Academy Performance Analyst Lead

TheASPA; Derby; On-site; GBP 40,000 - 60,000; Full time

Job summary

A prominent football club is seeking an Academy Performance Analyst Lead to oversee performance analysis for players across the Academy. The role includes managing the Academy Analysis team, delivering insightful data-driven analysis, and collaborating with coaches to enhance player performance. The ideal candidate will have experience in elite football performance analysis and relevant academic qualifications.

Benefits

25 days annual leave plus bank holidays

Two complimentary staff season tickets

Healthshield Cash Health Plan

Qualifications

• Experience in a performance analysis role in elite football.
• Strong skills in video coding and data analytics.
• Ability to work with raw data files like XML and CSV.

Responsibilities

• Lead the Academy Analysis team and manage operations.
• Conduct training and match analysis for the U21 team.
• Create data-driven insights for performance evaluation.

Skills

Performance analysis experience

Data manipulation and visualization

Strong communication

IT competence

Videography skills

Education

Undergraduate qualification in Performance Analysis or Sports Science

Postgraduate qualification in Performance Analysis or Sports Science

UEFA-recognized coaching qualification

Tools

Hudl

Power BI

Sportscode

Job description

Academy Performance Analyst Lead | Derby County FC (Jobs in Sports Performance Analysis)

The successful candidate will be responsible for leading, managing, and coordinating the Academy Performance Analysis department. This role ensures timely and high-quality analysis through video and data for all players across the Academy, as well as monitoring and tracking player development.

You will support the development of the integrated club-wide approach to providing data-driven insights for performance evaluation, player recruitment, sports science and medicine. Responsible for delivering the performance analysis specifically for the U21 and B Team.

Key Role Responsibilities:

U21 Performance Analyst Responsibilities

• Support alignment between U21s and First Team by working closely with the Lead First-Team Analyst.
• Film and analyse the U21 team and individual performances in training and matches.
• Deliver pre-match, live, and post-match analysis to support player and coach feedback.
• Collaborate with coaches to create statistical and video presentations for performance reviews.
• Develop player performance profiles using data and trend analysis.
• Conduct opposition analysis (filming, coding, editing) and provide game insights using telestration tools.
• Maintain a current match/event database and produce motivational and educational video content.
• Share relevant analysis materials with players and staff across platforms.
• Continuously develop skills through training and research, including collaboration with external specialists and academic partners.

Academy Lead Performance Analyst Responsibilities

• Lead and manage the Academy Analysis team in line with the Academy Performance Plan and the manager's directives.
• Oversee all Academy analysis operations from U9–U21, ensuring timely match analysis, feedback, and support.
• Provide detailed opposition analysis and assist coaching staff with performance insights and game planning.
• Ensure accurate use of individual and team data to inform ILPs and key decisions.
• Maintain match/event databases and ensure consistent delivery of analysis and educational content using appropriate tools and methods.
• Report to the Academy Manager and ensure all staff and players have access to high-quality analytical resources.

Essential personal characteristics and experience:

• Experience working in a performance analysis role within the football environment at an elite level and/or knowledge of coaching elite players
• Experience as a Head of Performance Analysis in either an elite First Team or Academy setting, with line management responsibility
• Experience of working in a Category 1 Academy is desirable
• Experience in the manipulation of performance data sets and visualisations
• Experienced user of software such as, but not limited to, Tactic / Hudl/ Sportscode /Studio / Wyscout/StatsBomb / BePro with demonstrable knowledge of other performance analysis software
• Advanced coding & visualisation abilities such as R/ Python/ XML/ XSLT / Power BI is desirable
• Demonstrable extensive technical & tactical football knowledge with the ability to contextualise the knowledge for player-facing material
• Excellent IT skills (Mac and PC) and knowledge of databases, SQL and reporting capabilities, and working with raw data files such as XML & CSV
• Robust skills and knowledge of videography, coding, data analytics and animating

Qualifications:

• Undergraduate qualification in an appropriate discipline (E.g. Performance Analysis, Sports Science)
• Postgraduate qualification in an appropriate discipline (E.g. Performance Analysis, Sports Science)
• UEFA-recognised coaching qualification or overseas equivalent (e.g. B Licence)

Salary is competitive, dependent on experience.

This is a full-time role, and due to the demands of professional football, there is a requirement for weekend and evening work, as well as regular national travel.

Who are Derby County…

Derby County Football Club, established in 1884, is one of the founder members of the English Football League and has a rich and varied history, including two First Division titles in 1972 and 1975 and an FA Cup success in 1946. The club are currently playing in the Sky Bet Championship, the second tier of English Football, following their promotion from League One in the 2023/24 season and is under the management of Head Coach John Eustace. The club also boasts a successful and respected Category One Academy, a status which has been held since 2014, and a Women’s side competing in the FA Women’s National League Northern Premier Division. Derby County recently embarked on an exciting new era following the change in ownership to Clowes Developments (UK) Limited in the summer of 2022. Our track record of producing talent is outstanding, and we intend to protect that proud legacy, investing in key roles within the club to build on the foundations in place for success.

Everything we do as a Club is built around the three pillars of stability, integrity and progress. Our core values are:

• We are proud of who we are and what we do
• We are positive, inspired and passionate
• We are ambitious and driven
• We are prepared, honest and humble
• We are the heartbeat of our community
• We are the club of opportunity

Derby County employee benefits include:

• 25 days annual leave plus bank holidays
• Two complimentary staff season tickets
• Two complimentary staff away memberships, subject to availability
• Discounts with select Club partners and sponsors
• Healthshield Cash Health Plan to support employee health and well-being, and Perks for great deals and discounts
• Participating in our employee forum, ‘The Herd’ and Staff Events!
• Training and development opportunities
• Access to programmes and volunteering opportunities with Derby County Community Trust
• Subsidised lunchtime meals at Moor Farm

How to apply…

Derby County Football Club is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children, young people and adults at risk, and expects all staff and volunteers to share this commitment.

As part of the Club's commitment to providing a safe environment for children and young people, applicants should be aware that this post is subject to an Enhanced Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) Criminal Record Check.

Derby County Football Club is an Inclusive Club for all and is committed to Equality and Diversity.

To apply for this role, please complete an application form, which can be foundHERE .

The closing date for receipt of applications is Friday 25 July 2025. We reserve the right to close the vacancy early.

Strictly no agencies, please.

Derby County Football Club’s Job Applicant Privacy Policy can be found at dcfc.co.uk.