think of specific examples from your past experiences where you've successfully implemented training sessions that focus on player development across various aspects.
✨Showcase Your Mentoring Skills
Since mentoring is a key part of this role, prepare to discuss how you've supported and developed other coaches in the past. Share specific instances where your guidance led to improved coaching standards or player outcomes, demonstrating your leadership capabilities.
✨Highlight Your Collaborative Approach
Collaboration with different departments is crucial for this position. Be prepared to explain how you've worked with multidisciplinary teams in the past. Discuss how you can integrate support from sports science, medical, and education departments to enhance player development.
