Job Title: Academy Director

Reports to: Director of Football

Location: Training Ground – Jersey Road

Department: Football Management

Sub-department: Academy Coaching

The Club

Brentford FC is a bit different from other Premier League football clubs. We put our fans first, we are a true community club and while we are financially sustainable, we are not afraid to take calculated risks. We take huge pride in our environment and culture within the Club which focuses on development, inclusion and not being afraid to think differently.

Being progressive, humble and respectful while sticking together as one team across the Club guides how we work and the decisions we make each day.

We also firmly believe that a diverse workforce is a better workforce which will help us develop ideas, solve problems and ultimately grow Brentford FC.

We play in a new stadium, 15 minutes from Heathrow in vibrant west London.

We will never forget where we have come from, but we are excited about the future that lies ahead.

The Role of the Academy Director

The Academy Director is responsible for leading the Academy in its aim to become the most caring and progressive football Academy in the world. They will be an expert in player development and have an understanding of the recruitment and retention of youth football players from U9 through to our B Team. The Academy Director is responsible for leading the delivery of a programme that develops football, performance and social excellence in all players, equipping them to have successful professional football careers. The successful candidate will be responsible for leading and managing the Academy Leadership Team, ensuring elite standards in support of our journey towards being a Category 1 Academy.

Main Accountabilities

1. Develop young people
   • Work closely with the Human Development, Education and Player Support teams to ensure that every young person that comes into the Academy has the opportunity to achieve ‘Social Excellence’ - developing themselves in all areas, not just as a potential future footballer.
   • Ensure that every young person has access to elite levels of care, and to longer term support as and when the time comes for that person to leave the Academy.
   • Make sure that the standard of educational development at the Academy is at an outstanding level, that the Club maintains strong relationships with external education providers, and that the provision of education is a fundamental function of the Academy that helps each player maximise their potential.

1. Provide a safe environment for players and staff
   • The Academy Director has ultimate responsibility for safeguarding standards and controls in the Academy to ensure that the safety and welfare of players and staff are a priority.
   • Ensure all matters relating to compliance to appropriate rules and regulations are appropriately prioritised such that the Academy upholds the highest of standards in all areas at all times.
   • Put in place and maintain a high calibre support system to ensure the emotional and physical wellbeing of all players and staff.
   • Ensure that strong communication processes with each player’s parent or responsible adult exist to provide two-way feedback, catch problems early and resolve any issues.
3. Talent ID & Transitions
4. Work with the recruitment department and key Academy staff to identify, attract, and secure high potential players, building and managing Academy squads from U9-B Team.
5. Work with Technical Director to support the transition of players from Academy to first team, in line with club pathway planning, and create clear pathways for the highest potential players.
6. Ensure robust and caring retain and release processes across all age groups and that regular assessments of players and squads is taking place to inform decision making.

1. Create elite footballers
   • Work with the Head of Football Development to develop a football programme that gives young players the fundamental skills needed to be a Brentford player of the future, and ensure that all young players receive elite level coaching in every age group.
   • Understand talent profiling and talent mapping processes to support long term player development and progression from U9 through to B Team.
   • Apply your talent development expertise with each of the top talents in the Academy to build on their potential (whether that be on-pitch or off-pitch) to give those players the best possible chance of developing into high quality professional footballers.

1. Develop staff
   • Work with the relevant heads of department to ensure that each role within the Academy is filled by a high-quality performer.
   • Ensure that all staff feel valued and have a development plan in place in line with departmental competency frameworks to support their performance and development.
   • Make sure that all staff receive appropriate one-to-one feedback and appraisals on a regular basis.
   • Create pathways and progression plans for staff through the Academy and potentially across to the first team.
   • Ensure that the overall culture within the Academy is such that all staff can perform to the highest standards every day.
3. Leadership, Management and Strategy
   • Lead the development and implementation of the Academy strategy, ensuring that each department meets its objectives for the benefit of the development of each Academy player both from a footballing and personal perspective and that the Academy purpose is being delivered.
   • Ensure that Academy strategy meets the required EPPP audit standards and that the Academy is safe to operate and compliant to Premier League rules.
   • In conjunction with senior Club management, agree the budget and take responsibility for overall Academy spend and keeping to budget at all times.
   • Work with the Club to be aware of trends inside and outside football, help create a world class network of individuals and organisations, and work closely with relevant experts and researchers to ensure that the Academy is always up to date on leading edge practice.

General Club Accountabilities

• To comply with all Club policies, including health and safety, data regulations and other legal, ethical and social requirements.

• To build and maintain good working relationships while maintaining a professional image.

• To keep confidential any information gained regarding the Club and its personnel.

• To maintain a flexible approach to work at all times.

Key Internal Relationships

• Academy Leadership Team
• Academy Staff
• 1^st Team Staff
• Football Directors
• Operational Risk Director, Safeguarding & Welfare Departments
• Community Sports Trust Management

Personal Characteristics

• UEFA Pro Licence or UEFA A Licence
• FA Advanced Youth Award
• First Aid in Football
• Relevant safeguarding qualifications
• Demonstrable experience of world class talent development in an elite high-performance environment
• Experience of leading people
• Experience with children and the relevant standards that need to be in place to ensure their safety and wellbeing
• Appreciation of the discretion needed when dealing with sensitive and highly confidential information

Inclusion Statement

Brentford FC is proud to be an organisation that values equity, diversity and inclusion. We strive to create a culture that celebrates difference and ensures fairness, safety, representation, and belonging.

We recognise that some groups remain underrepresented in our workforce and are actively working to change this. As part of that commitment, we strongly encourage applications from people of all backgrounds — particularly those from ethnically diverse communities, women, LGBTQ+ individuals, and disabled people.

We’re committed to a fair and inclusive recruitment process, with all decisions made based on merit and suitability — regardless of background or protected characteristic. Should you be selected for interview, we welcome the opportunity to discuss any specific arrangements, accommodations or reasonable adjustments you may require to be made.

Safeguarding Statement

Brentford FC is fully committed to promoting equality, and to safeguarding the welfare of all children and adults at risk. Safeguarding is everyone’s responsibility and is a core part of the Club’s culture. All staff and volunteers share a collective duty to create and maintain a safe and supportive environment, both on and off the field.

To ensure this, all staff are required to complete regular safeguarding training appropriate to their role. This training supports a proactive and informed approach to safeguarding practice.

The successful candidate will be expected to understand, adhere to, and actively uphold all relevant safeguarding policies and procedures. This includes recognising signs of abuse or harm, responding appropriately, and reporting any concerns in a timely manner to the Club’s Safeguarding Team.

Brentford FC operates safer recruitment practices. We remind individuals that it is a criminal offence for a person barred from engaging in regulated activity to apply for a role that involves such activity.

Closing date for applications: Friday 3 October 2025