Job Description

Derby County are seeking to recruit a Head of Safeguarding to join the club working across both Pride Park Stadium and Moor Farm Training Centre.

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 provide leadership for Safeguarding, Player Care, and Learning at the Club, developing, implementing, and overseeing strategies, policies, and procedures. They will lead and manage teams, liaise with external agencies, conduct audits, and promote a culture of vigilance and professional curiosity across the organisation.

Key Role Responsibilities:

Develop and lead a Club-wide safeguarding strategy, vision, and policies that protect children and vulnerable adults.

Oversee safeguarding risk assessments for all Club activities, events, and trips, ensuring appropriate mitigation and review.

Maintain strategic oversight of case management systems and ensure secure, compliant handling of safeguarding concerns and records.

Lead safeguarding investigations, ensuring fair, transparent processes and liaison with external agencies as needed.

Ensure safeguarding is embedded across Club operations by contributing to cross-departmental working groups and strategic planning.

Coordinate psychological and wellbeing support for players through collaborative triage and referral processes.

Ensure safeguarding policies and procedures are current, legally compliant, reviewed annually, and communicated Club-wide.

Advise the Board on safeguarding legislation, responsibilities, and best practice.

Be a key member of the Academy leadership team, driving high standards and continuous improvement.

Implement a quality assurance system with regular audits to maintain compliance and improve safeguarding practices.

Promote a Club-wide culture of vigilance, professional curiosity, and shared responsibility for safeguarding.

Ensure all staff are appropriately trained in safeguarding, with updated HR records.

Oversee care and accommodation compliance and effectiveness.

Provide guidance to staff on safeguarding referrals and ensure proper documentation.

Develop strong external relationships with safeguarding bodies, authorities, and statutory partners.

Lead on lifelong learning strategies, supporting player development and educational opportunities.

Maintain up-to-date safeguarding knowledge through regular training.

Act as Senior Safeguarding Manager for First Team home fixtures, ensuring matchday safeguarding procedures meet EFL and safety requirements.

Personal characteristics and experience:

Five years' experience in a senior safeguarding role is essential

Up to date Safeguarding knowledge and experience of working with, and supporting vulnerable groups

Knowledge and understanding of government strategy, legislation, guidance and plans for safeguarding

Ability to lead and motivate teams, manage performance, and set strategic goals.

Develop and execute strategic plans, understand the organizational context, and drive continuous improvement.

Knowledge and experience of identifying and managing risk

Knowledge of an elite Sporting environment and its safeguarding expectations is desirable

Excellent administration skills including report writing

Excellent communication skills, both verbal and written

Ability to prioritise and manage own workload

Ability to work on own initiative

Work independently and as part of a team

Qualifications:

Essential

Child and Adult Safeguarding qualifications

Desirable

Minimum of 5 GSCE's (grades A - C) or equivalent

Qualified Teacher status

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.

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 2 November 2025

. We reserve the right to close the vacancy early.

Please note, interviews will be held week commencing 10 November 2025.

Strictly no agencies please.

Derby County Football Club's Job Applicant Privacy Policy can be found at dcfc.co.uk.

Job Type: Full-time

Work Location: In person