Head of Education and Player CareBradford City

About The Role

Job title: Head of Education and Player Care.
Responsible to: Academy Manager.

Bradford City AFC Academy is recruiting a Head of Education and Player Care. While the role is designed as a full-time position covering both specialisms, we value expertise and welcome applications tailored to either or both areas, as detailed below:
• Option A: Full-Time Role – Head of Education & Player Care (40 hours per week)
• Option B: Part-Time Specialist – Head of Education (20 hours per week)
• Option C: Part-Time Specialist – Player Care Lead (20 hours per week)

Working within our Category 3 Academy, you will build a positive, supportive environment where young players can thrive in their schoolwork, personal lives, and overall well-being alongside their football development across all age groups.

A candidate taking on the combined full-time role will oversee both areas below, while part-time specialists will focus on their chosen 20-hour role.

Education (20 Hours per Week)
• Plan, deliver, and track the Academy Education Programme in line with EFL and League Football Education (LFE) guidelines. 
• Oversee the delivery of the BTEC Sport qualification and apprenticeship framework for U18 scholars. 
• Maintain regular contact with local schools for younger players, monitoring attendance, academic progress, and day-release schedules. 
• Accurately maintain all educational records on required academy tracking systems. 
• Prepare players for life after football by facilitating career guidance and vocational training options.

Player Care (20 Hours per Week)
• Act as the primary point of contact for player care across all age groups, promoting emotional well-being, mental health awareness, and personal growth. 
• Design and deliver engaging, age-appropriate Life Skills workshops covering topics such as online safety, financial literacy, health, and mental well-being. 
• Guide young players and their families through critical Academy transitions, including induction, scholarship signing, and exit/release strategies. 
• Work closely with the Academy Safeguarding Lead to maintain a safe, inclusive, and supportive environment. 
• Support players and families with transport and general welfare logistics as needed.

Other requirements:
• Positively represent the culture and values of the Academy in every interaction.
• Maintain professional boundaries at all times, adhere strictly to operational policies
• Undertake any other reasonable duties, as requested by your Line Manager.
• Work within and adhere to all Academy policies and procedures, maintaining a strong understanding of Bradford City AFC's culture and values.

Selection process
Recruitment for this post will be conducted in two stages:
• Stage One: Shortlisted candidates will attend an interview at Valley Parade.
• Stage Two: Candidates moving to Stage Two will be invited to the Academy to give a short presentation on their chosen area (Education, Player Care, or both) and complete a practical task.

About The Candidate

About you

• You are a friendly, well-organised, and caring professional with experience in teaching, pastoral care, or youth work.
• You understand the pressures young athletes face as they look to balance and maintain schoolwork with their football.
• You have strong administrative skills and are confident using software.
• You enjoy working alongside coaches, medical staff, sports scientists, and parents.
• You communicate clearly and build good relationships with schools and football governing bodies like the LFE.

Qualifications and requirement's

Essential (Options A, B and C)
• Valid FA Safeguarding Children Certificate.
• Emergency First Aid in Football (EFAiF) or equivalent valid first aid qualification.
• Satisfactory Disclosure from an Enhanced DBS Check with Children’s Barred List clearance (This will need to be completed prior to appointment). 
Essential (Options A and B Only)
• Qualified Teacher Status (QTS), PGCE, or Level 5+ teaching qualification.

Desirable (Options A, B and C)
• Mental Health First Aid qualification (Youth or Adult).
• Safeguarding training.
• Proven experience working within an EFL/LFE framework or Premier League/EFL Academy environment.
• Experience in using academy management software (e.g., PMA, Kitman Labs, or similar player-tracking platforms.
• Full UK Driving Licence

About The Club

General terms
Working arrangement:
Based at the Club’s Academy in Bradford, West Yorkshire (BD10 0NR).

Work environment:
Indoor v Outdoor: Office, classroom and meeting spaces, with regular time spent pitch side and around academy training areas during sessions.

Physical Demands: Mostly office and classroom-based. Requirement to be able to access and move freely around the academy grounds. #

Volume and Pace: Busy, supportive youth sport environment operating under football academy regulations.

Liaison and Collaboration: Positive daily interaction within a Multi-Disciplinary Team (MDT) as well as maintaining clear, professional communication with players, parents and guardians.
Safeguarding and Culture: Regulated environment requiring adherence to Club Safeguarding policies, professional boundaries, and Equality, Diversity & Inclusion (EDI) standards. 
Working days and times: Standard office hours with the flexibility to work evenings and weekends as needed.

Contract:
Full-time/Part-time, Permanent.

Uniform:
Bradford City AFC branded staff kit.

Probationary period:
Appointments are conditional on the successful completion of a 3-month probationary period. The Club reserves the right to extend this period if necessary