Academy Director

Football Association of Ireland

Academy Director managing football academy operations and player development for League of Ireland club. Collaborating with leadership to advance club's strategic objectives in player development and governance.

Posted 5/2/2026full-timeNationwide • 🇮🇪 IrelandLeadWebsite

About the role

Key responsibilities & impact

Establish and embed a professional culture of excellence across all areas of the Academy.
Lead the formulation and execution of the Academy Strategy and Academy Performance Plan, ensuring full alignment with the Club’s overall football philosophy and long-term objectives.
Build and oversee a clear departmental structure within the Academy, defining roles, responsibilities, and accountability to drive performance and professional standards.
Lead, inspire, and unify all Academy departments—coaching, recruitment, education, welfare, and performance, into a cohesive, high-performing team operating within an integrated player development framework.
Work in close partnership with the Sporting Director, CEO, and Board to create structured progression routes from the Academy to the Club’s women’s & men’s first teams (where applicable) and to advance the Club’s broader sporting strategy.
Represent the Academy at Technical Board meetings, providing clear, evidence-based insights and monthly progress reports to the Board.
Ensure equality of access for male and female academy players, including the long term strategic growth and development of the female academy where gaps exist.
Work in close partnership with the Sporting Director and/or the Head of Academy Coaching to oversee the design, implementation, and continuous refinement of a progressive player-centred development model that prioritises the development of the individual within a team structure.
Ensure the Academy’s coaching curriculum, methodology, and talent pathway are continuously evolving to reflect best practice and emerging trends in player development including female specific elements.
Embed an innovative approach to athletic development, integrating physical conditioning, performance science, and injury prevention in the development model ensuring female athlete health and performance differences are factored into consideration.
Foster a culture of learning amongst players, encouraging the use of technology, performance analysis, and data to enhance development outcomes.
Ensure alignment between age-group programmes to create a seamless progression pathway from Academy to women’s and men’s first teams.
Promote holistic development by supporting players’ education, welfare, and personal growth alongside their athletic advancement.
Ensure female specific player development needs and demands are catered for.
Oversee the effective day-to-day operation of the Academy, ensuring all activities are delivered to the highest professional standards.
Lead the Academy Management Team (AMT) to ensure clear planning, coordination, and execution across all departments.
Implement and maintain robust operational systems, processes, and procedures to support efficiency, consistency, and accountability.
Manage the Academy budget effectively, ensuring all expenditure is planned, controlled, and aligned with strategic and operational priorities with particular attention to gender equity in overall budget management.
Oversee scheduling, logistics, and facility management to optimise the training and match environment.
Monitor and evaluate operational performance, identifying areas for improvement and driving timely, effective solutions.
Ensure resources, equipment, and infrastructure are managed efficiently to maximise value and support long-term sustainability.
Maintain accurate operational and financial records, documentation, and reporting to support planning, audit, and compliance requirements.
Take the lead in all aspects of Academy governance, establish and maintain robust governance frameworks to ensure transparency, accountability, and adherence to all operational, legal, and funding obligations.
Lead the preparation, coordination, and delivery of all LOI Academy Mark and any subsequent Academy Analysis Audits and/or Governance Audits, ensuring all documentation, evidence, and reporting meet the required standards.
Ensure all Academy policies, procedures, and safeguarding measures are consistently applied, regularly reviewed, and aligned with best practice.
Maintain accurate governance and operational records, submitting timely reports to the Board and relevant stakeholders to demonstrate compliance, accountability, and continuous improvement.
Lead the development and implementation of talent management and value creation strategies that enhance the Academy’s contribution to the Club’s long-term financial sustainability.
Establish a structured approach to talent identification, player progression strategies and retention mechanisms to protect and maximise the Club’s return on investment in Club Developed Players.
Continually monitor and analyse market trends, player valuations, and transfer dynamics within the football financial ecosystem to inform strategic decision-making.
Foster relationships with key industry stakeholders to strengthen pathways for player progression and optimise long-term value creation.
Provide regular reports to the Board on player value trends, potential revenue opportunities, and the Academy’s overall financial impact.
Recruit & lead a high-performing, motivated multi-disciplinary team who are fully aligned with the Club’s overall strategy, values, and player development philosophy.
Foster a culture of collaboration, accountability, and continuous professional growth across all Academy departments.
Promote innovation, integrity, inclusion and respect to ensure the Academy operates as a unified, forward-thinking, and values-driven team.
Work closely with the Designated Safeguarding Officer, ensuring all safeguarding policies, practices and procedures are implemented and updated annually.
Monitor the gender make up of all supporting staff, coaches and volunteers ensuring gender balance in roles where possible.
Build strong, professional relationships with players & parents, maintaining open dialogue on player progress, welfare, and development.
Maintain effective engagement with external stakeholders, including the League of Ireland, FAI, and other partner organisations, to support compliance, collaboration, and shared objectives.
Represent the Academy with professionalism and integrity across all internal and external forums, promoting the Club’s vision and strengthening its reputation within the football community.
Attend all mandated LOI Academy meetings, events, workshops and educational seminars.

Requirements

What you’ll need

Minimum UEFA A Licence (or equivalent).
Deep and continually evolving knowledge of the academy football environment in Ireland and/or abroad.
Strong understanding of rules, regulations, and governance across the football ecosystem.
Excellent organisational, communication, and leadership skills.
Proficient in Microsoft Office and general IT applications.
Garda Vetting & Safeguarding Qualification
Desirable UEFA Elite Youth A Licence
Relevant third-level qualification in Sports Management, Coaching, or a related discipline.
Proven success in developing players from academy to senior level.
Experience in stakeholder engagement with governing bodies, leagues, and partner organisations.
Familiarity with academy audit processes and performance measurement frameworks.
Experience contributing to or leading strategic projects within a football or sporting context.
Proven budget management and operational planning capability.

Benefits

Comp & perks

Any other Academy related duty that may be assigned to you from time to time.

ATS Keywords

✓ Tailor your resume

Applicant Tracking System Keywords

Tip: use these terms in your resume and cover letter to boost ATS matches.

Hard Skills & Tools

UEFA A LicenceUEFA Elite Youth A Licencebudget managementoperational planningperformance measurement frameworksstakeholder engagementplayer developmentaudit processesstrategic project leadershipMicrosoft Office

Soft Skills

leadershipcommunicationorganisational skillscollaborationaccountabilityprofessional growthrelationship buildinginnovationintegrityinclusion

Certifications

Garda Vetting & Safeguarding Qualificationthird-level qualification in Sports Managementthird-level qualification in Coaching