Job Location Academy Training Ground BR3 1NZ
Contract Type Full-time
Salary/ ROP Competitive
Deadline 5th October 2025
Who we are:
We are Crystal Palace Football Club, a Premier League Football Club with more than 160 years of proud history. Spread across three different sites - brand new main offices at Selhurst Park Stadium, our London office, and our Training Ground/Academy, we offer the best atmosphere and culture for our fans and our employees.
We strive for excellence in the workplace with a philosophy of high standards, professionalism, and a strong work ethic from our employees. We are constantly trying to grow, diversify and build with not only our team on the pitch, but also our team in the offices and on the ground.
About this role:
The Lead Academy Athletic Development Coach oversees the gym-based athletic development of players in the YDP and supports alignment into the PDP. The role is player-facing while also contributing to system design across both PDP and YDP phases, bridging between individual needs and broader player development. You will also contribute to the wider performance team strategy and ensure full compliance with Premier League standards.
Responsibilities:
Programming and Session Design
* Lead the design of the YDP gym-based athletic development programme.
* Assist the Head of Performance in designing the PDP gym-based athletic development
* Assist the Head of Player Development in the management of YDP high-potential and transitional players.
* Lead innovation and development of research into the athletic development system.
Delivery
* Assist delivery of PDP gym-based athletic development sessions.
* Deliver gym-based athletic development sessions for YDP teams.
* Assist pitch-based athletic development sessions for YDP teams as needed.
* Contribute to delivery of high-potential individual player programmes within YDP and PDP.
Monitoring and Analysis
* Lead on Premier League fitness testing for YDP.
* Lead on delivery of departmental gym-based physical testing protocols for PDP and YDP.
* Manage, design and deliver screening and monitoring across YDP and PDP.
* Prepare and deliver longitudinal team and HPP load management reports to coaches and medical staff.
Interdisciplinary Collaboration
* Lead weekly YDP technical coach, performance coach and medical meetings.
* Support PDP/YDP match day operations in collaboration with performance and medical staff.
Management and Leadership
* Line manage undergraduate studentship programme.
* Mentor the masters studentship programme.
* Other duties and responsibilities as required by line manager.
* Upholding and promoting the Club's policies and procedures, including Health and Safety, Safeguarding and Equal Opportunities policies and procedures.
Experience, Skills and Qualifications:
* Postgraduate Degree in Strength & Conditioning or a related degree.
* CASES Sport and Exercise Scientist Accreditation.
* UKSCA Accreditation (or ability to obtain within 6 months).
* Current FA safeguarding and emergency aid certifications.
* Experience delivering within the framework outlined in the job requirements above.
* Expertise in long-term athlete development, growth and maturation.
* 3+ Years of experience leading athletic development in youth environments (YDP/PDP), preferably academy or elite sport
* In depth knowledge of the demands and position specific demands of football.
* Competence in performance profiling, data management, and applied performance technology (GPS, force plates, movement screening).
* Excellent communication with coaches, MDT, and players.
* Ability to manage and mentor staff/students.
Benefits:
* Complimentary match day ticket
* Reward and Discount Scheme through our Tech Scheme and Simple Health app
* Health and Wellbeing benefit scheme
* 20% Discount in our Retail Stores
* Discounts in various gyms through GymFlex
* Volunteering Day - 1 Workday off to support a charity of your choice.
* Travel Season Ticket loan
* Holiday allowance that increases every year of service
Our commitment to Equality
At Crystal Palace Football Club, Equality, Diversity & Inclusion is spirited and continues to grow due to the working environment, which makes all staff feel appreciated and welcomed. Crystal Palace Football Club do this by encouraging good relations and practices towards different groups and are committed to promoting employment opportunities that celebrate diversity.
We are committed to attracting, recruiting, and retaining the most talented candidates and the club intends to ensure that everyone who wishes to engage with the club, whether as matchday fans, staff, players, board members, participants in Foundation programmes and any other person engaged with the club's activities, has a real and equal opportunity to do so.
Reasonable Adjustment
We are proud to be a Disability Confident Committed employer. We guarantee an interview to all disabled applicants who meet the essential criteria for the role, ensuring equitable opportunities for everyone.
If you require disability-related adjustments during the recruitment process, please contact (DLO inbox is for disability-related queries only, if you wish to gain further information regarding this vacancy, please contact cpfc. ). We are here to help you through the whole recruitment process including trying to apply for a vacancy, getting in touch with us through the process, and/or helping with access in case you are required to come in for an interview.
*Safeguarding*
Crystal Palace Football Club is committed to safeguarding and ensuring the welfare and protection of children and vulnerable people and expects all staff to share this commitment. As such, the post holder will be required to undergo any relevant security checks, including a comprehensive background check, Enhanced Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) to ensure the safety and protection of children and vulnerable individuals.