"Winning Players, Winning Teams"
Lead and align our resources, knowledge and expertise across the Youth Development Phase Teams, and the staff that work within it, to maximise our strategy of “Winning Players, Winning Teams”
This will include the leadership, support and guidance of other National Coaches within the YDP to meet their job roles and objectives, as well as be a Head Coach or Assistant for a designated team, creating an inspirational learning experience for players and competitive advantages to England players and teams.
Please note, the term ‘YDP' refers to our U15 – U17 age groups.
What You'll Do?
National Teams
1. Overall leadership and management of players and staff associated with the YDP.
2. Under the guidance of the Head of Coaching, responsibility for the preparation, delivery and review of YDP seasonal fixture programme, training events, games and tournaments within the agreed allocated budget and in the context of the short, medium and long term player development pathway.
3. Oversee, with input from the multidisciplinary team and other National Coaches the squad and team selection process'.
4. Work closely with the Head of Coaching, PDP Phase Lead, and other leads in the MDT as appropriate, to ensure a seamless service is provided along the pathway in the best interests of the players.
5. Leadership and delivery of the overall technical and tactical programme within the YDP, ensuring the alignment and optimal utilisation of all YDP coaches and MDT support staff
6. Lead staff to help create and develop outstanding, inspiring performance, learning and development environment for players and staff both in and out of ‘events' to maximise the probability of success within the phase.
7. Lead the creation and delivery of the technical and tactical programmes within the designated phase and liaising closely with the MDT support staff.
8. Lead the review and feedback mechanism to the players and in conjunction with the clubs, where possible with face-to-face contact.
9. Support in the ongoing player grading and handover activities across the age groups.
10. Where possible assist in the delivery of events with other age groups.
Talent ID & Club Engagement
11. Overall responsibility for the liaison with ‘Insights' and ‘Recruitment & Retention' department to actively identify, track and monitor players to be consider for selection to England teams, across the phase you work within.
12. Establish and develop close relationships through direct and face-to-face contact with professional football clubs and relationships in our Insight department, ensuring this is carried out across your phase and linked up with other phase.
13. Lead on the creation and delivery of ‘Club Engagement' events/activities linked to strategic priorities
Coach Education
14. In conjunction with the Head of Coaching, coordinate the YDP staff's coach education duties with relevant Coach Developers.
15. Deliver coach education duties under the guidance of the Head of Coaching and Coach Developers for appropriate activities.
16. Liaise and collaborate with other National team staff and the FA Education department to ensure good practice is shared in both education and national team settings to optimise the quality of delivery in both areas.
Other
17. Ensure outstanding recorded preparation, delivery and review of all work undertaken via the appropriate FA systems.
18. Develop collaborative links inside and outside of football to ensure our work remains contemporary and relevant to the demands of the future game
19. As required by the needs of the specific team collaborate with FA media and communications staff to ensure consistent appropriate management of external communications.
20. Establish and develop strong relationships with key stakeholders throughout the game.
21. Executes additional tasks as required in order to meet FA Group changing priorities.
22. Comply with all company policies and procedures to ensure the highest standards of health, safety and wellbeing can be maintained.
23. As part of The FA's commitment to ensuring a safe environment for everyone in football, every employee will be required to complete a DBS check. The level of the check required will be based on the activity of the specific job role and in line with legislation and government guidance.
What You'll Need?
Essential for the role:
24. A valid UEFA ‘A' Licence &/or FA Advanced Youth Award.
25. Consistent, successful experience of leadership, management and development of elite coaches, players and multidisciplinary staff in an Academy or Professional or International football environment.
26. Understanding of the International and Domestic professional club landscapes and strategies.
27. Proven relationships and credibility within the professional club environment.
28. Knowledge and understanding of recruitment principles in the YDP age groups.
29. Experience of players who have entered into and graduated through professional development pathways.
30. Evidence of good links and relationships with club staff and key stakeholders (PFA, LMA, FL, FAPL)
31. Proven track record in the delivery of coach education courses or mentoring coaches.
32. Ability to demonstrate an inspirational on and off field delivery using a variety of methods and approaches in clubs, internal meetings and coach education environments.
33. Growth mindset and strong evidence of continued professional development
34. Deep knowledge of technical and tactical components of successful football strategies, tactics and techniques
Beneficial to have:
35. Degree in sports related subject
36. Tutor / Mentoring experience
37. Teaching certificate or experience
38. Recent experience of coaching elite players
39. Competitive International Tournament experience
40. Understanding or experience of using sports code analysis software
41. Proficient skills in Microsoft Office
What's in it for you?
We are committed to ensuring everyone can flourish in their roles, in order to achieve this we have unique office spaces under the arch of the iconic Wembley National Stadium, which is the home of English Football. We are also delighted to offer a world-class, Elite Performance Centre, St. George's Park in Staffordshire which is an exceptional setting to develop and inspire high-performing England teams and leaders.
We pride ourselves in offering a competitive salary as well as great opportunities to develop and grow in your role. But that is not all; we also have a range of exciting benefits, some of which can be found below:
42. Access to event day tickets at Wembley Stadium, alongside a host of regular internal events throughout the season, encouraging you to connect and learn with your colleagues and look after your mental health and wellbeing.
43. Free, nutritious lunches, at Wembley Stadium and St. George's Park.
44. Free private medical cover.
45. A contributory pension scheme.
46. An additional Thank You days leave, volunteering days as well as 25 days annual leave.
47. A hybrid working model offering greater flexibility.
For more information on what it is like to work at The FA, please visit our FA Careers page,
Our Organisation
The Football Association [The FA] is the not-for-profit governing body of football in England. It is responsible for promoting and developing every level of the game, from grassroots through to the professional game, and generates significant revenue to support investment into English football each year.
The FA oversees England international teams across men's, women's, youth and disability football, as well as running the National League System and FA Competitions including the Emirates FA Cup and Women's Adobe FA Cup, and the world-class facilities of Wembley Stadium and St. George's Park, all with a purpose to Unite the Game and Inspire the Nation.
We currently work within a hybrid working model whereby the expectation is to work from your contractual location for part of the week, and as and when required by the team. The remaining days can be worked remotely. We will continue to monitor this model and it may be adjusted in future if deemed necessary.
Your contract with The FA will specify a fixed location of Wembley Stadium or St. George's Park unless the role is advertised as a home-based contract. The contractual location of this role can be found at the top of this advert on our FA vacancy page.