About Us:

Charlton Athletic Football Club is an English professional association football club based in Charlton, south-east London. The club was founded on June 9^th, 1905 and has a very storied history from rising to the top-flight of English Football in the 1930s (First Division) and again in the 1980s, 1990s and 2000s, to winning the FA Cup in 1947 and to leaving their Valley home in the mid-1980s only to make an impassioned return in 1992. Historically, the women's team played under Charlton Athletic from 2000 to 2007 but were released to become an independently run team in 2007 following the men's team's relegation from the Premier League.

The women's team were originally formed as a non-professional team in 1991 and were highly successful in the early 2000s winning The FA Cup, the League Cup, and the Charity Shield, as well as coming runners-up in the top division in multiple seasons. In February 2021, the club acquired the Charlton Athletic Women's team, turning the team full-time professional, and integrating them to become one club again.

Currently, our men's first team competes in League One, the third tier of English football, and our women's team competes in the Women’s Championship, the second highest division of women's football in England. At Charlton, we are ‘one club’ and can be truly described as a ‘family club’.

Role Description:

To manage, oversee and develop the Club’s Coaching Curriculum in line with the Club’s Playing Philosophy in order to maximise the development of our young players progressing through our performance pathway.

To support the Professional Development Phase Coaches design and deliver position specific individual development plans (IDP’s) as well as supporting the Head of Coaching and Lead Phase Coaches and work with the 1^st Team Coaches to ensure alignment of player development across the Club.

Key Responsibilities:

• Responsibility for the technical and tactical development of all players throughout the professional development phase and into the 1^stteam squad and to work closely with our Technical Director, 1^st Team Manager, Academy Manager and Head of Academy Coaching to ensure there is clear alignment throughout the Club.


• Help refine, progress and consolidate the Academy Coaching and Playing philosophy


• To lead the delivery of individual development plans (IDP’s) for all U21 and U18 professional players.


• To support the delivery of position specific sessions for those players who require additional technical or tactical improvement.


• Develop and deliver, along with all development coaches, the development programme across the PDP environment ensuring effective daily delivery of the programme is achieved.


• Lead and support the relevant coaches and analysts to ensure that there is effective co-ordination and forward planning of the development programme.


• Oversee the transition of players during progression from the Under 21 phase to 1^stteam, including those Under 21 players who are consistently selected in the 1^st team squad and feedback to PDP staff and Academy Manager.


• Liaise with the Director of Performance Services, Head of Academy Sports Science, Head of Medical/Academy Medical to ensure all players who have completed their injury rehabilitation undergo stringent, relevant, specific sessions in order to return to training or playing and those that are in the group training programme are capable of undertaking the IDP in conjunction with the training schedule.


• Liaise with the relevant Academy coaches to ensure that delivery of development programmes to academy players in the U18s to U21’s is co-ordinated at 1^stteam level where appropriate.


• Be fully aware of the players individual objectives (technical, tactical, physical and psychological) and liaise closely with the relevant staff on the review and adjustment of these objectives.


• Take responsibility for ensuring players have challenging and appropriate practice in line with their technical/tactical needs. These practices to be additional to 1^stteam training sessions.


• To act as the key communication bridge between 1^stTeam and Academy regarding player requirements from Under 21 to 1^st team whether at training or game level, with the support of the Lead U21 coach.


• Observe 1^stteam, Under 21 and Under 18 training (when possible) and to be active at 1^st team games and PDP games.


• Co-ordinate Academy Player Loans with the support of the Academy Manager and Loans working group.


• To attend any relevant 1^stteam and Academy meetings and ensure that all technical staff are kept fully informed in terms of the development programme.


• To be an active member of the AMT (Academy Management Team) as well as being a member of the Clubs Technical Board.


• Support the Academy Manager and Academy consultant in the session and match observations of our PDP coaching staff, whilst using our Coach Competency Framework.


• With the support of our Academy Manager and Head of Academy Coaching, ensure that all annual Coaching KPI’s as part of our APP (Academy Performance Plan) are actioned successfully.


• Support the Academy Manager and Academy Recruitment Manager in contributing towards the Club’s GAP analysis and highlighted recruitment areas.


• Ensure all sessions are documented and assigned to the development coach who has taken the session. This includes Academy players training and match minutes with the 1^stTeam being recorded on the Football IP system (Kitman labs)


• Ensure all sessions are appropriate for the player based on the IDP they have in place.

Education/Qualifications/Training:

Essential Qualifications:

• UEFA A License


• FA Advanced Youth Award


• DBS Clearance (Prior to starting role)


• Emergency First Aid In Football (EFAIF)


• A full UK Driver’s License

Desirable Qualifications:

• UEFA Pro License


• Master's Degree (sport specific)


• FA Talent ID qualifications


• Safeguarding and Protecting Children

Essential Experience:

• Experience of a coaching role within a professional football club at 1^stteam and/or academy level (professional development phase).


• Experience of driving an individualized focused curriculum.


• Experience of working within evidence based and data driven environments.


• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills.


• Experience working with sports based analytical software.


• Comprehensive understanding of the performance and support needs of elite young football players.

Desirable Experience:

• Previous experience as Head of Coaching, Head of Coach Development, Head of Player Development


• Previous experience of holding a leadership role at a Category 1 or 2 Academy.


• Extensive playing experience in EFL 1^stteam and/or non-league football.

Abilities/Skills/Knowledge:

• Excellent written and oral communication skills in a variety of settings.


• Excellent relevant IT and inter-personal skills


• Capable planner and innovative programme creator.


• Adaptability to be effective in a dynamic, fast-paced environment.


• Passionate and hard-working.


• Pro-active ‘can do’ approach.


• Self-motivated, but also capable of motivating others around them.


• Willing to work in a collaborative manner with players, staff and others to contribute to a healthy working environment.


• Value driven.

Additional Information:

• This a full time role that includes work on weekends and evenings (negotiable);


• Applicants must be eligible to live and work in the UK;


• Charlton Athletic FC is committed to following relevant health & safety regulations and all members of staff are expected to be fully aware and adhere to, at all times, the Club’s H&S and fire safety procedures;


• Charlton Athletic Football Club are fully committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people and expect all staff to share this commitment;


• CAFC is committed to the principle of equal opportunity and its policies for recruitment, selection, training, development and promotion are designed to ensure that no job applicant receives less favourable treatment on the grounds of race, color, nationality, religion or belief, sex, sexual orientation, marital status, age, ethnic and national origin, disability or gender reassignment.