The Academy Coach & Recruitment Officer will oversee identifying, attracting, and enrolling talented student-athletes aged 16-19 for our Football and Education Programme, starting September 2026. This position involves working closely with schools, grassroots clubs, players, parents, and education partners to drive recruitment and ensure high-quality intakes each academic year.
Key Responsibilities:
1. Talent Identification & Scouting
Attend grassroots, school, and district-level matches to scout potential players.
Build relationships with local coaches, PE staff, and club officials to develop talent pipelines.
Organise and deliver open trials, talent ID days, and showcase events.
2. Recruitment & Admissions
Promote the programme to Year 10-11 students, parents, and schools.
Guide prospective players through the recruitment process, including application, trial, and enrolment stages.
Meet recruitment targets for player numbers and quality for each intake year.
3. Marketing & Outreach
Represent the academy at careers fairs, school visits, and football events.
Collaborate with the marketing team to create engaging recruitment materials, including social media content, flyers, and videos.
Manage recruitment campaigns both digitally and on-the-ground.
4. Relationship Management
Serve as the key contact for parents, schools, and club coaches during the recruitment process.
Maintain accurate records of interested players, trialists, and accepted students.
Provide excellent communication and support to families throughout the decision-making journey.
5. Programme Promotion
Promote the academy's football offering, educational partners, success stories, and progression pathways (e.g., university, scholarships, semi-pro/pro opportunities).
Help communicate the unique value of the programme: dual focus on football development and academic achievement.
Requirements:
Experience in youth recruitment, sports coaching, or football scouting (ideally with 16-19 year olds).
Strong knowledge of the grassroots and academy football landscape.
Excellent communication and presentation skills.
Ability to work evenings and weekends (e.g., to attend matches and host trials).
Full UK driving license and access to a vehicle.
Passion for football and youth development.
Desirable Qualifications & Skills:
FA Talent ID qualification or relevant scouting training.
UEFA C or equivalent
Background in sports development, coaching, or education.
Familiarity with post-16 education routes (BTEC, A-Levels, apprenticeships).
Experience using CRM systems or student application platforms.
Personal Attributes:
Confident and professional with strong interpersonal skills.
Target-driven with a proactive and organised approach.
Able to work independently and as part of a multi-disciplinary team.
Job Types: Full-time, Part-time, Fixed term contract
Pay: 26,000.00-30,000.00 per year
Benefits:
Free or subsidised travel
Gym membership
Work Location: Hybrid remote in Milton Keynes MK9 1FH