Derby County Football Club, established in 1884, is one of the founder members of the English Football League and has a rich and varied history, including two First Division titles in 1972 and 1975 and an FA Cup success in 1946. The club are currently playing in the Sky Bet Championship, the second tier of English Football following their promotion from League One in the 2023/24 season and is under the management of Head Coach John Eustace. The club also boasts a successful and respected Category One Academy, a status which has been held since 2014, and a Women’s side competing in the FA Women’s National League Northern Premier Division. Derby County recently embarked on an exciting new era following the change in ownership to Clowes Developments (UK) Limited, in the summer of 2022. Our track record of producing talent is outstanding, and we intend to protect that proud legacy, investing in key roles within the club to build on the foundations in place for success.
Derby County Football Club is seeking to recruit an experienced Scout to join our Category One Academy at Moor Farm. The role will support the Academy Recruitment department to identify players between the ages of U13 and U18 within Professional Academy recruitments and when required other settings.
The successful candidate will attend fixtures on a daily/weekly basis within the Midlands and nationally, including the subsequent reporting, recording, and dissemination of information.
The successful candidate will also report into the Academy Recruitment Lead on a daily, weekly ongoing basis.
It is essential to emphasise building links both locally and nationally to gather information and intelligence and to build strong working relationships internally and externally with various stakeholders.
It is essential that the post holder has a high standard of communication skills (verbal and written), including effective presentation skills. Also, a can-do attitude and a professional and strong work ethic.
Key Responsibilities
- To assist in delivering the Recruitment Strategy and support the Academy Recruitment Lead in the development of the Recruitment Strategy.
- Regularly attend Academy U13 – U18 Fixtures within the Midlands and Nationally on a daily, weekly basis.
- Prioritise target markets, target age groups and subsequent fixtures for players U13-U18.
- To assist with the responsibility of overall scouting across the U13 – U18 age groups through both personally attending matches and liaising with other DCFC scouts across the regions.
- To assist in identifying fixtures of interest at Midlands, National and International level with specific, however not limited to, an emphasis on U15s and U16s.
- Attend weekly meetings with the Academy Recruitment team and discuss reports, players targets and upcoming fixtures.
- Identify, recommend and deliver players for Trial into to the academy and help support the National and Local operations.
- Daily communication with the Recruitment Academy Lead and additional DCFC FT Staff and scouts.
- Compile lists of Academy players within the UK target markets and ensure a comprehensive knowledge of the market.
- Attend DCFC fixtures as and when required to understand the level of player within the Academy.
- Identify ‘target’ teams for the games program at U13- U18 and assist in recruitment events (festivals, showcases) and tournaments at Moor Farm and other venues.
- To assist with the identification, trial process and dossier presentation to the Academy Recruitment Lead, recommending players to be signed between the U13 and U18 age groups, both locally and nationally.
- To assist in researching and implementing the Academy Recruitment Department video strategy.
- Hold and maintain strong working relationships with all F/T Academy Recruitment staff, working closely with the 9-12 Local Recruitment Manager to share on transitions between the phases.
- Hold and maintain strong working relationships with all F/T Academy Recruitment staff, working closely with the U13-U14 Midlands Lead (Professional).
- Hold and maintain strong working relationships with all F/T Academy Recruitment staff, working closely with the Academy Recruitment Analyst (U13 – U18) on a daily / weekly basis.
- Hold and maintain strong working relationships with all F/T Academy Recruitment staff, working closely with the Academy Operations Co-Ordinator.
- Hold and maintain strong working relationships with all F/T Academy Recruitment staff, working closely with the U13-U18 football coaching staff as and when required.
- Pro-actively develop relationships externally with a variety of different stakeholders (Clubs, Heads of Academy Recruitment, Recruitment Staff, Agents and other key contacts) that enhances Information, communication and intelligence for the recruitment of players across the different age ranges and markets.
- Assist in the recruitment and development of casual / PT Talent ID scouts within professional recruitment at U13-U18.
- Maintain personal database and use of DCFC System to ensure everything is kept up to date.
- Manage and develop reporting methods using the systems and processes in place.
- Promptly respond to all communications received including calls and emails.
- To make recommendations and contribute to important Academy Recruitment decisions when appropriate.
- Take responsibility for personal performance and the development of personal skills to ensure the required skills, knowledge and competence to fulfil the role.
- Ensure that all work is completed in a priority basis, and work meets a high degree of professionalism and quality.
- To attend training courses and external seminars and meetings as appropriate/required.
- To be aware of current trends and best practice in your field of specialism.
- Provide staff members with continual streams of information to support decision making.
- Ensure EPPP requirements are met and adhered to.
- Comply to the rules and regulations of the PL, EFL and FIFA when recruiting players.
- To be responsible for the health, safety and welfare of customers and colleagues, complying with health and safety guidance and policy.
- Continuously work to maintain, embed and improve the club’s safeguarding provision, ensuring the highest standards for safeguarding children and adults at risk.
- To uphold and promote organisational policies and procedures, promoting those specifically applicable to this area of work and also including equality, diversity and inclusion.
- To present and promote an appropriate public image in representing the organisation.
- To maintain high professional standards in behaviour and communication including confidentiality.
- To undertake any other duties as may reasonably be required commensurate with the post.
- To undertake work at weekends and evenings on a regular basis.
- To undertake work internationally when required.
Essential Experience
· Understanding of Health & Safety Issues and good practice
· Proven track record for at least 2 years as an Academy Scout.
· Proven track record in scouting players who have succeeded to play professionally (desirable)
· Experience of working within Talent Identification in an Academy setting.
· Experience of Talent ID & recruiting YDP and PDP aged players
· Experience of working to deadlines in a high-pressure environment
· Experience and knowledge of Talent ID with specific reference to the physical, technical, social and psychological aspects (desirable)
· Experience and passion to work within the Age Banding U13 – U18
Essential skills/knowledge
· Strong ICT skills, experience of Excel, PowerPoint, and Outlook.
· Confident, Resilient and Self Motivated
· Excellent Communications skills both verbal and written
· Excellent Presentation skills
· Ability to work in a fast paced, target driven environment
· Ability to support decisions with factual evidenced based information
· Ability to demonstrate accuracy and attention to detail
· An ability to adapt quickly, be flexible to change and solution based
· Ability to prioritise and manage own workload
· Work using own initiative and as part of a team
· Ability to relate well to children and adults
· Excellent organisation skills with the ability to prioritise workloads
· Ability to deal with day-to-day issues on own initiative
· An ability to maintain confidentiality
· A passion for youth development and watching football in all settings and conditions
· A can do attitude and high work ethic
· Club first: A Team player who puts the club and department first
· Open minded mentality who responds to setbacks positively
· Self-driven in their approach to their work
· Availability and durability for the demands of the role
· Communicates honestly and with integrity at all times
· An active listener
· Ability to create and maintain reciprocal professional relationships internally and externally
· A commitment to CPD generally and your own personal development. A willingness to learn
· Trustworthy
Essential Qualifications
· Hold or working towards Talent ID Level 2 Qualification
· Full UK Driving License
· Sports Related Degree (desirable)
· UEFA Coaching qualifications (Level 2 and above) (desirable)
Competitive salary, dependent on experience.
The role is full-time, working 35 hours per week. Due to the demands of a professional football environment, working evenings and weekends is required.
Everything we do as a Club is built around the three pillars of stability, integrity and progress. Our core values are:
· We are proud of who we are and what we do
· We are positive, inspired and passionate
· We are ambitious and driven
· We are prepared, honest and humble
· We are the heartbeat of our community
· We are the club of opportunity
Derby County employee benefits include:
· 25 days annual leave plus bank holidays
· Two complimentary staff season tickets
· Two complimentary staff away memberships
· 20% discount at DCFC Megastore
· Company Pension with Aviva
· Discounts with select Club partners and sponsors
· Healthshield Cash Health Plan to support employee health and well-being and Perks for great deals and discounts
· Participating in our employee forum, ‘The Herd’
· Training and development opportunities
· Access to programmes and volunteering opportunities with Derby County Community Trust
· Subsidised lunchtime meals at Moor Farm
Derby County Football Club is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children, young people and adults at risk, and expects all staff and volunteers to share this commitment.
As part of the Club's commitment to providing a safe environment for children and young people, applicants should be aware that this post is subject to an Enhanced Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) Criminal Record Check.
Derby County Football Club is an Inclusive Club for all and is committed to Equality and Diversity.
To apply for this role, please complete an application form, which can be found HERE.
Alternatively, please copy and paste - http://thera.ms/apply - to your chosen browser.
More information can be found at https://www.dcfc.co.uk/page/jobsandcareers
The closing date for receipt of applications is Monday 30 June 2025. We reserve the right to close the vacancy early.
Strictly no agencies please.
Derby County Football Club’s Job Applicant Privacy Policy can be found at dcfc.co.uk.
Job Type: Full-time
Work Location: In person
Application deadline: 30/06/2025
