Academy Education Officer

The Club is one of the leading professional football clubs in Scotland. Based at Easter Road Stadium in Scotland’s Capital City, Edinburgh the Club is a stones throw away from the hustle and bustle of the City Centre. Over the course of its history Hibernian Football Club has won all of the major domestic titles, most recently winning the Scottish Cup in 2016. Hibernian was the first British team to play in European competition in the 1956; reaching the semi-finals.

Job Title: Academy Education Officer

Reports to: Head of Football Operations/Academy Director

Location: Hibernian Training Centre

Hours: Part Time (15-20 hours per week) including evenings

Salary: Competitive

The Role

The Academy Education Officer is responsible for formulating, managing and delivering the educational, academic, and personal development support for young players across all age groups within the Hibernian Academy.

The role ensures that players receive a balanced dual career programme, combining football development with strong academic achievement, in line with the player performance plan’s and Club values.

Duties & Responsibilities

• Ensure all young people thrive within a high quality learning environment that develops successful lifelong learners.
• Establish KPIS for all academy players; Individual educational targets, plans & all associated qualifications.
• Manage the effectiveness of the academy education programme for all ages.
• Identify areas of the education programme that can be developed to further strengthen the support of future careers for young people.
• Identify, design & implement individual dual career pathways for all Academy. 
• Maintain a strong professional relationship with all academy players.
• Meet with all senior phase school leavers to discuss academic progress and offer support.
• Drive the importance and development of the programme whilst inspiring and motivating all players.
• Form a close working relationship with all relevant business areas, to ensure effective communication at all times. 
• Establish and maintain partnerships with key educational institutions & local authorities ( Higher education establishments, vocational opportunities, work experience programmes etc) to develop our academy players.
• Liaise with all schools & support with day release academy players and ensure a positive relationship always.
• Lead and develop the annual education and lifestyle calendar for all relevant departments including sharing of good practice throughout the football department.
• Manage our Modern Apprenticeship programme including timetabling, content supervision, liaising with education providers and relevant partners to coordinate.
• Ensure a calendar or workshops & guest speakers throughout the year with relevant topics.
• 1:1 Tuition support for academy players when needed. 
• Ensure Club Academy Scotland criteria is met at all times.
• Support and coordinate when needed transport / travel to any external education events such as PFA Scotland education events.
• Work alongside 1st Team Player Care Manager & Academy Operations Manager to ensure educational presentations are arranged and attended by the layers.
• Support, Coordinate and deliver when needed, relevant age appropriate education topics to enhance young players wellbeing throughout the full academy.
• Work in collaboration with the operations team & player care for planning and scheduling of all academy education sessions.
• Create and develop academy exit strategy for players leaving the academy. 
• Attendance at internal meetings and working groups as deemed appropriate by the position holder.
• Signpost any potential Child Wellbeing & Protection concerns to the Child Wellbeing & Protection Officer as soon as they are identified.
• Be available to support players with specific educational needs or advice, as and when they require it.

Skills & Experience

• Experience working with young people in an educational or sporting context.
• Strong understanding of academic systems and curriculum relevant to Academy age groups.
• Understanding of the differing requirements and needs of children at relevant developmental stages
• Knowledge of safeguarding and child protection procedures.
• Commitment to supporting the personal development and wellbeing of young players.
• Ability to work constructively as part of a team
• Excellent interpersonal and communication skills.
• Good organisational and administrative skills
• Computer literacy
• Experience in a similar role would be advantageous    

Hibernian FC is an equal opportunities employer and positively encourages applications from suitably qualified and eligible candidates regardless of sex, race, disability, age, sexual orientation, gender reassignment, religion or belief, marital status, or pregnancy and maternity.

Hibernian FC is also committed to the safeguarding of vulnerable groups.