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.
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 in London employer: EFL
As a leading Academy in youth development, we pride ourselves on fostering a dynamic and supportive work culture that prioritises professional growth and collaboration. Our commitment to excellence is reflected in our comprehensive coaching programme, where you will have the opportunity to mentor aspiring coaches and shape the future of young talent. Located in a vibrant community, we offer unique advantages such as access to state-of-the-art facilities and a strong emphasis on continuous professional development, making us an exceptional employer for those passionate about making a meaningful impact in sports education.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Lead PDP Coach and Head of Coaching in London
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to your connections in the coaching world, attend industry events, and engage with others on social media. We all know that sometimes it’s not just what you know, but who you know that can help you land that dream role.
✨Tip Number 2
Showcase your skills! Create a portfolio that highlights your coaching achievements, training sessions, and player development successes. We want to see how you’ve made an impact, so don’t hold back on sharing your best work!
✨Tip Number 3
Prepare for interviews by researching the club and its coaching philosophy. We need to know you’re genuinely interested and ready to contribute to the Academy Performance Plan. Tailor your responses to show how your experience aligns with their goals.
✨Tip Number 4
Apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets seen by the right people. Plus, we love seeing candidates who take the initiative to connect directly with us. Don’t miss out on this opportunity!
We think you need these skills to ace Lead PDP Coach and Head of Coaching in London
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Your Passion:When writing your application, let your enthusiasm for coaching and player development shine through. We want to see how much you care about nurturing talent and creating a positive learning environment.
Tailor Your CV:Make sure your CV is tailored to the role of Lead PDP Coach. Highlight your experience with coaching programmes, mentoring staff, and any relevant qualifications. We love seeing how your background aligns with our Academy's goals!
Be Specific in Your Cover Letter:In your cover letter, be specific about how you plan to contribute to the Academy Performance Plan. Share examples of past successes in similar roles and how you can bring that expertise to our team.
Apply Through Our Website:Don’t forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way for us to receive your application and ensures you’re considered for this exciting opportunity. We can’t wait to hear from you!
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 its key components and how they relate to player development. This will show that you're not just interested in the role but are also committed to the academy's vision.
✨Demonstrate Your Coaching Philosophy
Be prepared to discuss your coaching philosophy and how it aligns with the club's values. Think about specific examples from your past experiences where you've successfully implemented a coaching programme or mentored staff. This will help illustrate your capability to lead and develop others.
✨Showcase Your Knowledge of Youth Development Rules
Brush up on the Youth Development (YD) Rules and EPPP compliance. Be ready to discuss how you would ensure adherence to these regulations in your role. This knowledge is crucial for demonstrating your understanding of the framework within which you'll be operating.
✨Prepare Questions for the Interview Panel
Have a list of insightful questions ready for the interview panel. Ask about their expectations for the role, the current challenges faced by the academy, or how they measure success in player development. This shows your genuine interest and helps you gauge if the academy is the right fit for you.
