Southampton Football Club
Academy Manager & U21's Head Coach
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Location: Staplewood Campus
Hours: Full Time
Contract Type: Permanent
Criminal Record Check: DBS Enhanced with Childs Barred List
What is the role?
We are seeking an Academy Manager & U21s Head Coach to lead the strategic direction, operational delivery and performance environment of the Girls’ Academy while directly coaching the U21 squad, creating a clear player pathway that supports individual development and progression towards first-team football.
What will you be doing?
- Provide strategic leadership for the Girls' Academy, ensuring its vision, culture and daily operations align with the club's football philosophy and long-term objectives.
- Lead the Academy's player development programme, creating a clear pathway from the U21 squad to the First Team while delivering high-quality coaching and managing all U21 training sessions and fixtures.
- Work closely with coaches and multidisciplinary staff to create a high-performance environment that supports the technical, tactical, physical and personal development of players.
- Monitor player progress, oversee reviews and transition planning, and collaborate with recruitment, education, medical, sports science and player care departments to deliver a holistic development experience.
- Manage Academy operations, including staff leadership, planning, budgeting, compliance and governance. Ensure the programme meets FA, safeguarding and licensing standards, produce reports for senior leadership, and represent the club at relevant meetings and stakeholder events.
- Lead and develop Academy staff through regular communication, mentoring, performance management and continuous professional development, while fostering positive relationships with parents and maintaining an inclusive, professional and player-centred culture throughout the Academy.
Is this you?
- Passionate leader with extensive experience in elite player development and a proven ability to manage high-performing teams.
- Combine strong football knowledge with excellent organisational, communication and leadership skills, and be committed to creating an environment where players and staff can achieve their full potential.
Essential Skills and Experience
- UEFA B Licence minimum, with UEFA A Licence desirable.
- Current FA Safeguarding Children qualification.
- Current FA Level 1 Introduction to First Aid in Football or equivalent emergency first aid qualification.
- Experience of leading player development programmes and coaching players within an academy or performance environment.
- Experience of staff leadership, mentoring and managing multidisciplinary relationships.
- Strong understanding of talent identification, player review processes, pathway planning and progression into senior football.
- Knowledge of safeguarding, governance, compliance and audit requirements within youth or academy football.
- Experience of budgeting, reporting and operational planning.
- Excellent communication, organisational and relationship-building skills.
- Ability to work strategically, lead operational delivery and maintain high standards in a fast-paced football environment.
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How this benefits you…
- Healthy benefits package
- Access to 2 free match tickets for every home league game
- Access to our staff Health & Wellbeing initiatives (Mental & Physical Health)
- Discounted Southampton Football Club merchandise
- 26 days’ holiday per year excluding bank holidays plus your birthday off each year
- Contributory Pension Scheme
- Worldwide Travel Insurance for you and your family
- Learning & Development opportunities - supporting you to develop your potential and achieve in your career
- Free onsite parking
- Cycle to Work Scheme
- Collaborative & inclusive working culture
How can I apply?
Just click on the apply button, enter your details and answer a quick pre-screening questionnaire, then attach your CV. The closing date for this role is 29 July 2026. We reserve the right to close this vacancy early, if a high volume of applicants are received.
We are committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children, young people and adults at risk and we expect everyone to share this commitment. You will be required to adhere to all relevant policies and uphold the Club’s commitment to safeguarding children, young people and adults at risk and to ensure that Southampton Football Club is free from discrimination and harassment. The post holder will demonstrate a strong commitment to equality, diversity, and inclusion, supporting the organisation’s strategic aims to remove barriers and address inequality. You will play an active role in promoting an inclusive, discrimination-free environment that ensures fair access to opportunities and resources. This includes fostering a culture of dignity, respect, and belonging where everyone is empowered to contribute, perform, and reach their full potential.
About Us
POTENTIAL INTO EXCELLENCE
Southampton Football Club is part of St. Mary’s Football Group, which also includes the affiliated registered charity – the Saints Foundation. We look for people with integrity, compassion and support for those around them; people who take pride in what they do with an honest approach, who embrace a challenge while also being accountable for their decisions; people who have the energy and passion to bring an innovative approach to their role and strive to be different from the rest; people with the aspiration to lead the way and become an example to others.
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Within the walls of St. Mary’s Stadium, Staplewood Campus, the Bath Academy and our other sites and development centers across the South of England, you’ll be given the platform to work in a vibrant, intelligent and challenging environment with the potential to develop and become the best at what you do. We don’t stand still, we are constantly moving forward. Be part of it…
Southampton Football Club promotes equal opportunities in employment and we positively welcome applications from all candidates regardless of age, disability, gender reassignment, marriage and civil partnership, pregnancy and maternity, race, religion or belief, sex and sexual orientation. We have the Disability Confident Award, which we pride ourselves on with regard to the commitment to employing disabled people and judging people on their abilities alone.
We will screen all applicants and select candidates whose skills and experience seem to meet our needs. We will carefully consider your application during the initial screening and will contact you only if you are selected for an interview.
We make a commitment to interview all disabled applicants who meet the minimum criteria for a job vacancy and to consider them on their abilities.
Southampton Football Club is an Equal Opportunities Employer
Employment is subject to the provision of proof of eligibility to work in the UK.
Southampton Football Club recognises that the safety and protection of those children and young people in day to day contact with the Club is paramount. We are committed to creating a safe culture for all. As such, you may be subject to a satisfactory enhanced disclosure via the Disclosure & Barring Service and prior to taking up any role.
Southampton Football Club is committed to protecting the privacy and security of every applicant’s personal information. Please see our Recruitment Privacy Notice and Group Privacy & Data Protection Policy on our main careers page for further information.
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