Academy National Scout

Derby County are seeking to recruit an Academy National Scout to join the Academy Recruitment at Moor Farm Training Centre.

Working for Derby County Football Club offers a unique opportunity to be part of one of England’s most historic and passionately supported clubs. With a proud legacy, a dedicated fan base, and an exciting vision for the future, Derby County offers a dynamic and rewarding work environment both on and off the pitch. Whether you're joining the team in coaching, administration, marketing, or operations, you'll be contributing to a culture rooted in ambition, community, and progress. Employees benefit from a collaborative work environment and opportunities for professional development.

Derby County Football Club is seeking to recruit an experienced Scout to join our Category

One Academy at Moor Farm. The role will support the Academy Recruitment department to

identify players between the ages of U13 and U18 within Professional Academy recruitments

and when required, other settings.

The successful candidate will attend fixtures on a daily/weekly basis, primarily in the Midlands and nationally, and will subsequently report, record, and discuss information. This role will primarily focus on the Midlands and surrounding areas.

There is a strong emphasis on building links within the Midlands and nationally to gather information and intelligence, and on developing strong working relationships, both internally and externally, with a variety of stakeholders.

Key Role Responsibilities:

·         To assist in delivering the Recruitment Strategy and support the Academy Recruitment Lead in the development of the Recruitment Strategy.

·         Regularly attend Academy U13 – U18 Fixtures within the Midlands and nationally on a daily and weekly basis.  

·         Prioritise target markets, target age groups and subsequent fixtures for players U13-U18.

·         To assist with the responsibility of overall scouting across the U13 – U18 age groups through both personally attending matches and liaising with other DCFC scouts across the regions.

·         To assist in identifying fixtures of interest at Midlands, National and International level with specific, however not limited to, emphasis on 13s-16s. 

·         Attend weekly meetings with the Academy Recruitment team and discuss reports, players targets and upcoming fixtures.

·         Identify, recommend and deliver players for trial into to the academy and help support the National and Local operations.

·         Daily communication with the Recruitment Academy Lead and additional DCFC FT Staff and scouts.

·         Compile lists of Academy players within the UK target markets and ensure a comprehensive knowledge of the market.

·         Attend DCFC fixtures as and when required to understand the level of players within the Academy.

·         Identify ‘target’ teams for the games programme at U13- U18 and assist in recruitment events (festivals, showcases) and tournaments at Moor Farm and other venues.

·         To assist with the identification, trial process and dossier presentation to the Academy Recruitment Lead, recommending players to be signed between the U13 and U18 age groups, both locally and nationally.

·         To assist in researching and implementing the Academy Recruitment Department video strategy across U13-U18. 

·         Hold and maintain strong working relationships with all F/T Academy Recruitment staff, working closely with the Local Recruitment Manager to share on transitions between the phases.

·         Hold and maintain strong working relationships with all F/T Academy Recruitment staff, working closely with the U13-U14 Midlands Lead (Professional).

·         Hold and maintain strong working relationships with all F/T Academy Recruitment staff, working closely with the Academy Recruitment Analyst (U13 – U18) on a daily/weekly basis.

·         Hold and maintain strong working relationships with all F/T Academy Recruitment staff, working closely with the Academy Recruitment Administrator.

·         Hold and maintain strong working relationships with all F/T Academy Recruitment staff, working closely with the U13-U18 football coaching staff as and when required.

·         Proactively develop relationships externally with a variety of different stakeholders (Clubs, Heads of Academy Recruitment, Recruitment Staff, Agents and other key contacts) that enhance information, communication and intelligence for the recruitment of players across the different age ranges and markets.

·         Assist in the recruitment and development of casual / PT Talent ID scouts within professional recruitment at U13-U18.

·         Maintain personal database and use of the DCFC System to ensure everything is kept up to date.

·         Manage and develop reporting methods using the systems and processes in place.

·         Promptly respond to all communications received, including calls and emails.

·         To make recommendations and contribute to important Academy Recruitment decisions when appropriate.

·         Take responsibility for personal performance and the development of personal skills to ensure the required skills, knowledge and competence to fulfil the role. 

·         Ensure that all work is completed on a priority basis, and work meets a high degree of professionalism and quality.

·         To attend training courses, external seminars, and meetings as appropriate/required.

·         To be aware of current trends and best practices in your field of specialism.

·         Provide staff members with continual streams of information to support decision-making.

·         Ensure EPPP requirements are met and adhered to.

Personal characteristics and experience:

·         Proven track record for at least 2 years as an Academy Scout.

·         Proven track record in scouting players who have succeeded to play professionally (desirable).

·         Experience of working within Talent Identification in an Academy setting.

·         Experience of Talent ID & recruiting YDP and PDP aged players (desirable).

·         Experience of working to deadlines in a high-pressure environment.

·         Experience and knowledge of Talent ID with specific reference to the physical, technical, social and psychological aspects.

·         Experience and passion to work within the Age Banding U13 – U18.

·         Strong ICT skills, experience of Excel, PowerPoint, and Outlook.

·         Confident, Resilient and Self-Motivated.

·         Excellent communication skills both verbal and written.

·         Excellent Presentation skills.

·         Ability to work in a fast paced, target driven environment.

·         Ability to support decisions with factual evidenced based information.

·         Ability to demonstrate accuracy and attention to detail.

·         An ability to adapt quickly, be flexible to change and solution based.

·         Ability to prioritise and manage own workload.

·         Work using own initiative and as part of a team.

·         Ability to relate well to children and adults.

·         Excellent organisation skills with the ability to prioritise workloads.

·         Ability to deal with day-to-day issues on own initiative.

·         An ability to maintain confidentiality.

·         Flexibility and availability to work unsociable hours.

Qualifications:

Essential

·         Understanding of Health & Safety Issues and good practice.

·         Hold or working towards Talent ID Level 2 Qualification.

·         Full UK Driving License.

Desirable

·         Sports Related Degree.

·         UEFA Coaching qualifications (Level 2 and above).

Salary is competitive, dependent on experience.

This is a full-time role, and due to the demands of professional football, there is a requirement for weekend and evening work, as well as regular national travel.

Who are Derby County…

Derby County Football Club, established in 1884, is one of the founder members of the English Football League and has a rich and varied history, including two First Division titles in 1972 and 1975 and an FA Cup success in 1946. The club are currently playing in the Sky Bet Championship, the second tier of English Football following their promotion from League One in the 2023/24 season and is under the management of Head Coach John Eustace. The club also boasts a successful and respected Category One Academy, a status which has been held since 2014, and a Women’s side competing in the FA Women’s National League Northern Premier Division. Derby County recently embarked on an exciting new era following the change in ownership to Clowes Developments (UK) Limited, in the summer of 2022. Our track record of producing talent is outstanding, and we intend to protect that proud legacy, investing in key roles within the club to build on the foundations in place for success.

Everything we do as a Club is built around the three pillars of stability, integrity and progress. Our core values are:

·         We are proud of who we are and what we do

·         We are positive, inspired and passionate

·         We are ambitious and driven

·         We are prepared, honest and humble

·         We are the heartbeat of our community

·         We are the club of opportunity

Derby County employee benefits include:

·         25 days annual leave plus bank holidays

·         Two complimentary staff season tickets

·         Two complimentary staff away memberships, subject to availability

·         20% discount at DCFC Megastore

·         Company Pension with Aviva

·         Discounts with select Club partners and sponsors

·         Healthshield Cash Health Plan to support employee health and well-being and Perks for great deals and discounts

·         Participating in our employee forum, ‘The Herd’ and Staff Events!

·         Training and development opportunities

·         Access to programmes and volunteering opportunities with Derby County Community Trust

·         Subsidised lunchtime meals at Moor Farm

How to apply…

Derby County Football Club is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children, young people and adults at risk, and expects all staff and volunteers to share this commitment.

As part of the Club's commitment to providing a safe environment for children and young people, applicants should be aware that this post is subject to an Enhanced Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) Criminal Record Check.

Derby County Football Club is an Inclusive Club for all and is committed to Equality and Diversity.

To apply for this role, please complete an application form, which can be found HERE.

Alternatively, please copy and paste - http://thera.ms/apply - to your chosen browser.

More information can be found at https://www.dcfc.co.uk/page/jobsandcareers

The closing date for receipt of applications is Sunday, 22 March 2026. We reserve the right to close the vacancy early.

Strictly no agencies please.

Derby County Football Club’s Job Applicant Privacy Policy can be found at dcfc.co.uk.