Player Development Lead & Scout - Women's Academy

Location: Cobham Training Ground, plus travel to external centres
Contract: Fixed Term Contract - Part-time, 28 hours per week

Closing date: 12^th August 2026

We encourage you to apply as soon as possible. In the event that we receive a large number of applications, the position may be filled before the listed closing date. To avoid missing out, please submit your application at your earliest convenience.

The Opportunity

This is an exciting opportunity to play a key role in developing the next generation of female football talent. As the Women's Academy Player Development Lead & Scout, you will lead and enhance player development across the Pre-Academy and Emerging Talent Centre (ETC), ensuring every player receives a high-quality, individualised experience aligned to the club's philosophy and FA standards.

Working closely with coaches, players, parents, and academy staff, you will drive player progression, support coach development, and identify emerging talent to strengthen the academy pathway. This role is ideal for an experienced talent development professional with a passion for player growth and the women's game.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead and enhance the coaching curriculum and programme delivery across the Pre-Academy and ETC.
• Oversee player monitoring processes, including Individual Action Plans and player tracking systems.
• Track, evaluate, and report on player development and progression.
• Plan, support, and review coaching sessions, ensuring a strong focus on individual player development.
• Support the delivery of a challenging and development-focused games programme.
• Develop and support coaches through observation, feedback, mentoring, and CPD opportunities.
• Manage player pathways, including progression planning and communication with players and parents.
• Support talent identification and recruitment across the Women's Academy pathway.
• Scout and identify emerging talent through attendance at fixtures, festivals, tournaments, and grassroots football events.
• Ensure safeguarding standards, policies, and documentation are consistently maintained.
• Act as a positive role model and ambassador for the club, both internally and externally.

Essential Qualifications

• UEFA B Licence.
• FA Safeguarding Qualification.
• FA First Aid Qualification.

Experience & Skills

• Experience working within the women's football environment.
• Strong background in talent development and player progression.
• Experience designing and managing programmes that support long-term athlete development.
• Previous experience within youth or player development football.
• Experience supporting, mentoring, or leading coaching environments.
• Strong session planning and delivery experience.
• Excellent communication and relationship-building skills with players, parents, coaches, and stakeholders.
• Strong organisational skills and attention to detail.
• Ability to monitor, analyse, and report on player development effectively.

Our Expectations:

• To embody the club’s BLUE behaviours (Brave, Lead, Unity, Edge) in the approach to work and interaction with others
• To adhere to the club’s policies and procedures, including Health & Safety, Financial Authorisation, Confidentiality and GDPR.
• To act as an ambassador for diversity, equality, and inclusion, and demonstrate a positive commitment by treating others fairly in line with our Equality, Diversity & Inclusion Policy and reporting any acts of discrimination through appropriate channels
• To create a safe environment and act to protect all young people and vulnerable adults that are either in your care or attending club premises, and report any concerns to the Safeguarding Lead
• To report any misconduct or suspected misconduct to the HR Department

Our commitment to Equality, Diversity and Inclusion

At Chelsea we recognise that the diversity of our people is one of our greatest strengths and we are taking positive action to ensure our existing colleagues and job applicants can fully be themselves and bring their own unique experiences and perspectives to Chelsea FC. This means giving full and fair consideration to all applicants regardless of age, disability, gender reassignment, race, religion or belief, sex, sexual orientation, marriage and civil partnership, and pregnancy and maternity.   

If you need reasonable adjustments made to the recruitment process, please reach out to your recruiter, who will be able to advise and support you.

Chelsea FC is fully committed to ensuring the safety and well-being of all children, young people and adults at risk (vulnerable groups). We therefore require all successful applicants to complete a DBS Check prior to starting employment. Depending on the role, successful applicants may also be required to undergo other child protection screening where appropriate.