At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead and develop an elite football academy, shaping young athletes' futures.
- Company: Join Thomas Bennett Community College, part of the innovative Kemnal Academies Trust.
- Benefits: Enjoy a generous pension scheme, wellbeing support, and tailored professional development.
- Other info: Flexible working options and a commitment to diversity and inclusion.
- Why this job: Make a real impact on students' lives while fostering their sporting ambitions.
- Qualifications: UEFA B License or equivalent, with experience in player development.
The predicted salary is between 45000 - 60000 £ per year.
At Thomas Bennett Community College, we believe that academic excellence and sporting ambition go hand in hand. Our renowned sports program provides students with elite pathways to professional football, university sports, and international scholarships. We are seeking an inspiring, highly organised, and qualified Director of Football to lead, shape, and grow our school’s football academy and coaching provision.
About The Kemnal Academies Trust: The Kemnal Academies Trust (TKAT) is one of the largest and most established multi-academy trusts in the country. As part of The Kemnal Academies Trust, colleagues benefit from access to a wide network of professional support, collaboration, and development opportunities across a family of schools committed to excellence in education. The Trust is dedicated to investing in its people, providing high-quality training, career progression opportunities, and a strong culture of teamwork and innovation.
About Thomas Bennett Community College: Thomas Bennett Community College is a welcoming and ambitious 11–18 secondary school at the heart of the Crawley community, serving families across the town and the wider West Sussex area. The school combines a strong community ethos with the advantages of a wider network of collaboration and support. With more than 1,200 students, including a thriving sixth form, it provides an inclusive and supportive environment where young people are encouraged to achieve their full potential.
Key Duties and Responsibilities of the Academy Director:
- Program Leadership: Design, implement, and review a progressive, school-wide football curriculum and playing philosophy.
- Coaching & Delivery: Lead the delivery of high-quality coaching sessions and oversee a team of assistant coaches.
- Fixtures & Competitions: Manage school team selections and coordinate fixtures, leagues, tournaments, and travel.
- Student Recruitment: Work alongside the admissions team to recruit talented student-athletes locally and internationally.
- Strategic Partnerships: Maintain and develop strong relationships with professional club academies, local leagues, and international scouts.
- Academic Alignment: Work closely with teaching staff to monitor student welfare, ensuring athletic commitments are balanced with academic success.
What We’re Looking For:
- Qualifications: A minimum of a UEFA B License (UEFA A preferred) or equivalent national coaching qualification, alongside a relevant degree in sports science or physical education.
- Experience: Proven experience in player development within a professional academy, private soccer academy, or independent school setting.
- Leadership: Exceptional communication, organizational, and management skills, with the ability to engage confidently with students, staff, and parents.
- Safeguarding: A strong understanding of child protection and safeguarding in a school environment (the successful candidate will be subject to a full background/DBS check).
As part of Kemnal Academies Trust, our colleagues enjoy:
- Access to a wide range of resources, training, and best practice across the Trust.
- Supportive, forward-thinking leadership with a focus on continuous improvement.
- Generous Pension Scheme: Significant employer contributions to support your long-term financial wellbeing.
- Wellbeing Support: Access to a wellbeing app and an expert-led Eight-Week Mindfulness Programme.
- Family Friendly Leave: Policies designed to support work-life balance and caring responsibilities.
- Tailored CPD: Ongoing professional development to support your teaching practice and career progression.
Our Commitment: We are committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and expect all staff and volunteers to share this commitment. Offers of employment will be subject to the full safer recruitment process, including an enhanced disclosure and barring service check.
Flexible working: We recognise the value of enabling our employees to develop their career and balance this with their commitments and interests outside of work. We promote flexible working practices and opportunities to promote a positive work life balance.
Our Commitment - Equity, Inclusion, Diversity and Belonging: At Kemnal, we are committed to Equity, Inclusion, Diversity, and Belonging. We embrace and celebrate differences, value individual experiences, aspirations, and achievements, and continuously learn how to grow better together. We actively encourage applications from candidates of all backgrounds, as we believe diversity strengthens our community and drives us forward.
Access to interview: Be Who You Are at Kemnal - should you be selected and invited to interview please let us know if you require us to adapt the recruitment process to enable you to participate as your authentic self.
Director of Football Courses in Crawley employer: The Kemnal Academies Trust
At our school, we pride ourselves on being an excellent employer, offering a supportive and inclusive work environment for our SEND Keyworker role. With a commitment to professional development, you will have access to extensive training opportunities and career progression within the school and Trust. Our positive culture, competitive salary, and focus on work-life balance make us an attractive choice for those looking to make a meaningful impact in education.
Contact Details:
The Kemnal Academies Trust Recruitment Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Director of Football Courses in Crawley
✨Get Involved in Local Sports Communities
Dive into your local sports scene! Attend community games, coaching sessions, and meet-ups. Building relationships with coaches and team managers can help you uncover job opportunities before they even hit the job boards.
✨Leverage Internships and Volunteering
Even though you’re after a full-time role, don’t underestimate internships or volunteering in sports organisations. These positions not only give you hands-on experience but can also lead to permanent openings. Plus, it’s a fantastic way to make your face known in the industry!
✨Visit Sports Job Fairs
Keep an eye out for sports job fairs and career expos specific to the recreation management field. These events are goldmines for meeting hiring managers from organisations like The Kemnal Academies Trust. Bring your A-game and be ready to chat about how you can contribute to their team!
✨Apply Through Our Website
Don't forget to check out openings on our site! Our listings will often include positions at excellent organisations in sports recreation management, including The Kemnal Academies Trust. Applying directly through our platform increases your chances of getting noticed by recruiters. Let's get you that dream job!
We think you need these skills to ace Director of Football Courses in Crawley
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Off Your Passion for Sports:In your cover letter, let your enthusiasm for sports and recreation shine through! We want to see your genuine interest in the industry and how it's shaped your career choices. Sharing specific experiences, like managing a team or organising an event, can really make you stand out.
Highlight Relevant Experience:When crafting your CV, focus on any relevant internships, volunteer work, or part-time jobs related to sports and recreation management. Make sure to quantify your achievements – did you increase team participation by a certain percentage or successfully lead a project? Numbers speak volumes!
Tailor Your CV for Sports Management:Use a CV format that emphasises your skills in leadership, teamwork, and event coordination. Don’t forget to include specific training or certifications that relate to sports management, as these can set you apart from other applicants. We love seeing candidates with relevant qualifications!
Express Your Long-Term Goals:In your application, we want to see your career aspirations in sports management. Don’t hesitate to include how you envision your future in this industry and how joining The Kemnal Academies Trust aligns with those goals. We’re looking for candidates who are not just a perfect fit for the role but are also excited about growing with us!
How to prepare for a job interview at The Kemnal Academies Trust
✨Highlight Your Passion for Sports
When chatting with The Kemnal Academies Trust, make sure to express your genuine love for sports and recreation. Share experiences that showcase your passion, whether it's managing a local sports team, organising events, or simply being an active participant in various activities. This helps them see you're not just a fit on paper, but also someone who truly cares about the field.
✨Showcase Your Management Skills
This role is all about managing resources and people, so be ready to discuss your leadership and organisational skills. Prepare some examples from your past experiences where you've successfully led a team or managed a project, particularly in a sports or recreation setting. Use the STAR (Situation, Task, Action, Result) technique to make your answers concise and impactful.
✨Be Prepared for Scenario-Based Questions
Expect case studies or scenario-based questions that assess your problem-solving and decision-making skills. You might be asked how you would handle a tricky situation, such as resolving a conflict between team members or managing a crisis during a major event. Think through these scenarios and practice how you’d articulate your thought process and solutions.
✨Demonstrate Enthusiasm for Team Collaboration
In the sports and recreation management field, teamwork is essential. During the interview, be prepared to discuss how you work within a team and foster a collaborative environment. Share success stories where teamwork led to a positive outcome, emphasising how you built relationships and encouraged participation among team members to achieve a common goal.
