Department: Football Division – Girls Academy Department

Hours of Work: Full-time, 35 hours per work (with flexibility to work during evenings and weekends, including matchdays)

Contract Type: Permanent

Salary: £35,000 - £40,000 dependent upon experience

Location: Bodymoor Heath Training Ground

Closing Date: Sunday 6 September 2026

The Department

Our Girls Academy Department has established itself as a leader in girls youth football development, consistently delivering the highest standards in coaching, education and training across 10 teams with players aged U10 – U21. We are committed to nurturing talent and creating a supportive and professional environment and we are proud of the role we play in shaping the next generation of female footballers as demonstrated in our recent success with our U21s winning the Professional Game Academy Plate.

To support our continued growth and success of our programme, we have a new opportunity for a Head of Education to join the team, working across the Academy pathway (U16- U21).

The Role

Working as Head of Education, you will lead and quality assure the Academy Education Programme across the Professional Game Academy (PGA), ensuring players receive a high-quality educational experience alongside their football development. Working closely with players and families, you will create individual learning pathways, support academic achievement and personal growth, and equip players with the qualifications and life skills needed to succeed both in football and beyond.

As the strategic lead for education, you will build strong partnerships with schools, colleges, universities and key stakeholders to support players in balancing their academic and football commitments; including leading on our day release programme. You will monitor educational progress and compliance, while supporting players through key transitions, ensuring high-quality educational provision throughout every stage of their Academy journey.

You will work closely with Academy staff to embed education within player development, promoting its importance to wellbeing, performance and future success. Through strong stakeholder engagement and a commitment to safeguarding and inclusion, you will create a positive, high-performance learning environment where players can thrive on and off the pitch.

For further information about the Role, please see the Role Profile.

The Person

The successful candidate must hold a relevant teaching qualification such as Qualified Teacher Status (QTS) or Qualified Teacher Learning and Skills Status QTLS (with active SET membership for QTLS). You will bring proven experience in teaching, tutoring, mentoring or academic coaching, alongside a strong track record of supporting young people through GCSE, Post-16 and Further/Higher Education pathways.

You will have experience leading or coordinating education programmes and supporting dual-career athletes. Experience working with external education providers and DiSE (or similar programmes) is essential, alongside the ability to balance academic and sporting commitments to achieve positive outcomes for young players.

We are looking for someone who can build strong relationships with players, parents and key stakeholders, while supporting young athletes with empathy and professionalism. You will be highly organised, detail-oriented and able to manage multiple priorities effectively in a fast-paced environment.

You must be available to work flexibly which may include evenings and weekends as required around the needs of the players.

Why Join Us?

There has never been a better time to join Aston Villa Football Club. Our drive to succeed is visible on the global stage, we are building a family ethos and culture to be proud of, and realising our ambitious plans for the expansion and improvement of our world-class facilities. If you are already excited by this challenge and want to play your part in our historic Club, then you'll be pleased to hear about our amazing staff benefits you'll receive whilst working for us! See our Staff Benefits booklet to find out more.

As part of your application, you will be asked to:

1. Upload your CV

2. Answer the following question:

a) Please outline your key skills, qualities and experience which make you the ideal candidate for this role (400 words maximum)

Right to Close Vacancy Posting Early

The Club reserves the right to close any advertised vacancies earlier than the advertised closing date if sufficient applications have been received.

Equality Statement

Aston Villa Football Club celebrates the diversity of its Club and embrace equal opportunities for all.

We welcome applications from all candidates regardless of age, race, disability, gender reassignment, pregnancy and maternity, sexual orientation, marriage and civil partnership, sex and religion or belief.

Safeguarding Statement

Aston Villa Football Club is fully committed to safeguarding children and adults at risk across our Club. As such, we adhere to Safer Recruitment processes and for some roles a satisfactory enhanced disclosure via the Disclosure & Barring Service may be required prior to starting in a role at the Club. For more information, please see Aston Villa Football Club | The official club website | AVFC - Safeguarding