Academy Player Care Manager

The Academy Player Care Officer is tasked with designing and delivering a high-quality programme to support both the holistic development and well-being of all Academy players across the performance pathway. The Academy Player Care Officer will work closely with other department leads to ensure a truly multi-disciplinary approach is taken at all times to the development of our young people whilst they are at the football club and beyond.,

• Ensure effective planning and communication of Academy Operations on a weekly basis to enable academy players and parents get the best experience possible.


• Liaise closely with multidisciplinary staff to ensure clear and regular communication regards the wellbeing of all Academy players.


• Plan and facilitate a programme of age-appropriate activities to promote outstanding personal development and life skills of all Academy players.


• Become the chair of the parent voice group across all phases with the aim of providing high quality feedback on the Academy experience for all players.


• Create an Academy leadership group who will act as player voice and play a leading role in improving the experience of all Academy Players.


• Together with external provision, lead and support the delivery of a performance psychology programme across the Academy, particularly for high potential individuals from U15-U18.


• Lead performance psychology workshops for parents/players across the Academy to create an age appropriate high performance culture and environment.


• Develop a mental health and well-being strategy that helps support players and staff in the area of mental health and helps signpost to expertise where required.


• By working closely with the Clubs EDI Lead, promote equality, diversity and inclusion with staff, players and parents by increasing awareness with specific training and workshops.


• Create a database that tracks the level of wellbeing risk and devise appropriate interventions where risk is identified.


• Creation of an active Alumni group to provide on-going support for ex scholars and track their development and progress, organising events around key Academy fixtures including the FA Youth Cup.


• Establish good working relationships with external stakeholders; PFA, LFE, Premier League, Kick it Out, Sporting Chance and other relevant bodies.


• Develop opportunities for wider personal development across phases for example community work, work experience/job shadowing and pursuit of hobbies outside of football, particularly for the scholars.


• Work closely with the Academy DSO to promote safeguarding and welfare at all times. Challenge player, parent and staff behaviour to ensure best practice across the Academy.


• Create a culture across the Academy where the welfare of the player is at the heart of everything we do and all players feel valued and respected.


• Be a key point of contact and presence for parents, families and visitors on Academy matchdays for home fixtures from U9 to U18 - ensuring matchday protocols are followed and adhered to. This will result in weekend work.


• Have a presence at Academy training evenings and be available and approachable for parents and players.


• Plan and deliver a detailed logistical travel plan for day release players and scholars ensuring the safety of players at all times to and from the Academy.


• Liaise closely with host families of scholars to ensure that this provision is a positive experience for both the player and the house parent.


• Contribute to the review process across all phases of the Academy and provide support through 1:1 or small groups intervention meetings where required.


• Ensure all new players receive an age-appropriate induction upon entering the academy.


• Ensure there is a clear exit strategy across the phases, and that the transition of released players is supported to a satisfactory outcome by all parties.


• Support the Club's response to audits, inspections and assessments relevant to its academy category status.


General Responsibilities

• Carry out duties in accordance with all relevant company policies, including, but not limited to, the Health and Safety Policy, Code of Conduct Policy, Safeguarding Policy, Equality and Diversity Policy, Financial Regulation Policy and social media Policy.


• To safeguard and promote the welfare of all children, young people and adults at risk.


• To be vigilant and support all safety and security operations.


• Act always with utmost good faith to the Club, Foundation and the Company;


• Devote full attention and ability to fulfilment of the duties required by the role;


• Other duties as reasonably requested by a member of the senior management staff;


• To work closely with partnership organisations, to maintain good relationships and collaborative working practices;


• To work with colleagues throughout Lincoln City Football Club & Foundation to extend knowledge and skills in order to identify and develop best practice;


• Deal with enquiries and general day-to-day liaison with customers, colleagues and partners;


• Carry out general office duties including data recording, filing, photocopying, sending and receiving emails;


• Active participation on continuing professional development and the appraisal process;


• To undertake such other duties, training and/or hours of work as may be reasonably required and which are consistent with the general level of responsibility of this job;


• To maintain the quality of service provision, regularly evaluating work and seeking to make improvements;


• Present a professional image when dealing with both internal and external contacts and partners, acting in a professional manner always;


• To cover as and when required at other departments within Lincoln City Football Club & Foundation;


• To recognise commercial opportunities across all products within Lincoln City Football Club & Foundation;


• Promote the brand identity and increase Lincoln City fanbase throughout;


• To support the Lincoln City Football Club green energy saving strategy and meet all requirements including but not exclusive to recycling, waste reduction, energy efficiency; and


• Any other duties commensurate with the grade and falling within the scope of the post, as requested by the Chief Executive.


The above-mentioned duties and responsibilities should be regarded as neither exclusive nor exhaustive as the post holder may be required to undertake other reasonably determined duties and responsibilities, commensurate with the grading of the post, without changing the general character of the post. Lincoln City Football Club & Foundation is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people and expects all staff and employees to share this commitment.

Safeguarding
This role involves working with children and/or adults at risk in Regulated Activity (or in close proximity to children and/or adults at risk). This means that the post-holder is required to apply all relevant policies and uphold the Club's commitment to safeguarding vulnerable people.

Key Relationships

• Head of Academy


• Academy DSO


• Head of Education


• Head of Academy Coaching


• Lead Phase Academy Coaches


Scope of Job

• To deliver high-standard player care provision to support both holistic development and mental and emotional well-being of all Academy players.


• To build an outstanding aftercare programme supporting players for a minimum of three years once they have transitioned out of Lincoln City FC.
  
  Knowledge and understanding of mental and emotional wellbeing in young people.


• Knowledge and understanding of elite performance environments for young people.


• Understanding of psychological frameworks and goal-setting.


Desirable

• Understanding of PGAAC and the Academy audit process.


• Prior experience of using sharing platforms and performance management applications.


• Experience of mentoring is considered advantageous.


TECHNICAL/WORK-BASED SKILLS
Essential

• High level of both oral and written communication.


• Able to maintain accurate records over an elongated period of time.


• Able to work to strict deadlines and prioritise urgent/important work.


Desirable

• Ability to appraise others desirable.


• D1 driving license.


GENERAL SKILLS AND ATRIBUTES
Essential

• Outstanding communication skills.


• Able to work effectively as part of an MDT.


• High level of emotional intelligence and interpersonal dexterity.


• Willingness to develop further skills and knowledge through training and CPD.


Desirable

• Ability to create positive relationships with young people., Essential


• Similar experience working with young people in a sport or education setting.


• Prior experience working in holistic development essential.


Desirable

• Previous experience working in an Elite Sporting Environment is desirable.


• Experience of mentoring children and/or adults.


• Experience of using a Child Protection Online Management System e.g. CPOMS or MyConcern., Essential


• Enhanced DBS clearance


• Undergraduate Degree and Masters in Performance Psychology

Desirable

• Additional industry related mental health qualifications


• Safeguarding Children Qualification


This role is full-time (40 hours per week), however, you will be expected to work such additional hours as is deemed necessary to fulfil the requirements of the role. In particular, flexibility will be required to meet the operational needs of the Company which includes working on match days, bank holidays, evenings or weekends as required.