LFCW Pro Game Academy Manager

About the Role

The Academy leader will take overall responsibility for Liverpool FC Women's Professional Game Academy (PGA) and shape the next generation of players. The role is a broad leadership position connecting talent management, football operations, medical and performance, and player support to create a clear, ambitious and high-performing pathway into senior professional football. The postholder will set standards and direction for the programme, lead and develop the multidisciplinary team, and create an environment in which every player is supported and challenged to fulfil their potential. Working closely with the Women's First Team and leaders across the Club, they will ensure the PGA is ambitious, evidence-led, well run and fully aligned with Liverpool FC's football philosophy.

Key Responsibilities

• Own and deliver the PGA strategy and Academy Performance Plan with clear objectives, measures, accountabilities and review points
• Lead, inspire and coordinate the Academy's coaching, performance, medical, operations, education, player support and talent management functions
• Create a safe, inclusive and high-performing culture that reflects Liverpool FC standards
• Line manage designated staff and ensure the workforce structure, capability and CPD plan meet programme needs and licence requirements
• Provide clear reporting and recommendations to technical and executive forums on programme performance, player pathways, risk, investment and resourcing.
• Oversee a coherent player pathway from the wider girls' talent system through the PGA and into the Women's First Team
• Align talent identification, selection, registration, retention and release decisions with the Club's long-term squad strategy
• Ensure every player has a robust, evidence-led individual development plan covering technical, tactical, physical, psychological, educational and social development
• Chair or coordinate regular player progression meetings and document/communicate decisions, actions and feedback
• Work with First Team colleagues to identify players ready for exposure, training, dual registration, loans or transition, with tailored support
• Ensure players and families receive honest, timely and respectful communication throughout their Academy journey.
• Ensure the PGA playing and coaching programme is aligned with the Club's football philosophy, methodology and first-team requirements
• Support technical leaders to maintain an age-appropriate curriculum, coaching programme and quality-assurance process
• Coordinate the multidisciplinary team so coaching, physical performance, medicine, performance analysis, psychology and player support contribute to one integrated plan
• Ensure appropriate player screening, monitoring, profiling, availability and return-to-play processes are in place with clear professional accountability

Required Experience & Qualifications

• UEFA A Licence (or working towards)
• Minimum of Level 2 National Talent and Identification in Football
• Enhanced FA DBS and relevant barred-list status, or ability to obtain before taking up regulated activity; satisfactory enhanced DBS check
• Current FA Safeguarding Children qualification and commitment to role-specific safeguarding CPD
• Current Introduction to First Aid in Football or Emergency First Aid in Football qualification
• Relevant leadership or management qualification

Preferred Skills

• Significant leadership or programme-management experience in an academy, elite sport, education or comparable youth-development environment
• Strong working knowledge of safeguarding, child protection, safer working practice and player welfare
• Experience of education partnerships, dual-career support and working constructively with parents or carers
• Experience coordinating complex operations, budgets, compliance evidence and audit activity
• Understanding of the women's professional game, the Talent Pathway and PGA environment
• Experience directly within a Women's Professional Game Academy or Category 1 talent environment

Salary

Competitive salary

Benefits & Perks

• 25 days holiday plus 8 bank holidays and the option to purchase up to an additional 5 days
• Contributory pension scheme matching up to 5.5%
• Life Assurance Cover
• Free financial guidance and mortgage advice
• Car salary sacrifice scheme for affordable driving
• Cycle to Work scheme to keep you active
• Purchase season ticket loans for easier commuting
• Exclusive shopping discounts and cashback with top retailers
• Will Writing Service for future planning
• Employee Assistance Programme for confidential support
• Medicash Health Cash Plan for everyday healthcare needs
• Volunteering opportunities to give back to the community