Academy Goalkeeping Lead

Barnsley Football Club; Peterborough; Hybrid; GBP 40,000 - 60,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Staff events

Workplace pension

Staff discounts

Great leave allowance

Staff events and more

Job summary

Peterborough United Football Club is seeking a qualified Academy Goalkeeping Lead to manage the goalkeeping programme for the U9s to U21s, working with the Academy Head of Coaching to develop talent and align with the club's philosophy. You will design pathways, select coaches, recruit goalkeepers, and drive high performance, maintaining safety, student welfare, and logistics for a Category 2 Academy.

The role involves overseeing development plans, monitoring progress, coordinating with staff

Qualifications

• UEFA B Goalkeeping Licence and UEFA B Licence (Outfield) are required.
• First Aid L2 qualification essential.
• Ability to lead and drive a department.
• Strong understanding of long-term player development and coaching pathways.
• Experience developing goalkeepers within academy structures.

Responsibilities

• Lead and oversee the Academy Goalkeeping Programme across U9–U21.
• Develop and implement goalkeeper development pathways.
• Recruit and retain goalkeeper coaches in line with club strategy.
• Monitor progression of academy goalkeepers and implement IDs.
• Collaborate with the 1st team staff to transition players to professional football.

Skills

UEFA B GK Licence

UEFA B Licence

First Aid L2

Lead department

Long-term development

Strategic development

Goalkeeper development

Communication with players

Visitor recruitment

Job description

Contract – Full time, Permanent. Salary - Dependant on Experience. Benefits - Great sporting career development, workplace pension, staff events, great work environment, good annual leave, staff discounts plus lots more. Close date - 31st October 2026 (dependant on application numbers we may close this vacancy earlier than the advertised date). A fantastic opportunity has arisen to join our Cat 2 Academy department. We are proud, ambitious and looking for a qualified Academy Goalkeeping Lead to join our team.

The Role

The Academy Goalkeeping Lead will be responsible for all elements of the goalkeeping programme within the academy from the U9s to U21s. The role will oversee the development of all academy goalkeepers and part-time / volunteer goalkeeper coaches alongside the Academy Head of Coaching.

Accountabilities

The Senior Academy Goalkeeping Lead will be responsible for the management and delivery of the Academy Goalkeeping Programme across all age groups, ensuring alignment with the Academy's vision, philosophy and player development targets.

• Lead and oversee all aspects of the Academy Goalkeeping Programme from U9-U21, ensuring a high-quality and consistent goalkeeping curriculum across all phases.
• Responsible alongside the Academy Head of Coaching for developing goalkeeper coaches within Peterborough United FC
• Design and implement clear goalkeeper development pathways that maximise the progression of Academy goalkeepers through phases and towards first-team football and the professional game.
• Work with the recruitment team on the identification, recruitment and retention of talented goalkeepers, ensuring the Academy consistently attracts and develops high-potential players in line with the club's recruitment strategy.
• Monitor and review the performance and progression of all Academy goalkeepers, ensuring appropriate individual development plans are in place and regularly evaluated.
• Drive a high-performance culture within the goalkeeping department, promoting standards, accountability and continuous improvement. Ultimately ensure our Academy Goalkeeping department reflects the standards of a leading Category 2 Academy

Duties

• To play a lead role in the development of academy goalkeepers throughout phases.
• To play a lead role in the designing, implementation, and continued evolution of the goalkeeping coaching programme across the age groups.
• To plan and deliver effective coaching sessions across the different phases (Foundation Phase, Youth Development Phase and Professional Development).
• To coach and manage the goalkeepers within the Full-Time Training Model working closely with Nene Park Academy and ensuring the goalkeepers on the programme develop to their potential both academically and as a goalkeeper.
• To liaise with other staff in developing and implementing Individual Development Plans for academy goalkeepers aligned to the Academy Performance Plan
• Develop and manage the Academy ‘Gem’ Goalkeepers development programme alongside the Academy Manager.
• Host and organise Academy Goalkeeper Open Days and Goalkeeper specific trial days across age groups
• Use video technology to produce and deliver content for the goalkeepers and Phase Leads.
• To play a key role in the development of academy goalkeeper coaches (part time and voluntary) – liaising with the Head of Academy Coaching.
• To attend and contribute to the Academy CPD programme and coaches meetings.
• Ensuring player-parent reviews are arranged and delivered in person effectively across the phases to all Academy goalkeepers.
• To lead the recruitment staff and coaching staff to identify goalkeepers and monitor progress of trialists across the age groups U9-U21.
• Ensure health and safety procedures are implemented and recorded as required.
• Attend any relevant training requirements e.g. first aid, safeguarding children.
• Assist with parent communication in alignment with Academy communication processes.
• Work and communicate with the 1st team goalkeeping coach to manage the transition of academy goalkeepers and report on the progress of goalkeepers within the system on a consistent basis.
• To ensure the goalkeeping department maintain accurate records of training and match outcomes using the Football Intelligence Platform liaising with Phase Leads across age groups.

Other responsibilities

• Be available to travel to other sites outside of our region (if required)
• To be available and willing to drive the Academy 9 Seater and or minibus when asked in alignment with the Academy Transport Plan.
• Be aware of the PUFC policies, procedures & best practise so that concerns of non-compliance can be raised at all times e.g. Safeguarding, Inclusion, Diversity, Health and Safety
• Work within the company processes (HR, Finance, Training, Operations and Marketing Team etc). Seek advice & guidance if required ensuring employees and processes work seamlessly together
• Attend meetings, training, and professional updating as and when required
• To adhere to existing working practices, methods, procedures, undertake relevant training and development activities and to respond positively to new and alternative systems.
• To maintain confidentiality and observe data protection and associated guidelines where appropriate.
• Self-assess and work on own personal and professional development
• To uphold the values of Peterborough United Football Club (PUFC) and not tolerate offensive, discriminatory, or intimidating language or behaviour.
• To act as an ambassador/role model for PUFC and consider conduct considers the club's commitment to equality and safeguarding.
• To ensure PUFC provides a level playing field for all its fans, players, and guests.
• Promote an inclusive environment within the club for colleagues, supporters, and visitors, championing a zero-tolerance approach to bullying, harassment, and victimisation within PUFC
• Promote EFL and FA regulations and ensure compliance with these.
• Be responsible for reporting any concerns to a senior colleague in relation to equality, health and safety and safeguarding immediately.

In addition to these responsibilities carry out such duties as may reasonably be required. The above duties are a guide to the nature of the work required & are not intended to reflect all tasks associated within the role.

About The Candidate

About You

Key Skills and Experience (Essential)

• UEFA B Goalkeeping Licence
• UEFA B Licence Outfield
• EFAiF L2 First Aid Qualification
• Ability to lead & drive a department
• Excellent knowledge of long-term player development
• Extensive experience of working within a strategic environment to support the long-term development of goalkeepers
• A desire and motivation to develop young goalkeepers
• Ability to connect and communicate with young footballers

Key Skills and Experience (Desirable)

• UEFA A Goalkeeping Licence
• UEFA A Licence
• FA Advanced Youth Award
• Previous experience leading an academy goalkeeping department
• Extensive experience working across Foundation, Youth Development and Professional Development Phases

Skills and personal attributes

• Well-presented and professional
• Ability to Understanding KPI’s and stats to drive KPI improvements
• Ability to travel to various sites
• Ability to organised, plan and work with MDT to ensure programme reflects the standards expected.
• Ability to build excellent working relationships with senior club staff, colleagues and stakeholders
• Plan and prioritise workload and own administration so that deadlines and standards are met
• High level of integrity and discretion
• Resilient and adaptable when working within a fast-paced and evolving football environment.
• Strong work ethic with a can-do attitude with drive and self-motivation
• Good IT skills with the ability to use MS Office, Teams etc
• Excellent communication and presentation skills, both written and verbal.
• Excellent attention to detail and accuracy in communication, administration and reporting.
• Accuracy and attention to detail including good written and verbal skills.
• Understands and embraces speed of response.
• Strong understanding of safeguarding, player welfare and duty of care responsibilities.