Lead U16 Coach

Organisation: Derby County Football Club
Salary: Competetive
Location: Derby
Contract type: Permanent (Full time)
Closing date: 22 January 2026
Job Description: Derby County are seeking to recruit a Lead U16 Coach to join Academy Coaching at Moor Farm Training Centre.

Working for Derby County Football Club offers a unique opportunity to be part of one of England’s most historic and passionately supported clubs. With a proud legacy, a dedicated fan base, and an exciting vision for the future, Derby County offers a dynamic and rewarding work environment both on and off the pitch. Whether you're joining the team in coaching, administration, marketing, or operations, you'll be contributing to a culture rooted in ambition, community, and progress. Employees benefit from a collaborative work environment and opportunities for professional development.

The successful candidate will be responsible for Acting as a full-time lead coach within the Youth Development phase, holding responsibility for the day-to-day organisation and delivery of an age-specific coaching and games programme that is focused on the long-term objective of fulfilling the potential of players within the Academy pipeline, creating a strong working relationship to lead an MDT to ensure a holistic focus is at the Centre of our young players' development.

Key Role Responsibilities:
• Lead coaching for one Youth Development Phase age group, overseeing training, match preparation and delivery to a high standard.
• Ensure the Derby County Game Craft Model is taught and applied effectively in an age-appropriate way.
• Work closely with Individual Development Coaches to deliver tailored IDPs and player support.
• Collaborate with U15 and Professional Development Phase staff to ensure clear player pathways and progression.
• Support high-quality session planning, delivery and evaluation alongside the Head of Academy Coaching.
• Act as a key MDT stakeholder to promote holistic player development.
• Manage review processes, including weekly feedback, analysis and reporting within required platforms and timelines.
• Lead the age-group games programme, meeting all operational requirements and liaising across phases, including tours and tournaments.
• Support cross-phase coaching, day-release sessions and age-group cover as required.
• Maintain clear, transparent communication with players and parents, supporting feedback processes.
• Contribute to staff development through CPD, meetings, audits, appraisals and the coaching competency framework.
• Attend MDT, operational, selection and audit meetings, leading age-group player audits and contributing to retention, release and scholarship decisions.
• Oversee age-group kit and equipment, and hold regular reflective meetings with the Head of Academy Coaching.

Personal characteristics and experience:
• Experience working with players who have progressed through the Academy system.
• Experience in football coaching in a professional environment.
• Experience of coaching 11v11 format (3 Years or Over).
• Experience in implementing policies and procedures and reviewing practices to ensure continuous improvement.
• Passion, desire and understanding of Youth Development.
• Excellent communication and listening skills with the ability to communicate effectively across all levels.
• Ability to organise, schedule and adapt work tasks to meet conflicting deadlines and respond to changing situations.
• Confident presentation skills.
• Ability to work effectively as part of a team as well as independently.
• Understanding of EPPP and the audit process.
• Ability to enter data efficiently and effectively on Kitman Labs and other suitable platforms.

Qualifications:
Essential
• UEFA B Coaching License.
• FA Advanced Youth Awards.
• Level 2 Emergency First Aid in Football.
• Safeguarding Children Certificate.

Salary is competitive, dependent on experience.

This is a full-time role, and due to the demands of professional football, there is a requirement for weekend and evening work, as well as regular national travel.

Who are Derby County…

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.

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, subject to availability
• 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’ and Staff Events!
• Training and development opportunities
• Access to programmes and volunteering opportunities with Derby County Community Trust
• Subsidised lunchtime meals at Moor Farm

How to apply…

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 Thursday, 22 January 2026. We reserve the right to close the vacancy early.

Strictly no agencies please.

Derby County Football Club’s Job Applicant Privacy Policy can be found at dcfc.co.uk.
How to apply: 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 Thursday, 22 January 2026. We reserve the right to close the vacancy early. Strictly no agencies please. Derby County Football Club’s Job Applicant Privacy Policy can be found at dcfc.co.uk.