Women's Academy Manager

Job description

Job Location       Academy Training Ground BR3 1NZ

Contract Type   Full-time      

Salary/ ROP        Competitive

Deadline            30th July2025

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 - our London office, Selhurst Park stadium, 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:

We are looking for an Academy Manager to lead and develop the Female Player Development Pathway at CPFCW through ETC, Academy to 1st Team. You will be for responsible leading the development of a holistic talent system within the club that supports and develops potential in players, coaches, and wider multi-disciplinary staff. The role will work across our development pathway including our Professional Game Academy, Sister Clubs and Emerging Talent Centre.

Responsibilities:

• To produce a long term strategy and infrastructure plan for a Professional Game Academy in the 2024/25 season at CPFC Women. This will include facility proposals, catchment areas and staff recruitment
• Develop a PGA proposal for submission to The FA in preparation for the 2026/27 season
• Ensure all FA PGA criteria and compliance requirements are fulfilled
• Create and manage a budget for the CPFC Pathway
• To take responsibility for the recruitment of academy staff
• Work closely with existing CPFC Pathway Coaches, and Palace For Life Foundation ETC to shape our pathway
• Work closely with the first team head coach to create a club coaching syllabus with key playing principles
• Developing educational partnerships to support players with dual career
• Providing strategic leadership and vision to all academy staff, ensuring the academy operates within the rules and operational requirements of the Professional Game Academy.
• To drive the development of a culture where all people, not just players, are developed to reach their individual potential on and off the pitch.
• Responsible for the overall management and strategic direction of the CPFC Women’s Academy Pathway to develop players for the First Team.
• Oversee and manage the day to day running of the academy and lead the academy Management Team, along with providing a link with the Women’s 1st
• Manage the academy budget on time and with budget.
• To develop staff so that they improve and perform to the best of their potential and subsequently maximising the potential of the players that they work with. With monthly check ins and clear performance indicators
• Ensure there is a systematic and evidence-based pathway for player progression in the academy
• Manage the recruitment of players into the academy and present on a monthly basis to the technical board on academy performance.
• Attend academy games and training sessions, ensuring effective communication with staff, parents, and players.
• Work closely with all key stakeholders including Palace for Life Foundation, parents, staff, and players and in conjunction with the Designated Safeguarding Officer, ensuring all policies, practices and procedures relating to the safeguarding of young people are implemented and updated regularly.
• Work with appropriate staff to ensure player reviews are completed in accordance with CPFC Women’s strategy and that these reviews are communicated to both players and parents.
• Ensure that the playing principles and club coaching syllabus are effectively delivered across Pro Game, ETC and Sister Clubs.
• Ensure there is a workforce development plan in place to staff to effectively deliver within their roles.
• Attend coaching sessions across the whole academy pathway to ensure performance outcomes are achieved.
• 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:

• UEFA A License
• FA DBS
• Holds an in-date FA Safeguarding Children Certificate or is willing to complete the FA Safeguarding Children Workshop within 3 months.
• To undertake regular Club safeguarding training updates (CPD) appropriate to the role
• FA Level 1 Introduction to First Aid in Football (IFAiF) or FA Emergency First Aid
• Attend Coach Development days as organised by The FA.
• A practical, flexible, and innovative approach to work, with excellent interpersonal skills and relationship management.
• Able to communicate effectively (written and verbally) across all levels, with players, staff and senior management.
• Ability to work as part of a team and on own initiative.
• Willing to support and promote the club and football philosophy.
• Willing to work flexible hours which includes evenings and weekends
• Knowledge of the professional women’s game, The FA Women’s Championship, and the requirements of Women’s and Girls Talent Pathway including an ETC.

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.