About Lincoln City FC Academy
Lincoln City FC Academy is a forward-thinking, progressive environment committed to developing young footballers both on and off the pitch. As a proud EFL Category 3 Academy, we are dedicated to nurturing talent and supporting holistic player development.
Role Overview
We are seeking a passionate and experienced Player Care Manager to lead the personal development and wellbeing programme for our Academy players. This role is central to ensuring that every player receives the support they need to thrive in football and life.
Key Responsibilities
- Ensure effective planning and communication of Academy Operations on a weekly basis to enable academy players and parents get the best experience possible.
- Liaise closely with multidisciplinary staff to ensure clear and regular communication regards the wellbeing of all Academy players.
- Plan and facilitate a programme of age-appropriate activities to promote outstanding personal development and life skills of all Academy players.
- Become the chair of the parent voice group across all phases with the aim of providing high quality feedback on the Academy experience for all players.
- Create an Academy leadership group who will act as player voice and play a leading role in improving the experience of all Academy Players.
- Develop a mental health and well-being strategy that helps support players and staff in the area of mental health and helps signpost to expertise where required.
- Promote equality, diversity and inclusion with staff, players and parents by increasing awareness with specific training and workshops.
- Create a database that tracks the level of wellbeing risk and devise appropriate interventions where risk is identified.
- Creation of an active Alumni group to provide on-going support for ex scholars and track their development and progress.
- Establish good working relationships with external stakeholders; PFA, LFE, Premier League, Kick it Out, Sporting Chance and other relevant bodies.
- Develop opportunities for wider personal development across phases for example community work, work experience/job shadowing and pursuit of hobbies outside of football.
- Work closely with the Academy DSO to promote safeguarding and welfare at all times. Challenge player, parent and staff behaviour to ensure best practice across the Academy.
- Create a culture across the Academy where the welfare of the player is at the heart of everything we do and all players feel valued and respected.
- Be a key point of contact and presence for parents, families and visitors on Academy matchdays for home fixtures from Under 8 through to Under 18 – ensuring matchday protocols are followed and adhered to. This will result in weekend work.
- Have a presence at Academy training evenings and be available and approachable for parents and players.
- Deliver and coordinate the SEP programme to the scholars strategically across the season.
- Liaise with LFE on progression and completion of SEP coursework.
- Track individual progression of scholars on SEP through LFE EMS,
- Plan and deliver a detailed logistical travel plan for day release players and scholars ensuring the safety of players at all times to and from the Academy.
- Contribute to the review process across all phases of the Academy and provide support through 1:1 or small groups intervention meetings where required.
- Ensure all new players receive an age-appropriate induction upon entering the academy.
- Ensure there is a clear exit strategy across the phases, and that the transition of released players is supported to a satisfactory outcome by all parties.
- Support the Club’s response to audits, inspections and assessments relevant to its academy category status.