Lead Professional Development Phase Coach

Contract Type: Permanent, full time (40 hours)

Reports To: Head of Academy Coaching

Location: Various SCFC sites across Manchester and Salford.

The Purpose: Salford City FC's Academy is going through an exciting period of growth. Our Lead Professional Development Phase Coach will play a key part working closely alongside the Head of Academy Coaching to implement and deliver an elite coaching programme, in line with the Club's coaching and football philosophy. The role will play a critical part in delivering a leading-edge U18 football program, with the key focus of maximising the potential of our Academy players and preparing them for a professional football career.

The Role:

• Plan, prepare and deliver coaching sessions in the professional development phase in tandem with the Club philosophy and coaching syllabus.
• Manage the U17 and U18 players in all daily activities both on and off the pitch.
• Support with logistics for all training sessions, fixtures, tournaments and Academy events.
• Complete all relevant information on the PMA including training sessions, fixtures and player reviews.
• Responsible for U17 and U18 players on loan, maintaining regular communication with the player and loanee club, whilst observing players whilst on loan.
• Coach and observe players in the Youth Development Phase, with particular emphasis on the U15s and U16s.
• Recommend and recruit players for the Academy in tandem with the Academy Head of Recruitment.
• Construct and deliver detailed six weekly individual player progress reviews with players and any other relevant coaching staff.
• Assist in the decision making process regarding the permanent registration of Academy triallists and the retention of players currently at the Club.
• Responsible for maintenance of training/match balls, bibs, cones and all other relevant equipment as required by the Academy.
• Ensure cohesion between youth team and EDS and support the transition process and organise inhouse bounce games.
• Emphasise the importance of an individualised coaching approach to support the core program to gain clarity of positional profile tasks/work on strengths and AFI (IDP & Position Specific work).
• Incorporate opportunities for the youth team to experience a variety of different experiences as part of the games program such as location, conditions, opposition, Futsal and indoor tournaments.
• Attend all in-service and coaching days as directed by the Academy.
• Ensure communication between staff, players and parents to ensure optimal well-being and development of all youth development phase players.
• Role model and ensure positive and professional behaviours, ensuring honesty and integrity at all times when working with young players at the Club.
• Ensure you contribute to providing a safe Academy environment, demonstrating safe working practices and follow safeguarding policies and procedures, reporting concerns when necessary.
• Attendance at First Team home games when the U18 away schedule allows.

The Person:

• A strong background in an Academy setting, with experience of developing young players in an elite environment.
• A great communicator who is personable and approachable. You will be able to build and maintain relationships with players, parents and coaches with a collaborative approach to work.
• Extremely organised and methodical, able to work to tight deadlines with a high degree of accuracy and able to adapt to changing circumstances.
• Able to ensure the highest standards are met to ensure positive behaviours, accuracy.
• You will have significant experience within an elite sporting environment, particularly in relation to young athlete development, and always prioritise their development through the creation of a positive environment that nurtures our individual talent in order to successfully transition players from the Youth Development Phase into the U18 squad and on to our U21 squad.
• This role will have freedom to implement ways to develop and improve the program within the club's framework including session design, new ideas, systems of playing, player led sessions and off field experiences.
• With a professional and attentive approach you'll ensure players needs are met, proactively planning for every eventuality.
• The role will ensure that the Club adheres to its EPPP obligations, ensuring that the coaching programme operates with a high degree of integrity and professionalism.
• The role will be key in taking the Academy to the next level, focussing on creating a first-class player experience and setting high standards across every element of a players journey.
• We want to develop our Academy players as professional footballers, so it is also of vital importance that the U18's coach recognises the significance of maximising player potential off the pitch as well as on it; a consideration of the player's education and welfare is therefore paramount, alongside the successful candidate having the ability to build positive relationships with players, parents, and other internal stakeholders including other coaches, education and welfare staff, and management.
• You will be responsible for ensuring the highest standards of behaviour and coaching practice are in place, and ensure that you adhere to safeguarding policies and procedures to create a positive and proactive safeguarding culture which gives players a safe and exciting experience.
• The role requires a high degree of flexibility throughout the week to support our busy training and match schedules. You will be required to work every match day including away games and as such you should be prepared to work evenings and weekends on a regular basis. Flexibility is key due to training and matches potentially changing at short notice.
• You will need a full, clean driving licence. You may also be required to drive the Academy mini bus to different sites.

The Essentials:

• Experience working within an elite playing environment
• FA Advanced Youth Award (to be completed within a reasonable period of time)
• Attain minimum FA age specific criteria within the EPPP
• Enhanced DBS Clearance
• Experience in undertaking health and safety duties and responsibilities appropriate to the post

The Club actively encourages Continuous Professional Development and would expect the successful candidate to ensure they are keeping updated with new theory and legislation, attend any necessary FA in-service training, and participate in a program of CPD across the Academy's technical teams.

The Club is fully committed to safeguarding all children, young people and adults at risk who engage in our activities. We recognise that we have a responsibility to safeguarding the welfare of vulnerable groups and we have policies and procedures in place which all of our staff are trained in and are expected to adhere to as part of their employment. An offer of employment will be subject to receipt of satisfactory DBS check (depending on the role), satisfactory references and proof of eligibility to work in the UK.

Salford City FC is an equal opportunities employer. We positively welcome and seek to ensure we achieve diversity in our workforce and that all job applicants and employees receive equal and fair treatment. We encourage applications from all candidates regardless of age, race, gender, gender identity, gender expression, religion, sexual orientation, disability, or nationality.