Academy Player Care and Education Lead Sheffield United Football Club

The Rise of Women’s Football; Sheffield; On-site; GBP 60,000 - 80,000; Full time

Job summary

A football academy in the UK is seeking a Player Care and Education Lead to support the holistic development and wellbeing of Academy players. This role involves developing strategies for player support, ensuring educational plans are in place, and working closely with families. The ideal candidate should have a degree-level background in relevant fields, strong organization skills, and experience in a multidisciplinary team. This is a full-time position with a commitment to fostering a positive environment for young athletes.

Qualifications

• Educated to at least degree-level, or equivalent, in relevant fields.
• Experience working within a highly confidential environment.
• Experience working in a multidisciplinary team.

Responsibilities

• Develop and maintain relationships with players and their families.
• Lead on education and personal development provision.
• Ensure each player has an Educational Individual Development Plan.

Skills

Excellent communication skills

Outstanding organisation and planning skills

Ability to work as part of a team

Adaptability

Education

Degree-level education in sports psychology or relevant fields

Level 3 Athlete personal development certification

UK Anti-Doping Introduction to Clean Sport Certificate

Mental Health First Aid

Tools

Microsoft Word

Microsoft Excel

Database knowledge

Job description

Sheffield United Women’s Academy are seeking a dedicated and proactive Player Care and Education Lead to play a central role in supporting the holistic development and wellbeing of Academy players. This position sits within the Academy Management Team and is integral to creating a positive, supportive, and high-quality environment for players and their families throughout the Academy pathway.

The successful candidate will lead on education and personal development provision, work closely with parents and carers, and collaborate with multi‑disciplinary staff to ensure every player is supported to thrive both within the Academy and beyond the game.

Job Description

Role Responsibilities

• Form strong relationships with Academy players and their parents.
• Support the Academy Management Team (AMT) in enhancing the Academy experience for all players.
• Develop a strategy, in collaboration with Safeguarding, for ongoing collaboration and engagement with parents and carers of Players.
• Establish a mechanism for gathering the views of Academy players and their parents to improve the academy experience.
• Assist the AMT and build on the current framework to develop and deliver an outstanding personal development/lifestyle programme, which is differentiated and meets the needs of all Academy players.
• Lead on the development of the Academy’s Education strategy, ensuring that long‑term strategic goals in relation to education are achieved.
• Ensure that each Player has an Educational Individual Development Plan, which is regularly updated and maintained.
• Oversee and maintain the Club’s day‑release programme, ensuring relationships are built with education establishments.
• Support the Academy Manager in designing and delivering a Parent Information Curriculum that makes use of the Academy’s multi‑disciplinary teams.
• Contribute to the Club’s Player Support Group which provides welfare/pastoral support to Academy players where appropriate.
• Share key player care information with relevant staff.
• Support with driving and maintaining high standards across the Academy.
• Any other reasonable requests as directed by management.
• Undertake personal CPD to meet the demands of the role.

Club Wide Responsibilities

• To 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.
• To 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.
• To report any concerns of discrimination to the relevant parties and promote a welcoming and inclusive club environment for all.
• To adhere to the Club’s Equality, Diversity and Inclusion policies, supporting the Club to create an environment which is inclusive and all‑encompassing.
• To carry out/take part in training requests as directed by the Club.

Essential Criteria for the Role

• Educated to at least degree‑level, or equivalent, in fields relevant e.g. sports psychology, wellbeing, education.
• Level 3 Athlete personal and development lifestyle certification.
• UK Anti‑Doping Introduction to Clean Sport Certificate.
• Mental Health First Aid.
• Relevant pastoral, player care or performance lifestyle experience.
• Experience working within a highly confidential environment.
• Experience working in a multidisciplinary team.
• Excellent communication skills, with the ability to be concise.
• Outstanding organisation and planning skills, with the ability to manage multiple, often conflicting deadlines.
• Computer literate, with strong proficiency in Word, Excel and ideally Database knowledge and application.
• An ability to adapt quickly, be flexible in the face of change and solution‑orientated.
• Ability to remain calm under pressure.
• Ability to prioritise workload.
• Ability to work as part of a team.

Desirable Criteria for the Role

• Experience of an elite sport environment and the challenges faced in them.

Application Process

Please download and save the application form before inputting information. If you require a paper copy please contact the HR department at [e-mail] or call 01142537200.

Completed application forms must be submitted via email to [e-mail] stating the vacancy title in the subject or posted to HR, SheffieldUnited FootballClub, BramallLane, Sheffield, S24SU.

Closing Date: Monday 5th January 2026

Please note that in the instance of high volumes of applications we may close this vacancy earlier than the closing date noted above.

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

Tagged as: Education, Full Time, Leadership & Management, Player Care, women's football