Academy Performance Analyst (U15-U16 focus)

About the role

Due to internal promotion Leicester City Football Club Academy are seeking a motivated and enthusiastic Performance Analyst to work with our U15 and U16 squads.

Based at Leicester City Football Club’s new world-class Training Ground, this role will work in collaboration with all Academy departments to develop and implement a leading-edge programme where everything is possible.

Working as part of a multi-disciplinary team with a busy programme the individual will need the ability to work under pressure without compromising quality or detail.

The successful individual will need to communicate and present data in a manner that meets the needs of the individual, provides insight into individual player development and build strong empathetic relationships with staff and players.  

Who we're looking for

The ideal candidate will have attained a master’s degree in performance analysis and a minimum of one year’s experience within an elite-performance environment.

It will be essential that the successful candidate has high level communication skills, can build strong empathetic relationship with our players and can thrive in a high-pressure, dynamic, and flexible environment.

About the club

Knowing some of the history of Leicester City Football Club helps you appreciate the sense of community, spirit and family for which the Foxes are renowned for.

Formed in 1884, the Club was promoted to the Premier League in 2014 when the Foxes returned to the top tier as the Championship title-winners. In 2016, Leicester City became Premier League champions.

This remarkable achievement qualified them for the UEFA Champions League for the first time in the Club’s history, and they subsequently reached the quarter-finals. The Club continues to build on that success and celebrated lifting the prestigious FA Cup in May 2021.

Under the stewardship of King Power and the Club’s CEO Susan Whelan, Leicester City Football Club is deeply committed to the local community and its supporters and continually strives to ensure that every point of engagement with fans is truly world class including the experience on matchdays. Meanwhile, investment in the Club continues, with the 2021 opening of a new state-of-the-art Training Ground in north Leicestershire.

Job description

Main Objectives:

• Create insights to evaluate performance and development on an individual and team level.
• Use insights to contribute to the design training sessions, influence match strategies, inform rehabilitation and enhance delivery in other disciplines.
• Develop technical and tactical knowledge of players to support performance and development.
• Longitudinally track individual and team development.

Summary of Duties:

• Filming Youth Development Phase (YDP) matches and training, with a focus on the U15 and U16 age-groups.
• Conduct individual and team coding to create video and data feedback.
• Use statistical analysis to evaluate processes and feedback and to provide age-appropriate benchmarking.
• Provide thorough pre- and post-match analysis on technical/tactical themes, match objectives and our playing philosophy through individual and group sessions.
• Provide live feedback during training and games (individual and team).
• Regular clear communication of analysis insights to key stakeholders through different means.
• Regularly meet with players to conduct tailored analysis sessions to aid player development as part of an MDT.
• Support development of independent analysis skills for players.
• Create educational media for key stakeholders.
• Provide support and guidance to MSc Placement Students.
• Be a custodian of our Academy Culture.
• Be an active member of the Performance Support Team, positively contributing to a multidisciplinary team approach.
• Take responsibility for the use and maintenance of analysis equipment.
• Drive and track own professional development using an Individual Development Plan.
• Maintain video and data databases (individual and team).
• Work in the best interest of the player as part of a multidisciplinary team.
• Collaborate with the psychology department to deliver psychological development within analysis sessions.
• Support other analysts within the department where required.

The job may require you to travel in the UK and overseas on occasion, including overnight.

The job will require you to work unsociable hours including some evenings, weekends, and bank holidays.

The Employee must always carry out his/her responsibilities with due regard to the Club values and policies and procedures, in particular Health & Safety, Equality and Diversity, Confidentiality and regarding the Data Protection Act.

The above Job Description is not intended to be exhaustive; the duties and responsibilities may therefore vary over time according to the changing needs of the Club.

Personal specification

Experience and qualifications:

Essential:

• BSc and MSc in Performance Analysis or other relatable degree. 
• Good technical/tactical football understanding.
• Experience of SportsCode or similar packages.
• Relevant experience working with elite young athletes.

Desirable:

• FA Coaching Qualifications.
• FA Talent Identification Qualifications.

Competencies:

• Numerate with strong IT skills – applies logic to solve problems and has experience in the use of different software(s) to feedback actionable insights.
• Energy and enthusiasm – someone who is eager to drive the development of our players.
• Pro-active – highly organised, can work under pressure to deal with multiple tasks, and is forthcoming with ideas and assistance.
• Interpersonal skills – exhibits respect and understanding of others to build and maintain professional relationships with staff and players.
• Diversity and inclusion – an inclusive person who fosters a diverse and respectful workplace where team members are valued for who they are. 
• Personal development – eager to develop and progress both technically and in the softer skills of being an analyst.

Our Academy Cultural Framework

Our identity:

LIKE A FOX WE ARE 

Clever and creative by being intentionally open minded and purposefully innovative we will be leading edge in the development of our staff and players.

EMPATHETIC COLLABORATION 

With empathy for each other we will relentlessly work in collaboration to drive up our standards and gain a competitive advantage.

Behaviours we expect:

ACT WITH INTEGRITY 

Integrity is fundamental to what we do. In football there are no shortcuts, day in day out we are reliable, honest and make decisions in the best interest of the players and environment and not for personal gain.

Role requirements

• To comply and promote the Club’s policies and procedures to include Safeguarding, Equality & Diversity and GDPR compliance.

• Understanding of the governance, security and cyber security requirements including areas such as General Data Protection Regulations (GDPR).

• To undertake required training including mandatory Club Equality and Diversity, Health and Safety and Safeguarding Induction.

Benefits package

Leicester City Football Club offers a competitive salary and pension scheme with life assurance to all its permanent employees.

To make the most for day to day living, employees are able to access various retail discount programmes and salary sacrifice schemes, as well as benefit from free onsite parking as well and onsite, subsidised staff restaurants. Employees also benefit from up to 33 days’ annual leave including bank holidays.

One City. One Club. One Leicester.

How to apply

Fill in your contact details via THIS LINK  and then click ‘Begin Application’ (bottom right). 

Leicester City Football Club believes that football is for all and we are committed to Diversity and Inclusion, where valuing the individual is our highest priority. We are working to see equality across all areas of the Club and welcome applications from all areas of the community. We are committed to the wellbeing of our staff and welcome applicants seeking flexible hours.

If you have any requirements in regards to the recruitment process, please let us know. We are happy to support your needs.

A shortlist of suitable applicants will be compiled shortly after the closing date and successful candidates will be contacted about the interview process.