About Us:

As a member of the Chelsea team you will become part of a long and proud history in the heart of iconic west London, which dates back to the club’s founding in 1905. Since that time the club has won every major domestic and international trophy, being crowned English, European and world champions in the process.
Chelsea are a club which proudly strives to be the best in everything we do, on and off the pitch, as shown by the further success of our Women’s and Academy sides, as well as the excellent work in the community undertaken by the Chelsea Foundation, while engaging with our many supporters from a wide range of backgrounds at home in the UK and around the world.
If you’re motivated and want to help us win more trophies, you’ve got a place here at Chelsea!

What We’re Looking For:

Chelsea FC’s Local Recruitment department is driven to continue to recruit the very best local talents and maintain our success in Academy local recruitment . We are looking for a new senior position, Head of Local Academy Scouting. The role will support the Head of Local Recruitment and manage staff to identify, monitor, report and secure the best local talents. The person will work closely with the Local Strategy and Planning Manager to utilise information and data that optimises the local scouting department decision making to confirm and enables the recruitment of high potential talent to Chelsea FC.

Brief description and duties:

- Assist in reviewing the strategy for signing local elite targets/talents
- Assist in the research success/failures of other competitor Academy signings/productivity over 10 years
- Identify through research hot spot regions and clubs for recruiting talents
- Responsible for ensuring information flows throughout the local scouting team and ultimately into the Head of Youth Recruitment.
- Implements processes that holds them accountable for local Academy recruitment productivity.
- Develop, nurture and maintain new links and relationships with local clubs to ensure we
are ahead of competition in securing later developed talents elsewhere to sign for Chelsea Academy.
- Develop and maintain a strong network of contacts within clubs including Sports/Technical Directors, Academy Managers, Coaches, Agents, and other key stakeholders.
- Review local scouting structures: for Non-League youth and senior football coverage within the U16-21 age phases
- Assist in the management of operational effectiveness. Use cutting edge Talent ID initiatives such as Ai Scout, creative processes, systems and data
- Scout across regions nationally or internationally as directed by senior staff.
- Manage the collection of background information on local target players to produce player recommendation reports, executive summaries and bio’s
- Organise and chair target player discussions and attend all other scout meetings including Recruitment Management and Coordinator Meetings.
- Ensure regular communications with the HOLR, other National Regional Managers and Project Scouts (conference calls, Teams, Zoom, face to face meetings).
- Maintain an intimate and thorough understanding of the football culture and infrastructure within London and the South East including local private academies, 121 coaches, non-league and college provision.
- Maintain up to date, in depth knowledge on the in-house players at Chelsea FC across all age groups.
- Present updates to senior recruitment staff regularly.
- Work on any other innovative or special scouting project as required by Chelsea FC,
- To abide by Premier League and FA rules and regulations and rules and ensure CFC and Academy policies and procedures are adhered to.

Must Haves/qualified by demonstrable experience to the level required:

- Experience of an elite performance environment with particular understanding of dealing with high performing teams and individuals
- Have previously worked across a diverse group of stakeholders – experience delivering on guidance from senior management and leading a team of staff.
- Experience of presentation skills, both verbal and written, to communicate information and data to support critical decision making.
- Minimum 3 years’ scouting experience at a professional level, including management of a region or project.
- Extensive knowledge of the geographic region including culture, legislation, and football market.
- Willing to take responsibility and follow tasks to a successful completion.
- Valid driving licence
- Valid DBS Check

Nice to Haves:

- Minimum of FA Level 2 Talent ID Qualification

Skills and Behaviours:

- Personable and approachable manner enthusiastic with a strong work ethic
- Trustworthy with sensitive and confidential information
- Good knowledge and relationships with agents and agencies in UK
- Highly computer literate in office suite and ability to use in-house systems
- Outstanding communicator both verbal and written across a diverse set of stakeholders and team members.
- Ability to prepare reports for senior management to update on the progress of the scouting strategy.
- Emotional intelligence and empathy to lead a department

Our commitment to Equality, Diversity and Inclusion:

At Chelsea we recognise that the diversity of our people is one of our greatest strengths and we are taking positive action to ensure our existing colleagues and job applicants can fully be themselves and bring their own unique experiences and perspectives to Chelsea FC. This means giving full and fair consideration to all applicants regardless of age, disability, gender reassignment, race, religion or belief, sex, sexual orientation, marriage and civil partnership, and pregnancy and maternity.
If you need reasonable adjustments made to the recruitment process, please reach out to your recruiter, who will be able to advise and support you.

Chelsea FC and the Foundation is fully committed to ensuring the safety and well-being of all children, young people and adults at risk (vulnerable groups). We therefore require all successful applicants to complete a DBS Check prior to starting employment. Depending on the role, successful applicants may also be required to undergo other child protection screening where appropriate.