Player Development Lead (U21s)

Job summary

Overall responsibility for the day-to-day management of the U21 squad and managing their transition into first-team football; enabling players to achieve their full potential through collaborative working with the multi-disciplinary team (MDT), nurturing our talent to produce players capable of making the transition to first team

Role responsibilities

• Implement the Academy playing philosophy, ensuring the Club’s principles and style of play are adhered to, and closely mirror the system used by the first team where possible;
• Implement the Academy coaching philosophy ensuring that clear and consistent messages are communicated at all times;
• Implement and review the Academy coaching curriculum ensuring it fits with the Academy playing philosophy and coaching philosophy, that it is phase specific, caters for individual needs and takes into account modern trends within the game;
• Work in conjunction with the Methodology Lead, Head of Player Development and U21 squad performance staff to plan, deliver and review the coaching programme for the U21 squad;
• Ensure that all multidisciplinary objectives across macro, meso and micro timeframes are achieved;
• Lead preparations for and manage all aspects of the U21 squad games programme;
  Review team and squad selections with the Academy Director & Head of Player Development prior to each fixture;
• At a minimum conduct bi-weekly MDT meetings, incorporating schedule planning, department updates and development reviews for players, creating an environment in which players are empowered to lead their own development;
• Conduct mid and end of season development reviews with every individual player in the U21 squad, regularly reviewing player progression on an informal basis and providing updates as required to the Academy Director
• In conjunction with the Academy Director, Head of Player Development, Methodology Lead and Head of Recruitment monitor the player succession planning process from U16 to U21;
• Work in conjunction with the U21 squad multidisciplinary performance staff to ensure that all relevant data is recorded on the Club’s chosen performance management application and easily accessible when required as stipulated in the Elite Player Performance Plan (EPPP) regulations;
• Work in conjunction with the Loan Player Coordinator to discuss and monitor individual learning plans for all players on loan from the U21 development squad; supporting the player succession planning process from U16 to U21;
• Utilise the Academy Coach Competency Framework (CCF) to assist the Head of Coach Development to review the performance of the PDP coaches against the CCF for all aspects of their role;Provide mentoring support for young players who have permanently transitioned or are transitioning (sometimes sporadically) into the first team environment;
• Work closely with the Academy’s Head of Player Development and first team coaches to ensure development squad players’ individual learning plans align with and can integrate into the first team’s footballing philosophy;
•  Liaise with the Academy’s Head of Player development to ensure individual plans are catered for when young players enter the first team environment on an ad-hoc basis;
• Liaise with the Loan Player Coordinator to ensure individual learning plans and game reviews are still catered for when young players from the first team environment are on loan at another club;
• Provide player updates to the first team Head Coach and wider coaching and support staff as required;
• Liaise with the Head Coach and staff to ensure messages communicated to young players are clear and consistent;
• Assist the 1st team coaching department as and when required;
• Provide home matchday support to the 1st team coaching department;
• Conduct game reviews with young players (u21) playing in the 1st team as and when required;
• Any other reasonable duties.

Role requirements

• Perform duties with due regard to club policies and procedures and legislative requirements at all times;
• Ensure implementation of the clubs health & safety, safeguarding, welfare and equality policies to create a safe working environment for all;
• Maintain an awareness of data best practice and ensure working practices are appropriate in collaboration with club’s legal/compliance/other relevant functions;
• Undertake continuous professional development (CPD) training and/or additional training as identified or as required.

Qualifications & training

Essential

• GCSE, or equivalent, in Maths and English grade C or above;
• The Football Association (FA) Advanced Coaching Licence (UEFA ‘A’);
• FA Advanced Youth Award;
• FA Safeguarding Certificate;
• FA Basic First Aid for Sport;
• Professional membership of FA Licenced Coaches Club.

Desirable

• FA Professional Coaching Licence (UEFA Pro);
• Mentoring/personal coaching qualification;
• Sports/ teaching or other relevant degree.

Knowledge, skills & experience

Essential 

• Experience of working with players within the professional game;
• Excellent communication and listening skills;
• Strong presentation skills;
• Understanding of EPPP and the audit process;
• Knowledge and understanding of safeguarding, welfare and equality;
• Competent in Microsoft Office and Apple software packages;
• Driving Licence (preferably clean).

Desirable

• Experience of working with players within the professional game at first team and/or U21 level;
• Competent in analysis software packages i.e. Sports Code;
• Tutoring/teaching experience.

How to apply

Click ‘Apply now’ via THIS LINK

Please apply as soon as possible as this vacancy may close early should we receive a high volume of suitable candidates.

We are the heartbeat of the city. Come and be a part of a long and proud history where we strive to be the best in everything we do, on and off the pitch. Bringing the people and communities together, join the Newcastle United Family, as we embark on the next steps of our exciting journey.

Criminal record check requirement

This role requires a criminal records check (CRC) deemed suitable by the Club, at the following level; enhanced with barred list.

Where a role requires a CRC this must be obtained by the Club. The requirement of a CRC for this role is due to responsibilities relating to children under the age of 18 years and/or adults at risk of harm.

General statement

All employees of the Club must at all times carry out their responsibilities with due regards to all policies and procedures and in particular health and safety, confidentiality and data protection.

Safeguarding & welfare statement

The Club is committed to the safeguarding and welfare of all children, young people and adults at risk of harm and requires all staff, volunteers and others associated with the Club to share and endorse this commitment.

As part of this commitment, all staff are expected to undertake regular safeguarding and welfare related training and to ensure the environments in which they work remain safe at all times.

This includes ensuring ‘best practices’ are adopted at all times and incidents or concerns are proactively reported. Safeguarding is considered everybody’s responsibility.

Equality, diversity & inclusion statement

The Club is committed to equality, diversity and inclusion, encapsulated by the Club’s brand United As One, and believes in equal opportunities for all. We expect that all staff, volunteers and others associated with the Club share and endorse this commitment in a positive manner.

The club does not tolerate any form of direct or indirect discrimination, victimisation or harassment. Your behaviour must align to the principles of equality as outlined in the Clubs equality policy which can be found at www.nufc.co.uk/UnitedAsOne