The Football Association of Ireland (FAI) is the governing body for Association Football in the Republic of Ireland. The FAI has primary responsibility for all regulatory and footballing aspects of the game in Ireland.

This is an exciting opportunity to work for the Football Association of Ireland. Reporting to the Assistant Director of Football, the Head of Performance Support is a key new role within a large Football Division. The successful candidate will be involved in leading all aspects of Performance Support across all international teams (Men’s and Women’s), and all FAI Player Development and Coach Development programmes. The role will also include supporting Clubs to continue to provide the best in class Performance Support provision for players. The role will be heavily involved in the technical, performance and development strategies for all levels of Football in Ireland and it presents a real opportunity to support transformational change in Irish Football, predominantly through the delivery of the newly created Football Pathways Plan.

The Position

This new position will be responsible for building a new Performance Support function within the FAI and bring an expertise to this area during an exciting time as we look to implement new strategies within the newly launched Football Pathways Plan. The key priority for the role will be to develop, oversee and evolve all areas relating to Performance Support namely, (Sport Science, Strength and Conditioning, Performance Analysis, Nutrition, Psychology and other performance domains) across all age groups to maximise the potential of our players and coaches across the pathway.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead, manage and enhance the Associations Performance Support provision in line with the FAI’s strategic objectives and Football Pathways Plan.


• Lead the creation of a Performance Support function within the FAI, developing a clear and consistent approach to Sport Science, Strength and Conditioning, Performance Analysis, Nutrition, Psychology and other performance domains across the Men’s and Women’s pathway, including the recognition of key differences in male and female athletes and developing appropriate strategies and programmes.


• Work closely with Director of Football, Assistant Director of Football, key Football staff and international Head Coaches from U15’s to Senior teams to create an age and stage appropriate and gender specific Performance Support Provision for all players.


• Ensure all Performance Support services are aligned with a collective approach to optimising team and individual development and performance in accordance with the vision across all our international teams.


• Work closely with the International Operations team and Medical team to make sure we have a clear aligned approach and collaborate with all areas of the Football Division in a multidisciplinary approach.


• Design individual athletic development programmes and work in collaboration with key performance staff of each international team including communicating effectively with Clubs.


• Establish partnerships with Third level institutions to develop performance internships and placements.


• Create centralised data collection and analysis systems for player performance monitoring.


• Develop strong relationships with League of Ireland Clubs to further develop Performance Support provision.


• Work closely with the FAI Coach Development team to create a new approach and curriculum for all areas of Performance Support within all FAI Coach Development programmes.


• Develop and enhance relationships with all stakeholders that may include but not exhaustive to; Clubs, UEFA, FIFA, other associations, FAI affiliates and committees, players and parents/guardians.


• Any other duties as reasonably assigned by the Director of football from time to time.

The Person

The successful candidate will have the following;

• Extensive experience of leading and managing strategy, people and programmes.


• Extensive experience of working in a high-performance athlete environment (Men’s and Women’s).


• Demonstrated breadth of general knowledge across a number of performance support areas such as physiology, strength and conditioning, performance analysis, and nutrition that support improved performance support delivery.


• In depth understanding of the differing interventions and needs between male and female players.


• Understanding of player development through all ages and stages.


• Excellent interpersonal and communication skills.


• Experience of managing a team of people.


• Knowledge of what an elite environment should look like.


• Budget/resource management experience.


• Computer literate and able to build and update databases.


• Experience of using data management systems to ensure the secure and efficient storage of monitoring and evaluation data.

Qualifications

• Masters (or higher) in Sports Science or related Performance Support discipline


• 3rd Level Qualification in Leadership/Management Leadership and Management qualification

Desirable

• Experience in a football performance and talent development environment (Men’s and Women’s)


• Membership of the Irish Sport and Exercise Science Association (ISESA)


• Performance support related accreditation


• Chartered membership of Performance support bodies

Our Benefits:

We are proud of the range of benefits we can provide;

• Two premium level tickets to each home international game


• Sick pay scheme and family friendly leave


• Opportunities to work at international matches


• Company pension


• Life assurance


• Bike to work scheme


• Free onsite parking


• Employee assistance programs


• Hybrid working arrangements and flexible hours working arrangements