Player Development Director

Organisation: Bristol City FC.
Salary: Competitive
Location: Robins High Performance Centre, BS8 3TN
Contract type: Permanent (Full time)
Closing date: 26 November 2026
Job Description: Club vision: to play football at the highest level. Bristol City is a widely respected institution within English football, defined by its stability, rich heritage, and a track record of elite player development. Looking ahead, we aren’t simple aiming for a place in the top flight; we are committed to being "Premier League Ready" in every sense.

Ashton Gate is our home – a world-class venue that caters for all of Bristol by also hosting the Bristol Bears, Bristol City Women, concerts, international sporting and other events.

When we achieve our goal of playing in the Premier League for the first time, it will be transformative not just for the club, but for the city of Bristol itself.

Job mission: to seize an advantage for Bristol City Football Club by developing young players to be ready for successful careers in professional football, ensuring a clear and aligned pathway to the First Team.

This role is central to embedding the club’s footballing identity, high-performance culture and long-term sustainability through the cultivation of homegrown talent.

Key responsibilities:

Player Development
• Lead the strategic design and implementation of an Academy (Player Pipeline) performance plan including coaching and holistic player development programme.
• Commitment to making each player in the Player Pipeline fulfil their potential and prepare them for a successful career in professional football through the best training, transition and games programme provision.
• Support a consistent Club footballing identity across all age groups.

Pipeline Planning
• Be accountable for the pipeline of young players coming through the Player Pipeline and loans programme into the First Team, in line with playing style and positional needs.
• Input into First Team squad planning, advising the Sporting Director and their direct reports on player progression, long-term development potential and succession options.
• Collaborate across the Sporting department to ensure youth recruitment and retention strategies are aligned with the Club’s footballing identity and performance objectives.
• Create robust integration and feedback loops between departments to support smooth player transitions and effective squad sustainability.
• Oversee the monitoring and reintegration of players on loan, ensuring clear development objectives and that each loan furthers their readiness for First Team football.

Leadership and Culture
• Be a visible and hands on leader of the Academy, building a high performing team and championing their value and interests internally and externally.
• Ensure that every part of the Player Development team and the departments that support them reflect the Club’s footballing identity and performance objectives as well as meeting all requirements of EPPP.
• Line management of the Senior Academy Management team.
• Advising the Sporting Director and Board on all matters relating to EPPP requirements.
• Run an efficient and on budget department that is compliant with club governance, safeguarding and welfare policies across all areas of responsibility, particularly within the player pipeline.
• Represent the club in professional forums and with external stakeholders in a manner that reflects the Club’s values and long-term objectives.
• Contribute to a positive, inclusive, and development-focused culture within the Sporting Department and the wider Club.

Experience required:

• Proven experience of delivering results by working with elite young footballers, coaches and development staff.
• Experience leading and aligning multi-disciplinary teams – including managing direct reports and influencing peers.
• Deep understanding of player development principles and successful track record of progressing players through a defined performance pathway into First Team football.
• Advanced knowledge of the regulatory, safeguarding, and educational frameworks governing Academy football.
• To have demonstrated the ability to provide inspirational leadership through good communication, clear direction, key decision making and accountability.

Personal attributes:

• Strategic with a long-term perspective and bias for thinking differently.
• Decisive while comfortable operating with incomplete information.
• Curious and constantly seeking new markets, methodologies and opportunities.
• Collaborative and capable of building consensus across football departments.
• Comfortable challenging established thinking when supported by evidence.
• Passionate about player development and building sustainable competitive advantage.

Our behaviours:

• Confident - we believe we will be a Premier League team
• Prepared - we have Premier League standards in every area
• Tenacious – we make things happen and follow through
• Accountable – we commit to continuous measurable improvement
How to apply: How to Apply Applications are to be sent by email to careers@bcfc.co.uk. Applications should include a covering letter (max. 1 page) on the experience you have that makes you suitable for the role and should be accompanied by a current CV (max. 2 pages). Closing date: Midday on 26th November 2026 Due to the high volume of applicants we receive, if you have not been contacted one month after applying, please assume your application has been unsuccessful. We reserve the right to close this vacancy early if we receive sufficient applications for the role. Therefore, if you are interested, please submit your application as early as possible. Safeguarding Statement Bristol City Football Club and Academy are committed to safeguarding the welfare of children and young people and expects all staff and volunteers to endorse this commitment. Note: Due to the nature of the role, any job offer is dependent on a DBS check. All information will be kept by the Safeguarding Officer in strictest confidence. Equality Statement The successful candidate must ensure a positive commitment towards equality and diversity by treating others fairly and not committing any form of direct or indirect discrimination, victimisation or harassment of any description and to promote positive working relationships between all internal and external stakeholders. We are an equal opportunities employer.

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Player Development Director