Workforce Development Lead

Vacancy description

Key Information

Division:
FA Learning
Location:
Home based
Closing Date:
13 July 2025

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The Role

ABOUT US

THE PROCESS

GROUP STRATEGY

EDI STRATEGY

Impact, on and off the pitch

Working in partnership with Senior Workforce Development lead, the Workforce Development Lead's purpose is the practical implementation of workforce development strategies for coach developers. This role will help ensure coaches across the game experience consistent, evidence-informed development that supports both individual growth and game wide standards of excellence. The role will have a particular focus on improving standards, supporting the workforce to ensure the FA are providing effective coach development, through high quality practice.

The Workforce Development Lead plays a key part in delivering a joined-up and future-fit world leading workforce strategy. This will be achieved by the provision of continuous professional development, integrated peer learning, reflective practice and on-the-ground support that aligns with national frameworks. This role works side-by-side with coach developers to embed best practice and foster a culture of reflective, evidence-informed coach develop.

What will you be doing?

Lead the implementation of The FA Coach Developer Framework, supporting the development of a well-equipped, professionally recognised workforce across all levels of the game underpinned by clear professional standards and a shared commitment to continuous growth.
Act as a consistent and trusted presence for coach developers working alongside them in their day-to-day environments to grow their confidence, sharpen their practice and increase their impact.
Observe, review and provide developmental feedback to the workforce, ensuring consistency, high standards, and alignment with The FA's coaching and coach development frameworks
Scope, co-create, lead and where necessary deliver high-quality continuous professional development (CPD) activities for coach developers, including learning experiences, communities of practice, peer review sessions, supervision and individual learning interventions
Ensure the implementation of tailored Individual Development Plans (IDPs) across all workforce, supporting their personal growth and professional goals through targeted, ongoing development
Promote a culture of reflective learning through action research encouraging regular self-evaluation and peer feedback among coach developer
Strengthen the practice of those who support coaches modelling excellence and providing tailored, practical development to raise the standard of coach development across the system.
Contribute to the ongoing evaluation of coach developer effectiveness by gathering insights, practice data, and feedback, and using this to inform individual and collective development strategies
Support the onboarding of new coach developers by delivering elements of the induction program and guiding them through the transition into role
Work closely with Senior Leads, Learning & Innovation and other stakeholders to ensure coach developers are equipped with up-to-date resources, research, and practice models
Be an advocate for diversity and inclusive coaching excellence and integrity, ensuring all coach development delivery is safe, inclusive, evidence-informed, and in line with The FA's strategic goals
Executes additional tasks as required to meet the FA's changing priorities.
Comply with all company policies and procedures to ensure that the highest standards of health, safety, and well-being can be maintained.
As part of the FA's commitment to ensuring a safe environment for everyone in football, every employee will be required to complete a DBS check. The level of the check required will be based on the activity of the specific job role and in line with legislation and government guidance.

Who might this role suit:

A development-focused leader who thrives on supporting others in their learning and development
Someone who brings curiosity, care and challenge to learning environments
A person who is confident working in complex, real-time settings offering insight, structure and timely feedback
Someone driven to shape the standards, behaviours and culture of coach development across the game
Someone who likes variety in their role and can work effectively and with humility in a team to achieve shared goals .

What are we looking for?

Essential for the role:

Deep Understanding of Adult Learning and Coaching Pedagogy: Proficient in adult learning theories and coaching methodologies, with the ability to apply these principles to support coach developers effectively.
Proven Experience in Coach Development: Demonstrated success in facilitating workshops, delivering practice-based learning, and providing developmental feedback in live environments within football or related sports.
Excellent Communication and Interpersonal Skills: Ability to articulate key messages succinctly and foster trust and development among coach developers through clear and empathetic communication.
Strong Observational and Feedback Skills: Skilled in observing learning and development experiences and providing constructive, evidence-informed feedback that promotes growth and development.
Cultural Competence and Inclusivity: Committed to creating inclusive learning environments that respect and value diverse perspectives and experiences.
Reflective Practice and Continuous Learning: Engages in self-reflection and demonstrates a commitment to ongoing personal and professional development.
Strategic Thinking and Implementation: Ability to align individual development plans with broader organisational goals and implement strategies that enhance workforce development across the system.
Adaptability and Resilience: Comfortable working independently, regionally and on occasion nationally, with strong time-management skills and the ability to navigate complex, real-time settings.

Beneficial to have:

UEFA B Licence or recognised Coach Developer certification
Learning & Development qualification (e.g. CIPD Level 3/5 or equivalent)
Experience working within football systems (e.g. NGBs, clubs, coach education environments)
Understanding of The FA's coach development frameworks and licensing pathways
Postgraduate qualification in a relevant field (e.g. coaching, education, sport psychology)
Familiarity with digital learning tools and emerging technologies (e.g. blended learning platforms, AI-supported development tools)

What's in it for you?

We are committed to ensuring everyone can flourish in their roles, to achieve this we have unique office spaces under the arch of the iconic Wembley National Stadium, which is the home of English Football. We are also delighted to offer a world-class, Elite Performance Centre, St. George's Park in Staffordshire which is an exceptional setting to develop and inspire high-performing England teams and leaders.

We pride ourselves in offering a competitive salary as well as great opportunities to develop and grow in your role. But that is not all; we also have a range of exciting benefits, some of which can be found below:

Access to event day tickets at Wembley Stadium, alongside a host of regular internal events throughout the season, encouraging you to connect and learn with your colleagues and look after your mental health and well-being.
Free, nutritious lunches at Wembley Stadium and St. George's Park.
Free private medical cover.
A contributory pension scheme.
An additional 'Thank You' days leave, volunteering days as well as 25 days annual leave (based on a full-time, permanent contract.)
A hybrid working model which offers greater flexibility.

For more information on what it is like to work at The FA, please visit our FA Careers page, https://www.thefa.com/about-football-association/careers

We are a diverse workplace, aspiring to represent football across the country. The Football Association actively promotes inclusion and diversity, encouraging you to be the best version of yourself at work.

We welcome applications from everyone and are proud to be an equal opportunities employer. If you have any particular requirements in respect of the recruitment or interview process, please mention this during your application.

As part of the FA's commitment to ensuring a safe environment for everyone in football, every employee will be required to complete a DBS check. The level of the check required will be based on the activity of the specific job role and in line with legislation and government guidelines.

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Location

Home based

Home based, United Kingdom

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ABOUT US

The Football Association [The FA] is the not-for-profit governing body of football in England. It is responsible for promoting and developing every level of the game, from grassroots through to the professional game, and generates significant revenue to support investment into English football each year.

The FA oversees England international teams across men’s, women’s, youth and disability football, as well as running the National League System and FA Competitions including the Emirates FA Cup, and the Adobe Women’s FA Cup, and the world-class facilities of Wembley Stadium and St. George’s Park, all with a purpose to inspire positive change through football.

Our game can tackle some of society’s core challenges. It can bring communities together, nationally and locally. It can be a platform for inclusion, ensuring there is a place for all. It can get people active and promote wellbeing often at a time when we need it most. With UEFA EURO 2028 – hosted in the UK and Ireland – on the horizon, we have an incredible opportunity to transform football across the country.

Now is the time to inspire positive change.

We currently work within a hybrid working model whereby the expectation is to work from your contractual location for part of the week, and as and when required by the team. The remaining days can be worked remotely. We will continue to monitor this model, and it may be adjusted in future if deemed necessary.

Your contract with The FA will specify a fixed location of Wembley Stadium or St. George’s Park unless the role is advertised as a homebased contract. The contractual location of this role can be found at the top of this advert on our FA vacancy page.

THE PROCESS

We believe that assessment and selection should be robust, fair, and inclusive.

Following receipt of your application and the closing of the application process, you can expect a period of circa two weeks for us to thoroughly screen and shortlist, ahead of any next stage and interview.

Please note, we receive a high volume of applications so this can vary but we ensure that our assessor panel reviews all applications, and no use of automated screening or AI is used.

At an interview, we want to ensure that we see the best of you as an individual and increase our understanding of your skills and experience relevant to the demands of the role. It is very much a two-way process with importance placed on the candidate experience so that regardless of outcome, you feel valued, and treated fairly and hopefully have a positive experience.

No process is ever the same, but we would like to create an environment that is welcoming and ensures the experience is as enjoyable as possible.

We tailor our assessment and selection depending on the nature and demands of the role. The FA Resourcing Team will provide you with as much notice as possible about the process and the format of any interview will always be communicated to you in advance, including what to expect on the day and who you will be seeing.

We often receive a high volume of applications, and for certain roles, we will supplement your application, utilising our on-demand video interviewing platform. On-demand video interviews enable you to answer preset questions, in the comfort of your own home or office setting and at a convenient time for you, giving us greater insight into you as an individual and the skills and experience you might bring to the role and working at The FA.

We also utilise Microsoft Teams for virtual interviews and of course host you at our world class venues, Wembley Stadium and our National Football Centre, St. George’s Park.

GROUP STRATEGY

WE HAVE MOVED FOOTBALL FORWARD.

From 2020 - 2024, we have – in collaboration with our key partners – been able to deliver meaningful change across the game.

From winning our first major tournament in over 50 years to delivering thousands of high-quality pitches to the grassroots game.

BUT WE CAN’T STOP NOW - AND WE WON’T.

This new strategy is about doubling down. Our game can tackle some of society’s core challenges. It can bring communities together, nationally and locally.

It can be a platform for inclusion, ensuring there is a place for all. It can get people active and promote wellbeing often at a time when we need it most.

With UEFA EURO 2028 – hosted in the UK and Ireland – on the horizon, we have an incredible opportunity to transform football across the country.

NOW IS THE TIME TO INSPIRE POSITIVE CHANGE.

Our ultimate purpose is to ‘Inspire positive change through football’ – everything we do ultimately ladders up to this end goal.

The 2024-2028 strategy focuses on tackling four long-term strategic challenges that will fulfil this purpose and drive real change across the game, our ‘Game Changer’ objectives.

Underpinning these Game Changers are then four activities and approaches that will enable us to meet challenges head on, our ‘Drivers’.

EDI STRATEGY

Our equality, diversity and inclusion (EDI) strategy forms an integral part of our long-term commitment to using our influence across English football to create a game free from discrimination.

A GAME FREE FROM DISCRIMINATION

Our 2024 – 2028 strategy outlines three fundamental pillars for delivering a game free from discrimination – Boosting Representation, Driving Inclusion and Tackling Discrimination.

These pillars ensure that our work uniting communities, improving lives, and inspiring positive change on and off the pitch will remain a core priority for English football for years to come.

We are a diverse workplace, aspiring to represent football across the country. The FA actively promotes inclusion and diversity, encouraging you to be the best version of yourself at work.

As part of The FA’s commitment to ensuring a safe environment for everyone in football, every employee will be required to complete a DBS check. The level of the check required will be based on the activity of the specific job role and in line with legislation and government guidance.