Women's First Team Manager

Application Process:

Lewes FC is an equal opportunity employer and welcomes applications from all backgrounds especially

under-represented groups such as women, BAME, LGBTQ+ individuals and people with disabilities.

Acknowledging the lack of diversity in football, we ensure our recruitment process does not unfairly favour

those with prior experience in the game.

We are committed to safeguarding children and vulnerable adults, and require all staff and volunteers to

uphold the FA’s Code of Conduct and Safeguarding policies. Applicants must disclose and past criminal

convictions or investigations by the FA or other regulatory bodies, including in education, healthcare, or

other sectors.

To apply please email a CV and cover letter outlining why you’d be great for the role alongside any

relevant experience to [email protected] with the subject line: “1st Team Manager: Your name”.

The interview process will commence 23rd June 2025.

We will be accepting applications through the interview process. The role will be open until filled. We

reserve the right to close the vacancy early if we receive sufficient applications for the role. Therefore, if you are interested, please submit your application as early as possible.

Summary

Job Title: 1st Team Manager

Employer: Lewes FC

Hours & Availability: Full Time Role

Reports to: Head of Women’s Football

Reports: 1st Team Technical & Performance Staff

Key Relationships: Safeguarding Officer, Fan and Community Engagement Manager, Communications

functions, Performance Lead, Board of Directors, Chief Operating Officer.

Location: The Dripping Pan, Lewes, Mountfield Road

Summary of Roles & Responsibilities

• Create a high-performance culture which is inclusive and safe, where athletes & staff thrive and

reach their potential.

• Lead and manage a successful first team with support from the Head of Women’s Football.

• Be a responsible guardian of the women’s game and its history, and a pioneer of its exciting new era.

• Play a part in moving the football club forward; develop infrastructure, processes, and ways of

working that increase chances of future success and sustainability.

• Take a key role in ensuring WSL 2 & Tier 3 licence criteria/Minimum operating standards are met.

Key Roles and Responsibilities

Quality Coaching & Playing Style

• Implement and manage the clubs philosophy and game model so staff and players can understand

and execute on.

• In conjunction with first team coach(es) and first team staff, plan coaching sessions in line with the

playing style and game model.

• Attend and run (or oversee) team training sessions

• Review and evaluate elements of the playing style and coaching plan in the light of results and player

availability/performance.

• Review and evaluate playing style in the light of developments in football - nationally and

internationally.

• Provide opportunities to develop playing approach through varied and creative coaching sessions.

• Develop individual players to excel consistently in the women’s game.

• Undertake opposition analysis, and communicate findings and associated tactical plans to players

and first team coaching staff in a clear and engaging way.

• Review information from games and use this to support future decisions (e.g., setup, tactics, and

selection).

• Pick the team for matches and effectively communicate decisions to players.

• Oversee required specific match day duties – e.g., Warmups, Tactical and technical information and

feedback given to players.

Player Development

• Ensure all players have Individual Learning Objectives

• Work with (or oversee coaches working with) individual players to help them achieve their Individual

Learning Objectives, including supporting and encouraging realistic technical practice.

• Feedback to players, including with the use of video clips or other visual tools.

• Oversee and deliver player reviews and individual development meetings.

• Support player engagement in their learning and development, ensuring players:

◦ are encouraged to ask questions and seek feedback for improvement and clarity.

◦ are encouraged to have input to footballing decisions and their own learning process.

◦ are communicated the ‘why’ as well as ‘what’ of decisions.

◦ know and understand the purpose and ‘why’ of training sessions.

• Invest time and effort in knowing the players and understanding what motivates them.

• Provide personal support based on each individual player’s needs.

• Monitor and manage player behaviours based on club and team values and expectations; set

boundaries, reinforce good behaviours and challenge less welcome behaviour.

• Work with - and oversee the work of - colleagues in the MDT to enhance player development.

• Make and act on decisions about disciplinary matters/conflict in conjunction with other staff.

Squad Management

• Through network and connections (e.g., agents and other head coaches), be aware of possible

signing opportunities.

• Gather and review a broad range of data (e.g., scouting reports) on players and maintain

comprehensive and up-to-date player profiles.

• Discuss profiles of players with senior staff/decision makers (e.g., Head of Women’s Football/ Board

of directors).

• Adhere to club budgets and manage player payment and bonuses effectively.

• Lead and/or support in developing & implement the scouting process and activities.

• Lead and or support in negotiations with targeted players.

• Contribute to decisions about the loan and/or dual registration of players and their return.

Strategy Development

• Support the Head of Women’s Football and the Board of Directors in developing and delivering a

strategy for women’s football at the club, identifying and communicating key needs, gaps and

opportunities including around the girls’ pathway element.

• Support the development of the women’s football performance strategy within applications for a Tier

2 license.

• Develop and communicate a collective vision of success for the team and first team staff.

• Agree aims & objectives with senior colleagues - such as a 3-year plan, and objectives for the current

season.

• Agree a structure of First Team staff (and support roles) to support the delivery of the agreed goals.

People Leadership

• Lead a multi-disciplinary team (MDT), collaborating with medical and physical performance staff to

manage the development of athletes who play football.

• Invest time and effort in knowing the staff and understanding what motivates them. Provide personal

support based on each individual’s needs.

• Consult with coaches and MDT members, ensuring they contribute to and have a voice in decisions.

• Manage staff performance effectively:

◦ Collaborate with Head of Women’s Football on job descriptions for roles to encourage a wide

pool of applicants and fair recruitment practices

◦ Agree annual objectives with clear indicators of success

◦ Provide regular feedback and appropriate support to enable strong performance in their

role

◦ Undertake more formal performance reviews periodically (e.g., every season)

◦ Proactively address underperformance (e.g., with personal development activity or more

formal processes when required)

◦ Assist with recruiting / replacing staff using fair processes which do not discriminate on any

basis other than ability and potential

Professional conduct in media and sponsorship activities

• Manage time well and fulfil stipulated duties without allowing them to distract from focusing on the

managing the football team and its performance – including:

◦ Work with communications colleagues and media partners to plan all types of media

activities, including written, broadcast and socials.

◦ Engage positively with club and external media, pre and post-match

◦ Take part in other events which position the head coach as ambassador for the Club and the

game (e.g., Owners’ Townhall meetings and with media, public and fans)

Essential & desirable requirements:

• UEFA B License (Essential)

• UEFA A Licence (desirable)

• FA’s Player Welfare course in Open Age Football qualification.

• First Aid for Sport (acquired before starting role)

• Safeguarding and Protecting Children (acquired before starting role)

• DBS Clearance (acquired before starting the role)

• Experience of developing learning environments for athletes

• Knowledge and experience of the elite women’s game, specifically the existence and implications

of:

• Competition and league rules, including on transfers and contracts

• Different governance & structures

• The growth of the Women’s game

• Coaching behaviours in the Women’s & Girls game

• Technical & tactical differences between the Men’s & Women’s football.

• Previous experiences which have brought strong existing relationships within the Women’s pyramid

in England and across the United Kingdom.

• Experience of coaching and mentoring elite young and senior footballers, which has helped develop

deep technical and tactical knowledge, including knowledge of a range of systems of play

• Experience of mentoring and / or developing coaches.

• Recruitment/Talent ID experience

• Experience of dealing with media (including social media)

• Other roles which have brought experience of managing and leading groups of people

• Roles which have brought understanding of how children and adults learn and develop (e.g.,

teaching)

• Knowledge and awareness of diversity and equality challenges in football