Job Description

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.

Derby County Football Club has an opportunity to join our Academy Coaching Team as the Assistant U18 Coach.

Our Academy vision is to continue to provide talented, well-balanced young professional footballers for Derby County's first-team squad and become recognised as the 'Academy of Choice' for young players within our local area and beyond.

The successful candidate will support all relevant operations that create a successful delivery of the Academy Programme with specific attention given to the Under 18 age group and to ensure the club's vision and philosophy are always adhered to, taking responsibility for holistic player progression to the level of a professional first-team player.

Key Responsibilities:

To support players' progression and holistic development in the U18s.

To ensure that the U18 training and matchday programme aligns with the Derby County Academy Game Craft Model.

To support the training and matchday schedule for the age group.

To contribute to the scholarship decision-making process with specific responsibility for players transitioning from the Youth Development Phase to PDP.

To ensure the timely completion of PMA following EPPP requirements including match reports and training sessions.

To support Multi-Disciplinary Team meetings to ensure that player needs are met across all disciplines through MDT staff engagement.

Liaise with the recruitment team to pull together depth charts to conduct a needs analysis and agree on potential player targets.

To support the holistic development of the players in the age group and ensure that player needs are met in accordance with their Individual Development Plans.

To support the implementation of the scholar education and life-skills programme.

To participate in the player review process, including providing reports and work programmes highlighting progress and development strategy.

Support the retain and release process per the club's policies and procedures.

Develop strong relationships with the first team, U21s, and YDP staff and proactively support the transition of players from PDP to the first team and from YDP to PDP.

To undertake personal CPD as appropriate to meet the role's demands.

To take responsibility for your development through your Development Action Plan following the DCFC Coach Competency Framework (CCF).

To highlight and celebrate good practice and challenge poor practice where identified.

To be responsible for the health, safety and welfare of customers and colleagues, complying with health and safety guidance and policy.

Continuously work to maintain, embed and improve the club's safeguarding provision, ensuring the highest standards for safeguarding children and adults at risk.

To uphold and promote organisational policies and procedures, promoting those specifically applicable to this area of work and including equality, diversity and inclusion.

To present and promote an appropriate public image representing the organisation.

To undertake any other duties as may reasonably be required commensurate with the post.

Personal characteristics:

Ability to manage and motivate a team

Excellent communication skills with the ability to communicate effectively across all levels

Ability to organise, schedule and adapt work tasks to meet conflicting deadlines and respond to changing situations

Knowledge of the football recruitment process

Confidence and assertiveness

Team player

Committed to creating and upholding high standards

Essential Experience:

Experience of coaching within a Category 1 academy in the PDP

Experience of using the Performance Management Application (PMA)

Experience working as part of a Multi-Disciplinary Team

Essential Qualifications:

UEFA A License

FA Youth Award

FA Advanced Youth Award

FA Level 2 Emergency Aid in Football

FA Safeguarding Children Certificate

UEFA Pro License (desirable)

Salary dependent on experience

This is a full-time position based at our training ground in Oakwood, Derby.

This role will require weekend and evening work in line with the Academy programme.

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

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'

Training and development opportunities

Access to programmes and volunteering opportunities with Derby County Community Trust

Subsidised lunchtime meals at Moor Farm

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

Monday 30 June 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

Application deadline: 30/06/2025