Head of Education and Academy Player Care

JOB DESCRIPTION

JOB TITLE: Head of Education and Academy Player Care
DEPARTMENT: Academy
REPORTS TO: To be determined
LOCATION: Sir Jack Hayward Training Ground
HOURS: Full-Time, Permanent (37.5 hrs)
DATE: January 2025

We are Wolves. Progressive, determined, bright, unified and humble. A pack that is hungry for
success. Wolves is one of the fastest growing professional football clubs in the UK, and also boasts
one of the richest histories in the beautiful game.

Formed in 1877, Wolves was a founder member of the Football League, and was one of the country’s
most successful sides in the fifties and sixties. During a two-decade spell, the Black Country’s most
decorated side won three First Division titles and one of its four FA Cups.

Fast forward to 2020, where an incredible three seasons at Molineux has seen Wolves clinch the
Sky Bet Championship trophy with 99 points, followed by a seventh-place finish in the Premier
League, which included memorable wins over Manchester United, Tottenham Hotspur, Chelsea and
Arsenal. This season we have completed the double over the reigning champions, are in sixth place
in the league and are now through to the last 16 of the Europa League.

But at Wolves it is all about what we will do, not what we have done.

We don’t simply look to the future, we seize it.

We are committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children, young people and adults
at risk. We expect all colleagues and volunteers to share this commitment. This means that the
post-holder is required to apply all relevant policies and uphold the Club’s commitment to
safeguarding children, young people and adults at risk and to ensuring that Wolves is free from
discrimination and harassment.

Job Purpose

The Head of Education and Academy Player Care will be responsible for leading the educational and
holistic development of academy players, ensuring they receive the highest standard of education
and care off the field. The role will focus on player welfare, academic progress, personal
development, and life skills training, contributing to the all-around development of young
footballers to prepare them for life both in and out of football.

Key Responsibilities:

• Develop and implement the academy’s education strategy, ensuring alignment with FA, Premier League, and EFL regulations.
• Oversee academic progress for all players across different age groups, ensuring tailored education plans are in place for each player.
• Collaborate with schools, colleges, and tutors to ensure each player receives the necessary academic support.
• Track and report on academic performance, offering interventions where needed to maintain balance between education and football.
• Organise educational workshops, seminars, and life skills programs focusing on areas such as financial literacy, mental health, nutrition, and social media awareness.
• Ensure all academy players have access to high-quality pastoral care, supporting their mental, emotional, and physical well-being.
• Be the first point of contact for welfare issues, including mental health support, safeguarding concerns, and family-related matters.
• Work closely with the Academy Psychologist and Medical Team to ensure a holistic approach to player care.
• Develop and implement individual care plans for players with specific needs, ensuring regular check-ins with players and families.
• Design and deliver a comprehensive personal development program for players, focusing on character building, resilience, leadership, and emotional intelligence.
• Organise personal development opportunities including community involvement, mentoring, and team-building activities.
• Monitor and support players’ integration into the academy environment, assisting with any social or emotional challenges.
• Support players transitioning between age groups or progressing from academy football to professional football.
• Lead on the academy’s exit strategy for players who are not offered professional contracts, providing guidance on education pathways, alternative careers, and mental health support.
• Build and maintain relationships with external partners, including further education institutions and career advisors, to provide exit options for academy players.
• Lead and manage the Education and Player Care team, providing clear direction, support, and development opportunities.
• Work closely with coaches, the Head of Coaching & Development, and the wider academy staff to ensure a joined-up approach to player development.
• Attend and contribute to academy management meetings, providing updates on education and welfare matters.

General Responsibilities

• Compliance with Club policies
• Compliance with the Club’s health and safety procedures
• Compliance with the Club’s safeguarding policies
• To promote the Club’s values
• To work consistently to embed equality & diversity into the Club
• To undertake such other duties as may be reasonably expected
• To maintain professional conduct at all times

Safeguarding

• This role carries a specific safeguarding responsibility. This means that the post-holder is required to apply all relevant policies and uphold the Club’s commitment to safeguarding vulnerable people.
• The successful candidate will undergo a full DBS check and must demonstrate a commitment to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of young people.

Additional Information

• This role requires flexibility, including working evenings, weekends, and attending academy matches or events.

Key Relationships

• Academy Manager – Alignment of Academy strategy
• Heads of Departments – Collaboration and delivery of strategic vision
• Education and Player Care Staff – Build strong relationships with the wider education team, including Education Officers and other tutors.

Person Specification

Job Title: Head of Education & Academy Player Care

Knowledge:

Essential

• Experience of working as a leader in an education/pastoral environment.
• Experience of developing high-quality education programmes that are student/player centred.
• An outstanding classroom practitioner that can inspire staff and students/players.
• A proven track record in a high energy, fast-moving and pressurised environment.
• Line management experience of permanent and casual staff.

Desirable

• Experience of Elite Sporting environments.
• Knowledge of a Premier League Academy system.
• Ability to articulate safeguarding and welfare issues that may affect young people.
• Experience of delivering in a non-traditional education establishment.
• Understanding of the apprenticeships Levy and how it could benefit the Academy.

Technical/Work-Based Skills:

Essential

• Qualified Teacher Status (QTS) or Qualified Teacher Learning and Skills (QTLS).
• Evidence of up-to-date CPD within the sector.
• Proficient in use of Word and Excel.
• Competent in Outlook diary and email management.

Desirable

• Experience of working for elite sports professionals.
• Industry recognised player care qualification.
• Safeguarding professional qualification.

General Skills and Attributes:

Essential

• Understanding of how to work safely with children and/or vulnerable adults and uphold generally accepted practice when working with those participants.
• Promote, adhere to and implement the Club’s Equality Policy and to work consistently to embed equality and diversity within the Club.
• Ability to multi-task and handle changes to plans and workload in a positive manner.
• Possess communication skills that are clear, engaging and responsive.
• A proactive approach and the ability to work well under pressure in a fast-paced, demanding role.
• Ability to develop strong links with schools to support players academic achievements.
• Highly effective written and verbal communication skills.
• Conscientious and motivated with high level of personal initiative.
• Approachable, personable and humble.
• Strong team player.
• Willing to self-evaluate and work towards continuous improvement.

Experience:

Essential

• Experience of working across KS3, KS4 & KS5 subjects.
• Able to demonstrate success in an education environment as a project developer and a leader.
• Working with children and/or vulnerable adults.

Desirable

• Working with children and/or vulnerable adults.

Qualifications:

Essential

• Degree in Education, Sports Science, Psychology, or related field.
• Post-holder must hold or obtain at the earliest opportunity the relevant safeguarding training (i.e. FA Safeguarding Children Workshop).
• Post-holder will be subject to a DBS check at the appropriate level and cleared by the Wolves Safeguarding Manager.

Desirable

• Clean driving licence and own car.