Head of Coach Development in Hampshire, Portsmouth

Portsmouth FC are seeking to recruit a forward thinking and experienced player and coach developer to become the Head of Coach Development (HOCD). An individual who would embody the values of Portsmouth – Stronger Together, Passionate, Proud and Honest.

The Head of Coach Development will be responsible for the implementation, management and appraisal of the academy coaching staff. Manage the coaching pathway and ensure coaching delivery aligns with the academy's playing and coaching philosophy. You will play a pivotal role in overseeing the delivery of an established coaching programme, collaborating with the Head of Academy and Phase Leads to support the culture at Portsmouth football club.

You will be expected to provide 1:1 coaching to develop the individual coach's skills through completion and use of staff observations and appraisals, Training Needs Analysis (TNA), Development Action Plans and the coach competency framework (CCF) to ensure players and coaches are appropriately developed, challenged, and supported to maximise their potential.

Demonstrating exemplary behaviours, strong communication skills and extensive experience in an academy, you will lead an innovative CPD programme, developing a culture of curiosity. Striving to aid staff knowledge and support every aspect of player development from the Pre-Academy to the Professional Development Phase.

You will be adept in collaborating with staff and offering reasoned analysis of player, team and phase performance to support player recruitment and retention. As a senior member of the Academy Leadership Team, you will be expected to contribute to meaningful coaching discussions within the club's Technical Board and help implement and review the Academy Performance Plan to ensure the Academy's strategic goals are met.

Key Relationships & Requirements of the role

• Internal: Academy Leadership, Coaching, Operational and Multi-Disciplinary Staff.
• External: Parents, Local clubs, Scouts, Regulatory bodies, Link organisations.

Requirements:

• Experienced people management skills to evaluate, support and appraise staff on and off-field performance. Creating an environment where coaches grow as adaptable and reflective practitioners.
• In-depth coach and player development understanding.
• Highly experienced in coaching players aged 8-18 years as you will support coaching delivery.
• Working knowledge of using the Football Intelligence Platform system and overseeing staff usage of this system.
• EPPP audit experience and a firm comprehension of EPPP regulations. Maintaining accurate records of coach development, CPD and succession planning.
• Effective communicator who comfortably establishes relationships with internal and external stakeholders.
• Influencing skills to support multi-directional management and multi-disciplinary integration.
• Liaise with technical first team staff regularly and support Academy Head of Recruitment, Head of Academy and Phase Lead on signing decisions.
• Key member of the Academy management team and shall attend technical board meetings as a representative of the academy.
• Undertake relevant additional tasks as required by business needs, requested by Head of Academy.
• Develop external relationships with key stakeholders to provide development opportunities for coaching staff.
• Organisational expertise to support multi-tasking of your workload and that of the coaching staff.
• Empathetic and willing to listen to the thoughts of others.
• Openness to learn and evolve your understanding and performance.
• Right to work in the UK and an enhanced DBS check.

Essential Skills & Qualifications

• The appointed coach must have the UEFA 'A' licence.
• FA Advanced Youth Award.
• Staff management and appraisal experience.
• Extensive Coach Development Experience in an Academy.
• FA Safeguarding Certificate.
• FA EFAiF First Aid Certificate.
• Drivers License.

Desirable Skills & Qualifications

• UEFA Pro License.
• Master's Degree level educated in Coaching or other sports related subject.
• European Mentoring & Coaching Council qualification (EMCC).
• Elite Head of Coaching (EHOC) Postgraduate diploma.

Guidance to consider

• Due to the requirements and the commitment the roles require, it is necessary that candidates live within an acceptable commutable distance to the training grounds.
• The working hours would involve a mixture of day, evening and weekend work.
• All phases play their games on Saturdays and Sundays. These might be played local to Portsmouth or further afield, with attendance at the majority of these necessary.

How to apply

The Club will not consider applications via third parties. To apply send your CV and cover letter, no later than 5 pm on 27th February 2026. If you don't hear from us within 7 days of your application submission, please consider that your application was unsuccessful.

At Portsmouth Football Club we are committed to Equality, Diversity and Inclusion and we aim to build an accurate picture of the make-up for our talent pools. Therefore, we ask that you submit the information on the below link to ensure we are always attracting a broad and diverse range of exceptional talent from all areas of society. Responses are anonymous and the data gathered will be used to inform our future initiatives but filling in this form is voluntary.

General information

We promote an equal, diverse, and inclusive workplace and we are committed to providing the best experience for our colleagues. As a business, we aim to be as representative of as many sections of society as possible, and for each colleague to feel respected and able to give of their best every day. We ensure that we treat people the right way, promote respect and believe that making the most of our differences is the key to the success of our business.

We take a robust approach to modern slavery and human trafficking and our organisation is absolutely committed to preventing slavery and human trafficking in our corporate activities, and to ensuring that our supply chains are free from slavery and human trafficking.

Safeguarding

Portsmouth Football Club is committed to the safeguarding and welfare of all children, young people and adults at risk and expects all staff and volunteers to share this commitment. We are committed to ensuring that any club-related activity will be in a safe environment where children, young people and adults at risk are protected from harm or abuse whilst under our care.

We acknowledge that every child, young person, or adult at risk who plays or participates in football should be able to take part in an enjoyable and safe environment and be protected from poor practice and abuse. Portsmouth Football Club recognises that this is the responsibility of every adult involved in our club.

We must always respect the dignity and spirit of all people, including children, young people and adults at risk. Treat everyone fairly, encourage a supportive and positive environment to promote healthy competition, skill development, fun and achievement. Avoid contact or conduct that may be interpreted or defined as inappropriate.

Health and Safety

Portsmouth Football Club is committed to ensuring the health, safety, and well-being of all employees, contractors, visitors, and others who may be affected by our operations. As part of this commitment, you are expected to take reasonable care for your own health and safety, as well as that of others. You must comply with the company's health and safety policies, procedures, and any legal requirements relevant to your role. Together, we aim to maintain a safe and supportive environment that promotes the welfare and security of everyone involved in our activities.

Data Protection

The Club processes all personal data collected during the recruitment process in accordance with the Data Protection Act and GDPR. Data collected as part of the recruitment process is held securely and accessed by, and disclosed to, individuals only for the purposes of managing the recruitment exercise effectively. All data that is deemed unnecessary will be disposed of at the end of the recruitment process in line with our GDPR procedure.