First Team Individual Development Coach in Portsmouth

Portsmouth Football Club is seeking an experienced and forward-thinking Individual Development Coach to join our First Team coaching staff. This is an exciting opportunity to play a key role in helping players maximise their potential through tailored development programmes that support both individual growth and team performance.

Working closely with the Head Coach and multidisciplinary performance staff, you will lead the design, delivery and review of individual development plans, building trusted relationships with players and providing the support, challenge and feedback needed to drive continuous improvement. Alongside this, you will contribute to the planning and delivery of first team training, helping to create a high-performance environment where players can thrive.

• Design and deliver tailored Individual Development Plans (IDPs) for 1st team players, aligned to the Head Coach’s tactical and technical philosophy.
• Conduct regular one-to-one sessions with players, focusing on technical, tactical, physical, and psychological development needs.
• Work closely with the Head Coach, analysts, and sports science staff to identify individual performance gaps and monitor progress.
• Plan and deliver first team training sessions as part of the wider coaching staff, contributing to session design and on-pitch delivery.
• Use video analysis and performance data to inform and review individual development content.
• Maintain detailed records of player development activity and produce progress reports for the Head Coach.
• Build strong working relationships with players to support engagement and buy-in to development programmes.
• Contribute to the wider football department, including scouting, recruitment insight, and loan player management where required.
• Ensure all activity adheres to FA rules, safeguarding policies, and club standards.
• Support the transition of Academy graduates into the First team environment.

Essential

• UEFA A Licence
• Experience supporting player development within professional football, elite academy football, or comparable high-performance environments.
• Demonstrable track record of delivering individual player development programmes.
• Strong communicator with the experience of working collaboratively within multidisciplinary performance environments.
• Proficient in video analysis tools (e.g. Sportscode, Hudl, Wyscout or similar).
• Demonstrable ability to build trusted relationships and positively influence player behaviour and performance.

Preferred

• UEFA Pro Licence or working towards it.
• Experience in a Championship or Premier League environment.

  Additional Requirements

• Enhanced DBS check required.
• FA Safeguarding Certificate (or willingness to obtain).
• Flexibility to work evenings, weekends, and travel as required by the first team schedule.
• Applicants must be eligible to live and work in the UK.

We promote an equal, diverse, and inclusive workplace and we are committed to providing the best experience for our colleagues. As a business we aim to be as representative of as many sections of society as possible, and for each colleague to feel respected and able to give of their best every day. We ensure that we treat people the right way, promote respect and believe that making the most of our differences is the key to the success of our business.

We take a robust approach to modern slavery and human trafficking and our organisation is absolutely committed to preventing slavery and human trafficking in our corporate activities, and to ensuring that our supply chains are free from slavery and human trafficking.

Safeguarding
Portsmouth Football Club is committed to the safeguarding and welfare of all children, young people and adults at risk and expects all staff and volunteers to share this commitment. We are committed to ensuring that any club related activity will be in a safe environment where children, young people and adults at risk are protected from harm or abuse whilst under our care.

We acknowledge that every child, young person, or adult at risk who plays or participates in football should be able to take part in an enjoyable and safe environment and be protected from poor practice and abuse. Portsmouth Football Club recognises that this is the responsibility of every adult involved in our club.

We must always respect the dignity and spirit of all people, including children, young people and adults at risk. Treat everyone fairly, encourage a supportive and positive environment to promote healthy competition, skill development, fun and achievement. Avoid contact or conduct that may be interpreted or defined as inappropriate.

Health and Safety

Portsmouth Football Club is committed to ensuring the health, safety, and well-being of all employees, contractors, visitors, and others who may be affected by our operations.

As part of this commitment, you are expected to take reasonable care for your own health and safety, as well as that of others. You must comply with the company’s health and safety policies, procedures, and any legal requirements relevant to your role. Together, we aim to maintain a safe and supportive environment that promotes the welfare and security of everyone involved in our activities.

Data Protection

The Club process all personal data collected during the recruitment process in accordance with complies with Data Protection Act (2018) and GDPR. Data collected as part of the recruitment process is held securely and accessed by, and disclosed to, individuals only for the purposes of managing the recruitment exercise effectively. All data that is deemed unnecessary will be disposed off at the end of recruitment process in line with our GDPR procedure.

Any job description provided to you by the organisation will not form part of your contract of employment unless specified otherwise.

Please note that you share with us the responsibility for making suggestions to alter the scope of your duties and improve the effectiveness of your post.