Head of Group Talent Development

Organisation: Southampton Football Club
Salary: Competitive
Location: Southampton
Contract type
Closing date: 18 July 2025
Job Description: Be part of our journey...
Location: Split between Staplewood Campus, Southampton (70%) / Foreign travel and working at other Sport Republic Clubs (30%)
Contract Type: Permanent
Hours: Full Time (no set hours)
Criminal Record Check: DBS Enhanced with Child’s and Adults Barred List

What is the role?
The purpose of this role is to lead and manage the high-quality provision, delivery, and review of our talent development methodology across the group, including a specific focus on individual player development, the alignment of key principles and our international programmes. This includes the integration of interdisciplinary delivery to align all aspects of player development.

What will you be doing?
You will lead, manage and review the delivery of the talent development methodology across the group for players aged 16-21, in line with the Group Talent Strategy, ensuring all Talent + players have a robust individual development plan with clearly defined and agreed KPIs and action points.

Managing the interdisciplinary planning process and the delivery of player profile-specific on and off-pitch programmes, you will streamline and enhance the delivery of talent development, ensuring consistency and high-quality results.

You will dip into talent acquisition when required, supporting the Director of Group Talent Strategy and the Head of Group Talent Acquisition with Under 17-21 player recruitment and integration alongside regularly attending games of the Under 16 - 21s, B Teams and First Teams across the group to enhance the tracking and benchmarking of all high-potential players in our talent pipeline.

Working in collaboration with Development Coaches and the Under 16-21s and B Team coaches across the group, you will lead the planning and delivery of regular unit-specific sessions as well as the International Academy Programme acting as a key decision-maker in the player selection process.

Is this you?
You will have the ability to demonstrate strong technical and tactical football knowledge and game understanding with excellent communication and interpersonal skills which allows you to build strong and lasting professional relationships with colleagues and players as well as key stakeholders.

Please Note – You must be willing to spend approximately 30% of your working time with other Sport Republic clubs (abroad)

Essential Experience/Qualifications

UEFA A Licence and/or FA Advanced Youth Award

Minimum of three years leadership experience within an Academy or a relevant environment

Minimum of five years coaching experience within an Academy or International Youth Programme

Fluent in both English and French (desirable)

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).

Discounted Southampton Football Club merchandise.

27 days’ holiday per year excluding bank holidays plus your birthday off each year.

Contributory Pension Scheme.

Worldwide Travel Insurance for you and your family.

Learning & Development opportunities - supporting you to develop your potential and achieve in your career.

Free onsite parking.

Cycle to Work Scheme.

Collaborative & inclusive working culture.

How can I apply?
Just click on the apply button below, enter your details and answer a quick pre-screening questionnaire, then attach your CV.

The closing date for applications is 18 July 2025.

*We reserve the right to close this vacancy early, if a high volume of applicants are received.*
How to apply: https://saintsfc.wd3.myworkdayjobs.com/SFC001/job/Staplewood-Campus/Head-of-Group-Talent-Development_RQ-032878