Director of Football

Director of Football

Role Information:

Reference: REQ001317
Location:  WISE Campus
FTE Salary:  Up to £34,948.00 plus Honorarium (Salary is dependent on qualifications and experience)
Contract Type: Permanent
Working Hours: 37 Hours per Week

SGS is an Equal Opportunities and Disability Confident employer and welcomes applications from all sectors of the community.

Financial Rewards and Benefits:

• Opportunity to make a positive impact within the community and on learners’ lives
• Competitive Pension Scheme-
• Corporate and support roles have access to the Local Government Pension Scheme (LGPS), a flexible and pension accessible from the age of 55, with generous employer contributions of 16%. 
• Generous Annual leave entitlement plus the 8 bank holidays-
• 25 days corporate and support functions, increasing to 30 days after 5 academic years’ service (Full-Time Equivalent).
• Two weeks leave during the Christmas closedown period largely supported by the discretionary closure days provided by the College.
• Extensive professional development with ongoing support for your personal & professional development, including 25% tuition discount for immediate family of SGS employees. 
• Family friendly policies and a proven commitment to supporting flexible working practices
• Access to ‘My Lifestyle’ discounted shopping benefits, cycle to work scheme and a Technology Salary Sacrifice Scheme
• Free Annual Eye test
• All staff members can buy a TOTUM card (formerly known as NUS Extra cards), as part of being an affiliate member of the Students' Union 
• Staff have access and supported to be part of inclusive or sustainable staff networks and communities
• Free car parking at all campuses (Except Queens Road Art School)
• Access to a wide variety of external health and wellbeing resources
• Subsidised onsite catering services including Starbucks Coffee

South Gloucestershire & Stroud College has an excellent reputation for delivering further education and work-based programmes in a range of subjects – from business to sport, construction to media, GCSE’s and A Levels to Honour Degree level programmes.

Our experienced and passionate staff work hard to help students and colleagues achieve their personal challenges and career goals. We are proud of SGS and committed to making the College the best it can be. We are currently working hard to achieve “Outstanding” status after being classified as “Good” in our last inspection. For more information, please visit https://www.sgscol.ac.uk/

Background to the Role

Over the past nine years, the Male Football Programme at SGS College has undergone a remarkable transformation, establishing itself as one of the leading football development programmes outside of the English Academy system. Under the strategic leadership of David Hockaday, the programme has flourished, combining elite performance with holistic athlete development.

SGS College has a proud tradition of offering players a second opportunity to progress into professional football. This legacy has seen numerous alumni succeed at the highest levels, including:

Alumni Successes

SGS College has consistently nurtured talent that has gone on to thrive in professional football, both domestically and internationally. Notable alumni include:

Male Pathway

• Antoine Semenyo – Progressed from SGS to Bristol City, now playing for AFC Bournemouth and representing Ghana internationally.
• Kacper Lopata – Signed for Brighton & Hove Albion and has continued to develop within the professional game.
• Jack Nunn – Made the leap to European football with Cagliari in Italy.
• Jordan Iwiwu – Signed for Luton Town, showcasing the strength of SGS’s development pathway.

Female Pathway

• Lauren Hemp – Two-time European Champion, England international, and proud SGS graduate through the Bristol City Women’s Football Club (BCWFC) partnership.
• Aimee Palmer, Katie Robinson, and Brooke Aspin – All progressed through SGS College and now play at the highest levels of the women’s game.

These successes reflect SGS College’s commitment to providing a second chance for talented players to reach their potential, with many continuing their careers in the EFL, Premier League, and international football.

What Are We Looking For?

SGS College is seeking a strategic and visionary leader with elite football experience to take the programme forward for the next decade. The successful candidate will:

• Lead the Male and Female Football programmes, overseeing coaching, recruitment, and player development.
• Implement modern practices in coaching, sport science, and holistic athlete development.
• Drive a culture of excellence, innovation, and learning aligned with SGS Sport’s mission and values.
• Manage a team of coaches and support staff, ensuring safeguarding and pastoral care are central to all operations.
• Develop and execute a strategic plan for football at SGS, including commercial growth and community engagement.
• Foster relationships with professional clubs, governing bodies, and strategic partners to enhance player pathways.

Key Responsibilities

• Strategic leadership and operational management of the Football Academy
• Development and delivery of elite coaching programmes
• Oversight of individual development plans (IDPs) and sport science integration
• Recruitment of 100+ players annually across FE and HE pathways
• Budget management and commercial development
• Partnership management with clubs and stakeholders
• Promotion of the programme through media and marketing initiatives
• Coaching of the BUCS, AoC Sport, South West Counties Youth League and FA Youth Cup squads.

Essential Criteria

• UEFA B Licence (Level 3) or higher
• Experience coaching at elite youth or senior level
• Proven leadership in football environments (EFL, National League, Academy)
• Strong understanding of holistic athlete development and sport science
• Line management and budgetary experience
• Commitment to safeguarding and equality

Desirable Attributes

• UEFA A Licence (Level 4)
• Experience in FE sector and youth development (16–19 age group)
• Knowledge of AoC Competitions, South West Counties, and FA Youth Cup competitions
• Strong network within professional and community football

Please apply online by: Friday 22nd August

Expected Interview Date: To be confirmed

If you have any queries please contact [email protected]

SGS College is committed to safeguarding children and vulnerable adults and any offer of employment will be subject to a number of conditions including a requirement for providing satisfactory references. In line with KCSIE and having regard to all relevant guidance, a range of checks and online searches will also be conducted for successful candidates, and a satisfactory DBS Enhanced Disclosure will need to be obtained as a requirement of the job