As Head of Emerging Talent, you will work closely with our Head of 1 st Team Recruitment and Academy Manager to establish, maintain and analyse a comprehensive and effective strategy focused on identifying and recruiting exceptional players within the emerging talent bracket (players aged 16 to 20 with first team potential). Using your expertise, you will service Men’s First Team succession planning as well as the U18 to U21 age groups, establishing and implementing a coverage strategy within the appropriate markets; monitoring, scrutinising and evolving post-implementation. You will build positive relationships not only across the club but also externally, to ensure we are recruiting the very best players. You will be also responsible for placing U21 players on loan to suitable clubs/leagues, the monitoring and reporting on their progress to the Academy Manager, U21 Lead Coach and the Technical Board. We are looking for a confident leader who has experience of Talent ID; as well as developing, implementing and executing recruitment strategies. You will be confident in communicating with all stakeholders, while leading the development and implementation of recruitment strategies across the Club. General Duties To adhere to the Club’s Safeguarding practices and policies and at all times. To promote a safe and healthy working environment for all players and staff To promote a professional image of the club and themselves at all times. To contribute to identifying and undertaking initiatives aimed at improving the efficiency and effectiveness of service delivery. Maintain and develop appropriate electronic systems/working practices for the benefit of the service. To work with and support other team members as required ensuring effective and efficient service is developed and delivered. Provide management information as required for the use of SWFC. You will be expected to seek ways of updating and improving personal skills, knowledge and understanding relevant to your own job role. SWFC will undertake regular appraisal interviews with all staff in order to address individuals’ personal development needs and to produce a training and development plan for the club. To adhere at SWFC’s policies and procedures at all times. Any other duties as reasonably requested by your Line Manager. Role Specific Duties To establish and implement a coverage strategy in appropriate markets; monitoring, scrutinising and evolving this post-implementation. Strategy and process must use objective and subjective scouting methods to identify and recommend players for signing. The domestic market will be a mainstay within this role, identifying and recruiting the best homegrown players from Category 2 and 3 Academies, as well as being alert to opportunities within Category 1 Academies, non-league teams and private organisations. Be involved in the development of, and maintain a strong knowledge of, depth charts, succession planning of Academy groups and requirements of the Club. Work with regionally appointed co-ordinators to develop intelligence on players within that region. Maintain and develop a network of contacts that can support the identification of emerging talent. Act as a key point of contact with agents and clubs for player acquisition. Work closely with First Team recruitment staff on all matters, including strategy, coverage, target players and knowledge of players already in the system. To scout and report on players. To gather information from regional scouts using a central database/platform. To work with the team and manage the scouting network resource ensuring that emerging talent is identified, monitored and decisions made efficiently and effectively. Ensure that the information we collect and store about players is translated into specific actions and allows us to make informed and quality assessments. To ensure that information is analysed, utilised and presented in an effective way. Lead departmental meetings and actively participate in other meetings (internal & external) as and when required. To develop strong working relationships across the First Team, Academy and wider Club departments. To work with the Head of 1 st Team Recruitment and Academy Manager to maintain a list of active targets that could be discussed in first team squad planning discussions. To liaise closely with the Head of Academy Local Recruitment to ensure the smooth transition of scouting information from U9-U16 age groups into the emerging talent bracket in order to support our needs within the U18-U21 groups. To be open to the use of data and technology in order to implement efficient ways of identifying emerging talent both domestically and overseas. To work closely with the appropriate departments to ensure the operation runs effectively and that a multi-disciplinary approach is followed. To ensure that the working practices of the Emerging Talent team meet the requirements of the EPPP and the rules of footballs governing bodies. The job will require extensive UK travel, and overseas on occasion, including overnight stays. The Employee must at all times carry out their responsibilities with due regard to the Club values and policies and procedures, in particular Health & Safety, Equality and Diversity, Confidentiality and with regard to the Data Protection Act. About The Candidate Qualifications Essential FA Talent ID Level 2 Desirable FA Talent ID Level 3 or 4 Skills Ability to lead and complete the recruitment process. Ability to build relationships with all stakeholders. Ability to work as part of, and contribute to, the Academy’s senior multi-disciplinary team. Excellent organisational, and communication skills. A well established and productive network within the professional game Ability to effectively manage player, agent, parent & staff relationships. Ability to work independently and with internal and external teams. Excellent communicator, both written and verbal, who places high value on attention to detail. Excellent organisational and time management skills. Computer literate (with ability to use Word, Excel and ideally Database knowledge and application). Experiences Experience of Talent ID in an elite environment. Experience of developing and executing recruitment strategies. Experience of senior professional football either as a player and/or coach. Experience within a lead role in an Academy football setting, or a similar role. Experience operating within a Multi-Disciplinary Team environment and able to appreciate views from other disciplines. Knowledge and awareness of EPPP rules and regulations. About The Club Sheffield Wednesday Football Club (SWFC) is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children, young people, and vulnerable adults. This post may be subject to a criminal record check or an enhanced DBS check. SWFC is an Equal Opportunities and Disability Confident employer and welcomes applicants from all sectors of the community.