Lead Youth Development Phase Coach

Nottingham Forest; Nottingham; On-site; GBP 40,000 - 60,000; Full time

Job summary

A professional football club is seeking a Lead Youth Development Phase Coach to inspire and nurture young players. This role emphasizes holistic development and requires at least 3 years of experience in an elite academy environment. The successful candidate will create impactful coaching sessions and lead player evaluations while promoting a collaborative team culture.

Benefits

Access to events tickets

Employee Assistance Programme

High street and gym discounts

Discount in Club shop

Free on-site parking

Qualifications

• Minimum 3 years' experience in elite Academy football.
• Proven experience in designing individual development plans.
• Ability to work non-traditional hours.

Responsibilities

• Inspire and lead youth players in their development.
• Develop session plans and deliver effective coaching.
• Evaluate trialists and communicate with parents.

Skills

Creative thinking

Positive outlook

Strong interpersonal skills

Calm under pressure

Education

UEFA A Licence

FA Advanced Youth Award

Sports or relevant teaching degree

Tools

Football IP

Kitman Labs

Hudl

Job description

Overview

Salary: Please state your expectations within your application.

Contract: Full Time, 42 hours a week.

Location: The Nigel Doughty Academy, Nottingham, NG2 7SR.

Working Arrangements: On site.

Closing Date For Applications: 7th November 2025.

The Perks of the Job

• Opportunity to access tickets for events at The City Ground.
• Employee Assistance Programme.
• Access to high street and gym discounts.
• Discount within our Club shop.
• Free on-site parking.

Role Overview

As a Lead Youth Development Phase (YDP) Coach you will play a vital role in nurturing potential, inspiring ambition and shaping the future of our Academy players through coaching excellence. With a focus on holistic development, you are tasked to contribute towards the club’s culture of learning, discipline and creativity, guiding young talent through some of the most influential stages of their football journey.

Key Tasks and Responsibilities

• Inspire, guide and lead a specific age group within the Youth Development Phase, driving excellence in both performance and personal growth.
• Develop a deep understanding of the club’s values and coaching methodology.
• Ensure effective communication throughout the multi-disciplinary team, aligned to the well-being and holistic development of the Academy players within your age group.
• Ensure all individual development plans are designed, implemented and evaluated to a high standard throughout the season, meeting deadlines ahead of player reviews.
• Lead in the review process for a specific age group, providing detailed feedback on player performance, and managing expectations of each individual and their parents.
• Champion the individual development of each player by ensuring their unique needs are fully integrated into session planning, coaching delivery, and matchday performance.
• Deliver high-quality, purpose-driven coaching sessions that align with the club’s coaching methodology, with clear, thoughtful session plans submitted in advance to the Coach Development and Methodology Manager.
• Uphold and drive excellence through consistent implementation of the club’s operational processes, aligning with the Premier League’s Elite Player Performance Plan (EPPP) standards.
• Invest in the future of the club by developing awareness of every academy player in the youth phase, contributing to YDP succession planning and nurturing homegrown talent.
• Lead high quality coaching sessions across both full-time and hybrid (school day release) training environments, inspiring young players through purposeful coaching within the club’s long-term development vision.
• Lead engaging and insightful weekly analysis sessions, tailored to team dynamics and individual player development.
• Represent the club on the international stage, showcasing our values, professionalism, and player development philosophy at elite academy tournaments.
• Cultivate strong, collaborative relationships with fellow lead phase coaches and academy multi-disciplinary staff, driving alignment across all age groups.
• Ensure effective communication with part-time coaches, supporting their ongoing development and contributing to a thriving coaching culture throughout the academy.
• Evaluate and assess trialists during training and competitive matches, providing clear feedback to recruitment and coaching, ensuring informed decisions on player potential.
• Contribute high-level content to weekly multidisciplinary and youth phase coaching meetings, helping to shape the strategic direction and day-to-day success of the academy environment.

Skills, Experience and Knowledge

• A creative thinker with an outstanding track record in player development.
• At least 3 years’ experience working in an elite Academy football environment.
• Positive and high energy outlook with an ability to influence young players.
• A UEFA A Licence coach with an extensive and record of continuous professional development.
• FA Advanced Youth Award holder.
• Proven experience in designing and delivering impactful Individual Development Plans (IDPs), tailored to nurture the unique potential of each academy player.
• Deep understanding of player development pathways, with the ability to apply innovative, evidence-based coaching methods.
• A creative edge that brings fresh energy to planning and delivery of the coaching curriculum.
• Strong interpersonal and collaborative skills, with a flexible mindset that enables effective teamwork across multi-disciplinary departments.
• Skilled in the design and delivery of presentations that captivate and inspire young players, making learning meaningful and memorable.
• Calm and focused under pressure, with a strong work ethic and commitment, including non-traditional working hours to help the academy achieve its objectives.

Desirable

• Sports or relevant teaching degree.
• Competent in utilising online platforms such as Football IP/Kitman Labs and Hudl.
• Experience in managing staff within a fast-paced academy football environment.
• BFAS First Aid Award (or working towards).

Forest For Everyone

At Nottingham Forest Football Club we are committed to creating an environment where differences are respected, individuality is celebrated, everyone feels valued, supported, and included. Our goal is to ensure every member of our team can be themselves, contribute fully, and reach their potential without barriers.

Our Commitment to Equality, Diversity, Inclusion and Mental Wellbeing

As an equal opportunities employer, we welcome applications from talented people of all backgrounds regardless of age, disability, gender identity or reassignment, marital or civil partnership status, pregnancy or maternity, race, religion or belief, sexual orientation, or any other characteristic protected by law. We continue to develop policies and practices that promote equality, diversity, inclusion and mental wellbeing across our workforce. To help us measure progress and hold ourselves accountable, we ask all applicants to provide accurate diversity information during the recruitment process.

Disability Confident Committed Employer

We are proud to be a Disability Confident Committed employer, taking positive steps to attract, recruit, and support disabled people. As part of this commitment, we work hard to ensure our recruitment processes are fair, inclusive, and accessible to everyone. We are committed to offering interviews for disabled applicants who meet the essential criteria for a role and provide reasonable adjustments at every stage from the application process through to ongoing support in the workplace. If you are likely to meet the definition of being a disabled person under the Equality Act 2010, you may be eligible to apply for an interview via the Disability Confident Scheme. Please indicate this in your application form. The information you share with us about your health or disability will not be used in recruitment selections.

Our Commitment to Safeguarding

As part of the Club’s commitment to safeguarding, the successful applicant may be required to undergo a Disclosure Barring Service (DBS) check or an enhanced DBS check. The results of a DBS check will be considered on an individual basis, and the Club will act in a proportionate manner when deciding whether or not to proceed with the appointment. An FA Enhanced DBS disclosure is required for all relevant new appointments to the Club. Individuals will be asked to declare any convictions, cautions or reprimands, warnings or bind-overs that may have been incurred. The Club reserves the right to carry out risk assessments where content has been disclosed on a DBS disclosure if it feels that it is relevant to the job requirements. Failure to satisfy the Club and the PL\'s safeguarding requirements may lead to the job offer being withdrawn or, if they have already started employment, summary termination of the employment.

Health and Safety

At Nottingham Forest Football Club, we are committed to ensuring a safe and healthy working environment for all employees. In accordance with the Health and Safety at Work etc. Act 1974, you are required to take reasonable care for your own health and safety and that of others who may be affected by your actions or omissions at work. You must also cooperate with the Club\'s health and safety policies and procedures. Should you identify any health and safety concerns, please report them promptly to your manager or a member of the Health and Safety/Facilities team.