Head of Player Development Liverpool FC

About the role

At Liverpool Football Club, our ambition is to create a world-class player development pathway that consistently produces players capable of thriving in the women’s first team environment. Central to this ambition is an evidence-led approach to development, aligned to the FSG Football Methodology and the strategic vision of the LFCW Executive. We are seeking an outstanding, driven leader to join our Women’s Pro Game Academy (PGA), with strategic and operational responsibility for all aspects of player development. This role will be pivotal in designing and delivering a clear, aligned pathway from academy to first team, including effective use of the academy dual registration and loan system, ensuring players are supported, challenged and progressed at the right time and in the right environment.

The role will maintain a strong on pitch presence, directly influencing player development through high quality coaching, observation and targeted intervention across training and games. The successful candidate will combine elite coaching expertise with strong leadership, data literacy and a deep understanding of high-performance systems. Experience working with elite female youth athletes is desirable, alongside a relentless commitment to world-class standards and continuous improvement.

What will you be doing?

• Holistic, Evidence-Led Player Development: Lead the PGA technical programme in collaboration with multidisciplinary departments to deliver individualised and integrated development plans. Embed performance data, physical monitoring and performance analysis into the development process to inform planning, progression and intervention across technical, tactical, physical and psychological domains.
• FSG Football Methodology and Strategic Alignment: Implement the FSG Football Methodology within the PGA, ensuring alignment with LFCW executive strategy and the women’s first team. Ensure consistency of philosophy, behaviours, methodology and performance indicators across the academy to first-team pathway.
• Individual Development Plans and Performance Tracking: Oversee the creation, delivery and ongoing review of robust individual development plans (IDPs) for every PGA player. Ensure IDPs are underpinned by objective data, observation and insight, with clear benchmarks and measurable outcomes to track readiness for progression.
• Data, Insights and Decision-Making: Work closely with performance analysis, physical performance and medical teams to translate data into actionable coaching interventions. Use performance profiling and trend analysis to support selection decisions, training design, succession planning and long-term player development.
• Coach Development and Quality Assurance: Lead, mentor and evaluate PGA coaching staff to ensure consistently high-quality, evidence led delivery of the club’s coaching philosophy and methodology. Develop coaches’ capability to interpret performance data and integrate insight into session design, feedback and review processes.
• Player Pathway: Work collaboratively with the women’s first team coaching, recruitment and performance staff to identify appropriate dual registration and loan opportunities, set clear objectives, and monitor progress throughout loan and dual registration periods. Work collaboratively with the PGA Academy Manager and LFCW Technical Board to ensure player pathway decisions are evidence‑led, aligned to strategic objectives and consistently applied across the development pathway.
• Talent Identification and Recruitment: Collaborate with the Recruitment Department to ensure the Talent Identification Strategy is aligned to FSG principles, the LFCW playing model and long‑term squad planning. Support the use of performance data, profiling and projection to inform recruitment decisions and pathway planning.

Who are we looking for?

• A proven track record of working with and developing players at elite club level or national level.
• A strong understanding and in-depth knowledge of the women and girls’ talent pathway.
• Extensive experience of leading and managing a staff team (including line management responsibilities).
• UEFA A Licence (UEFA Pro Licence Desirable).
• Talent identification and recruitment experience.
• Proficiency using performance analysis software (ideally HUDL).
• Proficiency using PowerPoint or Keynote to deliver presentations.
• Excellent communication and organisational skills.
• Commitment to diversity, equal opportunities, and continuous professional development.
• Demonstrate the ability to create positive working relationships with all key stakeholders.
• Ability to work collaboratively as part of a team in a professional environment.
• Ability and willingness to work regular weekends and evenings.
• Ability and willingness to travel and work across multiple training and match day sites.
• FA Safeguarding Children Course.
• FA Level 1 Introduction to First Aid in Football (IFAiF) or FA Emergency First Aid.

Why should you apply?

This is a full-time permanent role working 35 hours per week. Your main base will be our AXA Melwood Training Centre. Please note, this vacancy may close early if we receive a high volume of applications, so we encourage you to apply as soon as possible. To reward your hard work and commitment we offer a competitive salary, 25 days holiday (plus 8 bank holidays and the option to purchase up to an additional 5 days) and access to our benefits kit bag which includes but not limited to:

• Contributory pension scheme matching up to 5.5%.
• Life Assurance Cover.
• Free financial guidance and mortgage advice.
• Car salary sacrifice scheme for affordable driving.
• Cycle to Work scheme to keep you active.
• Purchase season ticket loans for easier commuting.
• Exclusive shopping discounts & cashback with top retailers.
• Will Writing Service for future planning.
• Employee Assistance Programme for confidential support.
• Medicash Health Cash Plan for everyday healthcare needs.
• Volunteering opportunities to give back to the community.
• Special LFC perks – retail discounts, partner offers, free LFCTV GO access, and priority tickets for matches, events & concerts.

At Liverpool Football Club, we have an unwavering commitment to equality, diversity and inclusion and are always looking to making a positive difference in the communities that we operate within. We are proud of our achievements in this area; maintaining the Premier League Equality Standard Advanced Level, becoming a founding signatory of the Football Association’s Football Leadership Diversity Code and being recognised as a leader in this important area on and off the pitch. We take our responsibilities in this area seriously and through the work being done across the club, we are committed to increasing the diversity of our people and becoming an increasingly inclusive workplace for all. We are committed to hiring great people representative of diverse backgrounds, perspectives, and skills across our entire business. If you share our enthusiasm and passion for inclusivity, then we want to hear from you. Liverpool FC is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and vulnerable adults and expects all Colleagues and Volunteers to share this commitment. This role is subject to a satisfactory enhanced DBS check.