Head of Academy Recruitment in Stevenage

To have a passion in Talent Identification and Youth Development. Candidates should hold the FA Talent ID Award with a strong passion for technical and tactical trends in football, high awareness of current best practice and theories in Talent Identification at all Academy age groups in both the UK and Europe and thrive on football analytics. Meticulous attention to detail will be important in many areas including ensuring EPPP and scouting protocols are met.

About The Candidate

• Qualifications
• FA Talent Identification Award
• Basic First Aid for Sport
• Safeguarding & Child Protection
• Sports Coaching/Science or Sports Management Degree
• Current DBS Certificate
• Skills, Knowledge & Experience
• Extensive knowledge and experience of the football industry and regulations governing players and recruitment
• Knowledge of the local catchment area and the structure and organisation of club and school football for player recruitment
• Experience in a leadership role within academy recruitment
• Proven record of successfully identifying and recruiting talented young players across all phases of academy football
• Strong understanding of the Elite Player Performance Plan (EPPP)
• Experience in scouting and talent identification processes and procedures
• IT proficiency, including use of Performance Management Application (PMA) software and Microsoft Office (Excel, Word, Outlook)
• Excellent interpersonal and communication skills
• Attitude / Behaviours
• Ability to work under pressure and meet tight deadlines
• Strong team player mentality
• Reliable and dependable
• Personal Qualities
• High level of discretion
• Personable with the ability to build strong individual relationships
• Hardworking and enthusiastic
• Empathetic towards young players
• Adaptable to changing circumstances

About The Club

Founded in 1976 as Stevenage Borough Football Club, we dropped the 'Borough' from our name in 2010 when we won promotion to the English Football League for the first time in our history, although it has stuck as our nickname. We currently play in Sky Bet League One, the third tier of English football. Our home games are played at The Lamex Stadium, which has a capacity of 7,800 supporters. Over the years, we have achieved a huge amount in our relatively short history: including 2 FA Trophies, 2 Conference National titles, a League Two Play-Off Trophy & automatic promotion to League One in 2023.

Safeguarding Statement

Stevenage Football Club is committed to safeguarding the welfare of children and young people and expects all staff and volunteers to endorse this commitment. This post requires Enhanced Criminal Records Checks and may include checks against the Barred Lists, as such it is exempt from Rehabilitation of Offenders Act (1974). Therefore all convictions including spent convictions that have not been subject to filtering by the DBS should be declared. Relevant information and/or documents will be distributed as part of the recruitment process.

BAME Declaration

The English Football League has introduced positive action measures aimed at tackling the under-representation of coaches and managers from Black, Asian and Minority Ethnic (BAME) backgrounds. New regulations require clubs to shortlist at least one suitably qualified BAME candidate (where an application has been received) for all roles in Academy football that require a UEFA A or UEFA B Licence. As part of the application process, you will therefore be asked to declare your ethnicity.

Equality and Diversity Statement

Stevenage Football Club is an equal opportunities employer and staff will be regarded equally and will be given equal opportunities irrespective of sex, age, race, religion or belief, marriage or civil partnership, disability, sexual orientation, gender reassignment, pregnancy or maternity, ethnic or national origin. Further training on Anti-Discrimination and Inclusion is available to all.