Port Vale FC Academy
Head of Coaching
Job Description
Reporting To: Academy Director & Head of Academy Football
Term: Permanent (full time)
Location: Port Vale FC, Vale Park, Hamil Road, Burslem, ST6 1AW and other venues that apply to meet the needs of the role
Salary: Competitive
Hours: Minimum of 37.5 hours per week
The Role: Lead the Foundation & Youth Development Phases & liaise with Head of Academy Football for player progression
The The role of Head of Coaching (HOC) is to establish a sustainable system and approach to coach development within Port Vale's Academy.
The HOC will develop the academy coaches so that they improve and perform to the best of their potential and are consequently able to maximise the potential of the players that they work with.
Essential qualifications:
- UEFA A Licence / Advanced Youth Award
- FA Safeguarding
- Educated to Degree Level, or equivalent
- EFAiF
Desirable skills, knowledge and experiences required for this role are detailed below:
- Experience of working in an elite academy environment
- Coach Education and/or Mentoring Qualification
- An understanding in working with other disciplines and working as part of a multi-disciplinary team
- Strong knowledge of the EPPP
- Ability to use/monitor the Premier League FiP
- Driving License and use of own car
Successful applicants will need to:
- Be highly experienced in working with academy players in an academy environment
- Be highly experienced in working with academy coaches in an academy environment
- Be available for FP and YD training sessions and match days as well as supporting the PDP where necessary
- Undertake any training relevant to the post, including ongoing CPD training
Additional attributes and experiences:
- Previous experience of working with academy players across the three phases of the player pathway (U9-U18)
- A meticulous attention to detail
- Excellent interpersonal skills
- A consistent team performer
- Ability to prioritise workload
- Ability to travel independently
- Strong IT skills
- Excellent organisational qualities
- Ability to work to tight deadlines
Specific Responsibilities:
- In conjunction with the Academy Director & Head of Academy Football oversee and deliver the technical programme for academy players in the FP & YDP
- Support the Academy Director & Head of Academy Football providing feedback and support for the coaches in the FP & YPD
- Monitor the development of the players, recording individual player data on the FiP
- Create session plans appropriate to individual learning
- Devise individual learning objectives and action plans for each player within FP & YDP
- In conjunction with the Head of Education formulate and deliver a review process every 6 weeks for each Academy player and provide written assessment player feedback bi-annually to the parents
- Support the Head of Education with the delivery of the education programme
- Liaise closely with the Head of Player Recruitment/AMT staff on identifying and monitoring possible trialist players for the FP & YDP age groups
- Manage the FP&YDP age groups alongside part-time coaches in the games programme
- Be prepared and willing to work with the players in the PDP age groups when required
Key Responsibilities:
- To coach and deliver from the Academy Performance Plan
- Ensure that players graduating to the upper YDP and Professional Development Phase do so with a high degree of technical and tactical ability with physical, psychological and social capability
- Specialist trained to ensure that players graduating from the YDP have built upon the core ball mastery skills and are able to apply individual skills appropriately in a team setting, with a growing tactical awareness of their role within the team
- Maintain a weekly training reporting process with the Academy Director & Head of Academy Football
- Deliver group and individual weekly performance objectives
- Evaluate the weekly performance objectives
- Assist in the reporting and monitoring of performance of academy players in FP & YDP
- Assist in the monitoring and supervision of physical development
- Take part in all relevant meetings including in-service training, parent meeting’s/reviews at the request of the line manager
- Show a continuous commitment to personal development through relevant CPD events and courses
Person Specification:
- Committed, enthusiastic and passionate about the development of players and coaches in the academy
- Ability to work as part of a team as well as using one’s own initiative in developing coaches and players
- A confident decision-maker
- Able to communicate effectively with players, parents and fellow staff members at all levels
- Strong IT skills with the ability to use e-mail, Microsoft Office and FiP to a high standard
- Able to adapt to the demands of the job and needs of the players and staff
- Dedicated to self-improvement and continuous professional development
- Be an ambassador for Port Vale Football Club, always presenting the Club in a positive image
Must be available for evening training sessions and weekend match days.
The successful candidate must be trustworthy and adhere to codes of conduct, ethics, and confidentiality.
The nature of the role means that there are significant variations in the level of activity; this requires the job holder to work whatever hours are needed to meet the requirements of the role.
The position is subject to an Enhanced level DBS check, satisfactory references, and a six-month probationary period.
Health and Safety
Your core Health and Safety responsibilities are as follows:
Lead by example always being diligent and observant.
Ensure safety & risk are considered within all projects alongside the Head of Academy Education, Safeguarding Lead & Player Care Officer.
Ensure a safe and respectable learning environment for all players and staff to maximise their holistic development.
It is essential to be aware of the clubs Coaches Code of Conduct, Child Protection policy, Health & Safety policy and Emergency procedures and take responsibility for safety of those participating or under your guidance.
Equality Statement
The employee must always carry out their duties with due regard to Port Vale Football Club policies and procedures.
The employee must ensure a positive commitment towards equality and diversity by treating others fairly and not committing any form of direct or indirect discrimination, victimisation, or harassment of any description and to promote positive working relationships between all internal and external stakeholders.
The employee must contribute to encouraging equality and respecting diversity by embedding such values in the workplace and challenging inappropriate behaviour and processes.