Para Performance Programme Development Group Technical Coaching Lead (Casual Contract) in Burton upon Trent

The FA's Para Division is looking to appoint three Para Performance Programme Development Group Technical Coaching Leads to lead the support of Para players within the development group environments, ensuring continued pipeline of elite para footballers into senior squads. These will be casual contracts, which will initially run until July 2027, and it is anticipated there will be approximately 20 days of work per year. Interviews are currently scheduled to be held on the 8th April.

What will you be doing?

• Technical Session Delivery
  • Plan, lead and deliver high-quality technical development sessions for athletes within the FA Para Performance Programme.
  • Ensure sessions are aligned to the technical and tactical demands of international para-football.
  • Create an inclusive, high-performance training environment that supports athletes with a range of impairment classifications.
  • Monitor and evaluate session outcomes to ensure progression in player performance and learning.
  • Adapt technical content to meet the specific needs of impairment groups and individual players.
• Individual Development Plans (IDPs)
  • Design, implement and review Individual Development Plans (IDPs) for players within the programme.
  • Align IDPs with the long-term athlete development objectives of the FA Para Performance pathway.
  • Deliver targeted coaching interventions during sessions that support the technical objectives outlined in each player's IDP.
  • Regularly review player progress against IDP goals, providing feedback and adjusting plans where necessary.
  • Maintain accurate records of player development and progress within the programme.
• Collaboration with Impairment-Specific England Team Staff
  • Liaise with Head Coaches of impairment-specific England teams to ensure the technical programme reflects the tactical and positional demands of international competition.
  • Ensure technical sessions are relevant and transferable to England team environments.
  • Share player insights and development feedback to support alignment across the national team pathway.
• Interdisciplinary Performance Collaboration
  • Work closely with the Performance Support Lead to ensure technical delivery aligns with physical performance, psychology and holistic athlete development objectives.
  • Collaborate with the assigned Physical Performance Coach to ensure:
  • Technical and physical development outcomes are integrated.
  • Training loads and session content are coordinated appropriately.
  • Contribute to multi-disciplinary discussions regarding athlete progression and performance optimisation.
• Additional Responsibilities
  • 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, every employee 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 and in line with legislation and government guidance.

What are we looking for?

Essential for the role:

• Knowledge
  • Minimum B Licence Coach.
  • Strong understanding of the Para international football landscape and Talent Pathway.
• Experience
  • Significant experience of Para players in pathway and one to one coaching.
  • Working alongside a multi-disciplinary team to develop individuals.
• Technical Skills
  • Inspirational coaching attributes relevant to the Para game.
  • Excellent planning skills.

Beneficial to have:

• Experience
  • Experience of working in or contributing to Para football performance programmes internationally (e.g. other national associations or teams).

What's in it for you?

We are committed to ensuring everyone can flourish in their roles. To achieve this, 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 offer 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.

Currently, we are working within a hybrid working model whereby the expectation is to work from your contractual location for part of the week, and as and when required by the team. The remaining days can be worked remotely. We will continue to monitor this model, and it may be adjusted in future if deemed necessary. The contractual location of this role can be found on the FA Careers page.

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.