London FC Lead Coach

We are Girls United: an organisation that stands for a world with a level playing field, on and off the pitch. We establish grassroots football clubs for girls in multiple locations and use football as a tool to empower individuals. Being part of the Girls United team means believing in the cause and being invested in the progress of the organisation. Founded on values of equality, inclusion and empowerment, the organisation is a space for innovation, action and growth with positive social impact at its roots. We are growing quickly and undertaking a series of exciting projects.

Reports to: London Programme Lead (FC)

Hours: Two weekday evening training sessions per week and one Sunday fixture (during term time).

Training: Monday to Thursday evenings, 60 or 90 minutes between 5:00pm and 8:30pm depending on age group, evening and venue.

Fixtures: Sundays, kick-off times between 9:30am and 3:00pm. Duration depends on age group.

Admin: Up to 5 hours of additional admin per month (assorted tasks, more details available during interview process). Must be able to commit to training and match days.

Salary: Lead Coach £17.50p/h (for training we pay an extra 15 minutes for session set‑up, plus session delivery time. Match days are 2-3 hours of work for lead coach, 1.75-2.75 hours for assistant coach). The additional 5 hours of admin are billed at £13.50 per hour of pre‑agreed, itemised work.

Location: South London – Lambeth, Southwark and other surrounding areas.

Description: The position of the Lead Coach consists of delivering structured, age‑appropriate training sessions and matchday experiences across the range of competitive Girls United FC teams (U9 to U16) that play in the Tandridge Youth Football League. The position will include delivery of practical sessions, supporting/developing players and working alongside our existing workforce. The position is for a coach already possessing a level of experience working with youth, female players, who wants to work within an environment to make a positive contribution to our community. Girls United has a growing player pathway through our Play Like a Girl and Love The Game programmes for new girls to take part in football, through our social play sessions during the week to our FC teams who train and take part in league fixtures. Our player pathway also extends onwards from Girls United into local ETC and PGA programmes.

Responsibilities:

• Attending sessions, events and fixtures agreed in advance with the FC Programme Lead.
• Overseeing and supporting assistant coaches who will be delivering parts of or whole sessions.
• Building rapport and trust with players, parents and guardians to ensure they continue to engage with Girls United through our programmes.
• Developing the technical, tactical, social, psychological and physical aspects of individual players to foster learning and create bright outcomes on and off the pitch.
• Working collaboratively with other team members, including other volunteers, sessional staff and contracted staff within Girls United London.
• Supporting in creating and maintaining a positive relationship with community groups and partner organisations (such as venues) to deliver these programmes.
• Overseeing safeguarding and ensuring that player wellbeing and safety are of paramount importance in creating a safe, nurturing, positive and supportive environment for FC players.
• Supporting the wider team with developing the organisation with new ideas, new programmes and new opportunities of growth, experience and delivery.
• Involvement within fixture programme/days – supporting with league administration on the day (using the League App), supporting with officiating of matches, and providing assistance to our team of players.
• Delivering periodic player development reflections and interventions including weekly training review and matchday analysis, player review nights (two times in a season) and scheduled 1:1 meetings with the Programme Lead.

Essential (E) and Desirable (D) Qualities and Qualifications:

• Experience – someone who has at least one season of experience leading a (youth) team in grassroots football (E) in the girls'/women's space. Including delivering sessions and a fixture programme (E).
• Qualifications – FA Level 2 in Football Coaching (or working towards) including an in‑date qualification for Safeguarding Children and First Aid in Football. (E).
• Experience of league administration such as match cards, player cards and match reports. (E).
• Working with an assistant coach. (D).
• Communication – someone who is confident to speak and build positive rapport with various people within the community. For example, our players, parents, venues, schools and funders etc. (E).
• Organisation skills – someone who is able to manage their time effectively and ensure they are punctual in completing their administration tasks alongside attending sessions and other in‑person activities. (E).
• Adaptability and flexibility – work in a fluid, fast‑paced and exciting environment of football. Understanding that hours are often across unsocial times such as weekends and evenings due to our contact with the community of players we have within Girls United FA. (E).