Academy Player Care Lead

Job Title : Academy Player Care Lead

Location: Portsmouth FC Training Ground

Hours of work: Full-time, 37.5 hours/week

Department: Academy

Reports to: Head of Education

Salary: £28,000 to £29,000 per annum.

Purpose of the role: 

We are seeking an outstanding, passionate, and self-motivated individual to take on the role of Academy Player Care Lead within our Academy. This full-time position places the personal and emotional development of our young players at the heart of our programme. The successful candidate will lead the design and delivery of a comprehensive player care and wellbeing programme, supporting players, families, and staff alike.

Duties and Responsibilities:

Life Skills 

• Design and deliver an age-specific life skills programme across FDP, YDP, and PDP phases.
• Create and review alternative career plans and Personal Action Plans for PDP players every 12 weeks, supporting education, employment, and long-term career aspirations.
• Coordinate meaningful work experience opportunities and external partnerships to broaden players’ personal and professional development. 

Community & Good Citizenship 

• Lead academy community and charity initiatives, including the planning and delivery of fundraising and engagement events in collaboration with players and external partners. 
• Promote positive behaviours, social responsibility, and community engagement, ensuring players represent the academy’s values on and off the pitch. 

Player Welfare 

• Act as the lead point of contact for player and parent welfare matters, maintaining consistent communication and providing appropriate support and guidance.
• Deliver parent education workshops and maintain strong relationships with families to support player development and wellbeing.
• Logistical management of player travel (including international requirements) and parental liaison Collaborate with DSO and encourage staff interactions, accurate welfare records and supporting compliance with PGAAC, safeguarding, and EDI requirements.
• Presence at training, PDRs and games . 

Inductions and Transitions 

• Lead academy inductions for new players and parents, ensuring a clear understanding of club expectations, culture, and support services.
•  Coordinate transition and exit pathways for departing players, including post-exit support and external progression opportunities.
• Onboarding for all new signings to contribute to the multi-disciplinary performance support of a player in the academy.  

Player Council 

• Establish and manage the Academy Players’ Council, ensuring players across all age groups have a structured platform to provide feedback and contribute to academy culture. 
• Facilitate meetings, document outcomes, and communicate key actions to academy leadership to support player voice in decision-making.  

Emotional Wellbeing Support 

• Work collaboratively within the multidisciplinary wellbeing team to identify, monitor, check-in, and support player wellbeing 
• Manage and record welfare concerns appropriately using MyConcern, the football intelligence platform and signpost players to relevant support services where required.
• Promote a safe, inclusive, and supportive academy environment.  

House Parent Management 

• Oversee the welfare and pastoral care of scholars residing in academy accommodation, ensuring a safe, supportive, and well-managed living environment.
• Liaise regularly with house parents, players, families, and academy staff regarding welfare, safeguarding, and day-to-day support needs.
• Onboarding and recruiting house parents to support academy accommodation provision. 

Personal Development 

• Support the holistic development of academy players through programmes focused on leadership, communication, independence, and career readiness.
• Coordinate Academy Showcase events and contribute strategically to Academy Management Team meetings.
• Work collaboratively across departments to ensure a joined-up and multidisciplinary approach to player care and development. 

Additional Responsibilities 

• Maintain confidentiality and professionalism in all aspects of the role.
• Uphold and promote the club’s values, safeguarding standards, and code of conduct.
• Complete all mandatory training and CPD requirements.
• Undertake any additional duties appropriate to the role as directed by academy leadership.
• Contribute and be part of the Academy Management Team and wellbeing team.
• Flexibility in working schedule to meet business operations and ability to work evenings and weekends
• Liaise with 1^st team player liaison to support player transition and establish best practice 

Competencies: 

Essential requirements: 

• Experience working with young people aged 9-18 years and understand the emotional and well-being challenges they face.
•  FA Safeguarding certificate.
• High levels of Emotional Intelligence.
• Strong verbal and written skills.
• UK driving licence and use of own vehicle.
• Good experience of managing projects with a variety of stakeholders.
• IT Skills 

Desirable qualifications: 

• Demonstrate experience of working in a professional sporting academy or educational environment.
•  EFAiF certificate
• Mental Health First Aid Certification
• Experience of using Football Intelligence Platform and My Concern.
• Talented Athlete Lifestyle Support Level 3