Men's PDP Phase Lead

Unite the Game and Inspire the Nation through Winning England Teams.

The men's technical coaching team are looking for a Men's PDP Phase Lead to lead and align our resources, knowledge and expertise across the Professional Development Phase Teams, and the staff that work within it, to maximise our strategy of "Winning Players, Winning Teams" The role will provide overall leadership and coordination of players and staff associated with the PDP, ensuring alignment and collaboration across the phase.

Please note, the term 'PDP' refers to our U17-U20 groups and the role will have no direct responsibility of an age group team, focusing on the broader leadership across the phase.

What will you be doing?

National Teams

• Chair/lead the PDP Leadership Group
• Overall leadership and management of players and staff associated with the PDP.
• Under the guidance of the Head of Coaching, responsibility for the preparation, delivery and review of PDP seasonal fixture programme, training events, games and tournaments within the agreed allocated budget and in the context of the short, medium and long term player development pathway.
• Oversee, with input from the multidisciplinary team and other National Coaches the squad and team selection process'.
• Lead the setting of objectives (using the DNA+) for the phase / camps and reviewing them across the PDP/YDP pathway.
• Work closely with the Head of Coaching, YDP Phase Lead, and other leads in the MDT as appropriate, to ensure a seamless service is provided along the pathway in the best interests of the players.
• Leadership and delivery of the overall programme within the PDP, ensuring the alignment and optimal utilisation of all PDP coaches and MDT support staff
• Lead staff to help create and develop outstanding, inspiring performance, learning and development environments for players and staff both in and out of 'events' to maximise the probability of success within the phase.
• Lead the creation and delivery of the technical and tactical programmes within the designated phase and liaising closely with the MDT support staff.
• Lead the review and feedback mechanism to the players and in conjunction with the clubs, where possible with face-to-face contact.
• Support in the ongoing player grading and handover activities across the age groups.
• Where possible assist in the delivery of events with other age groups.
• Carrying out performance reviews and putting in a comprehensive professional development plans for all their direct coaching reports.

Talent ID & Club Engagement

• Overall responsibility for the liaison with 'Insights' and 'Recruitment & Retention' department to actively identify, track and monitor players to be consider for selection to England teams, across the PDP.
• Lead and deliver our 'Squad Selection' process for PDP activity and be the point of contact for players moving across age groups, pre and during events.
• Establish and develop close relationships through direct and face-to-face contact with professional football clubs and relationships in our Insight department, ensuring this is carried out across your phase and linked up with YDP phase.
• Lead on the creation and delivery of 'Club Engagement' events/activities linked to strategic priorities

FA Education

• In conjunction with Head of Coaching, coordinate the staff's FA Education duties with relevant Coach Developers.
• Deliver FA Education duties under the guidance of the Head of Coaching and Coach Developers for appropriate activities.
• Liaise and collaborate with other National team staff and FA Education department to ensure good practice is shared in both education and national team settings to optimise the quality of delivery in both areas.

Other

• Ensure outstanding recorded preparation, delivery and review of all work undertaken via the appropriate FA systems.
• Develop collaborative links inside and outside of football to ensure our work remains contemporary and relevant to the demands of the future game
• As required by the needs of the specific team collaborate with FA media and communications staff to ensure consistent appropriate management of external communications.
• Establish and develop strong relationships with key stakeholders throughout the game.

• Executes additional tasks as required to meet the FA's changing priorities.
• Comply with all company policies and procedures to ensure the highest standards of health, safety, and wellbeing can be maintained.
• As part of the FA's commitment to ensuring a safe environment for everyone in football, every employee will be required to complete a DBS check. The level of the check required will be based on the activity of the specific job role and in line with legislation and government guidance.

What are we looking for?

Essential for the role:

• A valid UEFA 'A' Licence &/or FA Advanced Youth Award.
• Consistent, successful experience of leadership, management and development of elite coaches, players and multidisciplinary staff in an Academy, Professional or International football environment.
• Understanding of the International and Domestic professional club landscapes and strategies.
• Proven relationships and credibility within the professional club environment.
• Knowledge and understanding of recruitment principles in the PDP age groups.
• Experience of players who have entered into and graduated through professional development pathways.
• Evidence of good links and relationships with club staff and key stakeholders (PFA, LMA, FL, FAPL)
• Proven track record in the delivery of coach education courses or mentoring coaches.
• Ability to demonstrate an inspirational on and off field delivery using a variety of methods and approaches in clubs, internal meetings and coach education environments.
• Growth mindset and strong evidence of continued professional development
• Deep knowledge of technical and tactical components of successful football strategies, tactics and techniques.

Beneficial to have:

• UEFA Pro-Licence
• Recent experience of coaching elite players
• Competitive International Tournament experience
• Degree in sports related subject
• Tutor / Mentoring experience
• Teaching certificate or experience
• Understanding or experience of using sports code analysis software
• Proficient skills in Microsoft Office

What's in it for you?

We are committed to ensuring everyone can flourish in their roles, to achieve this we have unique office spaces under the arch of the iconic Wembley National Stadium, which is the home of English Football. We are also delighted to offer a world-class, Elite Performance Centre, St. George's Park in Staffordshire which is an exceptional setting to develop and inspire high-performing England teams and leaders.

We pride ourselves in offering a competitive salary as well as great opportunities to develop and grow in your role. But that is not all; we also have a range of exciting benefits, some of which can be found below:

• Access to event day tickets at Wembley Stadium, alongside a host of regular internal events throughout the season, encouraging you to connect and learn with your colleagues and look after your mental health and well-being.
• Free, nutritious lunches at Wembley Stadium and St. George's Park.
• Free private medical cover.
• A contributory pension scheme.
• An additional 'Thank You' days leave, volunteering days as well as 25 days annual leave (based on a full-time, permanent contract.)
• A hybrid working model offering greater flexibility.

For more information on what it is like to work at The FA, please visit our FA Careers page, https://www.thefa.com/about-football-association/careers

We are a diverse workplace, aspiring to represent football across the country. The Football Association actively promotes inclusion and diversity, encouraging you to be the best version of yourself at work.

We welcome applications from everyone and are proud to be an equal opportunities employer. If you have any particular requirements in respect of the recruitment or interview process, please mention this during your application.

As part of the FA's commitment to ensuring a safe environment for everyone in football, every employee will be required to complete a DBS check. The level of the check required will be based on the activity of the specific job role and in line with legislation and government guidance.