Pro Ref is entering a new and exciting era as we strive to continue enhancing refereeing standards. Pro Ref manage and develop the 600 Match Officials operating in the elite game in England and are building a broader, highly skilled workforce to provide the best possible wrap-around support available to aid officials’ performance for the benefit of the game.
Role Purpose:
The purpose of the role is to work with match officials operating at Step 3-6 and 3W to help them unlock their fullest potential in their current performance level and support them to achieve their future performance goals.
The role will work with match officials who are likely to be from a historically underrepresented ethnic community on an individual basis, as well as contributing to the ongoing development of an inclusive environment where match officials from historically underrepresented ethnic communities feel they belong.
Main Duties (include but are not limited to):
Delivery of Coaching Support
- Individual and/or small group support pre, and post-match day in line with the match official’s needs.
- Lead/contribute to the post-match performance debrief process, ensuring that the match official feels valued but understands any learning opportunities provided to them.
- Provide holistic support and guidance to match officials away from match day, during regular progress reviews
- Support and encourage regular self-assessment of a match officials progress across all areas of the Key Performance Characteristics & refereeing DNA
- Contribute towards the planning, delivery and review of coaching support at group meetings in line with the training curriculum, including on field practical sessions as required.
- Engaging with FA and Pro Ref staff to enhance opportunities for match official development
Contributing to the Multi-Disciplinary Support Team
- Providing feedback to the multidisciplinary team match official review process (incorporating technical, tactical & performance support)
- Engage with Pro Ref support colleagues to ensure the match officials are provided the appropriate sports science support
- Engage with colleagues from across Pro Ref groups to provide progress updates on match officials.
Digital Coaching Engagement
- Where possible, utilise footage available from a match officials’ game to solidify the learning outcomes from the fixture.
- Contribute to the ongoing creation and development of a curriculum of learning for match officials’ operating at Step 3-6 & 3W.
Engaging with Professional Coach Development
- Working with the CORE X Coach Development Lead and Coach Developer team to develop & deliver an individual Development Action Plan
- Attending coaching team meetings and wider coach development opportunities as defined by the individual Developmental Action Plan
Person Specification: (Experience, qualifications, skills, aptitudes, and personal qualities)
Qualifications/experience:
- Professional or lived experience of working with, advocating for, and overcoming the challenges faced by any historically underrepresented community within society
- Experience of providing coaching support and guidance within a high-performance environment
- Understanding of contemporary football tactics, methods and approaches that could be applied to match official performance
- Understanding of how coaching support integrates with the overall development of elite sports performers
- Demonstrable knowledge and understanding of current approaches to coaching and refereeing, together with an understanding of the interpersonal skills needed to deliver effective coaching
- Understanding of the resilience required by match officials and the ability to provide coaching support in relation to individual needs
- Experience of understanding and overcoming the challenges faced by match officials from historically underrepresented communities or broader society
Skills:
- Evidence of well-developed interpersonal & communication skills to foster positive coaching relationships and manage an effective coaching process
- The ability to support the analysis of performance and develop and track actionable outcomes
- Effective questioning and active listening skills to promote understanding, learning and problem solving
- Excellent organisational skills with a systematic approach to planning and delivery
Behaviours:
- Evidence of a developmental mindset with a curious approach to acquiring new skills and experiences that can be applied to develop and deliver innovative coaching practice
- Proactive lifestyle management to prioritise time and maintain an effective coaching support service
- Experience of working in a football or NGB environment
- Understanding of refereeing
- Experience of designing and delivering training and developmental activities, including practical scenario-based training
- Recognised qualification/development programme in Coaching/Mentoring (LMA, EMCC, ILM, UEFA, UKCC etc)
- Experience of well-developed interpersonal & communication skills when presenting to groups
Please note that this is a part-time role (0.6 FTE) on a fixed-term contract until July 2029.
Referee Coach - Core X employer: Pro Ref
Pro Ref is an exceptional employer for HR professionals seeking to make a meaningful impact in the world of sports officiating. With a strong commitment to employee development, you will have the opportunity to lead a dynamic HR team while shaping strategic initiatives that enhance organisational performance. The company offers competitive benefits, including a generous pension scheme, private medical insurance, and a focus on employee wellbeing, all within a vibrant and collaborative work culture at the heart of professional football in England.
