Head of Player Recruitment

Job Description and Person Specification

Job Title Head of Player Recruitment

Responsible to The Board of Directors and Team Manager

Job Description

Location

Whaddon Road, Cheltenham, Glos, GL52 5NA; Cheltenham Town FC training venues

Working hours and days

Flexible working arrangements/hours where the role of the job requires. You may be required to work outside of normal office hours, at evenings and weekends on bank holidays and public holidays

Travel

Will be required in relation to fixtures; meetings and other events in connection with performance of the duties detailed below

Overall purpose of the job

•To manage and oversee the recruitment and talent identification process and player acquisition strategies. To lead and manage the First Team recruitment department

• To identify and recruit the best possible talent for the first team squad by building and maintaining a thorough knowledge of players and teams at all levels and developing strong relationships with key stakeholders

Key Tasks & Responsibilities

• To manage the operation of the Club’s player recruitment and retention strategies, working closely with the Board of Directors and First Team Manager regarding the acquisition of players;

• To develop, review and update the Club’s recruitment philosophy, policies and procedures

• Attend matches for the purposes of opposition team scouting and player scouting as and when required

• Maintain a thorough knowledge of players at all levels of the game and develop contacts and relationships to assist with player recruitment strategies

• Negotiate with players, intermediaries and clubs for the transfer of players in and out of Cheltenham Town

• Manage and co-ordinate supporting staff for recruitment to ensure there is a clear strategy for the recruitment of players within clearly defined criteria and budgets

• Follow established scouting protocols and ensure, for example, that personal ID and driving documents are up to date. Liaise with club secretary with regard to the request of scouting fixtures

• Liaise with the Head of Performance Analysis and Recruitment Analyst with regard to the gathering of information on potential new players

• Liaise with the Academy coaching staff and maintain a working knowledge of academy scouting rules and protocols

• Continually monitor the performance of the Club’s scouting network and recruitment strategy

• Produce reports as and when required by the Technical Board and Football Club Board

• Liaise with coaching staff and administration staff as required and participate in decision-making processes at staff level and Technical Board meeting level

• Keep up to date with the latest news/research regarding how best to recruit players. Make every effort to enhance personal skills and qualifications to meet your personal and the Club’s needs.

• Comply with the Company Policy requirements for Equal opportunities, Racial Equality, Sex Discrimination and Disability

• Ensure compliance with all relevant Club policies including health and safety policies

• Use ICT as required in order to carry out the duties required for the job including video analysis

• Monitor and evaluate personal and support staff performance in terms of activities and projects delivered

• Such other duties as may be appropriate to achieve the objectives of the post

Skills required

• A hardworking and enthusiastic individual who is personally committed to continued learning and development

• Capability of developing and implementing policies and processes and working to agreed budgets

• Possession of IT skills and understanding of recruitment/analysis software packages

• Outstanding people skills with the ability to build relationships with key stakeholders

• High level of communication and presentation skills

• Capable of a high level of confidentiality in relation to the Club and its personnel and processes

• Ability to work independently and manage workload efficiently within set timeframes

• Have the flexibility to act in a demanding environment and be prepared to travel at short notice

• Ensure familiarity and compliance with regulations, policies and procedures

• Proven track record working within a first team elite performance setting

• A proven track record of working within elite player recruitment and scouting

• Previous experience of managing and leading teams and departments

• Good knowledge and network of other contacts within football recruitment

• Excellent knowledge and experience in relation to the recruitment of players and the regulations governing player recruitment

Qualifications required

• Training within talent identification such as FA Talent Identification In Football courses

• FA Safeguarding Certificate (Essential)

• FA Emergency Aid Certificate (Desirable)

DBS check required: Yes (enhanced)