Men's Technical Director in Burton upon Trent

About the Role

Following the appointment of John McDermott as Men's Sporting Director, The FA is seeking a Men's Technical Director to shape and deliver a world‑class development pathway for the Men's Development Teams below U21 level, ensuring excellence in coaching, player development and support services. The role leads the Men's Technical Division, ensuring a clear and effective development pathway for emerging talent. The successful candidate works collaboratively with the Men's Sporting Director to align and embed principles throughout the pathway so that players are well prepared for future progression.

Key Responsibilities

• Oversee the development and performance of men's development teams below U21 level, ensuring they support the long‑term success of the England pathway.
• Ensure the Men's Technical Division is aligned behind one plan, underpinned by a strong and healthy culture that leads to the achievement of superior results.
• Lead and deliver the 24-28 strategy for the Men's Technical Division and write and deliver subsequent strategies.
• Oversee the development and performance of the national coaches and national teams in the men's game so they are ready to win at every opportunity and feed the pathway with the next generation of talented players.
• Support the development of national youth teams, ensuring the best young talent is identified, nurtured and integrated into national team programmes.
• Develop and implement frameworks for talent identification and recruitment, including performance analysis, data and scouting within a systematic process focused on both performance and potential.
• Drive innovation and excellence in coaching, player development and talent identification to elevate standards.
• Collaborate with the Men's Sporting Director to ensure development strategies support player progression through the pathway, and that Senior and U21 tournaments and games are supported by staff to the highest level.
• Work with the Director of FA Learning and the Head of Coach Development to ensure the direction and products delivered by Coach Education meet the needs of the men's professional game, offering support and guidance to key roles such as Elite Coach Developer.
• Work closely with representatives from the Premier League and the Football League to support the Elite Player Performance Plan (EPPP), leading The FA's input and evolving the EPPP to support FA objectives.
• Build impactful and constructive relationships with all stakeholders in the best interest of the National Game, and support the Chief Football Officer in stakeholder meetings where technical expertise is required, representing The FA where the Technical Director is required.
• Oversee the delivery of the men's tournament and fixture schedule.
• Work with other Directors to strengthen St George's Park's culture and reputation as an outstanding home for England Teams and Coach Education, ensuring the site supports performance ambitions for England teams.
• Behave as a role model for The FA values and ensure that culture and behaviour at St George's Park can stand up to the highest standards of scrutiny.
• Support the Sporting Director on technical matters where required.

Required Experience & Qualifications

• A proven track record of leading high-performing teams and developing a healthy and inclusive culture, with the ability to role model FA values.
• Evidence of coaching and/or technical leadership within an elite player development environment.
• Experience of working within the English professional game.
• Ability to operate successfully in a matrix organisation where managing and influencing internal stakeholders is paramount.
• Capability to build strong relationships with a complex range of stakeholders.
• Completion of a DBS check, the level of which is based on the activity of the specific job role and in line with legislation and government guidance.

Preferred Skills

• FA Licensed Tutor or experience of coaching coaches.
• Experience with the media.

Workplace

Hybrid working model: the expectation is to work from the contractual location for part of the week and as and when required by the team, with the remaining days worked remotely; the model is kept under review and may be adjusted in future.

The contractual location of the role is stated on the FA Careers page.

Salary

Competitive salary.

Benefits & Perks

• Access to event day tickets at Wembley Stadium, alongside a host of regular internal events throughout the season, encouraging colleagues to connect and learn and to look after their mental health and well-being.
• Free, nutritious lunches at Wembley Stadium and St. George's Park.
• Private medical cover funded by The FA.
• A contributory pension scheme.
• An additional 'Thank You' day's leave, volunteering days, and 25 days of annual leave (based on a full-time, permanent contract).
• A hybrid working model offering greater flexibility.
• Great opportunities to develop and grow in the role.
• Unique office spaces under the arch of the iconic Wembley National Stadium, the home of English Football, and a world-class Elite Performance Centre at St. George's Park in Staffordshire.

Application Process

The process includes an in-person assessment day, and candidates with particular requirements in respect of the recruitment or interview process are asked to mention this during their application.

1. Assessment day held in person on 23 November 2026.

About the Company

The FA is committed to ensuring everyone can flourish in their roles, supported by unique office spaces under the arch of the iconic Wembley National Stadium, the home of English Football, and a world-class Elite Performance Centre at St. George's Park in Staffordshire, which provides an exceptional setting to develop and inspire high‑performing England teams and leaders. The FA is a diverse workplace aspiring to represent football across the country, and actively promotes inclusion and diversity, encouraging employees to be the best version of themselves at work. It welcomes applications from everyone and is proud to be an equal opportunities employer.

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