Head of Academy Analysis

Stoke City Football Club of the English Football League are looking for a Head of Academy Analysis. The role will be based at our Category One Academy at the Clayton Wood Training Ground.

As the Head of Academy Analysis, you will lead and manage a team of analysts who play a key role in supporting the development of young players at the Academy. 

You will be responsible for shaping our performance analysis strategy, ensuring our coaching staff and players have the insights required to support development from U9 to U21. 

This is an exciting opportunity to influence the future of our Academy players through data driven insights and performance analysis.

Main Responsibilities

• Leading and managing Academy analysts and interns, ensuring close collaboration with coaching staff to support player development.
• Ensuring all Academy games and training sessions are filmed, analysed and supported by the latest technology.
• Monitoring and developing U21s, Scholars and Academy players’ attitude and behaviour towards football analysis.
• Recruiting Academy interns and MSc staff annually to ensure departmental efficiency. 
• Educating staff on best practice, including the monitoring of training sessions and provision of in-service training.
• Utilising software packages to ensure the department remains up to date with the latest technology.
• Developing and implementing processes for measuring the effectiveness of player, team and coach performance.
• Producing pre-match and post-match reports to support the implementation of academy coaching and playing philosophies.
• Maintaining a link with the First Team Match Analysis team.
• Ensuring compliance with Club policies, including health and safety, safeguarding and betting integrity rules.

Key Skills and Experience

• Experience in performance analysis within a professional football environment.
• Proficiency in performance analysis software packages (SportsCode and Hudl).
• Proven experience of leading and managing a team.
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills.
• Ability to work collaboratively with coaching staff and other departments.
• IT literacy, with proficiency in Microsoft Office and Apple software.
• Strong organisational and planning skills.
• Strong understanding of academy coaching philosophies and player development.
• UEFA B Licence coaching qualification or equivalent.
• Undergraduate degree in a sport related field or equivalent professional experience.

The ideal candidate will be available to work evenings and weekends to cover match day fixtures and other ad hoc events at the bet365 Stadium.

The position will be offered on a full time basis. All relevant training will be provided.