Vacancy at Cambridge United FC
Academy Coach (PPCS)
Salary
£27,500 per annum
Cambridge United Training Grounds
Vacancy listed
30/04/2026
Application deadline
21/05/2026
Details
Academy Coach
Department Academy
Reports to Head of Coach and Player Development
Location Cambridge United Training Grounds
Salary Up to £27,500 per annum
Hours 40 hours per week
Role Summary
Cambridge United, in partnership with the Premier League, PFA and EFL, is offering a 23-month, full-time Academy coaching role, to support the development of the next generation of football coaches as part of the Professional Player to Coach Scheme 2026/27.
The scheme is open to all, and we particularly welcome applications from individuals from Black, Asian and mixed heritage backgrounds, as they are underrepresented groups amongst the coaching roles that exist across the professional game.
You’ll split your time between Academy coaching at Cambridge United and the Premier League’s accredited Coach Development Programme. You’ll gain experience across development phases and work with multi-disciplinary teams.
• Your development journey will include:
• Mentoring and bespoke support
• Immersive learning experiences
• Peer learning
• Access to FA/UEFA qualifications (based on development need and subject to availability)
On successful completion of all programme elements, you’ll be awarded a Diploma in Professional Football Coaching from Leeds Beckett University.
Key Job Outcomes
• Plan and deliver training sessions aligned to the coaching curriculum and playing philosophy of Cambridge United FC
• Support Individual Development Plans (IDPs) by contributing to and attending player and parent review meetings (every 6–12 weeks), providing clear and constructive feedback
• Work effectively as part of a multi-disciplinary team (MDT), contributing to collaborative planning, consistent communication, and the holistic development of players across all phases.
• Manage matchdays in line with the academy development approach, including:
• Player selection
• Allocation of game time
• Positional decisions to support development
• Attend staff training and in house club CPD
Maintain accurate and up to date records by:
• Completing Kitman Labs requirements
• Uploading session plans
• Uploading matchday plans and reviews
This job description sets out the key outcomes required. It does not specify in detail the activities required to achieve these outcomes. As a term of your employment, you may reasonably be expected to perform duties of a similar or related nature to those outlined in the job description.
Person Specification
Skills, Knowledge, Qualifications & Experience Required/ Desirable
PFA member
Registered on, or completed, the UEFA B Licence as a minimum
No prior full-time 1st Team or Academy coaching role at a Premier League or EFL club
FA Safeguarding Certificate, Emergency First Aid, and Enhanced DBS (to be completed prior to role commencement)
Experience of coaching in one, or more, of the following environments: grassroots, community, education, development centre or part-time academy football settings
Experience of coaching a team or group of players on a regular basis
Experience of holistic youth development activities within, or beyond, sport
UEFA A Licence or FA Advanced Youth Award
Personal Qualities/Attributes
A drive to coach in the professional game
Passion for player development & developmentally appropriate learning environments
Commitment to fulfilling duty of care for children, young people, and adults in healthy, high-performance environments
Resilience and commitment to high-performance environments
Excellent communication and relationship-building skills
A desire to be a role model and ambassador for diversity in the game
Application Process
Application Instructions Interested applicants should apply by submitting their application form, CV and Cover Letter ** please see additional information below, applications which do not include all documents will not be reviewed.
Please also include your PFA Membership number.
The Cover letter should include why you feel you are suitable for the role, by using the person specification criteria for guidance.
Application Closing Date Thursday 21st May 2026
Interview Date(s) First stage interview: Thursday 28th May 2026
Second stage interviews: Monday 1st June 2026 and Tuesday 2nd June 2026
Start Date 1st July 2026, subject to all safer recruitment checks being in place
Mission, Vision & Values Mission
Cambridge United aspires to compete at the highest level of the English Football League, whilst operating a financially sustainable football club embedded within the heart of its community.
We are custodians with a collective responsibility to protect and enhance the Club for future generations.
Vision
Creating Memories
We engage current and future generations of supporters by creating memorable moments.
Driving Standards & Performance
We will evolve by driving standards and performance through self-reflection and education.
Enhancing Lives
We are an inclusive Club that is United in Endeavour to enhance lives through the power of sport.
Values
We engage positive and inspiring characters who are committed to serving and strengthening our community, by adopting our 3 keys values.
Teamwork We achieve more through working together than alone and are United in Endeavour.
Hard Work We are committed to learning and working towards our pursuit of excellence in everything we do.
Humility We will celebrate each other’s successes and recognise that no individual is greater than the collective.
Employability Statement Cambridge United FC is committed to promoting equality of opportunity for all staff. We aim to create a supportive and inclusive working environment in which all individuals can make best use of their skills, free from discrimination or harassment, and in which all decisions are based on merit.
Safeguarding Statement Cambridge United FC is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people and expects all staff to share this commitment.
For those positions where a criminal record check (DBS) is identified as necessary, this will be carried out in line with other safer recruitment checks.
The post holder will be required to undergo Safeguarding training periodically.
Equality, Diversity & Inclusion
Cambridge United FC is committed to promoting equality of opportunity for all staff and job applicants. We are committed to creating an inclusive workplace and welcome applications from disabled candidates. If you require any adjustments during the recruitment process, please let us know.
We aim to create a supportive and inclusive working environment in which all individuals can make best use of their skills, free from discrimination or harassment, and in which all decisions are based on merit. We do not discriminate based on age, race, nationality, ethnic origin, religious or political belief or affiliation, trade union membership, gender, gender reassignment, gender identity, marriage and civil partnership status, pregnancy and maternity, sexual orientation, disability, socio-economic background or any other inappropriate distinction or characteristic covered by the Equality Act 2010.
** Please submit a two-part cover letter:
1. Part 1 (max 500 words) to demonstrate how you fulfil the “What We’re Looking For” criteria. Please structure your responses under the following headings:
Department Academy
Reports to Head of Coach and Player Development
Location Cambridge United Training Grounds
Salary Up to £27,500 per annum
Hours 40 hours per week
Role Summary
Cambridge United, in partnership with the Premier League, PFA and EFL, is offering a 23-month, full-time Academy coaching role, to support the development of the next generation of football coaches as part of the Professional Player to Coach Scheme 2026/27.
The scheme is open to all, and we particularly welcome applications from individuals from Black, Asian and mixed heritage backgrounds, as they are underrepresented groups amongst the coaching roles that exist across the professional game.
You’ll split your time between Academy coaching at Cambridge United and the Premier League’s accredited Coach Development Programme. You’ll gain experience across development phases and work with multi-disciplinary teams.
• Your development journey will include:
• Mentoring and bespoke support
• Immersive learning experiences
• Peer learning
• Access to FA/UEFA qualifications (based on development need and subject to availability)
On successful completion of all programme elements, you’ll be awarded a Diploma in Professional Football Coaching from Leeds Beckett University.
Key Job Outcomes
• Plan and deliver training sessions aligned to the coaching curriculum and playing philosophy of Cambridge United FC
• Support Individual Development Plans (IDPs) by contributing to and attending player and parent review meetings (every 6–12 weeks), providing clear and constructive feedback
• Work effectively as part of a multi-disciplinary team (MDT), contributing to collaborative planning, consistent communication, and the holistic development of players across all phases.
• Manage matchdays in line with the academy development approach, including:
• Player selection
• Allocation of game time
• Positional decisions to support development
• Attend staff training and in house club CPD
Maintain accurate and up to date records by:
• Completing Kitman Labs requirements
• Uploading session plans
• Uploading matchday plans and reviews
This job description sets out the key outcomes required. It does not specify in detail the activities required to achieve these outcomes. As a term of your employment, you may reasonably be expected to perform duties of a similar or related nature to those outlined in the job description.
Person Specification
Skills, Knowledge, Qualifications & Experience Required/ Desirable
PFA member
Registered on, or completed, the UEFA B Licence as a minimum
No prior full-time 1st Team or Academy coaching role at a Premier League or EFL club
FA Safeguarding Certificate, Emergency First Aid, and Enhanced DBS (to be completed prior to role commencement)
Experience of coaching in one, or more, of the following environments: grassroots, community, education, development centre or part-time academy football settings
Experience of coaching a team or group of players on a regular basis
Experience of holistic youth development activities within, or beyond, sport
UEFA A Licence or FA Advanced Youth Award
Personal Qualities/Attributes
A drive to coach in the professional game
Passion for player development & developmentally appropriate learning environments
Commitment to fulfilling duty of care for children, young people, and adults in healthy, high-performance environments
Resilience and commitment to high-performance environments
Excellent communication and relationship-building skills
A desire to be a role model and ambassador for diversity in the game
Application Process
Application Instructions Interested applicants should apply by submitting their application form, CV and Cover Letter ** please see additional information below, applications which do not include all documents will not be reviewed.
Please also include your PFA Membership number.
The Cover letter should include why you feel you are suitable for the role, by using the person specification criteria for guidance.
Application Closing Date Thursday 21st May 2026
Interview Date(s) First stage interview: Thursday 28th May 2026
Second stage interviews: Monday 1st June 2026 and Tuesday 2nd June 2026
Start Date 1st July 2026, subject to all safer recruitment checks being in place
Mission, Vision & Values Mission
Cambridge United aspires to compete at the highest level of the English Football League, whilst operating a financially sustainable football club embedded within the heart of its community.
We are custodians with a collective responsibility to protect and enhance the Club for future generations.
Vision
Creating Memories
We engage current and future generations of supporters by creating memorable moments.
Driving Standards & Performance
We will evolve by driving standards and performance through self-reflection and education.
Enhancing Lives
We are an inclusive Club that is United in Endeavour to enhance lives through the power of sport.
Values
We engage positive and inspiring characters who are committed to serving and strengthening our community, by adopting our 3 keys values.
Teamwork We achieve more through working together than alone and are United in Endeavour.
Hard Work We are committed to learning and working towards our pursuit of excellence in everything we do.
Humility We will celebrate each other’s successes and recognise that no individual is greater than the collective.
Employability Statement Cambridge United FC is committed to promoting equality of opportunity for all staff. We aim to create a supportive and inclusive working environment in which all individuals can make best use of their skills, free from discrimination or harassment, and in which all decisions are based on merit.
Safeguarding Statement Cambridge United FC is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people and expects all staff to share this commitment.
For those positions where a criminal record check (DBS) is identified as necessary, this will be carried out in line with other safer recruitment checks.
The post holder will be required to undergo Safeguarding training periodically.
Equality, Diversity & Inclusion
Cambridge United FC is committed to promoting equality of opportunity for all staff and job applicants. We are committed to creating an inclusive workplace and welcome applications from disabled candidates. If you require any adjustments during the recruitment process, please let us know.
We aim to create a supportive and inclusive working environment in which all individuals can make best use of their skills, free from discrimination or harassment, and in which all decisions are based on merit. We do not discriminate based on age, race, nationality, ethnic origin, religious or political belief or affiliation, trade union membership, gender, gender reassignment, gender identity, marriage and civil partnership status, pregnancy and maternity, sexual orientation, disability, socio-economic background or any other inappropriate distinction or characteristic covered by the Equality Act 2010.
** Please submit a two-part cover letter:
1. Part 1 (max 500 words) to demonstrate how you fulfil the “What We’re Looking For” criteria. Please structure your responses under the following headings:
- The Required criteria I fulfil
- The desirable criteria I fulfil
- My desire to be a role model and ambassador for diversity in the game
2. Part 2 (max 500 words) to answer all the following questions.
Please structure your responses under the following headings:
a) My motivations for applying for the PPCS academy coach role and Premier League Coach Development Programme
b) How the PPCS academy coach role and development programme fits with my career ambitions
c) How my unique expertise, and lived experience, will benefit the club and players