Academy Manager

EFL; Newport; On-site; GBP 42,000 - 62,000; Full time

Job summary

Newport County AFC is seeking an experienced Academy Manager to lead and take overall accountability for the club's EPPP Category 3 academy. The postholder will provide strategic and day-to-day leadership across the academy, ensuring the club meets and maintains its Category 3 status while delivering a high-quality, player-centred development programme.

The role requires senior academy experience, UEFA B Licence and FA Advanced Youth Award, strong leadership, and the ability to work evenings,

Qualifications

• Senior academy or youth-development experience in professional football.
• Thorough knowledge of EPPP and youth development rules.
• Coaching qualifications: UEFA B Licence and FA Advanced Youth Award.
• Current FA Safeguarding certification and commitment to safeguarding.
• First Aid certification or willingness to obtain.
• Strong leadership and team-management experience.

Responsibilities

• Lead the academy and ensure Category 3 status.
• Provide strategic and day-to-day leadership across the academy.
• Oversee safeguarding and welfare of academy players.

Skills

Senior academy exp

EPPP knowledge

Leadership

PMA / data systems

Flexible schedule

Player welfare

Safeguarding

Education

UEFA B Licence

FA Advanced Youth Award

Relevant degree or management qualification

Tools

PMA

Job description

About The Role

Newport County AFC is seeking an experienced Academy Manager to lead and take overall accountability for the club's EPPP Category 3 academy. The postholder will provide strategic and day-to-day leadership across the academy, ensuring the club meets and maintains its Category 3 status while delivering a high-quality, player-centred development programme.

About The Candidate

Essential

• Proven experience in a senior academy or youth-development role within professional football.
• Thorough working knowledge of the EPPP, EFL/Premier League Youth Development Rules and Category audit requirements.
• A recognised coaching qualification (minimum UEFA B Licence) together with the FA Advanced Youth Award, or equivalent.
• Current FA Safeguarding certification and a strong, demonstrable commitment to safeguarding; eligible for an enhanced DBS check (child workforce).
• FA Emergency First Aid (or willingness to obtain).
• Strong leadership and people-management experience, including leading a multidisciplinary team.
• Excellent organisational, administrative and IT skills, including experience of academy data / management systems (e.g. PMA).
• A clear understanding of player care, education and welfare in an academy setting.
• Availability and willingness to work evenings, weekends and matchdays across the season.

Desirable

• Experience of managing or preparing for an EPPP category audit.
• UEFA A Licence held; Talent Identification and/or advanced management qualifications.
• Working knowledge of sports science, performance analysis and medical provision within academies.
• Budget, facilities and project-management experience.
• A relevant degree or management qualification.
• Knowledge of the South Wales and Newport talent landscape and grassroots network.

Personal attributes

• A visible, values-driven leader with high standards; child-centred, collaborative, resilient and organised, with a genuine passion for developing young people and representing Newport County.

About The Club

Safeguarding Statement

Newport County AFC is committed to safeguarding the welfare of children and young people and expects all staff and volunteers to endorse this commitment.

This post requires Enhanced Criminal Records Checks and may include checks against the Barred Lists, as such it is exempt from Rehabilitation of Offenders Act (1974). Therefore all convictions including spent convictions that have not been subject to filtering by the DBS should be declared".

Relevant information and / or documents will be distributed as part of the recruitment process.

E & D Statement

Newport County AFC Academy is committed to providing services which embrace diversity and that promote equality of opportunity.