SUW Academy Goalkeeping Lead & Under 21 Assistant Coach

Sheffield United Football Club; Sheffield; On-site; GBP 35,000 - 55,000; Full time

Job summary

Sheffield United FC is seeking an experienced Academy Goalkeeping Lead and U21 Assistant Coach to drive the GK development pathway. You will design age-appropriate curriculums and ensure each goalkeeper has a clear, personalised development plan across the academy.

You will also prepare U21 GK for competition, analyse performance, and contribute to talent identification and recruitment in a collaborative, multi-disciplinary environment.

Qualifications

• UEFA B Licence required for coaching at academy level.
• National GK Licence and FA safeguarding certifications are essential.
• First Aid in Football proficiency demonstrated.
• DBS clearance and safeguarding awareness are mandatory.
• Proven ability to mentor elite youth players and build development plans.

Responsibilities

• Develop elite goalkeepers across the academy with personalised plans and performance analysis.
• Oversee progression of academy keepers to the first team with age-appropriate curriculums.
• Maintain Individual Development Plans and adapt them with regular reviews.
• Lead the GK department and align with outfield player development.
• Deliver GK coaching sessions and prepare U21s for matches with performance review.
• Collaborate with multi-disciplinary academy staff and assist in talent recruitment.

Education

UEFA B License

National Goalkeeper Licence

FA Emergency First Aid in Football

FA Safeguarding Children

Enhanced Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) check

Empathy and commitment to long-term development of the game

Job description

Contract Type: Permanent, full time

Hours: 40 hours per week

Location: Dore Training Ground, Shirecliffe Training Academy

Line Manager: SUW Academy Manager

Salary: Dependent on experience

Post Reference: SUW112026-PGAC

Sheffield United Women are seeking an experienced Academy Goalkeeping Lead & U21 Assistant Coach to lead the development of goalkeepers across our Academy pathway while supporting the coaching and preparation of the U21 team.

The successful candidate will lead the delivery and continued development of the Academy goalkeeping programme, establishing age-specific coaching curriculums and ensuring each goalkeeper benefits from a clear, individualised development plan.

Alongside this, the position will involve preparing U21 goalkeepers for competition, analysing performance and contributing to the identification and recruitment of future talent.

Role Responsibilities

• Develop elite goalkeepers across the academy through personalized training plans and performance analysis.
• Oversee the smooth transition of top academy goalkeepers to the first team.
• Ensure the monitoring of goalkeeper's performance across the academy, ensuring all goalkeepers have an 'Individual Development Plan' which is consistently delivered, reviewed and adapted, with appropriate opportunities to practice on the areas highlighted.
• Lead the goalkeeping department, designing age-specific curriculums and integrating with outfield player development.
• Deliver goalkeeping coaching sessions aligned with the academy's program.
• Prepare U21 goalkeepers for matches and analyse their performance.
• Collaborate effectively with the academy's multi-disciplinary team.
• Contribute to the scouting and recruiting process where appropriate.
• Attend and contribute to meetings as directed by the Academy Manager.
• Any other reasonable duties as requested by the Academy Manager.
• Act and behave at all times to project a proper professional image of Sheffield United Football Club and act in the best interests of the Club.

Club Wide Responsibilities

• 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.
• 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.
• Report any concerns of discrimination to the relevant parties and promote a welcoming and inclusive club environment for all.
• Adhere to the Club's Equality, Diversity and Inclusion policies, supporting the Club to create an environment which is inclusive and all-encompassing.
• Carry out and actively participate in all training requests as directed by the Club, including mandatory health and safety training, emergency procedures, fire safety, manual handling, safeguarding, and role-specific safety instruction.
• Any other reasonable requests as directed by management.

Essential Criteria for the Role

• UEFA B License.
• National Goalkeeper Licence.
• FA Emergency First Aid in Football.
• FA Safeguarding Children.
• Experience of and enthusiasm for coaching and mentoring elite youth players and/or coaches.
• Track record of producing high performing youth players.
• Empathy with young players with an ability to inspire.
• Excellent communication skills with the ability to build meaningful, strong strategic relationships with club staff at all levels including 1st team.
• Understanding of learning, development and high performance with a proven ability to create optimum learning environments for players.
• Awareness of diversity and equality challenges in football.
• Empathy and commitment to the long-term development of the game.
• Enhanced Disclosure and Barring Service check.

Desirable Criteria for the Role

• UEFA B Coaching Award.
• Strong Existing relationships within the Academy Network.

Expected Interview Process

• Stage 1 - Getting to know you & Competency based questions.
• Stage 2 - Practical assessment.

Visa sponsorship is not available for this role. Candidates must already have the right to work in the UK.

Eligibility for employment in the UK
In accordance with current legislative requirements the successful applicant must produce documentary verification of their eligibility to work in the UK and will not be allowed to start work until this has been received.

Equality and diversity
Sheffield United FC is committed to the principle of equal opportunity in employment and its employment policies for recruitment, selection, training, development and promotion are designed to ensure that no job applicant or employee receives less favourable treatment on the grounds of race, colour, nationality, religion or belief, sex, sexual orientation, marital status, age, ethnic and national origin, disability or gender reassignment.

Sheffield United FC are a Disability Confident Committed Employer. If you would like further information regarding the scheme and how we are able to support disabled persons within the workplace, then please contact our HR team at [e-mail]

Safer recruitment
Sheffield United FC is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children, young people and adults at risk. The successful applicant will be required to undertake appropriate safeguarding checks as well as providing proof of right to work in the UK. For further information on the Club's Safeguarding Statement please access the following link:
sufc.co.uk/club/policies/safeguarding-policy