1st Team Goalkeeping Coach and Operations Lead

Job Title: 1st Team Goalkeeping Coach and Operations Lead

Employer: Lewes FC

Hours & Availability:  35 hours per week (Full Time Role) 

Reports to: Women’s 1st Team Manager and Head of Women’s Football

Key relationships: 1st Team Manager, Performance Staff, Head of Women’s Football 

Location: The Dripping Pan, Lewes, Mountfield Road

Summary of Roles and Responsibilities

• Align closely with the 1st Team Manager and Performance Staff to cultivate a high-performance culture which is inclusive and safe, where athletes and staff thrive and reach their potential
• Support the management of a successful first team
• Collaborate to support the creation of a culture that maximises the talent of each player in all aspects of player development to elevate the quality of team performances.
• Support the leadership of player and team development at all training sessions and matches played by the club
• Collaborate, support and lead on individual development of player toward elite professional standards on and off the pitch
• Lead and collaborate on the effective delivery of day to day operational requirements to enable staff and players to succeed in our environment

Job Title: 1st Team Goalkeeping Coach and Operations Lead

Employer: Lewes FC

Hours & Availability:  35 hours per week (Full Time Role) 

Reports to: Women’s 1st Team Manager and Head of Women’s Football

Key relationships: 1st Team Manager, Performance Staff, Head of Women’s Football 

Location: The Dripping Pan, Lewes, Mountfield Road

Summary of Roles and Responsibilities

• Align closely with the 1st Team Manager and Performance Staff to cultivate a high-performance culture which is inclusive and safe, where athletes and staff thrive and reach their potential
• Support the management of a successful first team
• Collaborate to support the creation of a culture that maximises the talent of each player in all aspects of player development to elevate the quality of team performances.
• Support the leadership of player and team development at all training sessions and matches played by the club
• Collaborate, support and lead on individual development of player toward elite professional standards on and off the pitch
• Lead and collaborate on the effective delivery of day to day operational requirements to enable staff and players to succeed in our environment

Application Process:

Lewes FC prides itself as an equal opportunity employer and we encourage and welcome applications from all candidates including those from under-represented backgrounds such as women, people with disabilities, BAME and LGBTQ+ candidates.Given the low levels of diversity in football, we understand that candidates from under-represented backgrounds are unlikely to have been given adequate opportunity in the game. Consequently, we will ensure that the application process does not unduly favour candidates with such experience over applicants without it. All applicants must have specific Safeguarding and Protecting Children / FA Safeguarding Children qualifications and a DBS Clearance / Enhanced FA CRC check before starting the role. 

Lewes FC is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and vulnerable adults and expects all employees, contractors and volunteers to share this commitment and abide by the FA's Codes of Conduct and Safeguarding Children and Adults policies.  As a result please be aware that Lewes FC adopts all volunteers to abide by disclosing any previous criminal convictions or whether you have ever been investigated by The FA regarding safeguarding matters or any investigations from any regulatory bodies. This includes any other sports, governing bodies, the Teachers Regulatory Agency, the Nurses and Midwifery Council, Schools, places of education or any other workplace/volunteer environments. 

To apply, please email a CV and cover letter outlining why you’d be great for the role alongside any relevant experience to applications@lewesfc.com with the subject line: “Goalkeeper Coach and Operations Lead: Your Name”.

The interview process will commence 1st May 2025 

We will be accepting applicants through the interview process. The role will be open until filled. We reserve the right to close this vacancy early if we receive sufficient applications for the role. Therefore, if you are interested, please submit your application as early as possible.

Please clearly articulate in your cover letter how your experience and personal characteristics align with the values and ambitions of Lewes FC, as well as provide evidence of how your qualifications and experience match the role described below.

Key Roles and Responsibilities

Coaching and Analysis

• Plan and deliver structured, progressive training sessions for first-team goalkeepers.  
• Develop and implement goalkeeper-specific training plans to enhance technical, tactical, physical, and psychological attributes.  
• Conduct regular performance reviews and provide individual feedback.  
• Work closely with the 1st team manager and performance staff to integrate goalkeepers into team play and tactical strategies.
• Assist the coaching staff in delivering outfield training sessions as required. 
• Provide tactical insights and contribute to team preparation. 
• Offer specialised input on defensive organisation and set-piece strategy. 
• Develop individual players to excel consistently in the elite women’s professional game
• Support the Analysis of Opposition, Team, Units, and Individuals to support Team Performance and Scouting Targets and Objectives
• Conduct pre-match & post-match analysis for goalkeepers, and tactical strategy, with a focus on positioning, decision-making and distribution. 

Match Day 

• Deliver required specific match day duties – e.g., Warmups, Tactical and technical information and feedback given to players  
• Support and/or lead on in match analysis and communication to the bench. 

Team Operations 

• Key point of contact in coordinating the day-to-day operations of the women’s first team in alignment  with First Team Manager, MDT Staff,  Head of Women’s Football, Facilities Manager, and overall Club Operations and Commercial Strategy.
• Plan and manage team and staff with regards to travel and fixture planning.  Particular focus will be on liaising with opposing teams and match officials, arranging travel and accommodation and team safety and security.  
• Order,  allocate and maintain training and match kits in compliance with competition regulations and in correct sizes. 
• Prepare and set out the team dressing room ahead of all home and away fixtures, including transit of kit and equipment and provision of nutrition and hydration supplies
• Organise the regular audit and ordering of kit, match balls, equipment, video cameras and medical equipment across the club. 
• Ensure that the club makes best use of technology and source technology that best configures with the club’s budgetary requirements.
• Build and maintain full player records i.e. contact information on the club’s central drive and share timely information with relevant individuals, in a GDPR-compliant manner. 
• Assist the Head of Women’s football with players’ inductions and collaborate on clear supported exit and transition processes.
• Facilitate regular MDT meetings and ensure that players and staff are updated with match day itineraries, monthly plans and timely communication regarding operational matters
• Resolution of other operational issues as required

Qualifications, Skills and Experience 

Essential 

• Experience of coaching and mentoring elite young and senior footballers, which has helped develop deep technical and tactical knowledge, including knowledge of a range of systems of play.
• Experience of developing learning environments for athletes
• Demonstrated operations management experience, preferably in a high-performance sporting context 
• Strong leader with excellent people management skills in resource-tight environment. 
• Knowledge and experience of working in the women’s game
• Details oriented and clear planning skills and experience
• Solutions-oriented and quick thinker. 
• Capable of working effectively within strict deadlines and a fast-paced environment; 
• Confident communicator with emotional intelligence
• UEFA Goalkeeping B Licence
• UEFA B Licence (Outfield) 
• FA Safeguarding  Children qualification(acquired before starting role)
• FA Safeguarding Adults qualification
• DBS Clearance (acquired before starting the role)
• FA Player Welfare Course completed
• Understanding of budgeting with the ability to develop and monitor budgets

 Desirable 

• Emergency Medical First Aid in Football (acquired before starting role)
• Engagement in professional development other than technical football coaching development. For example:
  • Physical Development of Youth Female Players (growth and maturation, female athlete physiology & menstrual cycle)
  • Player support (e.g., Talented Athlete Lifestyle Support)
  • Coaching & mentoring qualification (e.g., EMCC)