Senior Lead - Para Performance Coach Development

The Senior Lead Para Performance Coach Development is responsible for leading the development and implementation of learning and development programmes within the Para performance pathway. 

The Senior Lead Para Performance Coach Development is responsible for leading the development and implementation of learning and development programmes within the Para performance pathway. Working closely with the Head of Para Performance and Senior Technical Performance Manager - Para Football, they will be responsible for enhancing the skills, knowledge, and effectiveness of coaches working within para football at both elite and talent development levels. Through targeted, bespoke interventions, the role will focus on fostering an inclusive, high performance coaching culture that drives excellence in para player development, performance outcomes, and athlete well-being.

What will you be doing?

• Collaborate with the Para Technical Division leadership to ensure a systematic approach to coach development that includes the identification of high performing coaches and their ongoing development.
• Design and deliver a comprehensive suite of coach development interventions tailored to the unique needs of coaches working with para teams, supporting the long-term development of athletes.
• Deliver and facilitate ongoing professional development opportunities for coaches working with para teams, including workshops and mentoring programs, ensuring alignment with best practice.
• Promote an inclusive, player centred approach to coaching that addresses the diverse needs of para players, including physical, psychological, and social support.
• Work closely with national sport organisations, disability sport networks, and other stakeholders to align coach development initiatives with broader performance and inclusion goals.
• Support coaches in integrating sport science, technology, and data analytics into their coaching practices to optimise player performance.
• Track the effectiveness of coach development programmes and provide continuous feedback to coaches, ensuring that high standards of coaching excellence are maintained.
• Collaborate with talent identification and athlete pathway programmes to ensure a seamless integration of coaching development into player progression.
• Serve as a key advocate for the growth of para sports, promoting awareness and understanding of para player capabilities and achievements within the broader coaching community.
• Support elite and talent based Para coaches to standardise practice in key areas of session design and review.
• Oversee the Para Player to Coach Apprenticeship Programme providing leadership to assigned coach mentors supporting players.
• Implement a coach recruitment and development programme designed to impact the diversity of the Para coaching workforce.
• As assigned by the Senior Technical Performance Manager, undertake key coaching roles with Para Squads providing 'in situ' and best practice delivery to further upskill and develop coaches.
• Executes additional tasks as required in order to meet FA Group 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:

• Expertise in Para football coaching.
• Comprehensive understanding of para football, including classification systems, disability types, and their impact on athletic performance.
• Hold a UEFA B (or equivalent) would be highly advantageous, demonstrating expertise in football at the elite level.
• Proven track record in designing, delivering, and evaluating coach education programmes.
• Ability to mentor and support coaches in implementing high performance practices tailored to the needs of para players.
• Strategic thinking skills to develop long term plans for coach development within the para football ecosystem.
• Deep understanding of the principles of inclusive coaching, addressing the diverse physical, mental, and social needs of para players.
• Ability to influence and collaborate with diverse stakeholders, including coaches, athletes, and administrators.
• Familiarity with sports science, data analytics, strength and conditioning, and technological advancements that drive performance improvements in para football.
• Flexibility to adapt programs and methodologies to meet the evolving needs of coaches.
• A genuine passion for para sports and a commitment to promoting inclusivity and excellence in para football coaching.

Beneficial to have:

• Experience coaching or developing coaches in para football at the elite or developmental level.
• Advanced qualifications or certifications in coaching, sports management, or a related field, with a focus on performance coaching or disability sports.
• Experience working within international para football federations or events, understanding global standards and best practices.
• Knowledge of talent identification, development pathways, and the integration of coaching into long-term player progression.
• Competency in delivering coaching development programs through digital platforms and online education tools.
• Previous experience working in a high-performance or elite football environment, with an understanding of the specific challenges and requirements of performance teams in elite football.
• Proficiency in using performance analysis software and tools (e.g., video analysis platforms, GPS tracking, and data analytics) to enhance educational content and inform coaching practices.
• Experience in managing organisational or cultural change, particularly in advancing gender equality within sport.

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 wellbeing.
• 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.
• 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

Our Organisation

The Football Association [The FA] is the not-for-profit governing body of football in England. It is responsible for promoting and developing every level of the game, from grassroots through to the professional game, and generates significant revenue to support investment into English football each year.

The FA oversees England international teams across men's, women's, youth and disability football, as well as running the National League System and FA Competitions including the Emirates FA Cup and Women's Adobe FA Cup, and the world-class facilities of Wembley Stadium and St. George's Park, all with a purpose to Unite the Game and Inspire the Nation.

We currently work within a hybrid working model whereby the expectation is to work from your contractual location for part of the week, and as and when required by the team. The remaining days can be worked remotely. We will continue to monitor this model and it may be adjusted in future if deemed necessary.

Your contract with The FA will specify a fixed location of Wembley Stadium or St. George's Park unless the role is advertised as a home-based contract. The contractual location of this role can be found at the top of this advert on our FA vacancy page.

The FA, For All, For You

Our equality, diversity and inclusion strategy forms an integral part of our long-term commitment to using our influence across English football to create a game free from discrimination.

https://www.thefa.com/-/media/thefacom-new/files/about-the-fa/2021/fa_a-game-for-all-strategy.ashx

A Game For All outlines three key strategic commitments - Lead the Change, Be the Change, and Inspire the Change - which will ensure tackling discrimination remains a core priority for English football for years to come.

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.