Closing date: 28/09/2025 - we may close this position early depending on volume of applications so please don't delay submitting an application! Job Title U12-U14 Phase Lead Department Academy Direct Reports None Reports to Academy Director Location Cobdown Park, Station Road, Aylesford, Kent, ME20 6AU Working Pattern 40hrs per week, evenings and weekends Salary Dependant on experience Level of DBS Enhanced Child Barred List About Us: London City Lionesses are part of the Kynisca group, setting a vision and building an infrastructure in which all the players and staff can thrive. Owned by Michele Kang, our vision for Kynisca is to: 1. Become the most pre-eminent sports organisation in the world; 2. Have a high-performance culture of winning on and off the pitch; 3. Train women as women; and 4. Motivate and inspire the next generation of girls and women. Our Values: We Lead The Way | We Dream Big | We Get it Done | We Innovate | We Inspire our Community Role Purpose: The Lead U12-U14 teams will play a pivotal role in driving the development and success of the Academy’s Professional Games Phase within the Girls’ youth pathway. Working in close collaboration with the Academy Director, the postholder will provide leadership and direction to the U12-U14 teams, ensuring that the Academy’s playing philosophy and methodology are consistently embedded across all training and match environments. As a key figure in the Academy structure, this role will directly influence player development, coach progression, and the overall quality of the performance environment. This role is central to ensuring the Academy not only meets but exceeds the standards set out by governing bodies. The Lead U12-U14 will oversee player recruitment and development, manage the design and delivery of Individual Development Plans (IDPs), and take responsibility for the ongoing professional development of the U12-U14 coaching staff. By combining strong leadership, a clear vision for youth player development, and a commitment to excellence, the postholder will help shape the future of the Academy and support the pathway for talented young female players to thrive in the professional game. Main Duties/ Responsibilities 1. Leadership of U12-U14 Teams o Provide direct leadership and oversight of the U12s, U13s and U14s teams. o Collaborate closely with the Academy Director to ensure excellence in delivery and player development. o Act as the central point of contact for staff, players, and parents regarding performance phase operations. o Attend all training sessions and matches, providing review and feedback to staff and players. 2. Alignment of Philosophy & Methodology o Ensure the Academy’s playing philosophy and methodology, as designed by the Academy Director, is fully implemented across the PGA teams. o Contribute to the ongoing refinement of playing philosophy and methodology. o Support staff to embed consistent principles and practices across training and matches. o Work with the Performance Analysis department to ensure the alignment of messages to coaching staff, working with them on their strategy and delivery to coaching staff and players. 3. Coach Development (CPD) o Lead on the professional development of U12s, U13s and U14s Head Coaches and Assistant Coaches. o Plan, deliver, and evaluate regular CPD sessions aligned to the Academy’s coaching methodology. o Provide mentorship and feedback to ensure coaching quality and progression. o Give direct performance feedback to coaches following training sessions and matches. 4. Documenting and preparing for Audit processes o Begin to create a strategy and structure to have high standard documentation of our processes, protocols and methodology. o Begin to develop the content for future auditing processes for these age groups. o Take responsibility for the creation of documents and protocols of how we work as an Academy with the U12-U14 teams. o Ensuring all departments create appropriate protocols and documentation so as to have clarity of methodology. 5. Player Recruitment & Talent ID o Manage the U12s, U13s and U14s Lead Recruitment in the process of identifying, assessing, and recruiting high-potential players. o Manage and oversee communications with clubs, scouts, players, and parents as required. o Ensure recruitment processes align with the Academy’s values and playing philosophy. 6. Player Development & IDPs o Oversee the holistic development of all U12s, U13s and U14s players, ensuring individualised attention to their growth. o Ensure every player has an up-to-date Individual Development Plan (IDP). o Lead and complete all periodic player meetings, reviews, and progress planning. o Monitor player progress against technical, tactical, physical, and psychological benchmarks. o Oversee delivery of all education-related planning and delivery. [SM1] o Ensure individualised transition plans are implemented for exiting players[SM2]. 7. Other duties as directed by management Club Accountabilities 1.To comply with all Club policies, procedures and practices and carry out your role diligently and in the best interests of the Club 2.To lead with a proactive, high-performance mindset and actively contribute to a winning culture on and off the pitch 3.To behave in a manner consistent with Club values and policies 4.To ensure compliance with all relevant legal, regulatory, ethical and social requirements. 5.To keep confidential any information gained regarding the Club and its personnel. What we are looking for Qualifications and Training Any specific qualifications or technical requirements listed here will be mandated by league and/or governing body rules Essential · FA Youth Award (all three modules) · FA Advanced Youth Award · UEFA A Coaching License · FA Safeguarding & FA Emergency Aid Desirable · Additional coaching or other related qualifications Knowledge, Skills and Experience Essential · Strong leadership and management skills. · Excellent communication skills. · A working knowledge and understanding of coaching and coach development ensuring that all Academy staff are undertaking relevant continual professional development · Provide coaching support where required · Experience in talent identification and recruitment of players. · An understanding of sports science and medicine. · Competence in computer packages with experience of recording and reporting information. · Experience of dealing with minors and an excellent understanding of Child Protection and Safeguarding procedures including the relevant clearances for individuals. Desirable · Exposure to a PGA environment, ideally within the women’s game Characteristics · Passionate about women’s football and broader women’s sport culture. · Entrepreneurial spirit and ability to deal with matrix stakeholders & ambiguity. · High standards of personal integrity and EQ. · Comfortable and able to work on own initiative · Has a learning mindset; is keen to continue their self-development and keep up to date with best practice and learning opportunities · Continually seeks to improve efficiency and performance · Seeks out and embraces new ways of thinking and working – not afraid to fail. London City Lionesses is committed to safeguarding, health and safety, and equality, diversity, and inclusion. We prioritise the welfare of children and vulnerable adults, the well-being of all staff and visitors, and fostering an inclusive environment where everyone feels valued and supported. These responsibilities are shared by all staff and volunteers, with safeguarding, safety, and inclusivity being collective priorities. All staff are required to adhere to the Club’s policies, complete relevant training, and actively contribute to maintaining a safe, inclusive, and welcoming environment. This includes timely reporting of concerns, compliance with health and safety regulations, and upholding the Club’s zero-tolerance approach to discrimination. For certain roles, additional checks, such as Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) checks or health assessments, may be required. Applications must include a fully completed application form; CVs alone will not be accepted. All candidates will be assessed on merit and their alignment with the Club’s values.