Head of Academy Operations

**Position: Head of Academy Operations**

**Location**: Sparrows Lane Training Ground

**Hours**: 40 Hours Mon-Fri (+matchdays as needed)

**About Us**:
Charlton Athletic Football Club is an English professional association football club based in Charlton, south-east London. The club was founded on June 9th, 1905 and has a very storied history from rising to the top-flight of English Football in the 1930s (First Division) and again in the 1980s, 1990s and 2000s, to winning the FA Cup in 1947 and to leaving their Valley home in the mid-1980s only to make an impassioned return in 1992. Historically, the women's team played under Charlton Athletic from 2000 to 2007 but were released to become an independently run team in 2007 following the men's team's relegation from the Premier League.

The women's team were originally formed as a non-professional team in 1991 and were highly successful in the early 2000s winning The FA Cup, the League Cup, and the Charity Shield, as well as coming runners-up in the top division in multiple seasons. In February 2021, the club acquired the Charlton Athletic Women's team, turning the team full-time professional, and integrating them to become one club again.

Currently, our men's first team competes in League One, the third tier of English football, and our women's team competes in the Women’s Championship, the second highest division of women's football in England. At Charlton, we are ‘one club’ and can be truly described as a ‘family club’.

**Role Description**:
This is a Leadership role, of which the post holder will be responsible for the working alongside the Academy Director in ensuring we are successfully working towards and constantly evolving our Academy Performance Plan. The key responsibilities will involve managing and overseeing all Academy Operations and Governance matters for our U9 - U21 Program.

**Key Responsibilities**:

- To be a key member of the Academy Management Team (AMT) and contribute regarding all areas of Academy Operations and Governance.
- To oversee and manage the PGAAC Academy Audit process, both internally and externally through the use of the CASA system.
- To ensure that our Academy Performance Plan (documentation) is totally up to date and ensure that all accompanying documentation is stored electronically, as well as ensuring that all internal stakeholders are supporting the process to the highest possible level.
- To ensure that our Training Ground Operations, Facility usage and all logístical matters are upheld to the highest possible standards.
- To ensure that all Academy staff are on visible of the Staff Recognition system (SRS)
- To liaise with the Board of Directors EA on Academy guests attending selected 1st Team fixtures, and on occasion act as host for the Academy.
- Oversee all Academy fixture planning and line manage both Academy Secretary for all PDP fixtures as well as Schoolboy Co-ordinator for all Schoolboy fixtures
- Work closely with the Training Ground Operations and Security Team to ensure that best practice is carried out for all Academy fixtures and ensure these games are guard railed as appropriate
- To be the main contact for all external company relationships, such as the University of Greenwich, Dartford FC, Bayliss Travel, Teamworks etc and ensure that prices can be negotiated as best as possible to adhere to budget lines
- Liaise closely with the Football Club’s Head of Football Administration in supporting any player Loan documentation and general administration maters
- Overall management, and development (where appropriate) of the Academy annual scheduling including meeting planning, reviews, reports and fixture programme in line with EPPP requirements and Academy Performance Plan, working with Academy Secretary, Academy Administrator, Lead Phase Coaches, Head of Player Development and other relevant Staff
- To act as the primary contact for the Academy with the Premier League, English Football League and The Football Association for all administrative matters, including the submission of required information.
- To be familiar with and ensure compliance with, the Youth Development Rules and all relevant provisions, including any future amendments.
- To obtain and verify all registration paperwork for U16 - U21, before their submission to the appropriate governing bodies or agencies under Academy Regulations; including registration and release documents, international clearance documents, Scholarship Agreements.
- Manage with our Academy Secretary the Administration of the retain and release process at the end of each season, sending a letter to every Academy player from U9 - U15 notifying them of the Academy’s decision, with the support of the Academy Administrator and Lead Phase Coaches.
- To act as Matchday Co-ordinator for all U18 Home Fixtures
- In conjunction with Academy Manager and Lead Phase Coaches communicate the weekly Academy schedule (U16-21), to ensure that players, staff and all concerned are