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Academy Education Lead

Full time Education

Job Description

Job Title Academy Education Lead
Department Education
Direct Reports None
Reports to Academy Director
Location Cobdown Park, Station Road, Aylesford, Kent, ME20 6AU
Working Pattern 40 hours per week including evenings and weekends
Level of DBS Enhanced Child Barred List
 
About Us:
London City Lionesses are part of the Kynisca group, setting a vision and building an infrastructure in which all the players and staff can thrive.

Owned by Michele Kang, our vision for Kynisca is to:
  • Become the most pre-eminent sports organisation in the world;
  • Have a high-performance culture of winning on and off the pitch;
  • Train women as women; and
  • Motivate and inspire the next generation of girls and women.
     
Our Values:
We Lead The Way I We Dream Big I We Get It Done I We Innovate I We Inspire our Community
 
Role Purpose:
London City Lionesses Academy comprises seven teams with over 100 players aged between 9 and 19 years, including U21 and U16 teams who make up our Professional Game Academy (PGA). London City Lionesses is looking to recruit an Education Lead to provide support to players and families in balancing education and football commitments.
 
Main responsibilities:
1 Lead, design and quality-assure the Academy Education Programme across the PGA, ensuring every player receives a personalised, high-quality academic support offer, developed in partnership with the player and their parents/carers, and aligned effectively with the football programme.

2 Ensure players are equipped with the academic, vocational and personal development foundations that prepare them for life in, through and beyond a playing career, supporting long‑term wellbeing, career adaptability and informed decision‑making.

3 Act as the PGA’s strategic lead and primary point of contact for all education providers (schools, colleges, universities and awarding bodies), ensuring clear communication, robust relationships and coordinated scheduling that balances learning, training and competition demands.
 
4 Create and sustain a safe, inclusive and aspirational education environment that supports individual ambition, manages academic pressure effectively, and meets all FA PGA Licence and safeguarding requirements. 
 
5 Work collaboratively within the multidisciplinary team, particularly with the Academy Performance Wellbeing Lead, to ensure education considerations are embedded within holistic player development, while maintaining clear professional boundaries and accountability for education provision.
 
6 Ensure education continuity and coordinate arrangements for players experiencing changes in playing environment, including loan moves, academy dual registrations and academy contract transitions, as well as; transitions into (and from) senior football, international football, further education, higher education, apprenticeships or employment pathways.
 
Education Programme
Ensure that:
  • A clear, coherent academic curriculum and support structure exists across the Academy pathway (U16 – U21).
  • Every player has a co-created Individual Education Development Plan (IEDP) with targets, monitoring and review points.
  • Academic progress (attendance, attainment, engagement) is captured and acted upon through robust systems.
  • The club meets all responsibilities to schools, FE/HE providers, exam boards, and (where relevant) DiSE partners.
  • The overall education programme is designed and periodically reviewed in partnership with learning providers. 
  • Coordination of academic pathways (GCSE, A-levels, BTECs, functional skills, FE/HE programmes, DiSE). 
  • We work in partnership with schools and colleges to align timetables with training/competition; arranging compensatory education where required.
  • We monitor academic performance including 
    - attendance
    - reviewing attainment and progress, implementing early interventions
    - ensuring accurate documentation, reporting and data management across academic records.
    - managing internal verification and quality assurance where the club delivers any elements directly. 
    - providing guidance to parents/carers on academic pathways, dual-career expectations, and how to support learning alongside football. 
    - support players to develop confidence and independence in managing their academic commitments.
     
Multi-disciplinary working
  • Influence coaches, MDT colleagues and decision‑makers to recognise and prioritise the role of education and dual‑career development in player performance, wellbeing and transition planning, clearly articulating the ‘why’ behind education commitments within the women’s pathway.
  • Work collaboratively with the Designated Safeguarding Person to ensure all education activity operates in line with safeguarding requirements and related statutory duties (e.g. Prevent), embedding safe and compliant practice across the Academy environment.
  • Attend MDT meetings and sharing education updates that may affect performance, wellbeing or availability.
  • Liaise with coaches to manage training loads during exam periods or academic pressure points.
  • Collaborate with the Performance Wellbeing Lead to identify and support wider personal and learning development opportunities for players, ensuring that academic, vocational and life‑skills development is embedded within holistic player care.
  • Support audit, accreditation and compliance processes linked to the PGA education requirements
Club Accountabilities
To comply with all Club policies, procedures and practices and carry out your role diligently and in the best interests of the Club
To lead with a proactive, high-performance mindset and actively contribute to a winning culture on and off the pitch
To behave in a manner consistent with Club values and policies
To ensure compliance with all relevant legal, regulatory, ethical and social requirements
To keep confidential any information gained regarding the Club and its personnel
 
What we are looking for
Characteristics
  • Driven by helping young people succeed academically and personally
  • Values dual career development and safe, supportive learning environments 
  • Comfortable working flexibly around the football and education calendars
  • Able to navigate shifting priorities, pressures and periods of intensity (e.g., exams)
  • Able to build trusting relationships across education settings, families and club staff.
  • Communicates clearly and respectfully at age-appropriate levels. 
  • Confident and measured when discussing concerns or negotiating adjustments. 
  • Able to engage, educate and reassure parents/carers during periods of academic or career uncertainty. 
  • Demonstrates strong influencing skills, able to shape thinking and inform key player‑related decisions by clearly articulating the value of education, dual career pathways and long‑term development.
  • Highly organised with strong attention to detail. 
  • Reflective, adaptable and evidence informed in decision making. 
 
What we are looking for
Experience and Knowledge
  • Teaching, tutoring, mentoring or academic coaching experience. 
  • Supporting young people through GCSE, Post-16 and FE/HE study pathways. 
  • Leading or coordinating education provision in a school, FE, HE or performance environment.  
  • Experience coordinating DiSE or similar programmes. 
  • Safeguarding practice and pastoral support from an academic perspective. 
  • Multidisciplinary working in environments with demanding schedules. 
  • Familiarity with qualification frameworks (GCSE, BTEC, A level, FE/HE systems). 
  • Understanding of how loan moves, ADRs and academy contracts impact education provision and player welfare.
 
What we are looking for
Qualifications (any specific qualifications or technical requirements listed here will be mandated by league and/or governing body rules)
Essential
  • QTS or QTLS (with active SET membership for QTLS). 
  • FA Safeguarding Children qualification.
  • Emergency First Aid / FA IFAiF (or equivalent).
Desirable
  • Degree (oir equivalent) in Education, Sport, Social Sciences or a related field.
  • Coaching or mentoring qualifications that support MDT engagement.
     
London City Lionesses is committed to safeguarding, health and safety, and equality, diversity, and inclusion. We prioritise the welfare of children and vulnerable adults, the well-being of all staff and visitors, and fostering an inclusive environment where everyone feels valued and supported. These responsibilities are shared by all staff and volunteers, with safeguarding, safety, and inclusivity being collective priorities.
 
All staff are required to adhere to the Club’s policies, complete relevant training, and actively contribute to maintaining a safe, inclusive, and welcoming environment. This includes timely reporting of concerns, compliance with health and safety regulations, and upholding the Club’s zero-tolerance approach to discrimination.
 
For certain roles, additional checks, such as Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) checks for health assessments, may be required. Applications must include a fully completed application form; CVs alone will not be accepted. All candidates will be assessed on merit and their alignment with the Club’s values.
 
London City Lionesses
About London City Lionesses

 

 

 

 
LONDON CITY LIONESSES

The First Independent Club in the Women's Super League

2024/25 Women's Championship winners, now competing in the Barclays WSL. Part of Michele Kang's Kynisca Sports International — the first woman-owned multi-club organisation in women's football.

Est. 2019
Founded
WSL
Barclays Women's Super League
28 Acres
Cobdown Park Training Ground
 

WHY LONDON CITY

Why Work at London City Lionesses

 

London City Lionesses is not a legacy club adapting to the modern game — it was purpose-built for it. Founded in 2019 and acquired by Michele Kang's Kynisca Sports International in December 2023, the club is part of the first woman-owned, woman-led multi-club organisation in football, alongside the Washington Spirit (2021 NWSL champions) and OL Lyonnes (eight-time Women's Champions League winners). Staff work within a network that spans three continents and is led at group level by Global Sporting Director Markel Zubizarreta, formerly of FC Barcelona.

Kynisca's stated mission is to build the world's pre-eminent women's sports organisation, with a core principle of training women as women — backed by the Kynisca Innovation Hub, which funds sports science research into female athletic performance. At club level, that translates into a 28-acre training ground at Cobdown Park now under construction, with a Performance Campus designed to match a men's Premier League facility but built specifically around the needs of female athletes. The July 2026 signing of two-time Ballon d'Or winner Alexia Putellas underlines the level of ambition across every department.

Sources: londoncitylionesses.com; kynisca.com; Tonbridge and Malling Borough Council, September 2025

ABOUT

About London City Lionesses

 

London City Lionesses is a professional women's football club based in Kent, with home matches played at the CopperJax Community Stadium in Bromley. Founded in 2019, the club won the 2024/25 Barclays Women's Championship to earn promotion and became the first ever independent club to compete in the Barclays Women's Super League in 2025/26 — the top tier of English women's football.

The club is part of Kynisca Sports International, Ltd., owned and led by Michele Kang. Kynisca's vision is to become the most pre-eminent women's sports organisation in the world — building a high-performance culture of winning on and off the pitch, training women as women, and motivating the next generation of girls and women. The club operates under the legal entity LCL Sports Group Limited, with commercial partners including Nike (kit manufacturer) and Mastercard. In January 2026, Kynisca was named presenting partner of the inaugural FIFA Women's Champions Cup.

Sources: londoncitylionesses.com; kynisca.com

WHAT WE DO

Three Pillars of the Club

 

London City Lionesses operates across first-team football, academy development and community engagement — each with dedicated staff and growing infrastructure.

First Team & Performance

Competing in the Barclays WSL with players including two-time Ballon d'Or winner Alexia Putellas. Kynisca's principle of training women as women is central — the forthcoming Cobdown Park Performance Campus and the Kynisca Innovation Hub both focus on research-led, female-specific performance, recovery and wellbeing.

Academy & Development

Four academy squads covering U12 to U21 pathways. The new training centre includes an improved Academy building with a high-quality 3G pitch, creating clear routes from grassroots to professional level in Kent.

Community & Grassroots

The Mastercard Sister Club Programme connects the club with grassroots clubs across Kent and London, offering free match tickets, mascot opportunities and coaching clinics. The 3G pitch at Cobdown Park will also serve the Kent FA, local leagues and SEND schools.

KEY NUMBERS

London City Lionesses in Numbers

 

From the training ground to the multi-club network, London City Lionesses is investing at a scale that matches its ambition in the women's game.

WSL

Top-Tier Football

First independent club in the Barclays Women's Super League (2025/26)

28

Acres at Cobdown Park

Acquired June 2024. Performance Campus under construction, completion target 2027

50+

New Permanent Jobs

Created by the Cobdown Park development, plus ~£1m per year in local economic investment

3

Club Network

Kynisca Sports International — alongside Washington Spirit (2021 NWSL champions) and OL Lyonnes (8× Champions League winners)

Sources: londoncitylionesses.com; kynisca.com; Tonbridge and Malling Borough Council, September 2025

CAREER AREAS

Functions at London City Lionesses

 

The club recruits across football operations, medical, academy, and corporate functions. Current and recent roles advertised via the club's CharlieHR careers page as of July 2026 include:

Coaching

First team and academy coaching roles, including goalkeeper and outfield specialists

Sport Science & Medicine

Physiotherapy, sport psychology and performance support for elite female athletes

Academy & Education

Player development, education lead and pathway management from U12 to U21

Operations & Administration

HR, legal, finance and day-to-day club operations across multiple sites

Community & Programmes

Grassroots engagement, Sister Club Programme, school outreach and coaching clinics

Media & Communications

Content creation, press, social media and matchday coverage

Source: lcl.recruit.charliehr.com/careers — July 2026

COMMUNITY IMPACT

Growing the Women's and Girls' Game

 

London City Lionesses runs the Mastercard Sister Club Programme, connecting the club with grassroots women's and girls' football clubs across Kent and London. Sister Clubs receive complimentary match tickets, matchday mascot opportunities and priority access to player appearances, festivals and coaching clinics. The club also runs regular community sessions open to the public. Once completed, the new 3G pitch at Cobdown Park will be made available to the Kent FA, the Kent Girls and Ladies League, local SEND schools and the Kent disability mixed league — extending the club's reach well beyond the professional squad.

Sources: londoncitylionesses.com/sister-clubs; Cobdown Park planning application, September 2025

WORKING HERE

Life at London City Lionesses

 

Day-to-day operations are split between the CopperJax Community Stadium in Bromley for matchdays and Cobdown Park in Aylesford, Kent for training and office work. The club is scaling quickly — the Cobdown Park development alone will create more than 50 new permanent positions across coaching, medical, operations and academy functions. As part of the Kynisca multi-club network, staff have scope for collaboration with counterparts at the Washington Spirit and OL Féminin.

Source: londoncitylionesses.com; lcl.recruit.charliehr.com/careers

LOCATION

CopperJax Community Stadium

 

Home matches are played at the CopperJax Community Stadium in Bromley, south-east London. The club's training and operational base is at Cobdown Park in Aylesford, Kent.

LCL Stadium
Address: Hayes Lane, Bromley, England BR2 9EF
View on Google Maps →
 

London City Lionesses is building something new in women's football — explore current opportunities on Jobs In Football.

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