Al Jazira Football Academy is seeking a highly motivated and experienced Head of Goalkeeping to collaborate with the Academy Technical Director and Lead Cell Coaches. The role involves defining, developing, implementing, and reviewing the Academy's goalkeeper coaching philosophy and associated programs. You will work closely with the Academy Director to ensure alignment of philosophies, enabling the growth and development of goalkeepers across all age groups.
Key responsibilities:
- Working with the Academy technical director and Lead cell coaches to develop elite Goalkeepers for transition into the 1st team.
- Working closely with the Senior Team Goalkeeper Coach to ensure consistent delivery of Goalkeeper specific training.
- Development of goalkeepers from U9-U23.
- Monitoring of Goalkeepers performance during games and training.
- Liaising with all Age Group Coaches regarding training, games, and progress.
- Ensuring suitable Goalkeeper integration with outfield players.
- Devising individual development plans and schemes based on analysis of performance.
- Playing an active role in recruitment and retention of junior goalkeepers.
- Producing detailed player reports.
- Undertaking CPD organised by the Club.
- Attending & supporting goalkeepers at different age groups fixtures.
- Managing Goalkeeping coaches throughout the Academy system.
- Effectively planning, delivering, and evaluating goalkeeper coaching sessions in line with the club's philosophy and coaching programme.
- Implementing the training programme for Academy goalkeepers in association with the academy coaching staff.
- Working with the Academy Technical Director and coaches to produce and deliver detailed regular individual goalkeeper progress reviews and produce and implement individual goalkeeper development plans for Academy goalkeepers.
- Working with the loans department to monitor and assess Al Jazira's goalkeepers on loan.
- Managing the logistics for all Academy goalkeeper training sessions and being responsible for maintenance of training equipment as required by goalkeepers.
General responsibilities:
- Adhering to all club policies, health and safety procedures, and safeguarding policies.
- Maintaining the highest standards of professional conduct at all times.
- Undertaking such other duties as may be reasonable.
Key Relationships:
- Academy Technical Director
- Academy Coaches
- Scouting & Recruitment staff
- Performance teams (Medical, Sports Science, Performance Analysis & Human Science)
- Operations team (including Welfare & Education)
- External stakeholders (e.g., UAE FA, UAE Pro League)
Essential Requirements:
- UEFA / AFC A GK coach licence
- Experience of working within an elite football environment and/or an Academy structure
- Strong English language skills
- Excellent organisational, communication, and technical skills developed in a similar role
- Competent IT skills
Desirable:
- Good level of playing experience
- Coaching and/or Management of Players and Staff within the Professional Development Phase
- Advanced Youth Award
- Basic First Aid for Sport (BFAS) Certificate
- Additional language skills, e.g., Arabic.
Safeguarding Statement: Due to our safeguarding promise, all roles working with children will be subject to a local police check upon commencing employment with us. Staff are also expected to uphold the responsibility outlined in our policy and procedure.
