Academy Player Care and Education Lead - Women's Football

Sheffield United Football Club; Sheffield; On-site; GBP 60,000 - 80,000; Part time

Job summary

A professional football club is seeking a dedicated Player Care and Education Lead. This role focuses on supporting the holistic development of Academy players, creating a positive environment for their families. The ideal candidate will lead educational efforts and develop strategies to enhance player care. Responsibilities include building relationships, providing welfare support, and ensuring tailored educational plans for players. Applications are welcome from individuals with relevant qualifications and experience in a multidisciplinary team environment.

Qualifications

• Minimum degree-level education in relevant fields like sports psychology or wellbeing.
• Certification in Athlete personal and development lifestyle required.
• Experience working in a highly confidential environment and multidisciplinary team.

Responsibilities

• Build strong relationships with Academy players and their families.
• Support and enhance the Academy experience for players.
• Develop and deliver personal development programmes for players.

Skills

Excellent communication

Outstanding organisation

Ability to adapt quickly

Experience in a multidisciplinary team

Computer literacy

Education

Educated to at least degree-level

Level 3 Athlete personal and development lifestyle certification

UK Anti-Doping Certificate

Mental Health First Aid

Tools

Microsoft Word

Microsoft Excel

Job description

Organisation Sheffield United Football Club
Salary Dependent on Experience
Location Sheffield
Contract type Permanent (Part time)
Closing date 5 January 2026
Job Description Contract Type : Permanent

Hours: 40 Hours, Full Time

Location: Sheffield United Training Academy, Dore Training Ground

Line Manager: Academy Manager (Women's Football)

Salary: Dependent on experience

Post Reference: SUW122025-PAPC

For a valid application, please complete and return our official application form, found on our vacancies page.

Sheffield United Women's Academy are seeking a dedicated and proactive Player Care and Education Lead to play a central role in supporting the holistic development and wellbeing of Academy players. This position sits within the Academy Management Team and is integral to creating a positive, supportive, and high-quality environment for players and their families throughout the Academy pathway.

The successful candidate will lead on education and personal development provision, work closely with parents and carers, and collaborate with multi-disciplinary staff to ensure every player is supported to thrive both within the Academy and beyond the game.

Role Responsibilities

• Form strong relationships with Academy players and their parents.
• To be a key member of the Academy Management Team (AMT) and support the AMT in enhancing the Academy experience for all players.
• Develop a strategy, in collaboration with Safeguarding, for ongoing collaboration and engagement with parents and carers of Players.
• Establishing a mechanism for gathering the views of Academy players and their parents to improve the academy experience.
• Assist the AMT and build on the current framework to develop and deliver an outstanding personal development / lifestyle programme, which is differentiated and meets the needs of all Academy players.
• Lead on the development of the Academy's Education strategy, ensuring that long‑term strategic goals in relation to education is achieved.
• Ensure that each Player has an Educational Individual Development Plan, which is regularly updated and maintained.
• Oversee and maintain the Club's day release programme, ensuring relationships are built with education establishments.
• Support the Academy Manager in designing and delivering a Parent Information Curriculum that makes use of the Academy's multi-disciplinary teams.
• Contribute to the Club's Player Support Group which provides welfare / pastoral support to Academy players where appropriate.
• Share key player care information with relevant staff.
• Support with driving and maintaining high standards across the Academy.
• Any other reasonable requests as directed by management.
• Undertake personal CPD to meet the demands of the role.

Club Wide Responsibilities

• To adhere to all Sheffield United Football Club's Safeguarding Policies and Procedures to foster an environment which protects from harm those defined as children and adults at risk.
• To report any concerns of a Safeguarding nature to the relevant parties and remain fully compliant with any applicable Safeguarding checks and due diligence and recognise your responsibility to the Club's Safeguarding agenda.
• To report any concerns of discrimination to the relevant parties and promote a welcoming and inclusive club environment for all.
• To adhere to the Club's Equality, Diversity and Inclusion policies, supporting the Club to create an environment which is inclusive and all‑encompassing.
• To carry out / take part in training requests as directed by the Club.

Essential Criteria for the Role

• Educated to at least degree‑level, or equivalent, in fields relevant e.g. sports psychology, wellbeing, education.
• Level 3 Athlete personal and development lifestyle certification.
• UK Anti‑Doping Introduction to Clean Sport Certificate.
• Mental Health First Aid.
• Relevant pastoral, player care or performance lifestyle experience.
• Experience working within a highly confidential environment.
• Experience working in a multidisciplinary team.
• Excellent communication skills, with the ability to be concise.
• Outstanding organisation and planning skills, with the ability to manage multiple, often conflicting deadlines.
• Computer literate, with strong proficiency in Word, Excel and ideally Database knowledge and application.
• An ability to adapt quickly, be flexible in the face of change and solution orientated.
• Ability to remain calm under pressure.
• Ability to prioritise workload.
• Ability to work as part of a team.

Desirable Criteria for the Role

• Experience of an elite sport environment and the challenges faced in them.