Job Title: LOI Club - Head of Academy Coaching

Location: LOI Club Nationwide

Direct Reporting Line: Academy Director

Commencement Date: TBC

Duration: 3 Year Fixed Contract, 39 hours/week

Introduction

The League of Ireland is inviting applications to form a panel of suitable candidates for roles within League of Ireland (LOI) Academies nationwide. This recruitment process represents the first stage in identifying qualified individuals who may be appointed by League of Ireland Clubs as opportunities arise. Candidates who successfully progress beyond Stage One will be required to participate in a further club-specific recruitment and selection process with the relevant League of Ireland club(s) prior to any formal offer of employment. Successful candidates will be employed directly by the respective League of Ireland club.

The Role

The Head of Academy Coaching is responsible for leading the technical and coaching programme across all girls and boys Academy age groups. Working closely with the Academy Director, this role ensures a consistent, high-quality player development environment that reflects the Club’s football philosophy and long-term objectives.

The role combines strategic coaching leadership with hands-on support, education, and mentoring of Academy coaches to ensure alignment, excellence, and innovation throughout the Academy's girls and boys player development pathways.

Key Responsibilities

Leadership & Strategy

Provide strong leadership to the Academy coaching team, embedding a professional and player-centred coaching culture.
Support the Academy Director in delivering the Academy Strategy and Academy Performance Plan, ensuring alignment between the coaching framework and the Club’s football vision.
Lead the design, implementation, and regular review of the Academy Coaching Curriculum to ensure consistency, progression, age-appropriate and gender appropriate development.
Work collaboratively across Academy departments - recruitment, performance, education, and welfare - to deliver an integrated player development model.
Contribute to the achievement of the LOI Academy Mark, ensuring coaching standards and documentation meet all required benchmarks.
Represent the Academy at Technical Borad meetings, providing clear, evidence-based insights and compiling a monthly progress report to the Academy Director.

Player Development

Work in close partnership with the Sporting Director and/or the Academy Director to support the design, implementation, and continuous refinement of a progressive player-centred development model that prioritises the development of the individual within a team structure.
Work closely with all Age Group Head Coaches to oversee the planning, delivery, and review of all coaching sessions to ensure the holistic development of every player.
Implement and manage Individual Development Plans (IDPs) for all Academy players, ensuring measurable progress and ongoing structured communication with players and parents.
Promote innovation in coaching practices, integrating performance analysis, data, and technology into player development including female specific elements.
Oversee the mandated Athletic Development Testing process within the Academy, ensuring full compliance with all funding, reporting, and regulatory obligations. Specific consideration must be given to female athlete health, wellbeing, and performance-related differences throughout the testing process.
Work closely with performance and athletic development staff to align technical and physical development programmes to ensure consistency, progression, age-appropriate and gender appropriate development.
Monitor player progression by way of Individual Performance Clocks and provide regular feedback to the Academy Director on player performance and pathway readiness.
Ensure female specific player development needs and demands are catered for.

Coach Development

Lead the recruitment, development, and mentoring of all Academy coaches, ensuring a consistent standard of delivery across all girls and boys age groups.
Implement a Coach Development Programme aligned with national standards and the Club’s coaching philosophy.
Conduct regular coaching observations, feedback sessions, and performance reviews to support continuous professional growth.
Encourage innovation and reflective practice among coaches, promoting a learning culture focused on continuous improvement.
Ensure all coaches maintain up-to-date qualifications, Garda vetting, safeguarding training, and continued professional development.
Monitor the gender make up of all supporting staff, coaches and volunteers ensuring gender balance in roles where possible.

Operations & Compliance

Ensure all coaching schedules, session plans, and match preparations are efficiently organised and delivered to the highest professional standards.
Maintain accurate coaching records, session plans, and player data in line with Academy protocols and audit requirements.
Support the Academy Director in all aspects of Academy governance related to coaching, establish and maintain robust governance frameworks to ensure transparency, accountability, and adherence to all operational and funding obligations.
Ensure safeguarding and welfare are prioritised within all coaching environments and activities.

Business Development

Lead the technical delivery of a “developing players by design” philosophy, ensuring all coaching and development practices are purposeful, measurable, and aligned with the Club’s long-term player profile model.
Maintain a deep understanding of what defines the modern player, including the physical, tactical, technical, and psychological attributes required for success at professional and international levels including female specific elements.
Align coaching and development processes to produce players capable of progressing to the first team and attracting external transfer interest, contributing directly to the Club’s player trading model.
Collaborate with the Academy Director and Sporting Director to ensure the Academy’s talent development framework supports the Club’s broader financial sustainability and strategic objectives.
Use performance data, benchmarking, and market insight to inform player development decisions and enhance the Academy’s ability to create and retain player value.

Stakeholder Engagement

Build strong, professional relationships with players & parents, maintaining open dialogue on player progress, welfare, and development.
Oversee a formal player feedback process throughout the season, ensuring regular, structured communication between players, coaches, and parents.
Maintain effective engagement with external stakeholders, including the League of Ireland Department, 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.

Miscellaneous

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

Key Requirements

Minimum UEFA A Licence (or equivalent).
Deep and continually evolving knowledge of the academy football environment in Ireland and/or abroad.
Strong understanding of player development principles, coaching methodologies, and learning processes.
Excellent communication, leadership, and organisational skills.
Demonstrated ability to use performance analysis and data to inform coaching and player development.
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 experience in leading and developing coaches and proven success in developing players from the academy to senior level.
Experience contributing to or managing coach education initiatives.
Familiarity with academy audit processes and performance measurement frameworks.
Experience contributing to or leading strategic projects within a football or sporting context.

Application Details

Closing date for receipt of panel applications is close of business on 8 May 2026.
Shortlisting and interviewing process will take place thereafter.

LOI Club - Head of Academy Coaching

Job Description