Job Title: Head of Girls Academy
Department: Academy
Report to: Academy Director
Location: Oriam - Scotland’s Sports Performance Centre, Edinburgh, EH14 4AS
Salary: Competitive salary plus excellent staff benefits.
Hours: Full-time: 37.5 hours per week, worked across 5 days out of 7. You are required to be flexible to support the weekly fixture schedule, including weekends and midweek evenings.
Closing Date: Friday 14th August 2026 - Close of play
Heart of Midlothian Football Club is a Scottish Premiership Professional Football Club based in Edinburgh with Elite Academy Status. We are looking for an experienced, passionate Head of Girls Academy to lead and develop our Girls Academy programme.
This is an exciting opportunity to shape the strategic direction of the Girls Academy, lead a talented coaching team and create an environment where players and staff can thrive. Working closely with the Women's First Team Manager, you will help deliver a clear player development pathway. The successful candidate will also coach a Girls Academy squad and maintain a visible presence across the Girls Academy programme.
Head of Girls Academy Responsibilities:
- Lead and manage the Girls Academy programme and implement the strategic direction, ensuring a consistent, high-quality player development pathway aligned with the Club's coaching philosophy.
- Lead, mentor and support Girls Academy Coaches while fostering a positive, high-performance culture and ongoing professional development.
- Coach a designated Girls Academy squad, delivering training sessions and leading matchday activities.
- Collaborate with the Women's Head Coach to ensure alignment between the Academy and Women's First Team.
- Oversee the consistent delivery of the Girls Academy curriculum across all age groups.
- Work with a variety of departments to support holistic player development and talent identification.
- Support the effective day-to-day operation of the Girls Academy, ensuring compliance with Scottish FA and Club standards.
- Build positive relationships with players, parents and key stakeholders, creating a safe, inclusive and professional learning environment.
- Champion safeguarding, player welfare and continuous improvement across all aspects of the Girls Academy.
Essential Requirements & Experience:
- UEFA A Licence or working towards completion.
- Previous experience of coaching within an elite football environment or high-performance youth pathway.
- Experience coaching across different age groups and game formats within a girls' performance programme.
- Currently based in Edinburgh or able to reliably commute to Edinburgh and other locations as required.
- Full UK driving licence.
- Legal right to work in the UK.
Essential Skills & Abilities:
- Build strong working relationships with coaches, players and parents.
- Excellent communication and interpersonal skills.
- Ability to collaborate effectively with multidisciplinary teams.
- Strong leadership and people management skills.
- High standards of professionalism, integrity and confidentiality.
- Flexible, adaptable and committed to continuous professional development.
- Passion for player development and women's football.
- Confident IT user, including Microsoft Office and Sport Session Planner.
What’s in it for you?
- Part of an Elite Academy environment striving for constant improvement.
- Top of the range facilities.
- Opportunity for professional development, supported by video analysis and session planning software.
- The Hearts Way curriculum running throughout the Academy.
This role will involve regular contact with children and young people and is therefore subject to a satisfactory Protection of Vulnerable Groups (PVG) Scheme check through Disclosure Scotland as a condition of employment.
How to apply: If you meet the job role criteria and would like to apply, please send a covering letter and CV to the HR Team using the email address provided.
Please note, this advert may close before the stated deadline if we receive a high volume of applications.
HEART OF MIDLOTHIAN FOOTBALL CLUB IS AN EQUAL OPPORTUNITIES EMPLOYER AND FULLY COMMITTED TO THE SAFEGUARDING AND WELFARE OF VULNERABLE GROUPS.
HEART OF MIDLOTHIAN IS A LIVING WAGE ACCREDITED COMPANY.
Job Type: Full-time
Benefits:
- Additional leave
- Casual dress
- Company events
- Company pension
- Employee discount
- Free parking
- Life insurance
- On-site gym
- On-site parking
- Referral programme
- Sick pay
- Store discount
Ability to commute/relocate:
- Edinburgh EH14 4AS: reliably commute or plan to relocate before starting work (required)
Experience:
- within an elite sport environment: 2 years (required)
- line management: 2 years (required)
Language:
Licence/Certification:
- Driving Licence (required)
- UEFA A Licence or working towards (required)
Work authorisation:
- United Kingdom (required)
Work Location: In person
