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 at our Category One Academy as an Academy Head Goalkeeping Coach.

 

Our Academy's 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.

 

Our mission is to identify, develop, and support talented young footballers so that they can achieve their maximum potential in a positive, supportive, and professional learning environment.

 

The successful candidate will oversee the Academy goalkeeping programme and lead on effective coaching delivery for goalkeepers aged 9 to 21 years old. Deliver and develop performance pathways and plans, creating an optimum environment for young goalkeepers to develop and perform at the highest level of the game. Liaise with the first-team goalkeeping coach while managing Academy Goalkeeping Coaches to ensure the Academy’s vision and philosophy are always followed.

 

Key Responsibilities

• To be responsible for the development and delivery of the Goalkeeping syllabus for the Academy and ensure it is adhered to, reporting to the Academy Manager.
• Deliver coaching sessions across the whole pathway from 9-21 and lead the U21 Goalkeeping development programme.
• Ensure each and every goalkeeper in the Academy has an Individual Development Plan (IDP) bespoke to their requirements and needs analysis.
• Plan, deliver, and evaluate all sessions/fixtures and ensure the goalkeeping curriculum and IDPs are being delivered appropriately by all goalkeeping staff.
• To manage a team of Academy Goalkeeping Coaches across the pathway and provide appropriate scheduling to ensure our young goalkeepers are fully supported.
• Use data and video analysis to feedback to individual players on their performance and provide insights to them on their super strength’s and areas for development.
• Commit to regular player and parent reviews as well as player auditing processes. 
• To liaise daily with the First Team Goalkeeping Coach and other Academy Goalkeeping coaches.
• Conduct weekly goalkeeping coaches team meetings and contribute to the regular full time staff coach meetings and the Technical Working Group.
• To liaise and integrate with outfield coaches daily as part of an integrated coaching and multi-disciplinary team and assist in team selection meetings.
• Support the recruitment team where required on the identification and assessment of goalkeeper trialists and potential acquisitions.
• To ensure PMA is up to date within 48 hours of activity including sessions, fixtures, reviews and IDPs.
• To commit to club and individual (CCF) CPD programmes as well as deliver internal CPD to Academy goalkeeping coaches. Provide and store evidence of this process.
• To attend at least 5 hours of in-service training annually, which the FA will provide.
• Maintain a multi-disciplinary approach when interacting with players and all departments.
• To promote open lines of communication with all members of the multi-disciplinary team and Administration staff.
• Liaise with parents formally (Parent evenings) and informally (when appropriate) to keep them informed of the player's development.
• To be a positive role model to Academy Players by maintaining high standards of coaching, positive attitude and appropriate language.
• To contribute to the scouting and talent identification process where appropriate.
• To demonstrate consistently high standards of behaviour and to operate within the parameters of the Laws of the Game, the Rules of the Football Association or the Rules of the Football League and FA Premier League.
• 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 and experience

• Ability to manage and motivate a team
• Excellent communication skills with the ability to communicate effectively, positively and enthusiastically with people at all levels
• Knowledge of relevant governing body programmes, policies and procedures
• Knowledge of the football recruitment process
• Good knowledge of the age-appropriate techniques and skill practices for player development
• Excellent planning and organisational skills
• Committed to high standards
• Flexible approach and prepared to work unsociable hours
• Able to take a considered and sensible approach to problem-solving
• A minimum of 3 years of coaching experience in a professional academy, all Foundation, Youth and Professional Development Phases
• Playing experience within the professional game (Desirable)
• Experience in coaching international teams in Goalkeeping at the youth level (Desirable)
• First-team goalkeeping coach experience (Desirable)

 

Essential Qualifications

 

• FA Goalkeeping Coaching A License or enrolled on A License course
• FA Goalkeeping Coaching B License
• UEFA B License
• Advanced FA Youth Award for Goalkeeping
• Level 2 Emergency First Aid in Football
• Safeguarding Children Certificate

 

 

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 Tuesday 06 May 2025 We reserve the right to close the vacancy early.

 

Please note, if you have previously applied, you do not need to apply again. Previous applications will be reviewed.

 

Strictly no agencies please.

 

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