Department Academy
Report to Academy Director
Location Oriam - Scotland’s Sports Performance Centre, Edinburgh, EH14 4AS
Salary Competitive salary plus excellent staff benefits.
Hours Full-time, 37.5 hours per week. Weekend and evening working is required as per the Academy schedule.
Closing Date 14th February 2025 – close of play
Heart of Midlothian is a Scottish Premiership Football Club based in Edinburgh with Elite Academy Status. The Club has an exciting opportunity for an individual to oversee the Academy Coaching program, across all boys and girls age groups, as Head of Academy Coaching.
The role involves being responsible for leading the development of all coaches within the Academy and creating an environment which encourages continuous learning and development. The role involves on-pitch delivery to both staff and players, and delivery of the in-house CPD programme in line with SFA criteria. This is an excellent opportunity for someone who has previous experience working within an Elite Football Academy, with coach educator or tutor experience, and is passionate about supporting and developing coaches.
Key Responsibilities:
To establish and manage a sustainable system and approach to coach education and development for all coaches across all Academy phases.
Support the Balerno Performance School coaches, to ensure that the players attending our Performance School maximise their potential.
Design and manage the delivery of the in-service CPD coach development programme for all Academy coaches, ensuring these align with the Scottish FA Criteria.
Liaise with each coach to develop an Individual Development Plan (IDP) that is tailored to meet their individual needs.
Develop and implement a Club Specific Coach Competency Framework (CCF) to monitor and evaluate coaches to encourage development.
Provide coaching, analysis, and feedback to coaches to further develop through monitoring of session plans and delivery.
To contribute, adapt and help evolve the current Academy Identity in coordination with the Academy Director and Coaching staff to aid the progression of the Academy.
Build effective relationships across the multi-disciplinary teams to enhance delivery towards the coach development programme.
To assist the Academy Director in ensuring criteria within the Scottish FA Club Academy Scotland programme is met and exceeded.
Essential Qualifications, Experience & Requirements:
- UEFA Pro License and/or UEFA A License and/or UEFA Elite Youth A License.
- Scottish FA Advanced Children’s License (Desirable).
- Degree level education within a relevant discipline, such as Sport or Teaching (Desirable).
- Previous Coach Education, tutor or mentoring experience.
- Previous experience of working within an Elite Football Academy and creating Individual Development Plans.
- Currently based in Edinburgh or can reliably commute to Edinburgh and other locations as per the needs of the position.
- Legal right to work in the UK.
- Valid UK driving license.
Essential Skills & Abilities:
- Strong interpersonal skills, and able to build strong working relationships across multi-disciplinary teams.
- Excellent communication, both written and verbal.
- Commitment to ongoing professional development.
- A strong work ethic with a passion for developing coaches.
- Ability to manage your own time effectively.
- A high standard of professionalism and confidentiality.
- Excellent IT and presentation skills.
- Flexibility with weekly working patterns to suit the needs of the Academy schedule, including weekend and evening work.
The role will have regular contact with children, and it is therefore required by law to have a Protection of Vulnerable Groups (PVG) check through Disclosure Scotland as a condition of employment.
How to apply: If you think that you are suitable for the position and meet the criteria above, please send a CV and covering letter to the HR Department at Recruitment@homplc.co.uk.
HEART OF MIDLOTHIAN FOOTBALL CLUB IS AN EQUAL OPPORTUNITIES EMPLOYER AND FULLY COMMITTED TO THE SAFEGUARDING AND WELFARE OF VULNERABLE GROUPS. HEART OF MIDLOTHIAN IS A LIVING WAGE ACCREDITED COMPANY.