Professional Development Phase Coach

Who are we?

Wycombe Wanderers FC is a League One Football Club with ambition! We’re embarking on an exciting new journey within our youth development programme. Here’s what we are aiming to achieve in the coming years…

Our Mission is to build a world-leading football Academy that develops exceptional players and people for our 1st Team, the UK and global game.

Who we’re looking for?

To help us realise our ambition, we’re not just looking for people to fill roles, we’re searching for those who are passionate about helping us build something special and create meaningful change.

By joining us now, you’ll play a key role in developing a culture that values innovation, collaboration, and continuous improvement. Your expertise and ideas will help us establish an academy where every detail contributes to the development of our players.

Therefore, we require a hard-working, open-minded, smart & humble individual within the role of Professional Development Phase Coach. This person must be passionate about the development of young players. This exciting new position in our Academy will be responsible for:

• Supporting the effective delivery of the PDP Training Programme & Games Programme in alignment with our Game Model and Coaching Programme.
• Supporting the planning, delivery and reviewing of outstanding Individual Development Plans.
• Working within the Inter-Disciplinary Team to maximise person and player development within the Professional Development Phase.
• Supporting the smooth transitions of new, existing and exiting players as they progress through the pathway.

Do you have what it takes?

The successful candidate will need to hold the following qualifications:

• UEFA B Licence (UEFA A Licence Desirable)
• FA Advanced Youth Award (Desirable)
• Valid Emergency First Aid in Football certification (EFAiF)
• Valid and up-to-date Safeguarding certificate

The successful candidate will need to be highly-skilled and passionate towards the development of young people and players. They will be adept at the planning, delivery and review of training/games programme. They will put the development of individual players at the heart of their work.

Moreover, the individual will be capable of working effectively with other departments and age groups across the academy and football club to maximise player and person development. Lastly, the individual will be curious and open-minded to being innovative in our approach to development to support our mission of becoming a world-leading football academy.

Key role accountabilities

1. Safeguarding: To always ensure & positively promote the Safeguarding of young people before anything else. 2

2. Training Programme: Working with the PDP Head Coach, lead the planning, preparation and delivery of coaching sessions in alignment with the Game Model, Coaching Methodology and an interdisciplinary approach for the PDP. To ensure all training sessions meet the needs of individuals, the team and are consistently of the highest standard. To also contribute to, and support the delivery within schoolboys age groups.

3. Games Programme: To work within the PDP coaching staff to effectively manage matchdays, review performances and complete any reporting or collation of performance data within 48 hours. To prepare individuals and the team to compete in the games programme whilst playing aligned to the Game Model and on-going development needs of players.

4. Individual Development Plans: To plan, deliver & review IDP sessions with PDP players to maximise individual development in coordination with the Academy Director, Academy Head of Football Development and Head PDP Coach. To contribute to player audits and player reviews to assess IDP progress both with staff and players. To promote all young people’s continual pursuit of further / higher education and becoming a life-long learner.

5. Compliance: To assist the Academy Director, Academy Head of Football Development & Head of Academy operations where necessary to ensure compliance within league, competition and licence rules & regulations. To work with the Head of Academy Operations & administrators on all appropriate team administration. To ensure adherence to and excels youth development rules.

6. Inter-disciplinary Teams: To work with other departmental staff working within the PDP to ensure the effective planning, delivery & evaluation of events, interactions and support for players that will provide a rich and rounded development programme.

7. Transitions: Work closely with the Academy Director, Academy Head of Football Development, key PDP staff and Youth Development Phase staff to ensure open communication to understand the progress of individuals preparing to transition into or beyond the U18s/U21s and across the pathway. This includes the supporting of U16 games/training programme on occasions. To support the recruitment and induction of new players into the age-group whilst also closely supporting on-going player reviews, succession planning processes and the re-routing of players away from the club.

8. Performance Data: To ensure that all technical performance data from both the training & games programme is appropriately recorded, reviewed and reported on to help inform the senior management team and future our player development strategy.

9. Learning Environment: To uphold and promote a positive and professional learning environment and culture of high standards across the academy at all times.

10. Personal Development: To contribute to and take part in a programme of continuing professional development whilst always demonstrating honest but positive self-reflection skills in the pursuit of furthering your own learning both on & off the pitch.

Other responsibilities

Macro (season):

• To complete any mandatory training as required by the club.
• To support the Academy’s annual PGAAC audit process.
• To support the Academy’s succession planning process and deliver the player development report for all PDP players.
• To support with an annual review of the PDP groups to the Academy Director & Academy Head of Football Development.
• To adhere to a strict code of confidentiality in respect of any information relating to Wycombe Wanderers Football Club and its operation.

Meso (Blocks):

• To work closely with the Academy Director & Head of Recruitment to ensure the identification and recruitment of talent for the Professional Development Phase.
• From time-to-time the job will require you to travel in the UK and overseas, including overnight stays for camps, tours & tournaments.
• Occasionally deliver and support the continual professional development to other academy staff.
• Liaise with the Head of Education and Player Welfare team in relation to all education and welfare duties and requirements.

Micro (Weekly):

• To support the U18 players in achieving their Apprenticeship qualification.
• Support MDT meetings for the PDP and attend / support other departments meetings where necessary.
• From time-to-time to attend Academy Leadership meetings and support the academy’s wider long-term strategy.
• Ensure all academy kit & equipment in your use is properly stored and maintained.

Person specification

Qualifications:

Essential:

• UEFA B Licence Coaching Award
• Valid FA Emergency Aid Certificate
• Valid Safeguarding Certificate

Desirable:

• UEFA A Licence Coaching Award
• FA Advanced Youth Award

Skills, knowledge and experience:

Essential:

• • Experience of coaching in an elite environment.
  • Track record of demonstrating high performance achievement in a professional environment.
  • Experience in coaching academy PDP players.
  • An appreciation and experience of supporting other coaches.
  • Understanding of the Elite Player Performance Plan.
  • Experience of managing individuals and teams.
  • Flexible approach to working hours including working evenings and weekends.
  • Ability to produce high quality written documentation.
  • IT skills to include a high level of competence using Excel, Word, Access and PowerPoint skills.
  • An understanding of Talent Identification.
  • Knowledge and understanding of working with young players.
  • Ability to work in a team environment.

Expected behaviour:

Essential:

• Champions our club values.
• Collaborative.
• Team oriented.
• Problem solver.
• Curious.
• Looks for continuous improvements in self and others.
• Pragmatic.
• Ability to work calmly under pressure.
• Ability to always maintain confidentiality.

How to apply

Send an email to jobs@wwfc.com with your CV and a cover letter.