Job Description
About The Role
The Head of Academy Recruitment (HoAR) is expected to lead the identification and recruitment of youth players for the Club’s Academy, overseeing all recruitment activity in line with FA, EFL, safeguarding, and Club regulations.
The HoAR is responsible for delivering the Academy Recruitment Strategy, managing and developing a network of scouts and partners, maintaining robust scouting systems and data, building strong networks, identifying emerging talent, and ensuring Barnet FC’s recruitment processes are aligned with the Club’s philosophy and long-term vision.
All new employees are enrolled on our New Joiner Mentoring Scheme to help with settling into the organisation.
Key Responsibilities
- Lead the identification and recruitment of players for the Club’s Academy teams, and have responsibility for the organisation, management and delivery of the Academy’s policies and procedures for the recruitment of players.
- Ensure all Academy recruitment activity complies with FA, EFL, safeguarding, and Club policies.
- Build, develop and manage a strong network of scouts, agents, academies, schools, grassroots clubs, and data sources to identify emerging youth talent across local, national, and international levels.
- Recruitment, training and management of the Academy’s Scouts, including ensuring that they comply with the requirements regarding YD rules, qualifications, registration and Continued Professional Development.
- Maintain a detailed, up-to-date recruitment database and accurate scouting records are maintained, including reports on target players and their development potential.
- Lead on the delivery of the Academy Recruitment Strategy, ensuring this aligns with the Academy playing philosophy and wider Academy strategic objectives.
- Attend youth matches, tournaments, and showcases to assess players.
- Be part of the Academy Management Team (AMT) and assist the Academy Manager in running the operations of the Academy in accordance with the Club’s Academy Performance Plan
- Ensure that personal and departmental KPIs are being met, and undertake the corrective necessary action if not.
- Partake in Continued Professional Development (CPD) organised by the Academy, and attend the required amount of in-service training provided by The FA each year.
- Good working knowledge of the Youth Development (YD) Rules, ensuring that those relevant to the role are being met.
- Attend Academy meetings, workshops, presentations and any other academy events as required.
- Uphold safeguarding, equality, and health & safety standards at all times
- Maintain high standards of work and ensure you act in a professional manner at all times whilst representing the Club.
Application
If you’re interested in this role, please apply using iRecruit platform. Alternatively, please send your CV, a cover letter (including an explanation of any employment gaps and a declaration of any personal connections), and a completed copy of the application form to dmckimm@barnetfcacademy.com with the subject line: Head of Academy Recruitment.
Due to the nature of the role and the work of the academy, the following pre-employment vetting checks will be conducted as part of Barnet FC Academy’s Safer Recruitment process:
- EFL self-declaration form
- Criminal record checks (DBS)
- Two professional references
Closing Date
Applications will be reviewed on an ongoing basis with a view to an immediate appointment.
About The Candidate
Essential Requirements
- FA National Talent Identification & Scouting in Football qualification
- Enhanced DBS check
- Strong understanding of the EPPP framework and EFL Youth Development Rules.
- Excellent leadership, communication, and organisational skills.
- Proven experience in youth scouting or recruitment within a professional football environment.
- Excellent knowledge of youth football structures and player pathways.
- Strong interpersonal and networking skills with the ability to build trusted relationships.
- Ability to work evenings and weekends in line with football schedules.
- Valid Safeguarding qualification
Desirable
- Previous experience working within an Academy structure.
- Knowledge of data-driven recruitment and performance analysis systems.
- Established contacts within local and national youth football networks.
- FA Leadership of Talent Identification & Development in Football or FA Advanced Principles of Talent Identification & Development in Football qualification
- EFAiF qualification
About The Club
Barnet FC Academy’s Commitment to Safeguarding & Safer Recruitment
At Barnet Football Club Academy, we are committed to creating a safe, supportive, and positive environment in which all
young players can develop and thrive. Safeguarding is central to our culture, and the welfare of our club community is our
highest priority.
We operate a robust Safer Recruitment Policy to ensure that every individual working with, or on behalf of, the Academy is suitable, vetted, and aligned with safeguarding standards and best-practice safeguarding principles. It should be noted that safer recruitment is not limited to a single stage of the hiring process; it is an ongoing, proactive commitment to preventing harm, identifying risks, and promoting the safety and wellbeing of all Academy participants.
Our policy ensures that robust recruitment procedures, thorough background checks, and continuous monitoring practices are consistently applied, and it enhances transparency, reduces bias, and supports the selection of the most suitable applicant based on merit. By doing so, we aim to uphold the highest standards of integrity, professionalism, and child protection across our Academy.
Barnet FC is a professional football club based in North West London. The team competes in the National League, the fifth level of the English football league system. The club was founded in Chipping Barnet in 1888. From 1907 until 2013 they played their home matches at Underhill Stadium, then moved to the Hive Stadium, which is named based on the club's nickname of "The Bees".
Football in Barnet can be traced back to the formation of the original Barnet FC in 1888, with the club plying their trade in the London League until folding in 1902. Local rivals Avenue FC subsequently took over their name and their Queens Road ground before merging in 1912 with near-neighbours Barnet Alston, a works team playing in a distinctive black and amber kit. In September 1907, they established a ground at Underhill where the current club continued to play for more than a century.