Charlton Athletic Football Club is more than a workplace. It is a club with deep roots in Southeast London, built on community, resilience and ambition.

Founded in 1905, Charlton has a proud history that includes an FA Cup triumph in 1947 and generations of supporters who see the club as part of their identity.

From our historic home at The Valley to our high-performance training ground at Sparrows Lane, every role at Charlton contributes to something bigger than a job – helping deliver elite performance on the pitch and unforgettable experiences for supporters.

We are proud to be a family club with ambition, where passionate and committed people can build meaningful careers in football.

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“Working at Charlton means you’re part of something bigger than yourself. On a matchday you feel the energy of the supporters and know the work you do matters.”
Simon Lenagan – Group Sporting Director

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Job Details

Job Title: Women’s PGA U21’s Assistant Coach

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Location: The Valley / Sparrows Lane Training Ground

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Salary: £13,500  (FTE £27,000)

Hours: Part-time (20 hours per week, including matchdays).
Working days are Monday, Wednesday, Friday, and Sunday, with Sunday hours varying depending on matchday requirements.

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We are looking for a Women’s PGA U21’s Assistant Coach to join our team and play an important role in supporting the club’s continued growth and success.

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Working within a fast-paced professional football environment, you will contribute to delivering high standards across the club while helping create an environment where players, staff and supporters can thrive.

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This role supports the Academy Age Group Head Coaches in the delivery of a high-performance player development programme, working to ensure that all players are developed to their maximum potential within a safe, structured, and supportive environment.

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The position plays a key part in shaping and maintaining a positive training culture, contributing to an environment where players learn effectively, enjoy their experience, and develop a sustained commitment to the game. The role also involves assisting with the delivery of coaching sessions in line with the PGA curriculum and technical blueprint, ensuring consistency and alignment across the development pathway.

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What You'll Be Doing

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The Assistant Coach will support the Age Group Head Coach in the full cycle of coaching delivery, including planning, preparation, execution, and review of training sessions. The role requires an active contribution to player development discussions, offering considered, constructive input in a collaborative and open environment.

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The position is underpinned by a player-centred coaching philosophy, where players are encouraged to ask questions, engage in feedback, and take ownership of their learning and decision-making. The Assistant Coach will ensure players understand both the purpose and rationale behind coaching decisions and training content, and will support opportunities for appropriate player involvement in football-related decisions, including aspects of selection where applicable.

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Working flexibly across age groups where required, the role includes setting individual development targets with players, supporting tailored development plans, and maintaining accurate records through the PGA monitoring system. Ongoing feedback will be provided to players, with additional communication to parents/carers as part of regular development review processes.

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The Assistant Coach will collaborate closely with coaches, medical staff, and performance personnel to support player development and manage injury prevention, treatment, and rehabilitation processes. A key responsibility is ensuring that all matches and training environments are delivered within a clear development-first philosophy that is understood by players and stakeholders.

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The role also includes a strong pastoral and welfare element, supporting the holistic development of players both on and off the pitch, offering appropriate guidance during challenges such as injury or personal issues, and maintaining high standards of behaviour in line with PGA expectations. Safeguarding and welfare are central, with close working relationships with the Safeguarding Manager to ensure player wellbeing is consistently prioritised.

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Continuous professional development is an integral part of the role. The Assistant Coach is expected to seek feedback, reflect on practice, maintain a personal Development Action Plan, attend CPD activities, and stay informed on relevant coaching research and best practice. Engagement with external mentoring or advisory support is also expected to support ongoing improvement and professional growth.

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This role will involve working collaboratively with colleagues across the club in a dynamic sporting environment where flexibility, teamwork and professionalism are essential.

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What We're Looking For

• A team-first mindset and pride in contributing to collective success
• The ability to perform and make sound decisions in a high-pressure sporting environment
• Relentless attention to detail and commitment to elite standards
• Accountability, professionalism and a willingness to go the extra mile

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​Essential Experience / Qualifications

• Experience of working within a football environment, ideally with current or recent involvement in coaching or teaching girls’ football.
• Strong understanding of the physical and psychological development needs of modern young players.
• Up-to-date knowledge of Child Protection and Safeguarding procedures and best practice
• Experience in roles involving child development and learning, such as teaching or youth development contexts.
• FA Level 3 / UEFA B Licence
• FA DBS Certificate
• FA Safeguarding Children Certificate
• FA Level 1 Introduction to First Aid in Football (IFAiF) or FA Emergency First Aid qualification

   

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​Desirable Qualifications

​Skills & Attributes

• Strong teamwork and communication
• Ability to work in a fast-paced environment
• High levels of organisation and attention to detail
• A positive and professional approach

  Experience working within elite sport is beneficial but not essential for many roles – what matters most is attitude, commitment and a willingness to contribute to the success of the club.

   

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​Why Join Charlton Athletic?

• Work within a professional football environment
• Contribute to a historic club with a proud identity
• Be part of a collaborative and passionate team
• Develop your career in elite sport

   

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​Benefits

• Health cashback plan
• Employee Assistance Programme
• Auto-enrolled pension

• UEFA A Licence
• Degree in a relevant discipline (e.g., PGCE, Sports Coaching, Sports Science
• Talent Identification qualification (FA Talent ID Level 2 or Advanced Principles in Talent Identification)
• Engagement in CPD beyond technical coaching
• Physical development of youth female players (growth and maturation, female athlete physiology, menstrual cycle considerations)
• Talent identification and development across sport (relative age effect, unconscious bias, performance vs potential)
• Player support qualifications (e.g., Talented Athlete Lifestyle Support)
• Coaching and mentoring qualifications (e.g., EMCC accreditation)

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Safeguarding

Charlton Athletic Football Club is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people and expects all staff and volunteers to share this commitment.

If successful, you will be required to undertake an Enhanced DBS check.

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Additional Information

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Appointment to this role is subject to satisfactory completion of pre-employment checks, including the receipt of two professional references deemed acceptable by the organisation, an enhanced DBS (Disclosure and Barring Service) check, and verification of the applicant’s legal right to work in the United Kingdom. The role will not commence until all required checks have been fully completed and confirmed.

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Due to the volume of applications we receive, we may close this advert early.