Academy Coach - Professional Player to Coach Scheme (PPCS)

Job Title: Academy Coach - Professional Player to Coach Scheme (PPCS)

Reports to: Assistant Head of Academy Football Development

Location: Robert Rowan Performance Centre - Jersey Road

Department: Academy

Sub-department: Coaching

Hours per week: 40 hrs per week

The Club

Brentford FC is a bit different from other Premier League football clubs. We put our fans first, we are a true community club and while we are financially sustainable, we are not afraid to take calculated risks. We take huge pride in our environment and culture within the Club which focuses on development, inclusion and not being afraid to think differently.

Being progressive, humble and respectful while sticking together as one team across the Club guides how we work and the decisions we make each day.

We also firmly believe that a diverse workforce is a better workforce which will help us develop ideas, solve problems and ultimately grow Brentford FC.

We play in a new stadium, 15 minutes from Heathrow in vibrant west London.

We will never forget where we have come from, but we are excited about the future that lies ahead.

Job Overview

Brentford FC in partnership with the Premier League, PFA and EFL, is offering a 23-month, full-time Academy coaching role, to support the development of the next generation of football coaches as part of the Professional Player to Coach Scheme 2026/27. The scheme is open to all, and we particularly welcome applications from individuals from Black, Asian and mixed heritage backgrounds, as they are underrepresented groups amongst the coaching roles that exist across the professional game.

Key Responsibilities

• Split time effectively between assigned roles, responsibilities and coaching at Brentford FC and the Premier League’s accredited Coach Development Programme, gaining experience across Academy age groups and contributing to long term player development

• Plan and assist with an elite level of coaching for the assigned age group delivering the Academy coaching methodology, curriculum and game model across both training and games

• Work closely with the Lead Phase Coach and Head Coach of assigned age group ensuring a collaborative approach assisting with the roles and responsibilities across training and games as directed.

• Make decisions in the best interest of the club and player development that blends improving performance and nurturing potential to support long term development

• Work as part of an interdisciplinary team (IDT) for the assigned age group to support the holistic development and wellbeing of each individual

• Assist with the design and implementation of individual development plans both on pitch and off pitch for the assigned age group and supporting the delivery of player development meetings and provide feedback to players in line with IDP processes and timelines as requested

• Complete assessments and provide IDT notes for the assigned age group as required

• Work with recruitment staff and complete trialists assessments as required

• Complete all administrative duties regarding planning and data capture as required

• Form positive relationships with players and their families and motivate them towards achieving their potential

• Attend all relevant CPD events and work with the Head of Academy Football Development & Assistant Head of Academy Football Development to develop self in line with Academy coach competency framework and development action plan

• To carry out any other duties as directed by senior Academy staff

• Work to ensure the Academy is continually achieving standards required within the EPPP guidelines

• To ensure that any concerns you observe or are raised with you in your role are shared with the safeguarding team through appropriate channels.

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.

Essential Criteria

• PFA member

• Registered on, or completed, the UEFA B Licence as a minimum

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

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

Desirable Criteria

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

• 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

People Skills

• 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

• High levels of self-awareness and ability to reflect and receive feedback with a drive to develop as a coach

• Complete all tasks as requested by the Head of Academy Football Development and Assistant Head of Academy Football Development

External Impact

• Represent the club and self positively with a professional image ensuring the values of Brentford FC and Academy purpose is always delivered

• Represent a process driven and club aligned approach to long term player development.

• Act in the club’s best interests always

Decision Making

• Make decisions that support the Academy in achieving its strategy and purpose

• Make decisions in the best interest of the club and long-term player development

• Make decisions that nurture players potential and improves their performance

• Make decisions that support an interdisciplinary approach and the holistic development and wellbeing of players

• Make decisions in line with club pathway and recruitment plans

Innovation

• Look for ways in which to develop as a coach and explore new methodologies

• Look for ways in which to gain a competitive advantage on other Academies with regards to player development

General Club Accountabilities

• To comply with all Club policies, including health and safety, data regulations and other legal, ethical and social requirements

• To build and maintain good working relationships while maintaining a professional image

• To keep confidential any information gained regarding the Club and its personnel

• To always maintain a flexible approach to work

Inclusion Statement

Brentford FC is proud to be an organisation that values equity, diversity and inclusion. We strive to create a culture that celebrates difference and ensures fairness, safety, representation, and belonging.

We recognise that some groups remain underrepresented in our workforce and are actively working to change this. As part of that commitment, we strongly encourage applications from people of all backgrounds — particularly those from ethnically diverse communities, women, LGBTQ+ individuals, and disabled people.

We’re committed to a fair and inclusive recruitment process, with all decisions made based on merit and suitability — regardless of background or protected characteristic. Should you be selected for interview, we welcome the opportunity to discuss any specific arrangements, accommodations or reasonable adjustments you may require to be made.

Safeguarding Statement

Brentford FC is fully committed to promoting equality, and to safeguarding the welfare of all children and adults at risk. Safeguarding is everyone’s responsibility and is a core part of the Club’s culture. All staff and volunteers share a collective duty to create and maintain a safe and supportive environment, both on and off the field.

To ensure this, all staff are required to complete regular safeguarding training appropriate to their role. This training supports a proactive and informed approach to safeguarding practice.

The successful candidate will be expected to understand, adhere to, and actively uphold all relevant safeguarding policies and procedures. This includes recognising signs of abuse or harm, responding appropriately, and reporting any concerns in a timely manner to the Club’s Safeguarding Team.

Brentford FC operates safer recruitment practices. We remind individuals that it is a criminal offence for a person barred from engaging in regulated activity to apply for a role that involves such activity.