First Team Individual Development Coach

Blackburn Rovers FC; Blackburn; On-site; GBP 60,000 - 90,000; Full time

Job summary

Blackburn Rovers FC is seeking an experienced coach to embed a measurable player development approach within the first team and PDP. You will design and manage Individual Development Plans, tailor sessions, and collaborate with medical, science and data teams to maximise each player's progress.

You will conduct regular reviews with players, align coaching with the club's philosophy, and maintain safeguarding standards while supporting players through transitions and injuries.

Qualifications

• Proven track record of developing elite players and progressing them from academy to first team.
• Experience with the Player Performance Pathway (EPPP).
• Knowledge of football regulations and safeguarding standards.

Responsibilities

• Embed a structured Individual Development Plan (IDP) for first-team and PDP players.
• Deliver tailored sessions addressing technical, tactical, physical and mental aspects.
• Collaborate with medical, sports science and data teams to ensure seamless player development.
• Co-ordinate learning through one-to-one meetings and IDP reviews with players.

Skills

Coaching leadership

Player development

Data-driven

Communication

Adaptability

Education

UEFA A Licence

FA Advanced Youth Award

Tools

PowerPoint/Keynote

Hudl/Sportscode

Wyscout clipping

Job description

Job purpose:

To embed a consistent, measurable and individualised player development approach within the first team, working collaboratively with staff to deliver the club's philosophy through structured Individual Development Plans (IDPs) and ensuring every player's progress is maximised, regardless of selection status, injury, loan or squad travel.

Duties and responsibilities:

• To be committed to ensuring the safeguarding and welfare of all staff and players, promoting their well-being whilst maintaining professional boundaries;
• Assist in the delivery process of the IDPs for first-team players and players in the Professional Development Phase (PDP), including those on loan and in transition to the first team;
• Tailor technical sessions that address technical skills, tactical understanding, physical conditioning and mental resilience, linked to the club's principles and each player's position-specific priorities;
• Develop an understanding of each player's learning style, personality and motivations, and tailor coaching approaches accordingly;
• Conduct regular one-to-one meetings with players to discuss performance, establish trust, set personalised goals and monitor progress, with a structured IDP review held with every player each development block;
• Work with the medical and sports science teams to ensure a seamless transition of players returning from both long and short-term injuries;
• Design a structured process for identified ‘high potential’ Academy players (YDP / PDP phases) to gain progressive exposure to first-team training and the matchday environment.
• Collaborate closely with the data department to connect the pitch, video and analysis evaluations of player performance and development with the objective break down of each player's performance and trajectory;
• Track and monitor individual development against defined benchmarks, ensuring all records are accurate, securely stored and accessible to authorised staff on the club's platforms;
• Create and deliver engaging and challenging individual and small-group sessions that cater to the specific needs of each player, utilising innovative coaching techniques and technology, including the club's on-pitch coaching cart;
• Plan sessions with the existing coaching and sports science staff so that content fits within the weekly training load and match cycle;
• Build a position-specific best practice library of session plans with accompanying videos;
• Remain at the training centre on matchdays and during squad travel to coach players not selected for the matchday squad and players returning from injury;
• Oversee the technical content of these sessions in collaboration with medical and sports science staff, respecting return-to-play protocols and load targets;
• Review first-team / PDP matches to assess individual player performance;
• Produce clear, impactful presentations for players and staff in PowerPoint/Keynote, including match and training reviews;
• Work closely with the club's analysis department to clip, code and annotate training sessions and matches;
• Encourage players to take ownership of their learning through guided selfanalysis and personal clip libraries; and
• Uphold the club's safeguarding, data protection and code of conduct policies at all times, with particular care when working with young professionals.

Skills required:

• Highly organised, detail-focused and reliable against deadlines;
• Collaborative and committed to continual learning;
• Excellent communication skills with patience and clarity to young players stepping up, building trust quickly;
• Curious about people and understands how each player learns and what motivates them;
• Exercise discretion and integrity;
• Adaptable to the demands of a first-team schedule, including evenings, weekends, travel and short-notice changes;
• Strong proficiency in PowerPoint/Keynote an Hudl/Sportscode, Wyscout clipping, editing and annotation; and
• Fully aligned with the club's playing philosophy, reinforcing consistent messages across departments

Knowledge / Experience required:

• Experience of working with performance data to evaluate player development and trajectory;
• A proven track record of developing elite players, with demonstrable evidence of individual progression from academy to first team;
• Strong experience in player development and of the Player Performance Pathway (EPPP);
• Excellent knowledge of football rules and regulations ensuring compliance with regulatory and governing football bodies;
• Knowledge of data and how this can inform strategy within an elite sporting environment; and
• Working towards the UEFA Pro Licence.

Qualifications required:

• UEFA A Licence (essential)
• FA Advanced Youth Award (essential)
• FA Youth Award Modules 1, 2 and 3 (essential)
• UEFA Pro Licence (desirable)
• Safeguarding qualifications appropriate to working with young players (e.g. FA Safeguarding Children) (desirable)
• A degree in sports science, coaching or a related discipline (desirable)
• Experience of working within in an EFL or Premier League first-team environment, or a Category 1 or 2 EPPP academy (desirable)
• Proven track record of working in player development within a professional club or academy environment.

DBS check required: Yes (Enhanced)