Job Description

JOB DESCRIPTION


JOB TITLE: Head of Academy Football


DEPARTMENT: Academy


REPORTS TO: Academy Director


LOCATION: Sir Jack Hayward Training Ground/International and National Travel


HOURS: A minimum of 37.5 hours per week. Flexibility in this role is


essential. Work may be subject to change with less than 24 hours'


notice on occasions. Work will regularly be outside 'normal' working


hours, in evenings, weekends and bank holidays. Attendance at


academy matches/special events


DATE: December 2025




We are Wolves. Progressive, determined, bright, unified and humble. A pack that is hungry for


success. Wolves is one of the fastest-growing professional football clubs in the UK and also boasts


one of the richest histories in the beautiful game.


Formed in 1877, Wolves was a founder member of the Football League and was one of the country's


most successful sides in the fifties and sixties. During a two-decade spell, the Black Country's most


decorated side won three First Division titles and one of its four FA Cups.




Fast forward 70 years, and Wolves are back amongst football's elite, in the Premier League for an


eighth successive season, but now we compete as a sports and entertainment business across


multiple brand verticals. As a challenger club, Wolves dare to be different, which is why creating


world-class propositions in esports, fashion and music are all part of our ambitious plans.




At Wolves, we don't simply look to the future; we seize it.




We are committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children, young people and


adults at risk. We expect all colleagues and volunteers to share this commitment. This means that


the post-holder is required to apply all relevant policies and uphold the Club's commitment to


safeguarding children, young people and adults at risk


_____________________________________________________________


Job purpose


This role will oversee the full football programme across the Academy from U9-U21, ensuring the


coaching, curriculum, learning environment, and player development systems meet the highest


professional standards.


This role will lead a full audit of the Academy Football Curriculum, ensuring clarity, consistency,


progression, and alignment across all phases. This role will also lead the audit and development of


coach development, building a clear coach learning framework, CPD programme, mentoring


structure, and standards of coaching practice.


The post-holder will be responsible for driving high-quality coaching, aligning the football philosophy


across departments, and ensuring the Academy meets (and exceeds) Premier League EPPP


requirements. They will work closely with the Academy Director, phase leads, and multidisciplinary


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staff to deliver a football programme that accelerates player development and supports coaches to


operate at a consistently high level.


_____________________________________________________________


Key responsibilities


Football Curriculum & Programme Leadership


Lead a full audit of the current Academy football curriculum (U9-U21), including:


Coaching philosophy


Syllabus content and progression


Session design


Game model


Individual development frameworks


Align and illustrate a coherent Academy Football Curriculum that is phase-aligned, age-



appropriate, measurable, and easy for staff to use.


Ensure every phase (U9-U13, U14-U16, U17-U21) has clear learning outcomes, theme


structures, game principles, and non-negotiables.


Oversee the alignment of coaching delivery across all squads and staff.


Build and maintain a clear Academy Game Model and ensure it is embedded in coaching,


meetings, CPD, and player ILP work.


Quality-assure all football programme delivery through ongoing observation, feedback, and


planning reviews.


Coach Development & Standards


Lead a full audit of the current coach development provision and coach competency levels.


Design and deliver a Coach Development Strategy that includes:


Individual Coach Development Plans


Regular coaching observations


Mentoring sessions


Clear development priorities


Progress checks and standards compliance


Establish a structured CPD programme, including weekly workshops, in-service days,


external speakers, and practical delivery sessions.


Oversee and run weekly coaches' meetings, connecting planning, reflections, and


programme alignment.


Ensure coaches have support in session planning, periodisation, age-appropriate methods,


and reflective practice.


Build a transparent, supportive, and ambitious coaching environment with clear


expectations and high professional standards.


Player Development Oversight


Work with phase leads to ensure the quality of individual development plans (ILPs), player


reviews, and 6-8 week MDT meetings.


Ensure coaching delivery reflects the technical, tactical, physical, and psychological needs of


each player.


Oversee progression planning for players training and playing across squads.


Maintain clear links between the football curriculum and each player's ILP targets.


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Support talent identification and provide a football performance lens for recruitment


decisions.


Programme Quality Assurance


Set and monitor football programme standards across:


Session delivery


Training tempo and behaviours


Learning environment


Player development focus


Matchday processes


Lead regular programme audits and report findings to the Academy Director.


Ensure compliance with all EPPP coaching and player development requirements.


Oversee consistency of messaging, planning, and communication across all phases.


Leadership & Communication


Be a visible leader who works daily with staff on the grass and in meetings.


Drive collaboration between coaches, MDT staff, and recruitment teams.


Present football programme direction, priorities, and progress updates to senior


management.


Support the Academy Director in developing the long-term strategic plan for the football


pathway.


Maintain strong relationships across all levels of the Academy and first-team football


departments.


Safeguarding


To follow and enforce best prac ce in rela on to Safeguarding policies and processes, including


but not limited to repor ng procedures.


To work alongside the Safeguarding Team and Designated Safeguarding Leads to ensure


safeguarding standards are met and maintained.


Keep maintaining CPD, knowledge and skills in rela on to safeguarding prac ces, delivery and


management.


Responsible for structuring adequate safeguarding-related quality assurance assessments for


relevant business areas.


General responsibilities


Compliance with Club policies


Compliance with the Club's health and safety procedures


Compliance with the Club's safeguarding policies


To promote the Club's values of progressive, humble, determined, bright and unified


To work consistently to embed equality & diversity into the Club


To undertake such other duties as may be reasonably expected


To maintain professional conduct at all times





_____________________________________________________________


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Safeguarding


We are committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children, young people and adults


at risk. We expect all those associated with WWFC to share this commitment. This means that the


post-holder is required to apply all relevant policies and uphold the Club's commitment to


safeguarding children, young people and adults at risk.


_____________________________________________________________


Equality, Diversity, and Inclusion


The post holder will demonstrate a strong commitment to equality, diversity, and inclusion,


supporting the organisation's strategic aims to remove barriers and address inequality. You will play


an active role in promoting an inclusive, discrimination-free environment that ensures fair access to


opportunities and resources. This includes fostering a culture of dignity, respect, and belonging


where everyone is empowered to contribute, perform, and reach their full potential.


_____________________________________________________________


Key relationships


Academy Director


Assistant Director of Performance


Head of International Youth Recruitment


Age Group Coach


Technical Director


First Team Coaches


EDI Lead


Head of Safeguarding


Safeguarding Senior Manager - Academy Safeguarding Lead


Health and Safety Team


HR Manager


Women & Girls Operations Lead


_____________________________________________________________


Scope of the job


Deliver first-class coaching and development to all players in the elite group.


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PERSON SPECIFICATION





Knowledge: the level and breadth of knowledge to do the job e.g. understanding of a defined system,


method or procedure, legal or regulatory frameworks etc


Essential


An understanding of Safeguarding children, young people and adults at risk.


Knowledge of Safeguarding legislation, policies and procedures (including reporting platforms


and/or requirements).


Wellbeing knowledge in relation to supporting children, young people and adults at risk.


Evidence of understanding the Premier League Elite Player Performance Plan (EPPP) rules and


regulations.


Previous experience of working within an elite football academy environment.


A proven track record of developing youth players within the EPPP system.


A Licenced member of Football Association Coaches Club.


Understanding of maturation and long-term athletic development.


A strong understanding of key organisational and operational requirements, including safeguarding,


HR and Health & Safety.


Experience of working within an Academy multi-disciplinary team.


Knowledge and experience of reflective practice and personal development.


An understanding of elite player behaviour and psychological aspects.


Experience at a Category 1 EPPP Academy.





Desirable


Experience of developing players who have played in the Premier League




Technical/work-based skills: skills specific to the job e.g. language competence, typing skills, coaching skills


etc


Essential





Good understanding of the rules of the game.


Good use of IT e.g. Word, Excel, PowerPoint.


Ability to provide reflective feedback using PMA.





General skills and attributes: more general characteristics e.g. flexibility, communication skills, team working


etc


Essential


Understanding of how to work safely with children, young people and adults at risk to uphold


Safeguarding best practice.


Promote, adhere to and implement the Club's Equality Policy and to work consistently to embed


equality and diversity within Club.


Can work effectively within a team environment and also independently.


Excellent interpersonal skills.


Ability to effectively liaise with players, parents, coaches, staff and senior management, including


being able to deal effectively with situations/tasks, in both a methodical and creative way.


Strong communication and public engagement skills.


Availability for flexible working hours.


Own transportation and clean driving licence.


Takes responsibility for ensuring a high quality of work at all times.


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A genuine team player who leads from the front and will support and motivate other members of


the team.


An adaptive individual who can cope well under high pressure situations.


A proven ability to multi-task and manage multiple projects.


Hardworking and enthusiastic.





Experience: proven record of experience in a particular field, profession or specialism.




Essential


Proven experience in a similar role.


Member of F.A. Licensed Coaches Club


Working with children and/or vulnerable adults





Qualifications: the level of educational, professional and/or occupational training required




Essential


Post-holder must hold or obtain at the earliest opportunity and maintain the relevant safeguarding


training (i.e. FA Safeguarding Children Workshop).


Post-holder will be subject to a DBS check at the appropriate level and cleared by the Wolves Safer


Recruitment Group


U.E.F.A - A Licence


F.A. Advanced Youth Award


Up to date FA Emergency First Aid Certificate





Desirable


Associate degree (college diploma or above)





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