Who we are:
We are Crystal Palace Football Club, a Premier League Football Club with more than a century of proud history. Spread across three different sites – our London office, Selhurst Park stadium and our Training Ground/Academy, we offer the best atmosphere and culture for our fans and our employees.
We strive for excellence in the workplace with a philosophy of high standards, professionalism, and a strong work ethic from our employees. We are constantly trying to grow, diversify and build with not only our team on the pitch, but also our team in the offices and on the ground.
About this role:
The future of Crystal Palace Women is to produce home grown talent into our first team squad. We are looking for an Academy Manager to lead and develop the Female Player Development Pathway at CPFCW through ETC, Academy to 1st Team. Your job purpose will be to build a Professional Game Academy strategy and structure over the 2023/24 season, to implement for the 2024/25 season. You will be for responsible leading the development of a holistic talent system within the club that supports and develops potential in players, coaches, and wider multi-disciplinary staff. The role will work across our development pathway including our Professional Game Academy, Sister Clubs and Emerging Talent Centre.
Responsibilities:
To work closely with the Head of Women’s Football and the Head Coach on all matters relating to the creation, control and direction of the CPFC Women Academy with the objective of developing players for the Women’s First Team and wider football community.
To produce a long term strategy and infrastructure plan for a Professional Game Academy in the 2024/25 season at CPFC Women. This will include facility proposals, catchment areas and staff recruitment
Develop a PGA proposal for submission to The FA in preparation for the 2024/25 season
Ensure all FA PGA criteria and compliance requirements are fulfilled
Create and manage a budget for the CPFC Pathway
To take responsibility for the recruitment of academy staff
Work closely with existing CPFC Pathway Coaches, and Palace For Life Foundation ETC to shape our pathway
Work closely with the first team head coach to create a club coaching syllabus with key playing principles
Developing educational partnerships to support players with dual career
Providing strategic leadership and vision to all academy staff, ensuring the academy operates within the rules and operational requirements of the Professional Game Academy.
To drive the development of a culture where all people, not just players, are developed to reach their individual potential on and off the pitch.
Responsible for the overall management and strategic direction of the CPFC Women’s Academy Pathway to develop players for the First Team.
Oversee and manage the day to day running of the academy and lead the academy Management Team, along with providing a link with the Women’s 1st
Manage the academy budget on time and with budget.
To develop staff so that they improve and perform to the best of their potential and subsequently maximising the potential of the players that they work with. With monthly check ins and clear performance indicators
Ensure there is a systematic and evidence-based pathway for player progression in the academy
Manage the recruitment of players into the academy and present on a monthly basis to the technical board on academy performance.
Attend academy games and training sessions, ensuring effective communication with staff, parents, and players.
Work closely with all key stakeholders including Palace for Life Foundation, parents, staff, and players and in conjunction with the Designated Safeguarding Officer, ensuring all policies, practices and procedures relating to the safeguarding of young people are implemented and updated regularly.
Work with appropriate staff to ensure player reviews are completed in accordance with CPFC Women’s strategy and that these reviews are communicated to both players and parents.
Ensure that the playing principles and club coaching syllabus are effectively delivered across Pro Game, ETC and Sister Clubs.
Ensure there is a workforce development plan in place to staff to effectively deliver within their roles.
Attend coaching sessions across the whole academy pathway to ensure performance outcomes are achieved.
Other duties and responsibilities as required by line manager.
Upholding and promoting the Club’s policies and procedures, including Health and Safety, Safeguarding and Equal Opportunities policies and procedures.
The above Job Description is not intended to be exhaustive; the duties and responsibilities may therefore vary over time according to the changing needs of the club.
Experience, Skills and Qualifications:
A commitment to continuing professional development.
Effective leadership and management skills.
The ability to communicate to the highest level, listens, interprets, and conveys information in a clear and accurate manner, provides timely delivery of information and selects the most appropriate method of communication.
Teamwork
Can work within a team environment, co-operates, considers the needs of others, and helps others to achieve objectives.
Taking ownership: Ability to work autonomously on own or team initiative, pro-active in managing one’s own time, building an understanding of the internal and external environment in order to deliver work in a highly effective and professional manner.
Detail
Excellent IT skills (including excellent MS Office – Word, Excel, PowerPoint). Ability to learn and operate new systems.
Ability to work in a fast-paced environment, able to multi-task and priorities work confidently.
Possesses strong time management skills and have a flexible approach to work.
Proficient in reporting, informing, and presenting information to all stakeholders.
Essential
UEFA A License
FA DBS
Holds an in-date FA Safeguarding Children Certificate or is willing to complete the FA Safeguarding Children Workshop within 3 months.
To undertake regular Club safeguarding training updates (CPD) appropriate to the role
FA Level 1 Introduction to First Aid in Football (IFAiF) or FA Emergency First Aid
Attend Coach Development days as organised by The FA.
A practical, flexible, and innovative approach to work, with excellent interpersonal skills and relationship management.
Able to communicate effectively (written and verbally) across all levels, with players, staff and senior management.
Ability to work as part of a team and on own initiative.
Willing to support and promote the club and football philosophy.
Willing to work flexible hours which includes evenings and weekends
Knowledge of the professional women’s game, The FA Women’s Championship, and the requirements of Women’s and Girls Talent Pathway including an ETC.
Your Experience will be…
Proven track record of effective team management
Experience of budget and strategic management
A good understanding of female youth development in football
In Player Development you will…
Understanding of learning, development, and high performance with a proven track record of creating optimum learning environments for players.
Experience of and enthusiasm for coaching and mentoring elite young and senior players.
Empathy and commitment to the long-term development of the women’s game.
Benefits:
Complimentary match day ticket
Reward and Discount Scheme through our Tech Scheme and Simple Health app
Health and Wellbeing benefit scheme
20% Discount in our Retail Stores
Holiday allowance that increases every year of service
Our commitment to Equality
At Crystal Palace Football Club, Equality, Diversity & Inclusion is spirited and continues to grow due to the working environment, which makes all staff feel appreciated and welcomed. Crystal Palace Football Club do this by encouraging good relations and practices towards different groups and are committed to promoting employment opportunities that celebrate diversity.
We are committed to attracting, recruiting, and retaining the most talented candidates and the club intends to ensure that everyone who wishes to engage with the club, whether as matchday fans, staff, players, board members, participants in Foundation programmes and any other person engaged with the club's activities, has a real and equal opportunity to do so.
Reasonable Adjustments
If you require disability-related adjustments during the recruitment process, please contact [email protected] (DLO inbox is for disability-related queries only, if you wish to gain further information regarding this vacancy, please contact [email protected]). We are here to help you through the whole recruitment process including trying to apply for a vacancy, getting in touch with us through the process, and/or helping with access in case you are required to come in for an interview.
Safeguarding
Crystal Palace Football Club is committed to safeguarding and ensuring the welfare and protection of children and vulnerable people and expects all staff to share this commitment. As such, the post holder will be subject to any relevant security checks as required.
