Head of Academy Recruitment

Head of Academy Recruitment

Permanent

Competitive Salary

Closing Date: 10th April 2026

Turn potential into performance - helping young players thrive on and off the pitch.

We are the heartbeat of the city. A club with bold ambitions on a global stage and deep roots in our community. If you're driven to raise the bar and make an impact, you'll find the platform, the people and the pride to do your best work here.

The Head of Academy Recruitment will lead the Club's Academy recruitment activity across the UK, focusing on identifying and securing high potential players up to U18 level. Working closely with the Academy Recruitment Director and wider Academy leadership team, the role will drive consistent, evidence based decision making aligned to the Club's long term football strategy.

You will lead and develop the Academy Recruitment team, build strong relationships across the Academy, and ensure all recruitment activity meets EPPP requirements and governing body regulations.

• Lead the Academy Recruitment strategy for players entering the academy system.
• Manage and develop Academy Recruitment staff, setting clear objectives and performance standards.
• Oversee the identification, assessment and recommendation of academy level players.
• Support the Academy Recruitment Director with UK and European academy recruitment activity.
• Review scouting reports, dossiers and presentations to support robust decision making.
• Work closely with Academy staff to support talent planning and player progression.
• Represent the Academy Recruitment function at key meetings and forums.
• Manage departmental budgets and ensure recruitment activity remains compliant with EPPP, safeguarding and data protection requirements.

You will work closely with the Academy Recruitment Director and wider Academy leadership team, contributing to a collaborative and high performing recruitment function.

We're committed to equality, diversity and inclusion and believe in equal opportunities for all. We recognise that the diversity of our people is one of our greatest strengths. We work together to reflect the communities we serve and to maintain an inclusive environment in which everyone can be their authentic self and is enabled to achieve their full potential.

We're committed to being a place where everyone is safe, heard, valued and able to thrive so we place high value on the safeguarding and welfare of everyone we engage with.

This position is UK based and requires proof of the right to live and work in the UK. All job offers are conditional upon background checks, including reference history, DBS checks, and verification of your eligibility to work. Please note, we do not sponsor applicants without the right to work in the UK.

Recruitment Agencies - please note that we do not accept unsolicited candidate details. Any candidates submitted without request will be considered direct applicants.