Head of Local Recruitment in Sheffield

As Head of Local Recruitment you will be responsible for identifying talented players within the region, developing a local scouting network, and assessing players internally within the Academy. You will develop key relationships locally with grassroots clubs, schools/county associations, private academies, and other professional clubs. You will build positive relationships not only across the club but also externally, to ensure we are recruiting the very best players. We are looking for a confident leader who has experience of Talent ID, as well as developing, implementing, and executing recruitment strategies. You will be confident in communicating with all stakeholders while leading the development and implementation of recruitment strategies across the Club.

Role Specific Duties:

• To establish and implement a coverage strategy in appropriate markets; monitoring, scrutinising, and evolving this post-implementation. Strategy and process must use objective and subjective scouting methods to identify and recommend players for signing.
• The local market will be a mainstay within this role, identifying and recruiting the best homegrown players from grassroots clubs, schools/county associations, private academies, and other professional clubs.
• Be involved in the development of, and maintain a strong knowledge of, depth charts, succession planning of Academy groups, and requirements of the Club.
• Maintain and develop a network of contacts that can support the identification of local talent.
• Act as a key point of contact with parents and clubs for player acquisition.
• Develop other initiatives to help identify players such as open trial events, tournaments, and assessment centres.
• To scout and report on players – using scouting database software.
• To work with the team and manage the scouting network resource ensuring that local talent is identified, monitored, and decisions made efficiently and effectively.
• To ensure that information is analysed, utilised, and presented in an effective way.
• Lead departmental meetings and actively participate in other meetings (internal & external) as and when required.
• To develop strong working relationships across the First Team, Academy, and wider Club departments.
• To work with the Academy Manager and Lead Phase Coaches to maintain a list of active targets across the foundation and youth development phase age-groups.
• To be open to the use of data and technology in order to implement efficient ways of storing information and identifying local talent.
• To work closely with the appropriate departments to ensure the operation runs effectively and that a multi-disciplinary approach is followed.
• To ensure that the working practices of the Emerging Talent team meet the requirements of the EPPP and the rules of football's governing bodies.
• The job will require extensive travel locally (within 90 minutes radius), and overseas on occasion, including overnight stays.
• The job will require you to work unsociable hours including evenings and weekends.

About The Candidate

Skills:

• Ability to lead and complete the recruitment process.
• Ability to build relationships with all stakeholders.
• Ability to work as part of, and contribute to, the Academy’s senior multi-disciplinary team.
• Excellent organizational, communication, and IT skills.
• A well-established and productive network within the professional game.
• Ability to effectively manage player, parent & staff relationships.
• Ability to work independently and with internal and external teams.
• Excellent communicator, both written and verbal, who places high value on attention to detail.
• Excellent organisational and time management skills.
• Computer literate (with excellent abilities on Word, Excel, and ideally Database knowledge and application).

Experiences:

• Experience of Talent ID.
• Experience of developing and executing recruitment strategies.
• Experience within a lead role in an Academy football setting, or a similar role.
• Experience operating within a Multi-Disciplinary Team environment and able to appreciate views from other disciplines.
• Knowledge and awareness of EPPP rules and regulations.

About The Club

Sheffield Wednesday Football Club (SWFC) is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children, young people, and vulnerable adults. This post may be subject to a criminal record check or an enhanced DBS check. SWFC is an Equal Opportunities and Disability Confident employer and welcomes applicants from all sectors of the community. SWFC Academy is a Category 2 Academy under EPPP rules.