Head of Academy Goalkeeping

Organisation: Blackpool Football Club
Salary: £26,436.80
Location: Blackpool, Lancashire
Contract type: Permanent (Full time)
Closing date: 2 July 2026
Job Description: Job Title: Head of Academy Goalkeeping
Reports to: Academy Director
Location: Bloomfield Road, Blackpool (with travel to the training venue)
Hours: No less than 40 per week – to include evenings & weekends
Salary: Dependant on Experience

Who we are:

Blackpool Football Club is an English Professional Association Football Club based in the seaside town of Blackpool, Lancashire.

The Club was founded in 1887 and has a very storied history, from being a founding member of the Lancashire League in 1889, rising to the Top-Flight of the Football League (the old First Division) in 1930, to winning the FA Cup in 1953 and being promoted to the Premier League in 2010 (becoming the first Club to gain promotion from every division of the Football League via the play-off system).

The Club currently competes in League One, the third tier of the English Football League.

The Club has played its home games at Bloomfield Road since 1901.

Job Purpose:

The Head of Academy Goalkeeping is responsible for leading and developing the Academy Goalkeeping Programme across all phases of the Academy. The successful candidate will design, implement and oversee a progressive goalkeeper development pathway aligned with Blackpool Football Club's playing philosophy, Academy Performance Plan and long-term player development objectives.

Working closely with the Academy Director, Head of Coaching and multi-disciplinary staff, the role will ensure that Academy goalkeepers receive a high-quality, age-appropriate development programme that maximises individual potential and supports progression through the Academy pathway and into senior football.

The postholder will lead the Academy Goalkeeping Department, drive excellence in coaching practice and player development, and ensure compliance with all relevant EPPP, EFL and Club requirements.

Key Responsibilities and Duties:

Leadership and Department Management
• Lead and manage the Academy Goalkeeping Department across the Foundation Phase, Youth Development Phase and Professional Development Phase.
• Line manage Academy Goalkeeping Coaches, providing support, supervision, performance reviews and ongoing professional development.
• Organise and lead departmental meetings, CPD events and coach development activities.
• Manage departmental staffing, workloads and scheduling to ensure effective delivery across all age groups.

Goalkeeper Development
• Design, implement and continually develop a progressive Academy Goalkeeping Curriculum aligned to the Club's playing philosophy, Academy Performance Plan and EPPP requirements.
• Plan, oversee and support the delivery of high-quality goalkeeper coaching programmes across all Academy age groups.
• Ensure all Academy goalkeepers have Individual Development Plans (IDPs) that are regularly reviewed, monitored and updated.
• Monitor goalkeeper training and match performance, providing appropriate support and intervention to maximise player development.
• Support the progression of goalkeepers through the Academy pathway, identifying succession planning opportunities and preparing players for transition into senior football.

Multi-Disciplinary Collaboration
• Work collaboratively with coaching, sports science, medical, performance analysis, education, player care and recruitment staff to deliver a holistic player development programme.
• Attend and contribute to multidisciplinary meetings, player reviews and development discussions.
• Support Academy recruitment activities through the identification, assessment and recommendation of talented goalkeepers.

Performance, Compliance and Administration
• Ensure all coaching activity, player reviews, reports and development records are accurately maintained on the Performance Management Application (PMA).
• Contribute to Academy Performance Plan objectives, departmental KPIs and continuous improvement initiatives.
• Ensure the Academy maintains high standards during EPPP audits and inspections relating to goalkeeper provision.
• Keep abreast of current trends, innovations and best practice in goalkeeper coaching and player development.

General Responsibilities
• Support Academy fixtures and attend matches as required.
• Represent the Club professionally at internal and external meetings, events and development opportunities.
• Promote and uphold the values, culture and behaviours of Blackpool Football Club.
• Adhere to all Club policies and procedures, including safeguarding, equality, diversity and inclusion, health and safety, and data protection requirements.
• Undertake any other duties reasonably requested by the Academy Director.

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.

Person Specification

Essential Requirements
• UEFA B Goalkeeping Licence.
• UEFA B Licence (or equivalent recognised coaching qualification).
• FA Safeguarding Children.

• Significant experience coaching goalkeepers within a professional football academy environment.
• Proven experience designing and delivering goalkeeper development programmes.
• Experience managing and developing coaching staff.
• Experience working within safeguarding frameworks and promoting player welfare in youth football.

• Strong understanding of the Elite Player Performance Plan (EPPP).
• Excellent communication, leadership and organisational skills.
• Ability to design and implement long-term player development programmes.
• Strong planning, reporting and administrative skills.
• Competent IT skills, including Microsoft Office and PMA systems.

Desirable Requirement

• UEFA A Goalkeeping Licence (or working towards).
• FA Advanced Youth Award.
• Experience working within a Category One, Two or Three Academy.
• Experience coaching goalkeepers across all Academy phases.
• Experience supporting goalkeepers transitioning into senior football.
• Experience contributing to Academy audits and inspections.

• Knowledge of modern goalkeeping analysis tools and performance technology.
• Understanding of talent identification and recruitment processes within elite youth football.

• Positive role model with high professional standards.
• Self-motivated and capable of working independently and collaboratively.
• Organised, proactive and able to manage multiple priorities effectively.
• Committed to continuous professional development and lifelong learning.
• Adaptable and resilient, with the ability to perform effectively in a fast-paced environment.
• Strong interpersonal skills with the ability to build positive relationships across departments.
• Flexible to meet the operational requirements of the Academy, including evenings and weekends
How to apply: To apply for the position please submit an application form and a covering letter detailing how you meet the criteria for the role to HR@Blackpoolfc.co.uk or Blackpool Football Club, Bloomfield Road, Seasiders Way, Blackpool, FY1 6JJ. As part of your application, please also complete our Diversity Monitoring Form and return it to HR@Blackpoolfc.co.uk. The form will be separated from your application on receipt. The information on this form will be used for monitoring purposes only and will play no part in the recruitment process. We encourage early applicants as we reserve the right to close the application process at any time. This job will be subject to satisfactory references and Enhanced DBS procedures. Closing date for applications is Thursday 2 July 2026.