Emerging Talent Centre (ETC) Manager

Blackburn Rovers Football & Athletic

  • Preston Blackburn, Lancashire
  • Permanent
  • Part-time
  • 14 days ago
Job title: Emerging Talent Centre (ETC) ManagerDepartment: Blackburn Rovers Women Football ClubBased at: UCLAN Sports Arena, Preston and Ewood Park, Blackburn. Flexibility regarding location is required.Reports to: Head of Women's FootballResponsible for: All ETC staffHours of work: 14 hours per week plus any additional hours necessary for the performance of duties. This will include evening and weekend work.Contractual Status: PermanentJob purpose: Lead and inspire an environment that develops and supports players of the future to achieve their potential within a safe, inclusive, high performing professional club. Support the development of a clearly aligned, safe, inclusive club philosophy from youth to senior football.Duties and responsibilities:
  • To be committed to ensuring the safeguarding and welfare of all staff and players, promoting their well-being whilst maintaining professional boundaries;
  • Oversee the player development curriculum alongside the Technical Talent Lead;
  • Develop an effective pathway that prepares players to compete in senior professional football;
  • To provide all players with dual career support throughout their journey;
  • Develop a coaching and performance workforce within the club, that better supports players in the pathway;
  • Create dynamic and versatile future players;
  • Reflect and review on successes and opportunities to make best use of investments;
  • Ensure the Emerging Talent Centre (ETC) programme adheres to or exceeds FA licence requirements;
  • Be an advocate and guardian of the women's game.
  • Seek input and respond to feedback from other staff across the department in the development and the delivery of the curriculum
  • Oversee the work of staff to ensure practice supports player engagement in their learning and development;
  • Ensure Identification Plans include accessible opportunities for potential players;
  • Be a role model of good personal wellbeing practice, and therefore show the way to the staff for sustainable performance;
  • Provide clarity regarding expectations, regular feedback, and appropriate support to enable strong leadership, engagement, and performance in the role;
  • Ensure every staff member has a personalised Development Plan (DP) that is tailored to meet their needs and wants;
  • Observe, and provide feedback to coaches to assist their development;
  • Ensure all games activities are well managed with a development philosophy clear to players and coaches;
  • Experience of mentoring / line management of coaches in a football academy
  • Work to develop and maintain positive relationships with partners;
  • Lead the audit and accreditation process from the clubs perspective;
  • Develop relationships with parents communicate with parents, and educate then regarding their role in supporting their child's football and personal development;
  • Manage and harness productive relationships with First Team staff and support players entering the First Team environment;
  • Manage and harness productive relationships with other senior clubs where players may exit to;
  • Seek feedback from others, and reflect on personal behaviour and
performance to identify areas for improvement;
  • Create and maintain a personalised Development Plan (PDP), taking input and feedback from a variety of sources;
  • Regularly review skills against job specification and identify areas for
improvement;
  • Attend CPD events and undertake CPD activities in line with identified development themes.
Skills required:
  • Identifies with a core value of developing players and the game, more so than competing and winning
  • Understands the importance in building the culture and focuses on building a safe, welcoming environment;
  • Takes pride in delivering high quality work;
  • Is committed to achieving objectives;
  • Is willing to commit to the working schedule to meet the business
requirements;
  • Is willing / able to adapt and change with the demands of a situation;
  • Has strategies for self-management and maintaining work-life balance;
  • Works collaboratively (with players, parents, coaches and partners);
  • Is a good listener;
  • Has strong communication skills; uses understandable language that's relatable at different age groups;
  • Expresses enthusiasm, confidence and belief in players' capabilities;
  • Earns trust by being respectful, supportive, and transparent;
  • Is approachable; builds strong and personal relationships with different types of people;
  • Is innovative and open minded; Unafraid to try new things in pursuit of developing and engaging players;
  • Uses research and insight to inform decisions;
  • Is highly organised; and
  • Considers the impact of decisions on others
Knowledge required:
  • Experience of creating and managing programmes to facilitate young players' long term athletic development;
  • An up to date understanding of Child Protection and Safeguarding procedures;
  • Experience of roles which have brought understanding of how children learn and develop;
  • Experience of leading a team of people; and
  • Knowledge and awareness of diversity and equality challenges in football
Qualifications required:
  • UEFA B/FA Level 3 in Coaching Football (Essential);
  • UEFA A / FA Level 4 in Coaching Football (Desirable);
  • FA Safeguarding Children
  • FA Level 2 Emergency First Aid in Football (EFAiF)
DBS check required: Yes (Enhanced)How to applyDue to high-levels of interest, this post may close early so early application is advised, otherwise the closing date for this role is 12 noon on Friday 15th August 2025. To apply, please email your application form and covering letter to recruitment@rovers.co.uk CV's will not be accepted.

Blackburn Rovers Football & Athletic