Football Development Coach (20hrs)

Salary: £17-£20 per hour (depending on qualification), or £112 per day

Hours: 20 hours per week (over 4 days per week)

Contract: Sessional, permanent

Location: Venues across South London, including Caterham, Copthorne, Beckenham and Croydon

Closing Date: 3rd July 2026

Interview Date: w/c 6th July 2026

Job Summary

Are you passionate about inspiring young players through football? Join Palace for Life as a Football Development Coach, delivering high-quality after‑school clubs, evening Player Development Centre sessions and holiday programmes. This is a rewarding opportunity to support player progression and create positive football experiences that promote enjoyment of the game. This role is ideal for a coach seeking consistent hours, varied delivery environments and opportunities for professional development within a growing football programme.

What We Offer

• A minimum of 25hrs work per week;
• Training and development opportunities across the organisation;
• The chance to work with the official charity of a Premier League football club;
• A meaningful role where you can make a positive impact on the lives of young people in South London.

Job Description

As Football Development Coach you will:

• Plan and deliver high-quality, age-appropriate football sessions across after-school clubs, Player Development Centres and holiday soccer schools;
• Deliver fun, inclusive and engaging sessions that focus on fundamental skills, movement, game understanding and player development;
• Create positive learning environments that support confidence, enjoyment and progression for players of all abilities;
• Manage and coach players during matches, festivals and tournaments where required, ensuring equal playing opportunities and positive experiences;
• Communicate effectively with players, parents, school staff and fellow coaches;
• Ensure the safety, welfare and wellbeing of all participants, following safeguarding policies and procedures at all times;
• Maintain accurate attendance registers and basic player development records where required;
• Act as a positive role model, promoting excellent behaviour, sportsmanship and respect.

Person Specification

As successful candidate you will:

• Have a passion for using sport to inspire, support and positively impact young people;
• Have experience coaching football, ideally within schools, grassroots or player development environments;
• Hold a FA/UEFA Football Coaching qualification at minimum Level 1, ideally Level 2 or above, alongside FA Emergency First Aid and FA Safeguarding Children qualifications;
• Be confident delivering after-school football clubs in a school setting;
• Be reliable, organised, enthusiastic and willing to learn and develop as a coach;
• Be available for afternoon, evening, weekend and/or holiday work as required.

Safeguarding

We are committed to ensuring the welfare and protection of all children, young people and adults who take part in our activities, and all staff are expected to share this commitment. All successful candidates will go through safer recruitment checks (including a criminal records check) before commencing employment.

Equalities

We endorse the principle of equality and strive to ensure that all our staff and participants have a genuine and equal opportunity to participate to the full extent of their own ambitions and abilities, and can be assured of an environment in which their rights, dignity and worth are respected. We want our staff to reflect the diversity of our local community, and we welcome applications from individuals of all age, disability, sex, gender reassignment, sexual orientation, pregnancy and maternity, race, religion of belief and marriage and civil partnership. As users of the disability confident scheme, we guarantee to interview all disabled applicants who meet the minimum criteria for the vacancy. If you require any reasonable adjustments to be made to support your application, please just let us know.