Academy Goalkeeper Coach U9s–U16s (Part-Time)

Derby County are seeking to recruit an Academy Goalkeeper Coach U9s–U16s (Part-Time) to join Academy Coaching at Moor Farm Training Centre.

Working for Derby County Football Club offers a unique opportunity to be part of one of England’s most historic and passionately supported clubs. With a proud legacy, a dedicated fan base, and an exciting vision for the future, Derby County offers a dynamic and rewarding work environment both on and off the pitch. Whether you're joining the team in coaching, administration, marketing, or operations, you'll be contributing to a culture rooted in ambition, community, and progress. Employees benefit from a collaborative work environment and opportunities for professional development.

The successful candidate will be responsible for the ongoing development, monitoring, and progression of Academy goalkeepers across the U9–U16 age groups, ensuring they receive high-quality coaching in line with the club's goalkeeping philosophy and player development pathway.

Work collaboratively with Academy coaching staff, multidisciplinary departments, and the Lead Academy Goalkeeper Coach to create and deliver individual development plans, support player reviews, and provide appropriate progression opportunities.

Key Role Responsibilities:

• To plan, deliver, and evaluate the Academy Goalkeeping Programme for U9–U16 goalkeepers in consultation with the Lead Academy Goalkeeping Coach, Head of Coaching.
• To coach and support Academy goalkeepers during training sessions, fixtures, festivals, and tournaments, including home and away matches, as required.
• To monitor and record player development through regular reviews, Individual Development Plans (IDPs), and performance feedback.
• To maintain accurate weekly work diaries, session plans, and coaching records to support effective planning and communication.
• To manage and maintain all goalkeeping equipment, kit, and changing room areas, ensuring they are organised, safe, and fit for purpose.
• To work collaboratively with all Academy departments, including Sports Science, Medical, Performance Analysis, Education, and Player Care, to support a multidisciplinary approach to player development.
• To communicate effectively with Academy staff, ensuring regular updates on player progress, availability, and development priorities.
• To liaise professionally with parents and guardians through formal meetings, player reviews, and appropriate day-to-day communication regarding player development.
• To support the identification, recruitment, and assessment of goalkeepers through scouting, trial programmes, and Goalkeeping Development Centres.
• To ensure all coaching activities are delivered in accordance with FA, Premier League, EFL, safeguarding, equality, and health and safety policies.

General

• To be responsible for the health, safety and welfare of customers and colleagues, complying with health and safety guidance and policy.
• Continuously work to maintain, embed and improve the club’s safeguarding provision, ensuring the highest standards for safeguarding children and adults at risk.
• To uphold and promote organisational policies and procedures, promoting those specifically applicable to this area of work and including equality, diversity and inclusion.
• To present and promote an appropriate public image representing the organisation.
• To undertake any other duties as may reasonably be required commensurate with the post.

Personal characteristics and experience:

• Experience in football coaching, delivering and coordinating coaching programmes for young people
• Ability to manage a group of young goalkeepers
• Excellent communication skills with the ability to communicate effectively, positively and enthusiastically with people at all levels
• Knowledge of relevant governing body programmes, policies and procedures
• Knowledge of the football recruitment process
• Good knowledge of the age-appropriate techniques and skill practices for player development
• Excellent planning and organisational skills
• Committed to high standards
• Flexible approach and prepared to work unsociable hours
• Able to take a considered and sensible approach to problem-solving

Qualifications:

Essential

• Experience of coaching Goalkeepers (Any age/ level)
• UEFA B Goalkeeping Coaching Certificate
• Level 2 Emergency First Aid in Football
• Safeguarding Children Certificate

Desirable

• UEFA B Coaching Certificate
• FA Youth Award

The role is paid a sessional coaching rate, dependent on the type of session being delivered.

This role is a seasonal, casual, part-time role with an initial fixed term until May 2027, based at the Derby County Training Centre, with some travel required.

Excellent spoken and written English is essential for this role, as it involves clear, accurate communication in a fast-paced, high-pressure environment.

Who are Derby County…

Derby County Football Club, established in 1884, is one of the founder members of the English Football League and has a rich and varied history, including two First Division titles in 1972 and 1975 and an FA Cup success in 1946. The club are currently playing in the Sky Bet Championship, the second tier of English Football following their promotion from League One in the 2023/24 season and is under the management of Head Coach John Eustace. The club also boasts a successful and respected Category One Academy, a status which has been held since 2014, and a Women’s side competing in the FA Women’s National League Northern Premier Division. Derby County recently embarked on an exciting new era following the change in ownership to Clowes Developments (UK) Limited, in the summer of 2022. Our track record of producing talent is outstanding, and we intend to protect that proud legacy, investing in key roles within the club to build on the foundations in place for success.

Everything we do as a Club is built around the three pillars of stability, integrity and progress. Our core values are:

• We are proud of who we are and what we do
• We are positive, inspired and passionate
• We are ambitious and driven
• We are prepared, honest and humble
• We are the heartbeat of our community
• We are the club of opportunity

Derby County employee benefits include:

• 10% discount at DCFC Megastore
• Company Pension with Aviva
• Discounts with select Club partners and sponsors
• Training and development opportunities
• Access to programmes and volunteering opportunities with Derby County Community Trust