Head of Academy Player Recruitment

Organisation: Crystal Palace FC
Salary: Competitive
Location: Academy Training Ground BR3 1NZ
Contract type: Permanent
Closing date: 28 September 2025
Job Description: Job Location Academy Training Ground BR3 1NZ

Contract Type Full-time

Salary/ ROP Competitive

Deadline 28th September 2025

Who we are:

We are Crystal Palace Football Club, a Premier League Football Club with more than 160 years of proud history. Spread across three different sites - brand new main offices at Selhurst Park Stadium, our London office, 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:

Reporting to the Academy Director, the Academy Head of Player Recruitment will lead and manage the day-to-day operations and delivery of all Academy Player recruitment in line with the club’s strategy.

Responsibilities:

Lead the Club’s Academy recruitment and emerging talent strategy from pre-academy through to U21
Ensure alignment with Academy philosophy, EPPP rules, and positional squad requirements
Manage and lead the academy’s scouting department and staff
Manage the club’s London scouting strategy
Manage the club’s National scouting strategy
Build and maintain a live player target list in line with Club’s directive
Attend matches and tournaments and scouting events to assess high potential players
Oversee the use of scouting systems and reporting platforms to monitor and develop a player target pipeline
Ensure all player trials meet EPPP guidelines
Develop and manage the club’s trialist procedures
Present all acquisition targets for authorization from the Academy Director
Manage and close all acquisition targets as agreed with Academy Director
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.

Experience, Skills and Qualifications:

FA Level Talent ID Level 3/4
Strong knowledge of the EPPP and Youth Development Rules
In depth knowledge of high potential Academy players across the UK
Proven track record in talent identification and player recruitment
Has worked in a full-time senior player recruitment role at a Category 1 or Category 2 Academy within the last two years
Entrenched in London recruitment
Experience of purchasing elite Players
Excellent IT skills
Well organized and efficient
Strong verbal and written communication skills
Passionate about Academy football

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
Discounts in various gyms through GymFlex
Volunteering Day - 1 Workday off to support a charity of your choice.
Travel Season Ticket loan
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 Adjustment

We are proud to be a Disability Confident Committed employer. We guarantee an interview to all disabled applicants who meet the essential criteria for the role, ensuring equitable opportunities for everyone.

If you require disability-related adjustments during the recruitment process, please contact DLO@cpfc.co.uk (DLO inbox is for disability-related queries only, if you wish to gain further information regarding this vacancy, please contact cpfc.recruitment@cpfc.co.uk). 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 required to undergo any relevant security checks, including a comprehensive background check, Enhanced Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) to ensure the safety and protection of children and vulnerable individuals.
How to apply: https://ce0720li.webitrent.com/ce0720li_webrecruitment/wrd/run/etrec179gf.open?WVID=5342252rYN&LANG=USA&VACANCY_ID=4043194JUZ