This job expired on 23rd June 2025
Head of Academy I Coleraine Football Club
Job Title: Head of Academy
Reports to: Chairman
Location: Based at Coleraine FC (The Showgrounds) with regular travel required
Hours of Work: Full-time (flexible, based on club needs)
Salary: Competitive salary, plus expenses
The Role:
Coleraine FC is seeking a strategic and progressive Head of Academy to oversee the club’s entire academy structure from grassroots to U20, including the scholarship programme. This is a pivotal leadership role and a key step forward in our commitment to building the best academy in the Irish League.
The successful candidate will be responsible for creating a high-performance, player-centred environment that nurtures young talent both on and off the pitch. This includes embedding best practices across coaching, education, welfare, recruitment, and infrastructure in alignment with the club’s long-term vision and first-team philosophy.
The Head of Academy will be expected to lead change collaboratively and respectfully, valuing the strong foundations already in place, while raising standards and delivering a professional, progressive academy culture.
About the role
Key Responsibilities
1. Strategic Leadership & Vision
Develop and implement a long-term academy strategy aligned with Coleraine FC’s vision.
Build structured academy systems, policies, and SOPs to ensure operational excellence.
Liaise with the chairman and first-team manager around aligning playing philosophy with first-team game model and recruitment strategy,
2. Player Development & Pathways
Oversee all aspects of player development, including Individual Player Development Plans (IDPs).
Ensure training is age-appropriate, progressive, and stimulating.
Establish clear progression pathways from academy to first team, including loans and external opportunities.
3. Coaching Team Management
Recruit, lead, and support academy coaches across all phases.
Ensure staff meet required qualifications and IFA licensing standards.
Ensure regular CPD and performance reviews to maintain coaching quality.
4. Talent Identification & Recruitment
Lead the club’s youth scouting and recruitment strategy.
Build strong relationships with local clubs, schools, and community programmes.
Organise and oversee trials, outreach programmes, and camps.
5. Education, Welfare & Personal Development
Champion holistic development, supporting academic, emotional, and life skills growth.
Liaise with schools, families, and welfare staff to ensure players are supported off the pitch.
Embed safeguarding procedures and ensure AccessNI checks are completed for all staff.
6. Facilities, Technology & Resources
Assess the need for academy facility and infrastructure improvements.
Integrate sports science, performance analysis, and injury prevention across the academy.
Oversee academy logistics, equipment, and resource allocation.
7. Compliance, Licensing & Reporting
Ensure full compliance with IFA, NIFL, and UEFA regulations and club licensing criteria.
Maintain safeguarding, governance, and medical standards across the academy.
Provide regular reports to the Chairman on academy performance, budgets, and KPIs.
What We Offer
Competitive salary and expenses
Company pension
Full support from the leadership team
The opportunity to lead a respected club’s academy and shape a key part of the club’s long-term legacy
A chance to positively influence the lives and careers of young footballers across the region
To Apply:
If this role appeals to you, please submit your CV along with a covering letter explaining how you meet the above criteria by 23rd June 2025.
Coleraine FC reserves the right to enhance the criteria in the event of an unprecedented response.
Coleraine FC is an equal opportunities employer and will consider reasonable adjustments throughout the recruitment process.
What you will need
Required criteria
- UEFA A Licence (or Elite Youth A Licence); must meet IFA Club Licensing requirements
- Minimum 2 years’ experience in talent identification, scouting, and youth development
- Strong leadership and people management experience in a football environment
- Proven knowledge of academy frameworks, player development, and modern coaching methodologies
- Excellent communication and interpersonal skills
- Experience managing change within existing structures or legacy systems
- Strong organisational, administrative, and planning skills
- Demonstrated commitment to safeguarding, welfare, and holistic player support
Desired criteria
- Broad network of contacts in youth football, locally and nationally
- Academic qualifications in coaching, education, or sports science
- Familiarity with performance data tools and analysis systems
- Experience working in a multi-disciplinary high-performance environment
- Conflict resolution and people-management skills
Professional skills you’ll need for this job opportunity
Applying Data to Decisions
Audit Compliance
Networking
Coaching
Head of Academy I Coleraine Football Club
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