Pre-Academy Manager

Job Location: Academy Training Ground, BR3 1NZ

Contract Type: Full-time

Deadline: 1st October 2026

Who we are:

We are Crystal Palace Football Club, a Premier League Football Club with more than 160 years of proud history. Spread across three different sites - brand new main offices at Selhurst Park Stadium, our London office, and our Training Ground/Academy, we offer the best atmosphere and culture for our fans and our employees.

We strive for excellence in the workplace with a philosophy of high standards, professionalism, and a strong work ethic from our employees. We are constantly trying to grow, diversify and build with not only our team on the pitch, but also our team in the offices and on the ground.

About this role:

Crystal Palace Football Club is seeking an experienced, forward-thinking and highly organised Pre-Academy Manager to lead the identification, engagement and development of high-potential players aged 6-8 across the club's London recruitment network. The successful candidate will oversee the Pre-Academy coaching and games programme, creating a clear pathway from grassroots football into the Pre-Academy and ultimately the Academy U9 programme.

Reporting to the Head of London Recruitment, the postholder will bring recruitment, staffing, fixtures, facilities and parent engagement together under one accountable lead. Although the primary focus is U6-U8, the manager will maintain visibility across the wider Foundation Development Phase and support targeted recruitment activity for older age groups when required.

Responsibilities:

• Lead and manage the identification and recruitment of high-potential players for the U6, U7 and U8 Pre-Academy programme.

• Oversee the Pre-Academy Development Centre coaching and games programme, ensuring consistent standards across all venues.

• Alternate suitable Friday activity between structured training and Talent ID games, allowing new players to be assessed in a realistic environment.

• Regularly assess player progress and potential, maintaining clear records and providing constructive feedback to players, parents and coaches.

• Set appropriate squad-number caps, group sizes and 5v5 or 6v6 formats for grassroots fixtures based on age, pitch availability and recruitment purpose.

• Own the planning and delivery of fixtures, festivals and Talent ID events, including dates, pitch bookings, staffing, equipment, player invitations and post-event reviews.

• Coordinate appropriate refereeing, medical, security and safeguarding provision for fixtures and events.

• Build, maintain and enhance relationships with grassroots clubs, private academies, schools and community organisations across London, with particular focus on priority recruitment areas.

• Develop innovative ways to keep players and parents engaged, informed and connected to Crystal Palace.

• Provide the Head of London Recruitment with regular reports on the player pipeline, attendance, progression, conversion, releases, event outcomes, centre performance and staffing.

• Other duties and responsibilities as required by line manager.

• Upholding and promoting the Club’s policies and procedures, including Health and Safety, Safeguarding and Equal Opportunities policies and procedures.

Experience, Skills and Qualifications:

• FA Level 2 / UEFA B License

• Talent ID Level 1

• Significant experience in Academy recruitment, Pre-Academy football, Foundation Phase coaching or elite youth development.

• Strong understanding of identifying potential in players aged 6–8 and of long-term player development.

• Experience of leading staff, programmes, fixtures, festivals or Talent ID events.

• Extensive knowledge of, and a strong network within, London grassroots football, including clubs, private programmes, schools, players and private academies.

• FA Safeguarding Children Certificate and an appropriate first-aid qualification.

• Excellent communication skills and the ability to build trusted relationships with children, parents, coaches, scouts and senior staff.

• Strong organisation, planning, record-keeping and decision-making skills.

• A proactive, energetic and innovative approach to Pre-Academy recruitment and development.

• FA Safeguarding Certificate.

• FA Emergency First Aid.

• Excellent communicator, enthusiastic, and energetic personality.

• Boundary-pushing Pre-Academy visionary.

Benefits:

• Complimentary match day ticket

• Reward and Discount Scheme through our Tech Scheme and Simple Health app

• Health and Wellbeing benefit scheme

• 20% Discount in our Retail Stores

• Discounts in various gyms through GymFlex

• Volunteering Day - 1 Workday off to support a charity of your choice.

• Travel Season Ticket loan

• Holiday allowance: 25 Days

Our commitment to Equality

At Crystal Palace Football Club, Equality, Diversity & Inclusion is spirited and continues to grow due to the working environment, which makes all staff feel appreciated and welcomed. Crystal Palace Football Club do this by encouraging good relations and practices towards different groups and are committed to promoting employment opportunities that celebrate diversity.

We are committed to attracting, recruiting, and retaining the most talented candidates and the club intends to ensure that everyone who wishes to engage with the club, whether as matchday fans, staff, players, board members, participants in Foundation programmes and any other person engaged with the club's activities, has a real and equal opportunity to do so.

Reasonable Adjustment

We are proud to be a Disability Confident Employer. We guarantee an interview to all disabled applicants who meet the essential criteria for the role, ensuring equitable opportunities for everyone.

If you require disability-related adjustments during the recruitment process, please contact [email protected] (DLO inbox is for disability-related queries only, if you wish to gain further information regarding this vacancy, please contact cpfc. [email protected] ). We are here to help you through the whole recruitment process including trying to apply for a vacancy, getting in touch with us through the process, and/or helping with access in case you are required to come in for an interview.

Safeguarding

Crystal Palace Football Club is committed to safeguarding and ensuring the welfare and protection of children and vulnerable people and expects all staff to share this commitment. As such, the post holder will be required to undergo any relevant security checks, including a comprehensive background check, Enhanced Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) to ensure the safety and protection of children and vulnerable individuals.