Head of Academy Technical

About us

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.

The role

Derby County Football Club are seeking to recruit a Head of Academy Technical to work within our Category One Academy.

As a Head of Academy Technical, the successful candidate will be responsible for the entire technical playing and coaching delivery throughout the Academy. There are three main elements: the academy game model, the elite coach, and the player. This is a senior academy role, sitting on the academy leadership team and technical board.

Key Responsibilities

The Game Model – Playing Philosophy & Coaching Methodology, including CCF

• To be the lead architect on the design, implementation and monitoring of a Game Craft manual which will outline the playing philosophy (Game Model) of the professional development phase linked to first team requirements.
• Ensure the Game Model is implemented correctly during the professional development phase and that the basic principles are reflected in the youth development phase.
• Attend fixtures, particularly in the professional development phase, to monitor and support the delivery of the Game Model.

The Elite Coach – Elite Coach Education & Coaching Philosophy

• Researching current trends of coaching/teaching, player development, and industry best practices to design the Academy coach education programme with cutting-edge innovative delivery.
• Conduct relevant and timely (at least annually) training needs analysis for all coaching staff to define current and future support requirements.
• Identify formal qualification needs and liaise with the relevant bodies to place coaches on the appropriate awards.
• Conduct a formal observation programme of coach performance and provide effective feedback for development using various methods and the mentoring scheme.
• Delivery of 1 to 1 coach development support through progressive individual-specific Coach Development Action Plans.
• Use various methods, including staff and support mechanisms, to observe coaches, review them, and provide feedback.
• Liaise with the necessary governing bodies to access placement schemes and supported programmes, and ensure Derby County continues to receive high-level candidates for appropriate roles.
• Recruit and appoint mentors to individual coaches, dependent on their specific needs and skill requirements.
• Hold regular mentoring reviews to help inform Coach IDPs and evolve where required to ensure continual coach development.
• Oversee and mentor the coaching internships so they maximise their learning opportunity with Derby County.
• Develop and deliver an innovative in-house CPD programme based on the Academy Performance Plan and Coaching Syllabus for all coaching staff.
• Maintain an up-to-date record of all coaches’ qualifications and license status to ensure they are appropriate for the role.
• Implement and monitor the Academy’s Coach Competency Framework to support coach development.
• Contribute appropriately to the development of teaching and coaching resources.

The Player – Individualised development plans

• Ensure all players have an individual development plan which relates to their audit outcomes and is reviewed frequently.
• Build effective relations across the multi-disciplinary teams to enhance the delivery of the individual player development plans.
• Deliver sessions with individuals and units where appropriate throughout the pathway for effective learning.
• Oversee the process for individual development plans that evolve depending on the requirements of the players.
• Attend player/coach meetings where appropriate to discuss individual player development.
• Monitor the coaching process and methodology across all phases within the Academy to ensure the highest standards are maintained in line with the Academy Performance Plan and Coaching Syllabus.

EPPP

• Support the PMA Technician with the coaching section of the EPPP requirements, meeting the criteria for Category One provisions, liaising accordingly with PGAAC on the ASA and annual Academy audit requirements.

Data & Analytics

• Use data from videos and observations to influence improvements in coaching habits appropriate to the age groups.
• Use data and analytics to find trends in behaviours, which, through 1:1s and formal and informal meetings, enhance the coaching delivery.
• Directly line manage the Academy PMA Technician to maximise the functionality of the Kitman Labs system and inform coaches on player performance and potential.

Personal characteristics and experience:

• Extensive experience in coaching and/or coach development in an elite setting
• Experience working to EPPP requirements
• Experience of working within a Category 1 environment and the PDP
• Knowledge of the PMA system
• Ability to design and run development programmes
• Extensive knowledge of the learning processes in coaches and young people
• Confident, Resilient and Self-Motivated
• Excellent communication skills, both verbal and written
• Excellent Presentation skills
• Ability to work in a fast-paced, target-driven environment
• Ability to prioritise and manage own workload
• Work using own initiative and as part of a team

Essential Qualifications:

• UEFA A Licence (Level 4)
• FA Advanced Youth Award
• FA Youth Award
• English and Maths to GCSE Level 4 or equivalent
• A degree in a related subject (e.g. Sport, Education, Sports Science) is desirable
• EFAIF Qualification

Other

Competitive salary, dependent on experience.

This is a full-time role, 35 hours per week. Due to the nature of working in an elite sports environment, the successful candidate must be flexible and able to work evenings and weekends as required.

Values

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:

• 25 days annual leave plus bank holidays
• Two complimentary staff season tickets
• Two complimentary staff away memberships
• 20% discount at DCFC Megastore
• Company Pension with Aviva
• Discounts with select Club partners and sponsors
• Healthshield Cash Health Plan to support employee health and well-being, and Perks for great deals and discounts
• Participating in our employee forum, ‘The Herd’
• Training and development opportunities
• Access to programmes and volunteering opportunities with Derby County Community Trust
• Subsidised lunchtime meals at Moor Farm