Head of Academy Operations

Crystal Palace FC; Sandhurst; On-site; GBP 50,000 - 70,000; Full time

Job summary

A prestigious football club in the UK seeks a strategic leader for its Academy. The role involves managing performance plans, ensuring compliance with youth development rules, and overseeing departmental operations. Ideal candidates should possess deep knowledge of youth development practices and previous leadership experience in a football academy. This full-time position offers a competitive salary and benefits including match day tickets and health schemes.

Benefits

Complimentary match day ticket

Reward and Discount Scheme

Health and Wellbeing benefit scheme

20% Discount in Retail Stores

Volunteering Day

Travel Season Ticket loan

Qualifications

• Previous experience as a strategic leader in a football Academy.
• A deep knowledge of the Premier League Youth Development Rules.
• A passion for youth development.
• Experience of overseeing the PGAAC audit process.

Responsibilities

• Ensure compliance with Premier League Youth Development rules.
• Lead the creation and management of the Academy Performance Plan.
• Manage KPIs and measure performance of Academy departments.
• Monitor Academy budget and staff expense submissions.
• Coordinate with Academy Operations for fixtures.

Skills

Strategic leadership in a football Academy

Knowledge of Premier League Youth Development Rules

Passion for youth development

Experience overseeing PGAAC audit process

Job description

Organisation Crystal Palace FC Salary Competitive Location Academy Training Ground BR3 1NZ Contract type Permanent (Full time) Closing date 26 November 2025 Job Description Job Location : Academy Training Ground BR3 1NZ

Contract Type : Full-time

Salary / ROP : Competitive

Deadline : 26th November 2025

Who we are

We are Crystal Palace Football Club, a Premier League Football Club with more than 160 years of proud history. Spread across three different sites - brand new main offices at Selhurst Park Stadium, our London office, and our Training Ground / Academy, we offer the best atmosphere and culture for our fans and our employees.

We strive for excellence in the workplace with a philosophy of high standards, professionalism, and a strong work ethic from our employees. We are constantly trying to grow, diversify and build with not only our team on the pitch, but also our team in the offices and on the ground.

About this role

To work alongside the Academy Director to implement the Academy Performance Plan and drive progress toward the Academy’s strategic objectives.

Responsibilities

• Ensure strict compliance with the Premier League Youth Development rules and PGAAC standards – ensuring each department is aware of annual rule changes that may impact them.
• Lead the creation and management of the Academy Performance Plan.
• Be the main point of contact for PGAAC when it comes to the annual Academy audit and ensure the CASA system is updated.
• Along with the Academy Director, directly line manage the Academy departments; managing their KPIs and measuring their performance.
• To be the main point of contact for all concerns / inquiries related to players and to manage and resolve them as appropriate.
• Support Academy Departments in creating, developing and reviewing their departmental KPIs, ensuring that they remain challenging but attainable.
• Work with the Finance department to oversee the Academy budget.
• Monitor the Academy staff expense submissions to ensure compliance with the club’s policy.
• Ensure all home fixtures, from U9 – U21, are run efficiently.
• Work with the Academy Operations & Administration Manager and the Academy Administrator to ensure all hotels and transport are booked for away fixtures.
• Along with the Academy Operations & Administration Manager, lead on the Academy Tours & Tournaments programme.
• Collaborate with the finance team to ensure the effective use of the purchasing system for the Academy.
• Be a part of the Academy Management Team and club’s Technical Board – prepare meeting slides for discussion by senior club management.
• Work closely with 1st Team Administration and Operations staff in the smooth transition of Players between PDP and 1st Team squads.
• Demonstrate leadership by actively contributing to the EDI Strategy and Delivery Plan, guiding, and motivating the team to take actionable steps towards achieving EDI objectives.
• Establish and drive EDI targets for your department, ensuring measurable progress and accountability.
• Conduct regular EDI reviews to ensure new projects procedures and strategies are inclusive, equitable, and aligned with CPFC’s values.
• Other duties and responsibilities as required by line manager.
• Upholding and promoting the Club’s policies and procedures, including Health and Safety, Safeguarding and Equal Opportunities policies and procedures.

Experience, Skills and Qualifications

• Previous experience as a strategic leader in a football Academy
• A deep knowledge of the Premier League Youth Development Rules
• A passion for youth development
• Experience of overseeing the PGAAC audit process

Benefits

• Complimentary match day ticket
• Reward and Discount Scheme through our Tech Scheme and Simple Health app
• Health and Wellbeing benefit scheme
• 20% Discount in our Retail Stores
• Discounts in various gyms through GymFlex
• Volunteering Day - 1 Workday off to support a charity of your choice.
• Travel Season Ticket loan

Holiday allowance: 25 Days

Our commitment to Equality

At Crystal Palace Football Club, Equality, Diversity & Inclusion is spirited and continues to grow due to the working environment, which makes all staff feel appreciated and welcomed. Crystal Palace Football Club do this by encouraging good relations and practices towards different groups and are committed to promoting employment opportunities that celebrate diversity.

We are committed to attracting, recruiting, and retaining the most talented candidates and the club intends to ensure that everyone who wishes to engage with the club, whether as matchday fans, staff, players, board members, participants in Foundation programmes and any other person engaged with the club's activities, has a real and equal opportunity to do so.

Reasonable Adjustment

We are proud to be a Disability Confident Committed employer. We guarantee an interview to all disabled applicants who meet the essential criteria for the role, ensuring equitable opportunities for everyone.

If you require disability-related adjustments during the recruitment process, please contact (DLO inbox is for disability-related queries only, if you wish to gain further information regarding this vacancy, please contact ). We are here to help you through the whole recruitment process including trying to apply for a vacancy, getting in touch with us through the process, and / or helping with access in case you are required to come in for an interview.

Safeguarding

Crystal Palace Football Club is committed to safeguarding and ensuring the welfare and protection of children and vulnerable people and expects all staff to share this commitment. As such, the post holder will be required to undergo any relevant security checks, including a basic DBS check, as necessary.