ROLE DESCRIPTION

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 Paul Warne. 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.

Derby County Football Club are seeking to recruit an experienced coach to work with the U15 and U16 age groups, assisting the Lead Coaches in day-to-day planning/preparation, delivery of sessions, and match day execution from a team and individual player focus.

There will be opportunities to lead other Youth Development Phase age groups as and when required during training and match days.

Key Responsibilities:

Working predominantly with U15 and U16 age groups, the applicant will form a strong working relationship with Lead coaches and the wider MDT to ensure high-level planning to maximise output in all training sessions and fixtures.
Take personal responsibility for ensuring that the Derby County Game Craft Model is effectively understood, delivered, and executed age-appropriately in all practices.
Working with the U15 – U21 Individual Player Development Lead and Lead Coaches to ensure that the Player Individual Development Plans (IDP) are maintained, regularly updated and are at the centre of all session design, using Audit action points to work with the MDT to ensure that individual player development is at the forefront of our work.
Hold a key responsibility within all matchdays, with direction from the U16 Lead Coach.
Hold a key responsibility within all matchdays, with direction from the U15 Lead Coach.
To sit within the MDT of the Youth Development Phase (YDP), working closely with the Assistant Academy Manager to ensure thorough processes are in place to ensure the holistic development of all players within the Academy.
Adhere to the framework set in review periods, including weekly player feedback and match/training analysis using the correct platforms within the required time frames set.
Availability to travel overnight on tours and tournaments where applicable for all age groups across the YDP.
Be willing to Lead additional YDP fixtures as and when required.
To support additional age group day release sessions and be available to work across the phases as and when required.
Working with the Head of Coach Education, Head of Academy Technical Development, and Assistant Academy Manager to support and attend regular meetings to ensure that CPD and Personal Development Plans are relevant, supported and in place to focus on staff development, providing application and execution of the coaching competency framework.
To attend weekly MDT Operational meetings, providing informative input and relaying information obtained to fellow coaching staff members.
Provide input within the age-relevant player audit meetings, ensuring all staff are compliant and consulted before the meetings.
Provide input into the retain and release process within the specified age group, holding a viewpoint on age groups in years below and above.
Hold monthly reflective meetings with the Assistant Academy Manager for the month previous along with action plans for the month ahead, raising any additional resource requests required for individual groups.
Develop a strong working relationship with all departments within the Academy.


Personal characteristics and experience:

Experience working with players who have progressed through the Academy system would be preferred.
Experience in coaching within a professional football environment
Experience in coaching 11v11 format
Experience in implementing policies and procedures and reviewing practices to ensure continuous improvement
Passion, desire and understanding of Youth Development
Excellent communication and listening skills with the ability to communicate effectively across all levels.
Ability to organise, schedule and adapt work tasks to meet conflicting deadlines and respond to changing situations
Confident presentation skills are desirable
Ability to work effectively as part of a team and independently.
Understanding of EPPP and the audit process.
Ability to enter data efficiently and effectively on Kitman Labs and other suitable platforms.


Essential Qualifications

UEFA A Coaching License
FA Advanced Youth Awards
FA Safeguarding and First Aid Qualifications


Competitive salary, salary dependent on experience

The role is full-time, working 35 hours per week. Due to the demands of a professional football environment, working evenings and weekends is required per the Academy Programme.

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


Derby County Football Club is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children, young people and adults at risk, and expects all staff and volunteers to share this commitment.

As part of the Club's commitment to providing a safe environment for children and young people, applicants should be aware that this post is subject to an Enhanced Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) Criminal Record Check.

Derby County Football Club is an Inclusive Club for all and is committed to Equality and Diversity.

To apply for this role, please complete an application form, which can be found HERE.

Alternatively, please copy and paste - http://thera.ms/apply - to your chosen browser.

More information can be found at https://www.dcfc.co.uk/page/jobsandcareers

The closing date for receipt of applications is Friday 9 August 2024. We reserve the right to close the vacancy early.

Strictly no agencies, please.

Derby County Football Club’s Job Applicant Privacy Policy can be found at dcfc.co.uk.