To take overall responsibility for the technical and tactical development and transition of players within the academy in the Professional Development Phase (U16–21s), always considering their holistic development and ensuring that players in the academy have the qualities to progress to elite levels of reserve and First Team football. The role will involve regular liaison with the Head of Coach Development to ensure that coaching delivery, session planning, and review processes are consistent with the academy’s coaching programme, philosophy in meeting agreed standards, complementing the strategic leadership of the Academy Manager. Main Responsibilities Maintain close collaboration with the Head of Coach Development, including regular meetings, coaching programme alignment, feedback integration, and ongoing support to ensure the PDP role adds maximum value to the academy’s coach and player development pathway. Work closely with the Head of Coach Development to: Ensure the game model and coaching programme aligns with the overall vision and strategy for the Club that includes coaching delivery, planning, and review processes align with the academy’s philosophy, standards, observation/feedback and framework Actively use feedback from the Head of Coach Development to enhance coaching sessions, match preparation, and individual player development plans. Share relevant player progress updates to support consistency and cohesion across the academy for all coaches. Participate in coaching observations, reviews, and development workshops led by the Head of Coach Development and external stakeholders. Contribute ideas and insights to improve academy-wide coaching practices, session structures, and the overall coaching programme. Collaborate on mentoring and supporting YDP and Foundation Phase coaches to maintain consistent coaching quality and adherence to the academy philosophy. Receive guidance and support from the Head of Coach Development on coach progression and development are aligned to EFL, Premier League, FA, FAW standards, while also supporting players progression pathways, elite player performance requirements, integration into First Team or reserve squads. Attend regular meetings with the Head of Coach Development to review PDP programme effectiveness with YDP, discuss coach and player development, and ensure alignment with academy objectives. Support the implementation of academy-wide coaching initiatives and best practices as advised by the Head of Coach Development. Work in conjunction with Head of Coach Development and other Academy staff to ensure that the Wrexham AFC Academy Performance Plan strategy is efficiently and effectively implemented across PDP. To ensure that the coaching and game programme U16 – U21 develops young people with the technical ability and tactical knowledge to progress through the academy and fulfil their potential. To work with the Head of Coaching and MDT team to ensure that standards within the PDP phase are of the highest standards. Identify areas of development and need across the academy registered players in the U16 – U21 phase. To work closely with the Head of Recruitment and Talent Identification to ensure players entering the academy are of the required technical ability or have the potential to progress to the first team. Working with PDP group coaches and MDT establish, manage and maintain an effective young person centred learning environment which is elite and high performing. Work collaboratively with different departments, including Recruitment, Education and Sports Science/Medicine staff to ensure all stakeholders understand the methodology and its implementation into the overall strategy and daily decision-making. Create robust and comprehensive feedback and reporting systems to provide up to date insightful information for the 1st Team department, including retain, release. Liaise directly with the Academy Manager / First Team Manager/Head of Recruitment to identify players who are considered for transition from academy to 1st team for training and or games. Support the transition up, down, and across of key players the academy programme within the U16-U21’s age groups. Assess the performance of PDP players, setting realistic performance targets and developing specific individual development plans in line with age specific development needs. Ensure that all relevant player information for training and games is updated daily and weekly on the Club Football Intelligence Platform, including for youth players transitioning to the first team. Modelling of elite coaching across the u16 – u21 players through delivery of regular high level practical sessions for individuals and their specific needs. About The Candidate EXPERIENCE / QUALIFICATIONS REQUIRED UEFA ‘A’ Licence Hold (or actively working towards) FA Youth Award and FA Advanced Youth Award EFAiF first aid A current FA/FAW Safeguarding Children Workshop Certificate (or willingness to complete within 1 month of appointment) PERSONAL SPECIFICATION - SKILLS/ABILITIES REQUIRED Demonstrated experience of leading coaching within a high-performance environment Ability to work within a multi-disciplinary team. Experience and knowledge of EPPP regulations. Strong identification with what long-term player development and player pathways from youth to professional level requires. Excellent communication skills, both written and verbal. Demonstrates enthusiasm and is committed to achieving agreed objectives within Academy activities. Effective at preparing, planning, and implementing all aspects of academy administration that are aligned with whole-club objectives for coaching young talented football players. A dynamic, hardworking individual that can relate to all staff members and participants engaged in academy and coaching activities. Proactive decision maker with excellent verbal and written communication skills that is effective in communicating across all departments within a multi-disciplinary approach. Takes responsibility for ensuring a high quality of work and maintaining standards in line with the responsiveness needed for delivering against the club’s coaching objectives and philosophies. Is receptive to feedback about own behaviour, strengths and areas for improvement that identifies improvement strategies relating to academy coaching 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. About The Club SAFEGUARDING RESPONSIBILITIES We are committed to ensuring everyone who engages with the Academy has a positive, safe, and supportive experience. Staff are required to comply with all aspects of the Club/Academy Safeguarding Policies and arrangements and to take personal responsibility and care to enable strong safeguarding practices to be embedded in the Academy and across the Club too. This post is subject to an Enhanced DBS Check (with Childrens Barred List) 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. 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. The 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 has 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 upmost 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