At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead and inspire the U15/U16 England Women's squad, developing future football talent.
- Company: Join The FA, a leader in promoting women's football in England.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, free lunches, event tickets, and flexible working options.
- Other info: Work at iconic Wembley Stadium and St. George's Park with excellent growth opportunities.
- Why this job: Make a real impact on young athletes' careers in a dynamic environment.
- Qualifications: UEFA A Licence and experience in developing elite players required.
The predicted salary is between 50000 - 60000 £ per year.
We are looking for a Women's Pathway Head Coach to lead and manage the England Women's WU15 / WU16 squad and provide technical leadership for England Women's talent system. The role will be responsible for developing England's future talent within high performance settings, preparing players for entry to and progression through the pathway in international football. The role will contribute to an aligned world‑class performance pathway for England winning teams. The role will also support the development of outstanding coaches in collaboration with FA Learning. This will be a 3 year fixed term contract until 31st July 2029.
Interviews are currently scheduled to be held on the 25th or 29th June at The National Football Centre, St. George's Park. We will inform shortlisted candidates of any changes.
What will you be doing?
- Lead the U15 / U16 Team & Performance Culture: Provide inspirational leadership to players and staff, establishing a culture of excellence and continuous improvement in preparation for, delivery of, and review of international camps and events.
- Technical Leadership of Talent and Teams: Provide outstanding technical leadership to players and coaches across U15 / U16 age groups, including talent programmes associated to England teams.
- Develop & Deliver the Seasonal Plan: Design and implement the seasonal plan for U15 & U16 activity, along with all associated Regional and National talent activity ensuring alignment with the talent pathway calendar, and the England Youth Team Strategy – One Pride, Built to Roar.
- Manage Coaching Staff: Line manage the Emerging Talent Head Coach and age group multidisciplinary teams (MDT), ensuring effective collaboration, professional development, and alignment with the team's objectives.
- Lead Planning and Preparation for Development Tournaments and Fixtures: Lead the planning and delivery of UEFA Development tournaments, and a programme of fixtures which ensures development opportunities as well as high challenge opportunities against European and world opposition - in preparation for U17 age group.
- Player Development: Develop clarity on the strengths and performance gaps of high potential players, accurately assessing their readiness for progression in the pathway.
- Talent Identification: Carry out regular talent identification activity, working closely with Talent ID functions across the division, and conduct regular club visits to maintain an up‑to‑date understanding of player performance and potential.
- Squad Selection & Collaboration: Select squads for England events, ensuring opportunity for a good depth of talent to enter into the England pathway.
- Coach Development & Knowledge Sharing: Support the FA Education Strategy by assisting in the development of outstanding coaches in the female game.
- Safeguarding, Health & Wellbeing Compliance: Ensure full compliance with The FA's Safeguarding Policy and all company policies and procedures.
Essential for the role:
- UEFA A Licence
- High level people development skills and experience
- Consistent, successful experience of management and development of elite players and multi‑disciplinary staff
- Ability to demonstrate inspirational leadership on and off the pitch
- Significant experience of working with youth players with a track record of high performance
- Experience of working in high performance environments
- Deep knowledge of technical and tactical components of the game
- Experience of being a Head Coach within the female game
- Ability to create and implement a Player Development Plan
- Proficient use of tech applications and systems
Beneficial to have:
- The FA Advanced Youth Award
- Teaching experience
- Experience working in the WSL, Championship and or in an Academy set‑up
- Understanding of the talent system and benchmarks in England
- Understanding of domestic women's football landscape in England and across Europe
- Understanding of the top level demands of international football
What's in it for you?
We are committed to ensuring everyone can flourish in their roles. To achieve this, we have unique office spaces under the arch of the iconic Wembley National Stadium, which is the home of English Football. We are also delighted to offer a world‑class, Elite Performance Centre, St. George's Park in Staffordshire.
We pride ourselves on offering a competitive salary as well as great opportunities to develop and grow in your role. Below are some of the benefits:
- Access to event day tickets at Wembley Stadium and a host of regular internal events throughout the season.
- Free, nutritious lunches at Wembley Stadium and St. George's Park.
- Free private medical cover.
- A contributory pension scheme.
- An additional 'Thank You' day’s leave, volunteering days, as well as 25 days of annual leave.
- A hybrid working model offering greater flexibility.
We are a diverse workplace, aspiring to represent football across the country. The Football Association actively promotes inclusion and diversity, encouraging you to be the best version of yourself at work.
We welcome applications from everyone and are proud to be an equal opportunities employer. If you have any particular requirements in respect of the recruitment or interview process, please mention this during your application.
As part of the FA's commitment to ensuring a safe environment for everyone in football, every employee will be required to complete a DBS check.
Women's England Pathway Head Coach (U15 &16S) - 3 Year FTC thefa employer: Kick it Out
The Football Association is an exceptional employer, offering a unique opportunity to lead and inspire the next generation of female football talent at the iconic St. George's Park and Wembley Stadium. With a commitment to employee growth, competitive benefits including free lunches, private medical cover, and a hybrid working model, we foster a culture of excellence and inclusivity, ensuring that every team member can thrive both personally and professionally in a dynamic environment dedicated to the development of women's football.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Women's England Pathway Head Coach (U15 &16S) - 3 Year FTC thefa
✨Tip Number 1
Get to know the organisation! Research The FA and their values, especially around women's football. This will help you tailor your approach during interviews and show that you're genuinely interested in contributing to their mission.
✨Tip Number 2
Network like a pro! Connect with current or former coaches and staff within The FA. They can provide insider tips and might even put in a good word for you. Plus, it’s a great way to learn about the culture and expectations.
✨Tip Number 3
Prepare for those interviews! Think about how your experience aligns with the role's requirements. Be ready to discuss your leadership style and how you've developed players in the past. Practice makes perfect!
✨Tip Number 4
Apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets seen. Plus, you’ll have access to all the latest opportunities and updates directly from The FA.
We think you need these skills to ace Women's England Pathway Head Coach (U15 &16S) - 3 Year FTC thefa
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Your Passion:When writing your application, let your passion for developing young talent shine through. We want to see how much you care about the game and the players' growth. Share your experiences that highlight your commitment to women's football!
Tailor Your Application:Make sure to tailor your application to the specific role of Women's Pathway Head Coach. Highlight your relevant experience and skills that align with the job description. We love seeing candidates who understand what we're all about at StudySmarter!
Be Clear and Concise:Keep your application clear and to the point. Use straightforward language and avoid jargon where possible. We appreciate a well-structured application that makes it easy for us to see your qualifications and enthusiasm.
Apply Through Our Website:Don't forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way for us to receive your application and ensures you’re considered for the role. Plus, it gives you a chance to explore more about what we do at StudySmarter!
How to prepare for a job interview at Kick it Out
✨Know Your Football Inside Out
Make sure you brush up on the latest trends and strategies in women's football, especially at the youth level. Familiarise yourself with the England Women's How We Play principles and be ready to discuss how you would implement these in your coaching.
✨Showcase Your Leadership Style
Prepare to share specific examples of how you've inspired and developed players and staff in previous roles. Think about your approach to creating a culture of excellence and continuous improvement, and be ready to discuss how you would apply this to the U15 and U16 teams.
✨Plan for Player Development
Be ready to outline your vision for player development within the England pathway. Discuss how you would assess players' strengths and gaps, and how you would create tailored Player Development Plans that align with the overall talent strategy.
✨Engage with the Multidisciplinary Team
Highlight your experience working with multidisciplinary teams and how you would facilitate collaboration among coaches, medical staff, and other stakeholders. Be prepared to discuss how you would lead effective meetings to ensure everyone is aligned with the team's objectives.
