Job Description
Purpose of Role
To be responsible for the strategic and day -to-day leadership of coaching, player
development and coach support across the Youth Development Phase (U13 -U16). The role
combines hands -on coaching with phase -wide leadership, ensuring a consistent, high -
quality and age appropriate programme that aligns with the club’s playing philosophy and
long -term player development plan.
ROLE RESPONSIBILITIES
Coaching
• Plan, deliver and evaluate high-quality training sessions that align with the Academy’s game
principles and player development philosophy to age groups across the YDP.
• Act as the lead coach for a designated YDP age group, taking responsibility for matchday
coaching, team selection and in-game management.
• Ensure coaches within the YDP are delivering sessions that align with the Academy’s game
principles and player development philosophy.
• Ensure all coaching content reflects current best practice in long-term player and athletic
development.
Operations & Logistics
• Coordinate the weekly and seasonal training, fixture and tournament schedule for the YDP,
liaising with the operations department.
• Coordinate 6-weekly reviews for YDP players and parents/guardians and player progress
meetings with YDP coaches and the wider multidisciplinary team.
• Ensure appropriate staffing ratios for all training sessions and matches in the YDP.
Coach Mentoring & Support
• Line manage, mentor and support the ongoing development of YDP coaches, including regular
1:1s, observations and feedback.
• Design and deliver internal CPD sessions and workshops to upskill coaching staff.
• Work with the Head of Coaching to support coaches in their qualification pathway (e.g. UEFA
coaching badges) and identify development opportunities.
• Foster a collaborative, reflective coaching culture, encouraging peer observation and shared
best practice across the phase.
• Conduct performance with reviews and contribute to the recruitment of new coaching staff
within the YDP.
Player Development
• Take overall responsibility for planning and implementation of players’ Individual Development
Plans (IDPs) across the YDP, ensuring consistency of approach across all coaches within the YDP.
• Work closely with Foundation Phase and Professional Development Phase leads to ensure a
coherent and aligned approach to player pathway and development.
• Lead player review meetings with parents/guardians and players, communicating progress,
targets, action points and how we will support.
• Collaborate regularly with the wider multidisciplinary team to support the holistic development
of each player.
• Monitor and report on player progress against club and phase benchmarks, delivering this
information in succession planning and player progress meetings.
• Collaborate with the Head of Recruitment on talent identification and player
recruitment/retention decisions within the YDP.
KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS & EXPERIENCE
Essential
• Minimum UEFA A Licence
• Hold FA Advanced Youth Award
• Minimum of 3 years working within an EPPP Academy environment
• Experience mentoring, line managing and leading other coaches
• Strong understanding of long -term player development principles and age -appropriate
coaching methodology
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills, with the ability to engage players,
parents and staff effectively
• Up to date safeguarding certification and en hanced background check (e.g. DBS)
• First Aid certification (e.g. EFAiF or FRS Level 2)
Desirable
• Degree in Sports Coaching or Teaching .
• Experience delivering workshops or CPD sessions to coaching staff and parents
• Full UK Driving License
• Knowledge of EPPP system and audit process
General Accountabilities
• Continue to challenge, learn and set standards within the coaching department
• Creative and open -minded
• Being proactive in organization
• Attentive to detail and driven to succeed
• To always maintain a flexible approach to work
• To build and maintain good working relationships both internally and externally
