CIDS Academy Coach

Coach Inclusion & Diversity Scheme (CIDS)

Academy Coach – Role Profile

Role Title: CIDS Academy Coach

Contract Type: 23-month fixed-term

Reports To: Academy Manager / Head of Coach Development

Location: Meadow Lane Stadium & Training Venues

Role Purpose

This role forms part of the Premier League’s Coach Inclusion & Diversity Scheme (CIDS), combining practical coaching experience within the Academy alongside a structured Coach Development Programme.

The successful candidate will contribute to the delivery of the Academy’s Player Development Strategy, while undertaking a comprehensive learning journey designed to support progression into the professional game.

Key Responsibilities

1. Coaching & Player Development

Ø  Support the planning, delivery and review of coaching sessions aligned to the club’s Game Model and Coaching Philosophy

Ø  Create engaging, developmentally appropriate learning environments for players

Ø  Contribute to the delivery of individual player development through ILPs and ongoing feedback

Ø  Support matchday delivery and player exposure across positions and challenges

2. Learning & Development (CIDS Programme)

Ø  Fully engage in the Premier League Coach Development Programme

Ø  Attend all workshops, mentoring sessions and learning events

Ø  Engage in reflective practice and applied learning within the Academy environment

Ø  Work towards agreed individual development goals

3. Collaboration & Environment

Ø  Work collaboratively with multidisciplinary staff (coaching, medical, education, player care)

Ø  Build positive relationships with players, parents and staff

Ø  Contribute to an inclusive, safe and high-performance environment

Ø  Act as a positive role model within the Academy

4. Operations & Professional Standards

Ø  Maintain accurate records in line with EPPP requirements (e.g. FIP)

Ø  Support player reviews, feedback processes and ILP tracking

Ø  Adhere to all safeguarding, equality and club policies

Ø  Demonstrate professionalism in all aspects of the role

Development Opportunity

Ø  As part of the CIDS programme, the successful candidate will receive:

Ø  Dedicated mentoring and coach developer support

Ø  Access to immersive learning experiences and peer learning

Ø  Opportunities to work across development phases

Ø  Access to FA/UEFA qualifications (subject to availability)

Ø  The opportunity to achieve a Diploma in Professional Football Coaching

Person Specification

Essential

Ø  UEFA B Licence (minimum)

Ø  Experience coaching in grassroots, education, community or academy settings

Ø  Commitment to player development and learning

Ø  Strong communication and interpersonal skills

Ø  Willingness to engage fully in a high-performance development programme

Ø  FA Safeguarding & First Aid (or willingness to obtain)

Desirable

Ø  UEFA A Licence (or working towards)

Ø  Experience supporting holistic player development

Ø  Experience working within structured development environments

Personal Attributes

Ø  Highly motivated to work in the professional game

Ø  Passion for inclusive coaching and player development

Ø  Resilient and adaptable within a high-performance environment

Ø  Desire to be a positive role model and ambassador for diversity in football

Safeguarding & Equality

The Club is fully committed to safeguarding children and young people. All staff must adhere to safeguarding policies and safer recruitment practices.

The Club and the Premier League are committed to equality, diversity and inclusion. We actively encourage applications from underrepresented groups within coaching, including individuals from Black, Asian and mixed heritage backgrounds, and women.

Below you will find more details about the CIDS programme: Step Into the Game: A Career-Changing Coaching Opportunity

Notts County Football Club, in partnership with the Premier League, is proud to support the Coach Inclusion & Diversity Scheme for the 2026/27 season. We're offering a 23-month, full-time academy coaching role to the successful candidate to support the development of the next generation of football coaches. The scheme is open to all, and we particularly welcome applications from Black, Asian and mixed heritage backgrounds, and women, as they are underrepresented groups amongst the coaching roles that exist across the professional game.

What’s Involved?

You’ll split your time between Academy coaching at Notts County Football Club and the Premier League’s accredited Coach Development Programme. You’ll gain experience across development phases and work with multi-disciplinary teams.

Your development journey will include:

·         Mentoring and bespoke support

·         Immersive learning experiences

·         Peer learning

·         Access to FA/UEFA qualifications (based on development need and subject to availability)

On successful completion of all programme elements, you’ll be awarded a Diploma in Professional Football Coaching from Leeds Beckett University.

What We’re Looking For

Essential criteria:

·         UEFA B Licence as a minimum

·         No prior full-time 1st Team or Academy coaching role at a Premier League or EFL club

·         Experience of coaching in one, or more, of the following environments: grassroots, community, education, development centre or part-time academy football settings

·         FA Safeguarding Certificate, Emergency First Aid, and Enhanced DBS (to be completed prior to role commencement)

Desirable criteria:

·         Experience of coaching a team or group of players on a regular basis

·         Experience of holistic youth development activities within, or beyond, sport

·         UEFA A Licence or FA Advanced Youth Award

·         Teaching experience

You’ll bring:

·         A drive to coach in the professional game

·         Passion for player development & developmentally appropriate learning environments

·         Commitment to fulfilling duty of care for children, young people, and adults in healthy, high-performance environments

·         Resilience and commitment to high-performance environments

·         Excellent communication and relationship-building skills

·         A desire to be a role model and ambassador for diversity in the game

How to Apply

Reasonable adjustments are available for applicants with a disability, please contact the (club lead) for further support in applying for this role.

Please submit a two-part cover letter:

1.       Part 1 (max 500 words) to demonstrating how you fulfil the “What We’re Looking For” criteria. Please structure your responses under the following headings:

a)       The essential criteria I fulfil

b)      The desirable criteria I fulfil

c)       My desire to be a role model and ambassador for diversity in the game

2.       Part 2 (max 500 words) to answer all the following questions.

Please structure your responses under the following headings:

a)       My motivations for applying for the CIDS academy coach role and Premier League Coach Development Programme

b)      How the CIDS academy coach role and development programme fits with my career ambitions

c)       How my unique expertise, and lived experience, will benefit the club and players

3.       Complete the Club’s Application Form by clicking on this link: CAREERS - Notts County FC

Key Dates

·         Application Deadline: 1st June 2026

·         Application Queries To: nimesh.patel@nottscountyfc.co.uk

·         Assessment Activities: Stage 1 w/c 8th June & Stage 2 w/c 15th June

·         CIDS Induction, Lake District September 2026 (4 days)

Notts County Football Club and the Premier League are committed to equality, diversity and inclusion. Reasonable adjustments are available for applicants with a disability. Please contact if you would like to discuss Nimesh Patel, Nimesh.patel@nottscountyfc.co.uk this further.

Equality monitoring information will be requested separately and will not form part of the selection process.