WREXHAM AFC: Academy Head of Recruitment

EFL; Wrexham; On-site; GBP 35,000 - 50,000; Full time

Job summary

A football academy is seeking a Recruitment Manager to direct and implement strategies for talent identification and player recruitment. The candidate will lead a team of scouts, manage relationships with coaching staff, and ensure compliance with safeguarding standards. They should have a strong background in academy recruitment and relevant qualifications. This influential role will contribute to the development of young players and the academy’s success.

Qualifications

• 10 years of experience in academy recruitment.
• Current FA/FAW Safeguarding Children Workshop Certificate within 1 month of appointment.
• Experience leading an Academy recruitment department.

Responsibilities

• Direct and manage recruitment strategies within the Academy.
• Produce statistics and analyze recruitment performance.
• Work closely with coaching staff and assess player recruitment needs.

Skills

Excellent communication skills

Strong network in academy recruitment

Understanding of recruitment strategies

Ability to build relationships

Organizational skills

Education

Relevant Degree in Sports Science or Coaching

FA Talent ID Level 4 qualification

Job description

Responsible for the direction and strategic plan for talent identification and recruitment into the Academy.

Create, manage and direct a team of recruitment staff (Scouts) to produce excellent results in player recruitment across the Academy performance pathway.

MAIN RESPONSIBILITIES

• Work with coaching staff to identify target positions for each age group throughout the Academy
• Assess fixtures across professional Academy programmes and grass roots football assigning scouts accordingly
• Act on information promptly and make decisive decisions to be primary club of choice for players
• Provide coaching staff with specific information on incoming players and monitor regularly throughout initial trial
• Work closely with Academy player profiles to bring in players who can be developed within our coaching programme
• Produce statistics and further relevant data of recruitment performance on a regular basis to the Academy Manager
• Work closely with Academy Manager to set targets for recruitment staff and monitor their performance on a regular basis
• Lead regular recruitment staff meetings assessing KPIs for areas to develop
• Attend all player progression meetings through the pathway and advise on recruitment opportunities at all age groups
• Ensure any players are inducted prior to arriving at the club and all administration is completed to the standards set out by the club and EFL/FAW
• Ensure adherence to FA/EPPP rules and the club’s safeguarding protocols for young players.
• Further develop own knowledge and qualifications throughout employment keeping up to date with the latest trends and strategies
• Build and maintain a network of contacts across all key target clubs and areas including grassroots and Academy football
• Forge strong links with local grassroots football, Wrexham AFC Community Trust and Schools across the region.
• Conduct mid-trial and end of trial reviews with coaches in a formal process for players and parents
• Work closely with Head of Academy Coaching regarding succession charts for the Academy looking at long term objectives and targets
• Create detailed databases of players across all age groups to accurately record potential Academy players
• Ensure accurate, timely reporting using scouting platforms and contribute to data analysis for recruitment decisions.
• Lead, manage, support and develop the skills of scouts and spotters.
• Create depth charts and strategically succession plan with relevant departments.

HEALTH & SAFETY RESPONSIBILITIES

• Take responsibility and care for the health and safety of yourself and other employees and members of the public who may be affected by your acts or omissions at work.
• To comply with all aspects of the Club’s Health & Safety Policy and arrangements, to enable the company to perform its civil and statutory obligations in relation to Health & Safety.

About The Candidate

EXPERIENCE/QUALIFICATIONS REQUIRED

• Holds the FA Talent ID Level 4 qualification
• A current FA/FAW Safeguarding Children Workshop Certificate (or willingness to complete within 1 month of appointment)
• 10 Years Experience within Academy recruitment
• Ability to devise and implement a recruitment strategy.
• Relevant Degree in Sports Science, Coaching or Teaching.
• Experience of leading a Academy recruitment dept.
  

PERSONAL SPECIFICATION - SKILLS/ABILITIES REQUIRED

• Excellent knowledge and understanding of recruitment strategies and Academy EPPP governance
• Category 1 Experience
• Strong network of contacts throughout the UK relevant to the recruitment of Academy players
• Outstanding communication skills with a view to being able to speak with parents, coaches, players and contacts
• Highly competent in the delivery of presentations, collaboration and relationship building skills.
• Enthusiasm for the role and a proactive thinker who always looks for opportunities to improve and enhance the recruitment strategy
• A dynamic, hardworking individual that can relate to all staff members and participants engaged in Academy activities
• Is receptive to feedback about own behaviour, strengths and areas for improvement that identifies improvement strategies relating to Academy recruitment activities
• Displays a high level of confidentiality and transparency and can contribute to team meetings in a professional manner
• Committed to, and an understanding of, equality and diversity in sport
• Flexible approach to meet the nature and demands of the business
• High attention to detail and organisation skills with a commitment to safeguarding.

About The Club

CLUB VALUES

Code of Conduct

Wrexham Football Club expects the highest standards of integrity and conduct in all matters concerning the Club and its employees. The Code of Conduct makes clear the standards of conduct expected from its employees and explains the responsibilities of the Club, as the employer. All employees are expected to always act wholeheartedly in the interests of the Club. Any conduct detrimental to its interests or its relations with its customers, suppliers, the public or damaging to its public image shall be a breach of Club rules and policies. Discriminatory, offensive, and violent behaviour are unacceptable, and any complaints or concerns will be dealt with and acted upon.

Equality, Diversity & Inclusion

Wrexham Football Club are committed to ensuring that equality, inclusion, and diversity of opportunity is at the very heart of everything we do to ensure we provide fair and non-prejudicial access to the services across the Club. We uphold everyone’s freedom of rights and choice to be different and aim to provide opportunities for everyone to succeed. It is the policy of the Club that no person, whether player, job applicant, employee, volunteer, or customer, shall be discriminated against. The Club opposes all forms of unlawful and unfair discrimination, either direct or indirect, or harassment, on the grounds of the following ‘protected characteristics’: Age, Disability, Gender Reassignment, Marriage & civil Partnership, Pregnancy & Maternity, Race, Religion or Belief, Sex and Sexual Orientation. Anyone who is found to be in breach of this could receive disciplinary action, which may well include suspension and dismissal.

Wrexham Football Club is fully committed to the EFL Equality, Diversity & Inclusion Standards and as we are under represented in these areas; we particularly welcome ‘entry level’ applications from women, individuals from Black and Minority Ethnicities, the LGBT community and anyone with a disability.

Safeguarding and Safer Recruitment

Wrexham Football Club are committed to and have both a moral and legal obligation to ensure that all children and vulnerable adults are protected and kept safe from harm whilst engaged in services organised and provided by the club and believes that the general wellbeing, welfare and safety of all children and vulnerable adults engaged in club activities is of the utmost importance. The Club will fulfil its responsibilities by ensuring it displays best practice in safeguarding matters – including Safer Recruitment - carried out in a spirit of partnership and openness with the child or vulnerable adult, families, and the relevant local authority.

Having a criminal record will not necessarily bar a potential candidate from working with the Club. This will depend on the nature of the position and the circumstances and background of the offence(s) committed. As an organisation using the Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) to assess applicant’s suitability for positions of trust, the Club complies fully with the DBS Code of Practice and undertakes to treat all applicants for positions fairly. Potential applicants need to check on the government website ( https://www.gov.uk/tell-employer-or-college-about-criminal-record/what-information-you-need-to-give ) whether cautions / convictions should be disclosed as part of their application.

NO AGENCIES PLEASE.

We reserve the right to close this vacancy early if we receive sufficient applications for the role. Therefore, if you are interested, please submit your application as early as possible.

This role profile is not exhaustive, it will be subject to periodic review and may be amended to meet the changing needs of the business.