FA Women's Talent Education Lead for Schools

The Football Association have an exciting opportunity for a Talent Education Lead - FTC

The Barclays Girls' School Talent Education Programme is a brand-new initiative designed to build on the incredible success of the Barclays Girls' Football School Partnerships'. This innovative programme will ensure stronger links for talented female footballers between education and football.

The programme will bridge the gap between the Barclays Girls' Football School Partnerships and the talent pathway, creating more opportunities for talented girls aged 8-16 in schools to transition into the talent system. Equally, it will ensure that girls aged 14-16 already within the talent system receive comprehensive support in their football development, academic studies, and lifestyle management.

The FA Women's School Talent Education Lead will spearhead the design, development, and delivery of the Girls' Schools Talent Education Programme. The post holder will lead a team of seven skilled staff, providing strategic leadership, cultivating stakeholder relationships, and ensuring the effective implementation of the Girls' Schools Talent Education Programme across regions, while aligning with the FA's broader talent and education objectives.

This is a Fixed Term Role until end of June 2028.

Interviews are currently scheduled to be held on the 27th January 2025.

What will you be doing?

• Lead the recruitment, management, and development of the Girls' Schools Talent Education team, ensuring the strategic planning and execution of the Barclays Schools Talent Education Programme.
• Build and sustain strong collaborative relationships with key stakeholders, including Girls' Football School Partnerships, football clubs, county football associations, and internal teams involved in the FA England Talent Pathway.
• Direct the implementation of a plan for talent identification across schools, alongside a comprehensive CPD programme to train staff across the Girls' Football School Partnerships network.
• Ensure there is a clear pathway for talented schoolgirls into the talent system.
• Collaborate with key stakeholders to develop and implement a framework that offers players school-based mentors that optimise dual career pathways for talented girls.
• Develop a comprehensive parent education programme, which improves the knowledge and skills that parents need to support talented girls.
• Work closely with the FA Women's Player Education & Lifestyle Lead to conduct regular case conferences for high-potential players on dual career pathways, ensuring a comprehensive and tailored support package for National Team players as they transition into, though, and beyond the England Women's Development Teams.
• Introduce a means-tested hardship fund that provides grants to players and schools, helping to eliminate barriers to talent development.
• Oversee the financial management of the Girls' Schools Talent Education Programme, including the preparation of the three-year plan (3YP), budget reforecasts, and end-of-year reporting.
• Maintain diligence with the budget, provide recommendations for spending efficiencies, and work closely with the Finance team to identify potential risks throughout the season.
• The post holder will be accountable for achieving key outcomes, including broadening the diversity of the talent pool, advancing dual career outcomes, establishing a strong talent network within the education sector, fostering informed parental engagement, and ensuring that financial hardship does not impede the progression of talented girls. Work closely with the FA's Womens Technical Team on the progress and implementation of the Women's Technical Strategy. Attend departmental meetings as and when required.
• Executes additional tasks as required in order to meet FA Group's changing priorities.
• Comply with all company policies and procedures to ensure 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.

What are we looking for?

Essential for the role:

• Qualified Teacher Status (QTS) or equivalent Thorough understanding of the National Curriculum, public examination syllabuses, and assessment criteria
• Experience in supporting talented students
• Experience in supporting and managing academic transitions
• Excellent communication skills, with proven ability to collaborate effectively with both internal and external teams
• Adoption of a modern, progressive approach to teaching and learning
• Proficient in Microsoft Office applications
• Availability for domestic travel

Beneficial to have:

• Good understanding of women's football
• Knowledge of talent identification systems within football
  Demonstrated success in developing and implementing educational programmes within sports
• Knowledge of flexible education pathways
• Understanding or experience of club and community-based sports
• Dedicated to personal development and ongoing training, with a willingness to work flexible hours
• Experience leading a team with strategic responsibilities, including managing budgets
• Extensive knowledge and training in safeguarding children

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 wellbeing.
• 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.
• 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, via the button below.

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 guidance