Head of Player Development

At the heart and soul of London since 1895 West Ham United is a dynamic, fan-focused football Club constantly moving forward but always with an eye on the past.

Our home at the London Stadium has a capacity of 62,500 making it one of the biggest club Stadia in the country however our tickets are the lowest priced for London based clubs in the Premier League, echoing objectives to create Affordable Family Football.

In 2018, our Women’s team gained a professional status for the very first time, jumping 2 divisions and competed in the Women’s Super League (WSL), the premier division of women’s football in England. After finishing a respectable 7th, the team enjoyed particular success in the FA Cup reaching the final of the competition, eventually being beaten by 2017 winners Manchester City.

In April 2019, we opened our brand-new Academy facility based at Chadwell Heath which will help to bring through some of the very best talents in the area, the recent emergence of First Team Players Declan Rice and Ben Johnson are a testament to the work already being done at the Academy.

On the business side, we are continuing to create a Stadium our supporters can call home, with the renaming of the Billy Bonds Stand and Claret and Blue pitch surrounding amongst the latest developments. Additionally, the Club has achieved the Disability Confident Leader status.

The Club employees a constantly growing workforce of approximately 300 core staff and 500 Foundation and events staff, and is a truly unique place to work. We welcome talented individuals who will thrive in our ambitious organisation.

In October 2023, West Ham United was awarded the Advanced level of the Premier League Equality, Diversity and Inclusion Standard, recognising the Club’s ongoing dedication and commitment to equality, diversity and inclusion (EDI). It is the second time West Ham United has received the award, which is the top accolade that can be achieved by Premier League clubs, having first been presented with the Advanced level in 2020.

Why Join Us?

Diversity & Inclusion

• We believe a diverse team drives creativity and strengthens performance. We welcome applicants from all backgrounds and identities to apply.

Health & Wellbeing

• We are committed to protecting the physical and mental health of our staff, ensuring a balanced and supportive work environment.

Career Growth

• As part of a premier football club, you will have opportunities to grow and innovate in an exciting and fast-paced environment.

Women’s Academy Head of Player Development

Department: Women’s Football

Location: West Ham United Training & Match-Day Facilities

Salary: Competitive

Contract Type: Full-Time (including evenings and weekends as required)

Reports to: Academy Director & Head of Women’s Football

Responsible for: Leading the development of the West Ham United Women’s Professional Game Academy (PGA), including the management and implementation of a holistic Player Development & Coaching Strategy

Role Purpose

West Ham United Women are seeking a dynamic, experienced, and visionary Head of Player Development to lead, innovate, and elevate player and coach development across our Women’s programme.

This pivotal role is responsible for aligning the player pathway with the Club’s football philosophy, ensuring that individual player progression from youth to senior levels is delivered within a high-performance, holistic environment.

You will lead on the design and delivery of a club-wide development strategy that champions talent progression, builds elite performance habits, and supports both players and staff to fulfil their potential — The West Ham Way.

Key Responsibilities

Programme-Wide Leadership and Strategy

• Lead the strategic development of a player-centred, dual-career development framework that encompasses technical, tactical, physical, academic, and psychological growth.
• In partnership with the Development Board, establish and expand a full Academy structure, integrating U21, U16 and other age groups.
• Embed the West Ham United Women’s playing philosophy throughout the Academy and First Team.
• Ensure full compliance with WPLL, FA, and PGAAC regulations, safeguarding, and governance standards.
• Mentor and develop Academy staff to deliver high-performance coaching and support.
• Manage and evaluate the Service Level Agreement (SLA) between the Club’s Foundation and Women’s Team, holding stakeholders accountable for agreed outcomes.
• Design and lead a structured Coach Development Programme, including CPD, observations, mentoring, and feedback.
• Collaborate with the multidisciplinary team (sports science, education, medical, performance analysis, psychology, nutrition) to ensure player development plans are fully aligned.
• Oversee player transitions from the Academy to First Team with tailored integration support strategies.
• Chair a formal Player Pathway & Transition group to guide movement decisions across the development pathway.
• Act as lead coach within key development phases where additional technical/tactical input is required.
• Represent West Ham United Women at relevant FA, WSL, and international player development forums.
• Champion a culture of growth mindset, continuous improvement, and excellence across all levels of the programme.

Player-Centric Development Duties

• Attend key training sessions and fixtures to monitor coaching delivery, player performance, and development standards.
• Oversee the design and review of Individual Development Plans (IDPs) across all Academy squads.
• Provide bespoke coaching for players in small groups or on an individual basis, particularly at transition or high-potential moments.
• Monitor and evaluate players on loan or gaining external experience, reporting on progress to the Academy Director and Head of Women’s Football.
• Work closely with the Women’s First Team Head Coach/Manager and Academy Director to ensure seamless alignment of pathway objectives.
• Support the identification and progression of talent, shifting the focus towards long-term development and progression rather than early recruitment.

Essential Qualifications

• UEFA A Licence
• FA Advanced Youth Award (or Scottish equivalent)
• FA Safeguarding & Welfare Certification (or willingness to obtain prior to start)

Experience & Attributes

Required Experience

• Proven track record in developing female players in a high-performance or elite setting
• Experience mentoring coaches and leading football development programmes
• Strong working knowledge of performance analysis tools such as HUDL
• Demonstrated ability to implement long-term development strategies for players and staff

Personal Attributes

• Clear, confident, and inspiring communicator
• Highly organised with excellent planning, leadership, and analytical skills
• Passionate about raising standards and driving innovation in women’s football
• Committed to personal growth and the development of others
• Fully aligned with West Ham United’s values, vision, and commitment to equality, inclusion, and excellence

Safeguarding Commitment

We’re committed to safer recruitment and safeguarding children and adults at risk. This role is subject to enhanced DBS checks and reference

verification.

Benefits on offer (may vary based on contract type and location)

• 25 days annual leave plus your birthday off
• Pension and life insurance
• Healthcare cash scheme
• Travel season ticket loan
• Cycle to work scheme
• Priority access to apply for match tickets
• Discounted season tickets
• Staff discounts in the club store, café and our official partners products and services
• Discounted gym membership and onsite fitness room facilities
• Family friendly leave policies
• Company Social events

EDI Statement

• The successful candidate must demonstrate a strong commitment to equity, diversity, and inclusion, aligning with the organisation’s business and tactical approach to eliminating barriers and addressing inequity. You agree to actively contribute to creating a discrimination-free and inclusive environment, ensuring equitable access to opportunities and benefits, while fostering a culture of dignity and respect that enables everyone to perform and achieve their potential.

• Candidates must demonstrate their capability and willingness to uphold best practices and procedures, promoting lasting positive change while eliminating biases and barriers to attracting, achieving, and supporting talent from all communities, regardless of background, circumstances, or protected characteristics.

Safeguarding

• The successful candidate must demonstrate a commitment to the safety and welfare of children, young people, and adults at risk of harm across all stakeholders. Everyone, including third parties who work with the Club or the West Ham Foundation, is responsible for ensuring the safety and well-being of vulnerable individuals. Successful candidates must undergo essential background checks before starting their employment, which may include screening of social media. The type of DBS check required will depend on the responsibilities of the position and may be basic, standard, or enhanced.

• The successful candidate agrees to proactively identify and respond appropriately to any concerns, and follow the Club’s Safeguarding reporting procedures to report allegations of abuse, poor practice, or anything that may impact the welfare of a child, young person, or adult at risk without delay, within 24 hours, or as otherwise directed by the Club’s or the West Ham Foundation Safeguarding Team.

Applications

• To apply, please submit your application via our careers portal: https://www.careers.whufc.com
• Deadline: 5pm Wednesday 22nd October 2025
• Please note: Due to the high volume of applications expected, only shortlisted candidates will be contacted.