At a Glance
- Tasks: Support and uplift the quality of coaching through observations and professional discussions.
- Company: Join The FA, a leader in football development and education.
- Benefits: Competitive pay, unique workspaces, and opportunities for personal growth.
- Other info: Diverse workplace with a commitment to inclusion and safety.
- Why this job: Make a real impact on the future of football coaching and learning.
- Qualifications: 5+ years in coaching or education, strong communication skills, and a passion for development.
The predicted salary is between 30000 - 40000 £ per year.
The FA is excited to be searching for a pool of Casual Quality Developers to join our FA Learning division. The Quality Developers play a vital role in upholding the integrity, consistency and developmental culture of the FA's workforce. They ensure that delivery meets the standards expected across our qualifications not simply by checking quality, but by supporting the people who create it. They hold people, learning and standards in equal regard. Through thoughtful observations, professional discussions and evidence‑informed feedback, they help coach developers better understand their own practice. They support coach developer Delivery Leads with clarity, professionalism and curiosity, working together to strengthen both the learner experience and the wider coach developer ecosystem. Quality Developers model the behaviours they hope to see across the workforce: openness, fairness, courage and respect. They use professional judgement to interpret standards sensitively within each context. And they connect insight from the field back into the wider system, ensuring that strategic decisions and future development are rooted in what's really happening in delivery.
What will you do?
- Upholding standards while supporting people: Ensuring that delivery and assessment consistently reflect England Football Learning expectations, while recognising that quality improves most when people feel supported, not inspected.
- Conducting developmental observations: Observing coach developer delivery through a strengths‑based, learner‑centred lens, noticing patterns, celebrating effective practice and identifying areas for growth.
- Leading professional discussions: Facilitating reflective, honest and psychologically safe conversations that help coach developers explore their decisions, assumptions and impact on learning.
- Providing meaningful insight to Delivery Leads and Workforce Team: Feeding back trends, risks, strengths and developmental opportunities that shape workforce development priorities, quality processes and strategic planning.
- Strengthening system‑wide consistency: Helping ensure that coach developers across regions share a common understanding of standards, principles and expectations, while still allowing for contextual nuance.
- Modelling positive culture: Demonstrating curiosity, empathy, high standards and a commitment to continuous learning embodying the values expected across the coaching workforce.
- Supporting national and local workforce initiatives: Contributing to the design of developmental opportunities based on observed needs, professional judgement and evidence from the field.
- Maintain mandatory training requirements: Ensuring they are up to date at all times.
- Execute additional tasks: As required to meet the FA's changing priorities.
- Comply with all company policies and procedures: To ensure the highest standards of health, safety and well‑being can be maintained.
As part of The FA's commitment to ensuring a safe environment for everyone in football, successful candidates will be required to complete a DBS check. The level of the check required will be based on the activity of the specific job role. Casual work is conditional upon receipt of a satisfactory DBS check result, which will be fairly considered on a case‑by‑case basis, in line with legislation and government guidance.
What You'll Need?
- Essential for the role:
- Minimum of 5 years of experience as a coach developer/coach education either on the UEFA C or UEFA B Diploma; or within another NGB.
- Experience in education settings and/or teaching qualification.
- Experience mentoring, developing or coaching peers/colleagues.
- Experience in executive coaching or high‑quality reflective practice.
- Strong interpersonal and communication skills, with the ability to build trust and have challenging conversations sensitively.
- Willingness to travel within a region to fulfil role requirements.
- Competent use of learning technology.
- FA Level 2 in Emergency First Aid in Football (EFAiF).
- FA Safeguarding Children & FA DBS.
- Beneficial to have:
- FA Level 3 (UEFA B) in Coaching Football.
- Mentoring/coaching qualification.
- Experience of delivering face‑to‑face learning to groups of learners.
- Experience of delivering online learning to groups of learners.
- Actively working with players in a coaching capacity within the last 12 months.
- Knowledge of Adult Learning Principles.
*Can be attained once successful in appointment.
What's in it for you?
We pride ourselves on offering a competitive rate of pay as well as great opportunities to develop and grow in your role. We are committed to ensuring everyone can flourish in their roles, and by doing this, we offer top‑of‑the‑range facilities across two core business locations. We have unique office spaces under the arch of the iconic Wembley National Stadium, which is the home of English football. We are also delighted to have a world‑class Elite Performance Centre, St. George's Park in Staffordshire, which is an exceptional setting to develop and inspire high‑performing England teams and leaders. We are a diverse workplace, aspiring to represent football across the country. The Football Association actively promotes inclusion and diversity, encouraging you to be the best version of yourself at work. We welcome applications from everyone and are proud to be an equal opportunities employer. If you have any particular requirements in respect of the recruitment or interview process, please mention this during your application.
As part of The FA's commitment to ensuring a safe environment for everyone in football, successful candidates will be required to complete a DBS check. The level of the check required will be based on the activity of the specific job role. Casual work is conditional upon receipt of a satisfactory DBS check result, which will be fairly considered on a case‑by‑case basis, in line with legislation and government guidance.
How to Apply
Please click “Apply Now” to begin your application.
Quality Developer employer: The FA
The Football Association (FA) is an exceptional employer, offering a dynamic work environment that fosters professional growth and development for Quality Developers. With unique office spaces at the iconic Wembley National Stadium and the world-class Elite Performance Centre at St. George's Park, employees benefit from top-notch facilities and a culture that prioritises inclusion, diversity, and continuous learning. The FA is committed to supporting its workforce, ensuring that every team member can thrive while contributing to the integrity and excellence of football education in England.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Quality Developer
✨Get Involved in Online Communities
Dive into online forums and communities centred around digital learning and education, like EdTech chats on Twitter or groups on LinkedIn. Engaging in discussions and sharing your insights can help build your visibility and credibility in the sector.
✨Attend EdTech Meetups and Workshops
Look for local meetups or workshops focused on digital education trends. Not only do they enable us to learn about the latest in the field, but they’re also great networking opportunities to meet potential employers like The FA or other educators who might know about upcoming part-time roles.
✨Leverage Your University’s Resources
If you’re currently studying, make sure to tap into your university's career services. They often have connections with local businesses in the education space, plus they can help us uncover part-time job openings that aren't widely advertised.
✨Showcase Your Skills through Projects
Create a portfolio showcasing any relevant projects or experiences in digital learning. Whether it's designing a learning module or contributing to an e-learning platform, having tangible examples will catch the eye of hiring managers at The FA.
We think you need these skills to ace Quality Developer
Some tips for your application 🫡
Highlight Your Experience in Digital Learning:When applying for a role in digital learning like the Quality Developer at The FA, make sure to showcase any prior experience you have in creating or managing online learning materials. We want to see how you've made an impact in previous roles, so don’t shy away from providing specific examples or projects you’ve worked on.
Showcase Relevant Skills and Tools:Mention any specific platforms or tools you’ve used in the digital learning space. For instance, if you're familiar with LMS (Learning Management Systems) or any authoring tools, include these in your CV. This demonstrates you’re not only passionate but also ready to hit the ground running at The FA.
Express Your Passion for Education:In your cover letter, we really want to feel your enthusiasm for digital learning. Talk about your motivations for joining The FA and how you hope to contribute to shaping the future of education. This is a part-time role, so highlighting your commitment and drive will go a long way!
Tailor Your CV to Stand Out:Adapt your CV specifically for the Quality Developer role by aligning your experiences and skills directly with the job description. Use strong action verbs and bullet points, focusing on your contributions in previous roles. We appreciate a clear, concise format that makes it easy for us at The FA to see why you’re a perfect fit.
How to prepare for a job interview at The FA
✨Showcase Your Digital Savvy
In the digital learning and education space, being tech-savvy is crucial. Make sure to highlight any experience you have with e-learning platforms, learning management systems, or educational software during your interview. Think about specific examples of how you’ve used these tools to enhance learning experiences – this will show The FA you’re already familiar with the landscape!
✨Prepare to Discuss Educational Theories
Expect questions related to educational methodologies or theories that underpin digital learning. Brush up on concepts like constructivism or blended learning and be ready to discuss how these can apply to real-world scenarios. The interviewers at The FA will appreciate your understanding of the educational principles that drive effective learning.
✨Flexibility & Adaptability are Key
As this is a part-time role, demonstrate how you can manage your time effectively and adapt to the dynamic demands of the position. Share examples from past experiences where you successfully balanced multiple tasks while contributing to team projects. This will reassure The FA that you’re not just a candidate but a reliable team member who can juggle responsibilities.
✨Portfolio and Samples Matter
Even for a part-time gig, having a portfolio of your work can really set you apart. If you've designed any e-learning modules, created educational content, or implemented any successful teaching strategies, make sure you can present those. Being ready with tangible examples from your past work will help you make a stronger case to The FA about what you bring to the table.
