Job Title: Head of Academy Technical

Location: Derby County Football Club Academy
Hours: Full-time (35 hours/week), including evenings and weekends as required
Salary: Competitive, dependent on experience

Join the Rams – Be Part of Derby County’s Future

Derby County Football Club, established in 1884, is one of the founding members of the English Football League. With a rich history including two First Division titles (1972, 1975) and an FA Cup victory (1946), the club currently competes in the Sky Bet Championship, following promotion from League One in the 2023/24 season.

Our Category One Academy, held since 2014, has a proud track record of developing talent. We are now seeking a Head of Academy Technical to oversee the technical playing and coaching strategy across the Academy, ensuring excellence in player development, coach education, and alignment with first team requirements.

About the Role

As a senior member of the Academy Leadership Team and Technical Board, the Head of Academy Technical will lead on:

1. The Game Model – Playing Philosophy & Coaching Methodology (Including CCF):

• Design, implement, and monitor the Game Craft manual outlining our playing philosophy.


• Ensure consistent delivery of the Game Model across the Professional Development Phase (PDP) and Youth Development Phase (YDP).


• Regularly attend fixtures to support and evaluate Game Model implementation.

2. The Elite Coach – Coach Education & Development:

• Develop an innovative coach education programme, integrating industry best practices.


• Conduct training needs analyses, formal qualifications planning, and performance observations.


• Provide tailored 1:1 mentoring and create Coach Development Action Plans (IDPs).


• Lead a structured in-house CPD programme and maintain up-to-date qualification records.


• Manage coaching internships, mentoring relationships, and Coach Competency Framework.

3. The Player – Individual Development Plans (IDPs):

• Ensure all players have bespoke, regularly reviewed IDPs.


• Collaborate across multi-disciplinary teams to enhance individual player pathways.


• Oversee player-coach discussions, monitor learning outcomes, and ensure delivery aligns with the Academy Performance Plan and Coaching Syllabus.

4. EPPP Compliance:

• Support the PMA Technician in maintaining Category One standards.


• Liaise with PGAAC and oversee preparation for ASA and annual audits.

5. Data & Analytics:

• Use video, data, and observations to inform coaching and identify trends.


• Directly line-manage the Academy PMA Technician, leveraging Kitman Labs data to inform player performance insights.

What We're Looking For

Essential Experience & Characteristics:

• Extensive elite-level experience in coaching or coach development


• In-depth knowledge of EPPP and Category One environments


• Strong understanding of the PMA system and development frameworks


• Proven experience with PDP and youth player development


• Confident, self-motivated, and able to work under pressure


• Excellent communicator with strong organisational and presentation skills

Required Qualifications:

• UEFA A Licence (Level 4)


• FA Advanced Youth Award


• FA Youth Award


• EFAIF Qualification


• GCSE Level 4+ in English and Maths


• Degree in Sport/Education/Sports Science (desirable)

Club Values & Culture

Everything we do is built on Stability, Integrity, and Progress. Our core values:

• We are proud of who we are and what we do


• We are positive, inspired and passionate


• We are ambitious and driven


• We are prepared, honest and humble


• We are the heartbeat of our community


• We are the club of opportunity

Employee Benefits

• 25 days annual leave plus bank holidays


• Two complimentary season tickets & away memberships


• 20% Megastore discount


• Company Pension with Aviva


• Healthshield Cash Health Plan and Perks platform


• Subsidised meals at Moor Farm


• Training and development opportunities


• Employee forum participation (‘The Herd’)


• Community engagement through Derby County Community Trust