Pre-Academy Manager Organisation Leeds United FC Salary Competitive Location Thorp Arch, Wetherby, West Yorkshire, LS23 7BA Contract type Permanent (Full time) Closing date 11 July 2025 Job Description ROLE SUMMARYTo play a leading role in managing the Pre-Academy programme to support the annual Under 9`s intake and help creating a safe, fun, authentic and child friendly experience which ensures that every participant in the Pre-Academy gains valuable experienceROLE RESPONSIBILITIES鈥� Develop relationships with grassroots clubs, leagues, community groups and schoolboy teams across Leeds and surrounding region to support the identification of high potential players鈥� Communicate clearly with parents and children, ensuring that expectations of the process are realistic, through relationship management and quality feedback.鈥� Manage the Pre-Academy Programme by organising training and games on a weekly basis.鈥� Design a challenging and fun programme for all Pre-Academy Players鈥� Undertake grassroots scouting to support the Pre-Academy Recruitment strategy under the direction of the Head of Youth recruitment & Local Head of Recruitment鈥� Oversee our regional Pre-Academy development centres.鈥� Ensure that all players, parents, clubs etc have a positive experience that reflect the values and ethos of Leeds Utd whenever they visit the Academy. 鈥� Manage the invitations of grassroots & proffesional teams to play fixtures against our Pre-Academy teams.鈥� Play a key role in assessing the players in the pre-academy and support the decision-making process with other key stakeholders.鈥� Play an active role in supporting players and parents as they join the club and when they transition out of the pre academy.鈥� Manage the PMA for the pre-academy to ensure that all information is up to date. This includes maintaining accurate records of our scouting coverage for audit purposes.鈥� Manage the pre-academy kit order and stock on a yearly basis. This includes the distribution of player and staff kit.鈥� Oversee a team of coaches and scouts within the Pre-Academy Programme.鈥� Report and feedback to Head of Youth Recruitment & Head of Local Recruitment on a regular basis.OPERATIONAL RESPONSIBILITIES鈥� Working autonomously to an agreed level and in the best interests of the Academy鈥� Forging positive relationships with internal and external stakeholders to benefit the Academy鈥� Being visible to all internal and external stakeholders and supporting key staff when liaising with parents at critical moments鈥� Championing all Club and Academy policy through ensuring best practice in areas such as safeguarding, health and safety and equality, diversity and inclusion throughout the coaching department鈥� Living the values of the Club and championing our culture to help deliver the Academy performance plan and ultimately the vision of the Academy and the ClubPERSONAL DEVELOPMENT鈥� Championing innovative and emerging best practice through accessing internal and external sources of expertise to help contribute to ongoing personal development and the overall Academy programme鈥� Engaging in the Academy staff development programme and attending all CPD events鈥� Participating in all external CPD to ensure compliance with PL, EFL and NGB standardsESSENTIAL QUALIFICATIONS鈥� Talent ID Level 2鈥� FA Safeguarding children certificate鈥� DBS check with children鈥檚 barred list check鈥� UK Driving LicenseESSENTIAL EXPERIENCE鈥� A minimum of 2 years experience in Academy Recruitment鈥� Experience of working in a multi-disciplinary team to support player developmentREQUIRED KNOWLEDGE鈥� Understands the current Academy system and professional football culture and landscape鈥� Possesses an applied knowledge of EPPP standards and working practices鈥� Understands how a long-term, holistic development programme is structured鈥� Understands the function of each facet in a multi-disciplinary team in an Academy鈥� Possesses a demonstrable knowledge of health and safety policy and best practice鈥� Possesses a demonstrable knowledge of safeguarding policy and best practice鈥� Possesses a strong awareness of equality, diversity and inclusionREQUIRED TECHNICAL SKILLS鈥� Experience of working in talent identification in football.鈥� Excellent knowledge of grassroots football in the Leeds area.鈥� Experience of managing a team of staff.鈥� Ability to co-ordinate and multitask.鈥� Ability to be pro-active and organised.鈥� Excellent communication skills.鈥� Strong It skills with and Excell, Powerpoint and OutlookREQUIRED BEHAVIORAL ATTRIBUTES鈥� Inspires others and is a positive role model鈥� Is personable and able to connect and build relationships with others easily鈥� Demands high standards and has an attention to detail鈥� Shares the vision and values of the Academy and is motivated to achieve its objectives鈥� Aligns with the Academy playing and coaching philosophy鈥� Takes a long-term view of player development and align with the Academy approach to winning鈥� Possesses a passion for talent development and are motivated to work with young players鈥� Able to work in a high-profile environment with regular media coverage and public interest鈥� Is responsible and acts in the best interests of the Academy鈥� Is open minded, innovative and willing to explore new ideas/concepts鈥� Enjoys facing challenges and have the resilience and resourcefulness to see complex tasks through鈥� Is proactive and able to identify and mitigate risks鈥� Is a collaborator and relishes the opportunity to work alongside others to overcome challenges and achieve goals鈥� Willing to share their knowledge and experience as part of a community of practice鈥� Able to work with players, staff and other stakeholders of varying ages, experience, backgrounds and cultures鈥� Committed to personal development and continuous improvement鈥� Possesses a strong work ethic and are motivated to be the best they can be鈥� Able to promote the positive image of the Academy and the Club How to apply To apply please complete the online application form: https://forms.office.com/e/CkkmANYTYj Share X LinkedIn Email