YDP Individual Development CoachDerby County

Derby County are seeking to recruit a YDP Individual Development Coach to join the Academy Coaching Department at our Category One Academy based at Moor Farm Training Centre.

Working for Derby County Football Club offers a unique opportunity to be part of one of England’s most historic and passionately supported clubs. With a proud legacy, a dedicated fan base, and an exciting vision for the future, Derby County offers a dynamic and rewarding work environment both on and off the pitch. Whether you're joining the team in coaching, administration, marketing, or operations, you'll be contributing to a culture rooted in ambition, community, and progress. Employees benefit from a collaborative work environment and opportunities for professional development.

We are looking for a passionate and driven Individual Development Coach (U12–U16) to play a key role in developing the next generation of Academy players.

Working closely with the Academy Individual Development Lead and wider coaching team, you will deliver high-quality, player-centred coaching focused on individual, positional and unit-specific development. Through on-pitch coaching, observation, video analysis and player feedback, you will help bring each player’s Individual Development Plan to life.

This is an exciting opportunity to make a real impact on player development within a high-performance Academy environment, helping young players maximise their potential and progress through the pathway.

Key Role Responsibilities:
• Deliver high-quality individual, unit and small-group coaching across the U12–U16 age groups, tailored to each player’s stage of development.
• Bring Individual Development Plans (IDPs) to life through targeted coaching aligned to the Academy Game Model, curriculum and Position Specific Characteristics.
• Work closely with age-group coaches to embed individual development priorities within weekly training, session design and player programmes.
• Use match and training observation, video analysis and player feedback to identify development opportunities and enhance player learning.
• Support players to understand their strengths, development areas and positional requirements, providing clear and age-appropriate feedback.
• Attend fixtures and contribute to matchday observation and post-match reviews, tracking individual progress across both training and game environments.
• Maintain accurate player development records, documenting coaching interventions, feedback, objectives and progress against IDPs.
• Contribute to player reviews, planning meetings and development discussions, ensuring a joined-up approach to each player’s progression.
• Work collaboratively with coaching, analysis, physical performance, medical, psychology and education staff to support holistic player development.
• Support players as they progress through the Youth Development Phase and transition towards the Professional Development Phase.
• Work under the direction of the Academy Individual Development Lead to ensure a consistent, high-quality approach to individual development across U12–U16.
• Contribute to the ongoing development of Academy coaching practices, resources and processes, aligned to the Academy Performance Plan and wider player pathway.

Essential Personal characteristics and experience:
• Experience of coaching within a Category 1 academy
• Experience designing, delivering or supporting Individual Development Plans.
• Strong understanding of long-term player development
• Experience working as part of a multidisciplinary team
• Experience supporting player reviews, development meetings and transition planning
• Experience delivering individual, unit or small group coaching sessions
• Excellent understanding of individual player development methodology
• Strong technical and tactical football knowledge
• Ability to translate player needs into clear development actions
• Strong understanding of Academy coaching programmes and player pathways
• Excellent communication and relationship-building skills
• Ability to work collaboratively with coaches and multidisciplinary staff
• Strong organisational and planning skills
• Ability to record, review and present player development information clearly
• Ability to challenge and support staff appropriately
• Strong understanding of safeguarding and duty of care within Academy football

Qualifications:
Essential
• UEFA B License
• FA Advanced Youth Award
• FA Level 2 Emergency Aid in Football
• FA Safeguarding Children Certificate
• Enhanced DBS

Salary is competitive, dependent on experience.

This is a full-time role, and due to the demands of professional football, there is a requirement for weekend and evening work, as well as national travel.

Who are Derby County…

Derby County Football Club, established in 1884, is one of the founder members of the English Football League and has a rich and varied history, including two First Division titles in 1972 and 1975 and an FA Cup success in 1946. The club are currently playing in the Sky Bet Championship, the second tier of English Football following their promotion from League One in the 2023/24 season and is under the management of Head Coach John Eustace. The club also boasts a successful and respected Category One Academy, a status which has been held since 2014, and a Women’s side competing in the FA Women’s National League Northern Premier Division. Derby County recently embarked on an exciting new era following the change in ownership to Clowes Developments (UK) Limited, in the summer of 2022. Our track record of producing talent is outstanding, and we intend to protect that proud legacy, investing in key roles within the club to build on the foundations in place for success.

Everything we do as a Club is built around the three pillars of stability, integrity and progress. Our core values are:

• 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

Derby County employee benefits include:

• 25 days annual leave plus bank holidays
• Two complimentary staff season tickets
• Two complimentary staff away memberships, subject to availability
• 20% discount at DCFC Megastore
• Company Pension with Aviva
• Discounts with select Club partners and sponsors
• Healthshield Cash Health Plan to support employee health and well-being and Perks for great deals and discounts
• Participating in our employee forum, ‘The Herd’ and Staff Events!
• Training and development opportunities
• Access to programmes and volunteering opportunities with Derby County Community Trust