The Club is one of the leading professional football clubs in Scotland. Based at Easter Road Stadium in Scotland’s Capital City, Edinburgh the Club is a stones throw away from the hustle and bustle of the City Centre. Over the course of its history Hibernian Football Club has won all of the major domestic titles, most recently winning the Scottish Cup in 2016. Hibernian was the first British team to play in European competition in the 1956; reaching the semi-finals.
Job Title: Academy Goalkeeping Scout
Reports to: Head of Academy Recruitment
Contract Type: Voluntary
Hibernian Football Club have created a football structure and strategy that is at the forefront of the British game with a club philosophy and ethos that is performance driven and encourages all players to maximise their ability and potential. Hibernian FC promotes a culture of respect, accountability, ambition and creativity; you will be given a platform to develop in a vibrant and positive environment.
The Academy Goalkeeper Scout will support the identification and recruitment of talented young goalkeepers for Hibernian FC’s academy pathway. The role is responsible for observing, assessing and reporting on goalkeepers across designated fixtures, clubs, programmes and talent environments, providing high-quality position-specific insight to inform academy recruitment decisions.
Working within the club’s academy philosophy, player development model and goalkeeping principles, the successful candidate will identify goalkeepers with the current ability, future potential and personal characteristics to progress within Hibernian FC. The role will work closely with Academy Recruitment staff and the Academy Goalkeeping department to ensure a consistent, evidence-informed approach to goalkeeper identification.
KEY RESPONSIBILITIES
Goalkeeper Talent Identification & Scouting
- Attend designated youth fixtures, festivals, tournaments and talent environments to identify prospective academy goalkeepers.
- Assess goalkeepers against Hibernian FC’s academy recruitment profile, playing philosophy and goalkeeping principles.
- Evaluate goalkeeper performance and potential across technical, tactical, physical and psychological areas.
- Observe key goalkeeping actions and decision-making, including positioning, handling, shot-stopping, 1v1 situations, dealing with crosses, distribution and involvement in and out of possession.
- Identify both current performance level and longer-term development potential, recognising the different maturation and development rates of young goalkeepers.
Player Assessment & Reporting
- Produce clear, accurate and timely scouting reports on identified goalkeepers using club reporting processes and systems.
- Provide position-specific recommendations on goalkeepers’ strengths, development needs, potential and suitability for further observation or academy assessment.
- Maintain an accurate record of goalkeeper observations and ensure relevant information is communicated to Academy Recruitment and Goalkeeping staff.
- Contribute to the ongoing profiling and benchmarking of goalkeepers across relevant age groups.
Recruitment & Trial Process
- Recommend appropriate goalkeepers for further observation, Emerging Talent Centre activity, trial or academy assessment in line with the club’s recruitment process.
- Support the assessment of trial goalkeepers where required, providing a specialist goalkeeping perspective.
- Work collaboratively with Academy Recruitment staff and Academy Goalkeeping coaches when making recommendations and reviewing prospective players.
- Contribute to recruitment meetings and discussions relating to goalkeeper succession planning and positional needs across the academy.
Relationship Building & Market Knowledge
- Develop and maintain appropriate professional relationships with clubs, coaches, scouts and other contacts within youth football.
- Build strong knowledge of the goalkeeper talent landscape within assigned geographical areas and age groups.
- Share relevant market intelligence with Academy Recruitment staff while maintaining appropriate confidentiality and professional standards.
- Represent Hibernian FC professionally at all fixtures, events and football environments.
Safeguarding & Player Welfare
- Ensure all scouting and recruitment activity is conducted with the welfare and best interests of young players at its centre.
- Maintain high standards of safeguarding and child protection in line with club and Scottish Football Association guidelines.
- Follow club policies regarding contact, communication, confidentiality and the handling of information relating to children and young people.
Collaboration & Communication
- Work closely with the Head of Academy Recruitment and Talent Identification, Academy scouts and Academy Goalkeeping staff
- Communicate observations and recommendations clearly, objectively and constructively.
- Attend relevant recruitment meetings, staff briefings, goalkeeper profiling discussions and CPD events.
- Contribute positively to a collaborative and aligned academy recruitment process.
Administration
- Maintain accurate scouting schedules, observation records and player reports where required.
- Submit reports within agreed timescales and maintain confidentiality of player and club information.
- Support the ongoing management of goalkeeper recruitment lists and priority targets.
PERSON SPECIFICATION
Essential
- Experience of scouting, coaching or assessing young goalkeepers within a development or talent identification environment.
- Strong understanding of goalkeeper development principles and the demands of the position within the modern game.
- Ability to assess goalkeeper performance and potential across technical, tactical, physical and psychological areas.
- Strong observational, analytical and written reporting skills.
- Ability to make objective, evidence-informed judgements on young players and their future potential.
- Strong communication and interpersonal skills.
- Current PVG membership and safeguarding certification, or willingness to complete the required checks.
- Commitment to the values and philosophy of Hibernian FC.
- Full driving licence with access to transport and flexibility to travel to fixtures and events.
Desirable
- Relevant Scottish FA Goalkeeping and/or Talent Identification qualification.
- Experience within an academy recruitment or professional club scouting environment.
- Knowledge of the youth football landscape in Scotland and relevant goalkeeper talent networks.
- Experience using player scouting, recruitment or performance-analysis systems.
- Relevant coaching qualification.
Hibernian FC is an equal opportunities employer and positively encourages applications from suitably qualified and eligible candidates regardless of sex, race, disability, age, sexual orientation, gender reassignment, religion or belief, marital status, or pregnancy and maternity.
Hibernian FC is also committed to the safeguarding of vulnerable groups.
