Salary: Please state your expectations within your application

Contract: Full Time, 42 hours a week

Location: The Nigel Doughty Academy, Nottingham, NG2 7SR

Department: Academy

Reporting to: Head of Coach Development, Methodology and Innovation 

Closing Date For Applications: 31st August 2025

About the Role:

Nottingham Forest have created an exciting approach to talent development creating four clear pillars in our football delivery – 1. Team Coaching, 2. Individual Coaching, 3. Talented Player Performance & 4. Coach Development, Methodology Development and Innovation. This role will assist the Head of Coach Development, Methodology and Innovation on the delivery of pillar 4, driving our coach development and methodology, specifically in the Youth Development & Foundation Phases.

This new position will, in part, replace the existing Head of Coaching role, a post we have decided to divide in two, separating player development and coach development. This will allow clearer focus on the delivery of world-class coach development, looking specifically at ‘how we teach’, as opposed to ‘what we teach’, and creating unique and exciting development plans specific to each coach’s needs. This post will ensure our pedagogy across our schoolboy players is modern and beyond what is normal in a football academy setting.

We firmly believe our existing excellent staff have a fantastic knowledge of football, this post will now deliver a creative and cutting-edge approach to how we impart this knowledge to our youngest players. The post holder will use research, data, and their own experience of modern teaching strategies, to challenge the norms in how a football curriculum and teaching is delivered, challenging our staff at the same time.

The Perks of the Job:

• Opportunity to access tickets for events at The City Ground.
• Employee Assistance Programme.
• Access to high street and gym discounts.
• Discount within our Club shop.
• Free on-site parking.

Key Tasks and Responsibilities:

• Understand modern and cutting-edge coach development, coach education, teaching and learning strategies in elite player development environments – specifically for coaches of children of schoolboy age. Remain constantly aware of new concepts, ideas and technologies to place Forest ahead of our competitors.
• Deliver, in a hands-on way, a unique and individual coach specific CPD plan and development plans for all coaches, focussing on teaching strategies and taking cognisance of learning styles and cognitive neuroscience
• In line with our Football Development & Talent Management Centre strategy, assist our Head of Coach Development, Methodology and Innovation, in the delivery of annual CPD, for all coaches in our FP & YDP, for specific groups of coaches and for individual coaches
• All coaches in the FP & YDP to have clear development plans based on Forest coach DNA and competency framework. Clearly communicated and delivered through various platforms including regular 1on1’s.
• All coaches in the FP & YDP to have clear coach development dashboards creating objective assessment of their strengths and development areas based on data through agreed Forest coach metrics, and utilising the latest video, audio and Ai technologies
• Coach across various age groups using on pitch delivery as a key strategy to deliver coach education and ensuring our curriculum and methodology is live
• Coach regularly in our full-time school model at South Notts Academy, contributing to the development of the staff, players and methodology through practical input
• Coach regularly in our hybrid programme, and other player pathway initiatives, contributing to the development of the staff, players and methodology through practical input
• Be a regular presence and lead on the practical football delivery and coach education of our ‘Magic Hubs’ project, designed to deliver new pedagogy in football at our sites throughout the Midlands

What are we looking for:

• A creative thinker with an outstanding track record in coach development and, methodology / curriculum development
• Ambitious and driven with a hunger to own and develop an exciting project
• Excellent knowledge of player development processes, coach development processes and modern teaching practice.
• At least 3 years’ experience working in elite Academy Football or equivalent in another sport or teaching environment.
• Focused on individual learning in a team setting
• Creative presentation and delivery skills.
• Excellent interpersonal skills with an adaptability to work with members of staff across departments
• Ability to work under pressure and willing to work unsociable hours
• Dedicated to self-improvement and personal development in a very creative way
• Organised, methodical and logical approach to work but with a creative spark
• High level I.T. and presentation skills
• Positive and high energy outlook with an ability to influence and motivate
• Enhanced DBS Check

Desirable (but not essential) Person Specification

• UEFA ‘A’ Licence
• Advanced Youth Award
• Degree in Sports/Teaching related subject.
• Degree in primary education or equivalent
• BFAS first aid award (or working towards)

Forest For Everyone

We aim to create a culture which embraces and celebrates our differences, enables individuals to feel comfortable, maximise their potential and eliminate discrimination.

Nottingham Forest Football Club is an equal opportunities employer and welcomes applications from all suitably qualified persons, regardless of age, disability, gender, gender reassignment, marital / civil partnership status, pregnancy / maternity leave, race, religion/belief, sexual orientation, or any other legally protected characteristic.

Nottingham Forest Football Club is a signatory of the FA’s Football Leadership Diversity Code. We are committed to developing policies to promote equal opportunities and diversity within our workforce. To monitor our progress against these commitments, we require all applicants to provide accurate diversity data during the application process.

Disability Confident Committed Employer

We are a Disability Confident Committed employer.  We encourage applications from people with disabilities and long-term health conditions.  If you need disability-related adjustments to the recruitment process, please indicate this in your application.

If you are likely to meet the definition of being a "disabled person" according to the Equality Act 2010, you may be eligible to apply for an interview via the Disability Confident Scheme - please indicate this in your application form below.  The information you share with us about your health or disability will not be used in recruitment selections.

Our Commitment to Safeguarding

As part of the Club’s commitment to safeguarding, the successful applicant may be required to undergo a Disclosure Barring Service (“DBS”) check or an enhanced DBS check. The results of a DBS check will be considered on an individual basis, and the Club will act in a proportionate manner when deciding whether or not to proceed with the appointment.

An FA Enhanced DBS disclosure is required for all relevant new appointments to the Club. Individuals will be asked to declare any convictions, cautions or reprimands, warnings or bind-overs that may have been incurred. The Club reserves the right to carry out risk assessments where content has been disclosed on a DBS disclosure if it feels that it is relevant to the job requirements. Failure to satisfy the Club and the PL's safeguarding requirements may lead to the job offer being withdrawn or, if they have already started employment, summary termination of the employment.