Job Description

Derby County are seeking to recruit an Academy Goalkeeping Lead to join the Academy Coaching and lead the Goalkeeping pathway at our Category One Academy, at Moor Farm Training Ground.

Working for Derby County Football Club offers a unique opportunity to be part of one of England's most historic and passionately supported clubs. With a proud legacy, a dedicated fan base, and an exciting vision for the future, Derby County offers a dynamic and rewarding work environment both on and off the pitch. Whether you're joining the team in coaching, administration, marketing, or operations, you'll be contributing to a culture rooted in ambition, community, and progress. Employees benefit from a collaborative work environment and opportunities for professional development.

The successful candidate will oversee the academy's goalkeeping pathway and lead the delivery of effective coaching for goalkeepers, primarily aged 15 to 21 years old.

You will deliver and develop performance pathways and plans, creating an optimum environment for young goalkeepers to develop and perform at the highest level of the game.

Key Role Responsibilities:

Coaching & Development

Deliver elite goalkeeper coaching sessions across the academy, including evenings, weekends, and day releases.

Support First Team Goalkeeping Coach during sessions involving academy keepers.

Plan and deliver sessions aligned with the Club's Goalkeeping IDP at macro, meso, and micro levels.

Provide off-field coaching via regular reviews of training and match footage.

Maintain all coaching and IDP data on the PMA system.

Ensure all sessions comply with Health & Safety and promote a positive learning environment.

Matchday Duties

Prepare and support goalkeepers on matchdays, particularly U15-U21.

Observe and review performances, providing feedback and documenting on PMA.

Communicate coaching points aligned with the Academy Philosophy.

Support appropriate playing opportunities, including for trialists.

Performance Reviews

Conduct Player Performance Reviews with phase coaches and multidisciplinary teams.

Link reviews to learning outcomes and support with video analysis.

Ensure all reviews and supporting data are updated on the PMA.

Recruitment & Succession Planning

Assist with scouting and evaluating goalkeeper talent, including trialists and loanees.

Maintain and update the goalkeeping succession plan.

Ensure all goalkeepers have a tailored IDP aligned with their development needs.

Operations & Communication

Lead PDP goalkeeper coaching across the academy pathway.

Provide performance feedback using video and data analysis.

Attend and contribute to weekly goalkeeping and staff meetings.

Collaborate daily with outfield coaches and multidisciplinary teams.

Ensure PMA entries are updated within 48 hours of any activity.

Support internal CPD and attend FA in-service training (min. 5 hours annually).

Stakeholder Engagement

Maintain strong communication with players, parents, and staff through regular reviews, meetings, and parent evenings.

Foster a professional environment aligned with the Coach Competency Framework.

Professional Standards

Act as a role model, upholding the highest standards of behaviour, professionalism, and compliance with FA and league regulations.

Personal characteristics and experience:

A minimum of 3 years of coaching experience in a professional academy, all Foundation, Youth and Professional Development Phases is essential

Playing experience within the professional game

Experience in coaching international teams in Goalkeeping at the youth level

First-team goalkeeping coach experience

Ability to manage and motivate a team

Excellent communication skills with the ability to communicate effectively, positively and enthusiastically with people at all levels

Knowledge of relevant governing body programmes, policies and procedures

Knowledge of the football recruitment process

Good knowledge of the age-appropriate techniques and skill practices for player development

Excellent planning and organisational skills

Committed to high standards

Flexible approach and prepared to work unsociable hours

Able to take a considered and sensible approach to problem-solving

Qualifications:

Essential

FA Goalkeeping Coaching A License or enrolled on A License course

FA Goalkeeping Coaching B License

UEFA B License

Advanced FA Youth Award for Goalkeeping

Level 2 Emergency First Aid in Football

Safeguarding Children Certificate

Salary is competitive, dependent on experience.

This is a full-time role, and due to the demands of professional football, there is a requirement for weekend and evening work, as well as regular national travel.

Who are Derby County...

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 John Eustace. 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.

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, subject to availability

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' and Staff Events!

Training and development opportunities

Access to programmes and volunteering opportunities with Derby County Community Trust

Subsidised lunchtime meals at Moor Farm

How to apply...

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

Sunday 07 September 2025.

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.

Job Types: Full-time, Permanent

Work Location: In person