SUW Academy Manager

Sheffield United Football Club is seeking a driven and experienced leader to oversee our elite Women's Academy. In this key role, you will play a central part in developing the next generation of stars, from U10s to U21s. You will be responsible for driving the Academy's vision, implementing a world-class coaching programme and ensuring every player reaches their full potential.

This is an exciting opportunity for someone with a proven track record in player development and a deep understanding of the Women's game. If you are passionate about nurturing talent and building a winning culture, this is an opportunity to join a leading club with a rich history and a bright future.

Role Responsibilities:

• Leadership
  • To ensure that the Club Academy is connected to the Club's main vision everyone is aware of the role they play and how they contribute to its success.
  • To develop and implement the Academy Performance Plan, that reflects the Club's strategy and vision.
  • To provide leadership and direction to the Academy MDT (Multi Disciplinary Team), ensuring that a player-centered approach is a common thread.
  • To work with the Academy leads for each area of the programme, to produce KPI targets that feed into the Academy Performance Plan, ensuring alignment.
  • To determine and monitor the duties and activities of all Academy staff, through appropriate job descriptions, clear objectives and meaningful conversations.
  • To deliver annual performance reviews for all Academy Staff, in line with pre-agreed objectives, using performance metrics.
  • Ensure that regular operations meetings take place so that communication across the Academy is clear.
• Players & Pathway
  • Implement regular player progression meetings to review all players' progress, ensure individual development plans are in place, and include retain/release decisions.
  • To discuss player progression and the pathway with the Technical Board, ensuring alignment with the First Team.
  • To meet expectations in relation to player experience and communication with parents/guardians, always being visible and available.
  • To manage parents and their expectations, through appropriate channels.
  • To review and implement Player Care, Safeguarding and Education standards, along with departmental staff, ensuring the Academy is an elite learning and developing environment.
  • To ensure regular contact with the Head of Women's Football on all matters relating to the control and direction of the Academy, ensuring that the Academy vision is at the forefront of all decisions.
• Coaching & Development Programme
  • To ensure that the Academy's playing and coaching philosophy is aligned with the Club's philosophy and its adopted and understood throughout the Academy.
  • To develop and deliver, in collaboration with the Academy Management Team, a thorough development programme that covers Technical/Tactical, Physical, Social and Educational needs, to be updated and reviewed annually.
  • To ensure that performance staff (medical and sports science), in collaboration with the Academy Management Team provide a comprehensive development programme, including screening, profiling of players and recording testing and medical data.
  • To ensure that underpinning documents, such as curriculums, coaching frameworks, coaching programmes etc are in place and regularly reviewed.
  • To work with the Women's Safeguarding Lead to ensure that the academy programme is safe to operate.
  • To work with the Head of Women's Football and HR to ensure that a suitable staffing structure is in place and that all staff have the development and support they need.
• Academy & First Team Link
  • Identify and implement collaborative strategies with the Club's Boys academy and other departments.
  • To work with the First Team, to identify players that are on track to join the First Team, ensuring that suitable development plans are in place.
  • Build links with partner organisations such as education establishments, professional clubs and junior clubs to support the function of the Academy.
  • Build links with other elite talent development programmes, ensuring that the Academy remains innovative and leading.
• Audit & Compliance
  • To ensure the club retains its Category 1 license and achieves good standards at audit.
  • To provide documents and presentations on the Academy to the Head of Women's Football/Technical Board.
  • To ensure full compliance with all rules and regulations set by the FA/League.
• Other
  • To set, in agreement with the Head of Women's Football/Technical Board, the annual Academy budget, and to be responsible for the financial management of the Academy.
  • To work with the Clubs media/marketing team to ensure the Academy story is shared with the Club's fan base in a positive light.
  • Lead staff development by implementing a comprehensive CPD program.
  • Any other reasonable requests as directed by management.

Club Wide Responsibilities:

• To adhere to all Sheffield United Football Club's Safeguarding Policies and Procedures to foster an environment which protects from harm those defined as children and adults at risk.
• To report any concerns of a Safeguarding nature to the relevant parties and remain fully compliant with any applicable Safeguarding checks and due diligence and recognise your responsibility to the Club's Safeguarding agenda.
• To report any concerns of discrimination to the relevant parties and promote a welcoming and inclusive club environment for all.
• To adhere to the Club's Equality, Diversity and Inclusion policies, supporting the Club to create an environment which is inclusive and all-encompassing.
• To carry out/take part in training requests as directed by the Club.

Essential Criteria for the Role:

• UEFA A License.
• FA Emergency First Aid.
• FA Safeguarding Children Certificate.
• Enhanced DBS

Essential Skills Required:

• Thrives under pressure.
• Experience leading and developing talent within an academy structure.
• Strong leadership and people management skills to create a thriving environment.
• Proven track record of producing elite young players to compete at the highest level.
• Experience managing player development and coaching staff.
• Expertise in managing coaching programmes, performance services and long-term athletic development initiatives.
• Excellent communication skills with the ability to manage and motivate teams.
• Ability to create a high-performing environment with financial awareness and budget responsibility.

Desirable Skills for the role:

• Effective coaching in the female game course
• Knowledge of and experience within the Women's Game.