Academy Coach (Coach Inclusion & Diversity Scheme)

Organisation: Southampton Football Club
Salary: Competitive
Location: Southampton
Contract type: Fixed Term (Full time)
Closing date: 18 July 2025
Job Description: Be part of our journey...
Location: Staplewood Campus, Long Lane, Marchwood, Southampton, Hampshire, SO40 4WR

Hours: Full Time

Contract Type: 23-month fixed-term
Salary: Up to £30,000 per annum

Criminal Record Check: DBS Enhanced with Child’s Barred List
Role & Development Programme: The successful candidate will divide their time between Southampton FC Academy Coach employment and the Premier League Coach Development Programme

Southampton FC, in partnership with the Premier League, is proud to support the Coach Inclusion & Diversity Scheme for the 2025/26 season. We're offering a 23-month, full-time academy coaching role to the successful candidate to support the development of the next generation of football coaches. The scheme is open to all, and we particularly welcome applications from Black, Asian and mixed heritage backgrounds, and women, as they are underrepresented groups amongst the coaching roles that exist across the professional game.

What is the role & what will you be doing?

You’ll split your time between your core role as an Academy Coach role within our Foundation Phase (U9-U12) and the Premier League’s accredited Coach Development Programme. Alongside your core role, you’ll be provided with opportunities to gain insights and experiences within other phases (Youth Development U13-U16 and Professional Development Phase (U18- U21), Academy departments and multi-disciplinary teams.

Your development journey will include:

Mentoring and tailored support
Immersive learning experiences
Workshops, peer learning, and reflective practice
Access to FA/UEFA qualifications dependent on need
On successful completion of all programme elements, you’ll be awarded a Diploma in Professional Football Coaching from Leeds Beckett University.

Is this you?

Do you have:

A drive to coach in the professional game
Passion for player development & developmentally appropriate learning environments
Commitment to fulfilling duty of care for children, young people, and adults in healthy, high-performance environments
Resilience and commitment to high-performance environments
Excellent communication and relationship-building skills
A desire to be a role model and ambassador for diversity in the game
Essential Criteria

UEFA B Licence
No prior full-time 1st Team or Academy coaching role at a Premier League or EFL club
Experience of coaching in one, or more, of the following environments: grassroots, community, education, development centre or part-time academy football settings
FA Safeguarding Certificate, FA Level 2 EFAiF Certificate, and Enhanced DBS (before you start)
Desirable Criteria

UEFA A Licence or FA Advanced Youth Award
Experience of coaching a team or group of players on a regular basis
Experience of holistic youth development activities within, or beyond, sport
How this benefits you…

If you are successful, you can look forward to a healthy benefits package;

Access to x2 free match tickets for every home league game
Access to our staff Health & Wellbeing initiatives (Mental & Physical Health).
25 days’ holiday per year excluding bank holidays plus your birthday off each year.
Contributory Pension Scheme.
Learning & Development opportunities - supporting you to develop your potential and achieve in your career.
Free onsite parking.
Collaborative & inclusive working culture.
How can I apply?

Very easy. Just click on the apply button below, to enter your details, complete a two-part questionnaire and then attach your CV and a two-part cover letter covering the following points:

Part 1 (max 500 words) demonstrating how you fulfil the “What We’re Looking For” criteria.

Please structure your responses under the following headings:

The essential criteria I fulfil
The desirable criteria I fulfil
My desire to be a role model and ambassador for diversity in the game
Part 2 (max 500 words) to answer all the following questions.

Please structure your responses under the following headings:

My motivations for applying for the CIDS academy coach role and Premier League Coach Development Programme
How the CIDS academy coach role and development programme fits with my career ambitions
How my unique expertise, and lived experience, will benefit the club and players
Any applications submitted without a cover letter will not be considered.

Key Dates

The closing date for applications is Friday 18th July 2025.

A two stage interview/ recruitment process will take place on the following dates:

Stage 1 Interview (Online via Microsoft Teams): Wednesday 30th July 2025
Stage 2 Interview (Practical at Staplewood Campus): Thursday 31st July 2025
The successful applicant will need to be available to attend an induction course in the Lake District from the 29th of September 2025 to the 2nd of October 2025.

Southampton FC and the Premier League are committed to equality, diversity and inclusion. Reasonable adjustments are available for applicants with a disability. Please contact the HR team at hr@saintsfc.co.uk if you would like to discuss this further.

Equality monitoring information will be requested separately and will not form part of the selection process.

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How to apply: https://saintsfc.wd3.myworkdayjobs.com/SFC001/job/Staplewood-Campus/Academy-Coach--Coach-Inclusion---Diversity-Scheme-_RQ-031850