Girls Academy Head coach (U17s)

Celtic Football Club is currently seeking a Girls’ Academy Head Coach (U17s). Reporting directly to the Head of Girls Football, this role will support and assist with all aspects of coaching delivery including preparation for matches, training sessions, team selections, performance analysis, and development of player programmes as well as supporting the delivery of our Development Centre(s) where necessary. Support the recruitment of players through the Academy Talent ID process

Key accountabilities will include:

• Work effectively of an age group staff as well as wider academy staff to provide the best possible environment for our elite youth athletes.
• Lead the delivery of positive and high quality coaching of an age group training sessions, in line with the Academy game model and principles, through structured microcycles
• Establishing and maintaining appropriate standards, practices and procedures for the safe and effective operation of the allocated squad including Academy Child Protection policies.
• Always demonstrating professional conduct to all coaching staff, players and parents.
• Establishing and maintaining comprehensive up to date records for the players and team including records of attendance, team development activities and assessments of the individuals’ capabilities with their development needs.
• Preparing and planning in advance for all training sessions and match day games.
• Preparing and providing information to management including debrief and player analysis in such form as may be required by the Head of Girls Football, Head of Academy Coaching and the Head of Academy.
• Communicating effectively with parents and guardians in line with Academy policies
• Liaising with the medical team regarding the fitness and treatment of players within the allocated squad.
• Create and develop Individual Development Plans for each player in your allocated squad.
• Ensure all communications with colleagues is professional, appropriate and considerate of individual needs and circumstances
• Actively build and maintain positive working relationships with Colleagues across the Club, ensuring a collaborative approach is adopted at all times
• Treat all colleagues with dignity and respect by ensuring that your behaviour and approach during the course of all workplace activity is inclusive of all backgrounds and abilities and welcomes diverse contributions

Safeguarding and Wellbeing

• To have an understanding of Children’s rights.
• The develop relationships with players, parents and carers.
• To prioritise the general wellbeing and care of players within the squad.
• Have a basic knowledge and skills in the areas of wellbeing, safeguarding and child protection in Scottish Football.
• Participate in training as part of continuous personal development on Safeguarding, Wellbeing and Child Protection.
• Respond to or highlight and concerns raised following the Club’s safeguarding procedures.
• Encourage good practice in line with procedures that protect children and young people across all areas of responsibility.
• Show a commitment to support the Girls Academy programme of education for players, providing access to knowledge and understanding which will enable them to plan effectively for their future.
• To support and positively participate in the offboarding and aftercare of players.
• Ensure conversations with children and young people are held with compassion and fairness.

Skills and Experience required:

Essential:

• UEFA B) or youth pathway equivalent.
• Ability to work with, engage and form positive relationships with Children and Young People.
• Experience of working with elite youth athletes.
• Ability to promote a safe and supportive environment.
• Ability to have difficult and sensitive conversations.
• The ability to work with discretion and maintain high levels of confidentiality at all times.
• Ability to effectively plan, prepare and deliver high quality training sessions as part of an overarching Club and academy philosophy.
• Ability to lead a team of staff, specific to age group but also as a full academy staff group.

Desirable:

• UEFA A Licence or youth pathway equivalent
• Further education sport qualifications
• Knowledge or awareness of inclusion, equality, anti-discrimination and safeguarding.
• A working understanding of inclusion, equality and anti-discrimination, safeguarding and best practice.
• Experience of working with children and young people.
• Experience working within a high performance environment with youth athletes.
• Experience of leading an age group staff within an elite youth environment.

Additional Requirement

• Ability to work flexible hours, including weekends, evenings and match days
• This role is considered regulated work and therefore will require membership of the Disclosure Scotland of Vulnerable Groups (PVG) scheme. If the role incumbent is already a member of the PVG Scheme, at the point of appointment, relevant updates will be required to be completed by the Club.

Club Benefits

• Dedicated Employee Assistance Programme
• Staff retail discount on Celtic and Adidas merchandise
• Access to our Colleague Benefits & Discount Platform Regular colleague social events
• Subsidised on site canteen

Applicants should submit their CV and covering letter to:               jobs@celticfc.co.uk

Application deadline:                                                                              23rd May 2025

Please note: Internal applicants must have their application endorsed by their current Line Manager

Successful applicants will be subject to a satisfactory Basic Disclosure Check and must be eligible to work in the UK

Membership of the Protection of Vulnerable Groups Scheme will be essential on taking up appointment

Unfortunately, due to the high number of applications we receive, we are unable to feedback to applicants that have not been selected for interview stage.

No job applicant or employee will receive less favourable treatment on the grounds of sex, race, age, ethnic origin, marital status, pregnancy and maternity, civil partnership status, any gender re-assignment/identity/expression, religion or belief, sexual orientation or disability or other legal protected characteristics.

We are a Disability Confident Employer and offer a guaranteed interview to applicants who consider themselves to be disabled and who meet the criteria for the job.