Academy Development & Support Manager

Jobtailor; Dublin; On-site; EUR 65,000 - 90,000; Full time

Job summary

League of Ireland Academy is seeking a strategic partner to support academy development across its network. You will work with Auditing and QA partners to review plans, establish KPIs and drive continuous improvement across clubs.

The role requires Garda Vetting, strong stakeholder management, and the ability to travel. You will champion safeguarding and player development across league academies.

Qualifications

• UEFA A Licence or equivalent qualification and/or significant experience within elite player development, academy leadership, education or performance environments.
• Significant experience within football, youth development, education, talent development or academy environments.
• Strong understanding of long-term player development principles and talent pathway systems.
• Experience supporting organisational improvement, strategic planning and development programmes.
• Experience working with senior leaders and managing complex stakeholder relationships.
• Ability to develop, implement and monitor strategic development plans and improvement frameworks.
• Experience using data, performance insights and evidence-based approaches to support decision-making and evaluate impact.
• Excellent communication, presentation and report-writing skills.
• Ability to work collaboratively across multidisciplinary environments.
• Strong organisational, planning and project management skills.
• A proactive and solutions-focused approach to supporting clubs and driving continuous improvement.
• Willingness to travel regularly and work evenings and weekends where required.
• Successful completion of Garda Vetting and Safeguarding 2 certification prior to commencement of employment.

Responsibilities

• Work collaboratively with Academy Auditing and Quality Assurance partners to coordinate academy reviews and organisational development processes.
• Support clubs in implementing recommendations arising from reviews, audits and assessments, promoting continuous improvement across the academy network.
• Promote high standards of governance, safeguarding, player welfare and compliance with academy regulations, policies and reporting requirements.
• Act as a key link between clubs, Academy Auditing and Quality Assurance partners, the League of Ireland Academy Department and relevant internal stakeholders.
• Contribute to the ongoing enhancement of quality assurance frameworks that support safe, inclusive and player-centred development environments.
• Collaborate with the Club Licensing Department to promote, monitor and support safeguarding compliance across League of Ireland academies.
• Work collaboratively with the League's Academy Auditing and Quality Assurance partners to support the implementation and ongoing development of the LOI Academy Mark across the League of Ireland Academy system.
• Assist clubs in evaluating improvement initiatives and demonstrating the impact of academy investment on player development, organisational effectiveness and overall academy outcomes.
• Contribute to the ongoing refinement and evolution of the LOI Academy Mark to ensure it remains a leading framework for quality, development and excellence within Irish football.
• Identify and promote emerging best practice and innovation from across Irish and international football.
• Contribute to research, policy development and strategic projects that strengthen the League of Ireland Academy system.

Skills

UEFA A Licence

Player Development

Strategic Planning

Stakeholder Management

Quality Assurance

Job description

• Work collaboratively with the League's Academy Auditing and Quality Assurance partners to support clubs in developing, implementing and reviewing Academy Development Plans aligned with strategic objectives.


• Support academies in establishing priorities, measurable KPIs and continuous improvement plans, using quality assurance insights, benchmarking and performance data to inform decision-making.


• Develop trusted relationships with allocated academies, acting as a strategic partner and trusted advisor by providing constructive challenge, practical support and expert guidance.


• Conduct academy visits, review meetings and development planning sessions to assess progress, identify opportunities and provide tailored support.


• Support Club Leadership Teams and Academy staff in enhancing player development environments, organisational effectiveness and academy operations, including delivery of strategic projects aligned with national player development objectives.


• Promote collaboration, innovation and the sharing of best practice across the League of Ireland Academy network.


• Support the strategic development, review and continuous improvement of the League of Ireland Academy Games Programme, ensuring competitions, festivals, tournaments and showcase events provide high-quality, player-centred learning environments.


• Contribute to the design and evaluation of Games Programme activities that promote player learning, coach development and positive parent engagement.


• Build effective relationships with Youth National Team staff and key stakeholders to ensure alignment, information sharing and consistency across the player development and progression pathway.


• Use stakeholder feedback, performance insights and emerging best practice to enhance programme effectiveness and alignment with national player development objectives.


• Work collaboratively with the League's Academy Auditing and Quality Assurance partners to coordinate academy reviews and organisational development processes.


• Support clubs in implementing recommendations arising from reviews, audits and assessments, promoting continuous improvement across the academy network.


• Promote high standards of governance, safeguarding, player welfare and compliance with academy regulations, policies and reporting requirements.


• Act as a key link between clubs, Academy Auditing and Quality Assurance partners, the League of Ireland Academy Department and relevant internal stakeholders.


• Contribute to the ongoing enhancement of quality assurance frameworks that support safe, inclusive and player-centred development environments.


• Collaborate with the Club Licensing Department to promote, monitor and support safeguarding compliance across League of Ireland academies.


• Work collaboratively with the League's Academy Auditing and Quality Assurance partners to support the implementation and ongoing development of the LOI Academy Mark across the League of Ireland Academy system.


• Assist clubs in evaluating improvement initiatives and demonstrating the impact of academy investment on player development, organisational effectiveness and overall academy outcomes.


• Contribute to the ongoing refinement and evolution of the LOI Academy Mark to ensure it remains a leading framework for quality, development and excellence within Irish football.


• Identify and promote emerging best practice and innovation from across Irish and international football.


• Contribute to research, policy development and strategic projects that strengthen the League of Ireland Academy system.

Requirements

• UEFA A Licence or equivalent qualification and/or significant experience within elite player development, academy leadership, education or performance environments.


• Significant experience within football, youth development, education, talent development or academy environments.


• Strong understanding of long-term player development principles and talent pathway systems.


• Experience supporting organisational improvement, strategic planning and development programmes.


• Experience working with senior leaders and managing complex stakeholder relationships.


• Ability to develop, implement and monitor strategic development plans and improvement frameworks.


• Experience using data, performance insights and evidence-based approaches to support decision-making and evaluate impact.


• Excellent communication, presentation and report-writing skills.


• Ability to work collaboratively across multidisciplinary environments.


• Strong organisational, planning and project management skills.


• A proactive and solutions-focused approach to supporting clubs and driving continuous improvement.


• Willingness to travel regularly and work evenings and weekends where required.


• Successful completion of Garda Vetting and Safeguarding 2 certification prior to commencement of employment.

Core Competencies

Demonstrates expertise in player development, strategic planning, and quality assurance within academy environments, with a strong focus on collaboration and continuous improvement. Proficient in using performance data and insights to inform decision-making and enhance organisational effectiveness.

Highest-signal resume keywords

• UEFA A Licence


• Player Development


• Strategic Planning


• Stakeholder Management


• Quality Assurance

ATS Optimization Keywords

Hard Skills

• Data Analysis


• Performance Insights


• Improvement Frameworks


• Project Management


• Report Writing

Soft Skills

• Excellent Communication


• Collaboration


• Organizational Skills


• Proactive Approach


• Solutions-Focused

Certifications & Qualifications

• Garda Vetting


• Safeguarding 2 Certification

Industry Keywords

• Youth Development


• Talent Development


• Academy Leadership


• Long-Term Player Development


• Academy Regulations