At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead innovative coach development programmes and enhance coaching quality across professional football.
- Company: Join the Premier League, a global leader in football with a commitment to inclusivity.
- Benefits: Enjoy a competitive salary, hybrid working, and opportunities for professional growth.
- Why this job: Make a real impact on the future of football coaching and inspire the next generation.
- Qualifications: Experience in coach development and a degree in a relevant field are essential.
- Other info: Collaborate with top professionals and organisations in a dynamic, supportive environment.
The predicted salary is between 36000 - 60000 £ per year.
The Elite Coaching Plan (ECP) is the Premier League’s commitment to developing coaching development systems unrivalled across sport. The ECP provides the best development and support to enhance the skill and expertise of coaches working within the professional game. We focus on collaboration with clubs to support the development of academy coaches, coach developers, and first team coaches.
This work is strengthened through the Pro Coach Partnership, with key professional game partners including The Football Association (FA), English Football League (EFL), Professional Footballers Association (PFA), Women’s Professional Leagues Limited (WPLL), League Managers Association (LMA), and League Coaching Association (LCA) to elevate coaching quality across the professional game.
This role supports the learning and professional development of Coach Developers within clubs, focusing on enhancing the skill and expertise of coaches. The Coach Development Manager will manage, oversee, and refine the design and delivery of the EHOCD (Elite Head of Coach Development) and FCD (Future Coach Developer) programmes.
The Premier League is home to some of the most competitive football in the world. We inspire fans, communities, and partners in the UK and globally. The Premier League brings people together from all backgrounds and is accessible in over 900 million homes in 189 countries. We organise the competition and its Handbook, manage centralised broadcast and commercial rights, and support youth development, safeguarding, the wider game, international development work, and liaison with governing bodies and other leagues.
We are an equal opportunities employer and strive to create an inclusive culture where talent can flourish. We encourage applications from women, people from minority ethnic communities, LGBTQ+ people and disabled people. Our hybrid-working model offers some days at home while aligning with office/site visits where possible. Time with your line manager is coordinated to fit work and team requirements.
The Role
- Work with the Senior Coach Development Manager to ensure programme objectives align with the Best Development strategy and evolving club needs.
- Drive innovation in learning to enhance the programme’s impact, accessibility, and long-term effectiveness.
- Support the Head of Coach Development in clubs by reviewing its scope, functions, and development pathways.
- Contribute to research efforts on the Head of Coach Development role to inform sustainable coach development.
- Lead the design, implementation, and continuous enhancement of EHOC and FCD with a research-informed approach.
- Oversee quality assurance of programme content and delivery, identifying needs and opportunities for refinement.
- Collaborate with professional game partners and clubs to support coach development and the coaching system.
- Act as primary liaison with football professional game partners and other sporting organisations.
- Ensure EHOC and FCD align with strategic priorities and future challenges.
- Collaborate with internal departments to maintain relationships supporting broadly the organisation’s objectives.
- Coordinate logistics, scheduling, and resource allocation for EHOC and FCD with the Project and Operations Manager.
- Manage external consultants to ensure alignment with programme objectives and impactful learning experiences.
- Lead assessment-centre planning and execution to identify suitable coach developers.
- Ensure recruitment processes for coach developers are rigorous and equitable.
- Collaborate with the Premier League Football Department, EFL, FA, LCA, LMA, PFA and PGAAC to review and enhance coaching governance.
- Support and contribute to the delivery of the Elite Coaching Plan in line with strategic priorities.
- Contribute to key areas within Football Development to support objectives.
- Collaborate with academic institutions and strategic partners to establish accreditation pathways for coach developers.
Requirements
- Significant experience in coach development within professional football or high-performance sport, with a deep understanding of development principles.
- Degree or master’s degree in a relevant subject (e.g., Sports Coaching, Coach Development, Education, or related field), or equivalent professional experience.
- Knowledge of the football landscape, particularly the coaching workforce, clubs, and the broader system.
- Strategic thinking and problem-solving skills, with the ability to drive innovation and influence development.
- Proven track record in designing, delivering, and managing learning programmes in a high-performance environment.
- Expertise in research-informed approaches to coach learning.
- Ability to engage and collaborate with multiple stakeholders, including clubs, partners, academic institutions, and professionals.
- Excellent project management skills to coordinate multiple workstreams and priorities.
- Exceptional written and verbal communication skills, including high-level presentation ability.
- Strong safeguarding knowledge and commitment to best practice.
- Full driving licence; frequent travel will be required.
Safeguarding and Recruitment
Our safeguarding includes robust safer recruitment procedures for roles involving work with children and adults at risk. For details, see our Saf safeguarding Policy and Safer Recruitment Guidance.
How to Apply
Please visit our careers page and apply with your CV and a cover letter. The closing date is 8 February 2026. Successful candidates should be available for in-person interviews commencing 11 March 2026.
Accessibility
We will remove barriers that prospective candidates might face. If you have a disability and need the advert in an alternative format or adjustments to the interview process, please contact recruitment@premierleague.com.
Coach Development Manager employer: The Premier League
Contact Detail:
The Premier League Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Coach Development Manager
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to your connections in the football world, especially those involved in coaching development. A friendly chat can lead to opportunities you might not find on job boards.
✨Tip Number 2
Show off your passion! When you get that interview, make sure to express your enthusiasm for coach development and how it aligns with the Premier League's vision. Let them see your commitment to enhancing coaching quality.
✨Tip Number 3
Prepare for situational questions! Think about scenarios you might face as a Coach Development Manager and how you'd tackle them. This shows you're ready to hit the ground running and can think on your feet.
✨Tip Number 4
Don’t forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets seen by the right people. Plus, it shows you’re serious about joining the Premier League team!
We think you need these skills to ace Coach Development Manager
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your CV: Make sure your CV reflects the skills and experiences that align with the Coach Development Manager role. Highlight your experience in coach development and any relevant qualifications to show us you’re the perfect fit!
Craft a Compelling Cover Letter: Your cover letter is your chance to shine! Use it to tell us why you're passionate about coaching development and how your background makes you an ideal candidate. Be genuine and let your personality come through.
Showcase Your Achievements: Don’t just list your responsibilities; showcase your achievements! Use specific examples of how you've driven innovation or improved programmes in your previous roles. We love to see measurable impacts!
Apply Through Our Website: Remember, the best way to apply is through our careers page. It’s straightforward and ensures your application gets to the right people. Plus, we can’t wait to see what you bring to the table!
How to prepare for a job interview at The Premier League
✨Know Your Coaching Landscape
Before the interview, dive deep into the current coaching landscape in football. Understand the key players, trends, and challenges within the Premier League and beyond. This knowledge will help you demonstrate your expertise and show that you're genuinely invested in the role.
✨Showcase Your Strategic Thinking
Prepare to discuss specific examples where you've driven innovation or solved complex problems in coach development. Use the STAR method (Situation, Task, Action, Result) to structure your responses, making it clear how your strategic thinking has led to successful outcomes.
✨Engage with Stakeholders
Highlight your experience in collaborating with various stakeholders, such as clubs, academic institutions, and professional partners. Be ready to share how you've built relationships and worked together to enhance coaching quality, as this role heavily relies on effective collaboration.
✨Demonstrate Your Project Management Skills
Since this position involves coordinating multiple workstreams, be prepared to discuss your project management experience. Share specific instances where you've successfully managed logistics, scheduling, and resource allocation, showcasing your ability to keep everything on track.