Academy U9 - U16 Schoolboy Recruitment

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.

If you’re ready to bring your passion for Education and football to one of the world’s most iconic clubs, apply now!

Job Title: Academy U9 – U16 Schoolboy Recruitment

Job Purpose: To effectively drive the identification, recruitment & retention of U9 – U16 players at West Ham United.

Department: Recruitment

Location: Chadwell Heath Training Ground

Reports To: Head of Talent ID

Responsible for: U9 – U16 Recruitment

Qualifications: Level 3 / level 4 talent I-D qualification - Desirable Level 2 talent I-D qualification - Essential

Contract Type: Full-Time

Hours: 38 hours per week

Salary: Competitive

The Academy Vision

Our VISION is to build on our iconic history and create an environment of excellence & high standards that ensures our worldwide reputation as an outstanding producer of talented players & people from within our diverse community… all developed ‘The West Ham Way’.

Key Performance Indicators

1. Oversee the structure & administration of trialists coming into the academy from U9-U16.
2. Continue the successes of the Emerging Hammers Programme & manage scouts feeding into this.
3. Develop the academy recruitment across East London, Essex and the catchment areas.
4. Create a target list of players within our catchment area playing academy football.
5. To host and deliver 2 Recruitment initiatives each half term.

Key Role Accountabilities

Linked to appraisal

1. Emerging Hammers: Continue the successes of the Emerging Hammers Programme & manage scouts and staff feeding into this
2. Part of a team: To work effectively with coaching & management departments to identify the needs of all age-groups, working with your scouts to identify suitable talent to meet these and secure the recruitment of players who complete a successful trial period.
3. Talent Identification: Effectively manage & co-ordinate all scouting activities and recruitment events within the U9-U16 age-groups and ensure all information & knowledge gathered is correctly logged onto the club’s database.
4. Scout Management: To effectively build, manage & develop a network and/or team of scouts that work in the best interested of the Academy to support the department towards achieving its Key Performance Indicators.
5. Talent ID Events: To lead & deliver on Talent ID events through-out the season that effectively improves our network and knowledge of talent. To support other recruitment managers with their events whilst always liaising with coaching, operations & management on the successful planning of any event.
6. Multi-Discipline Team: To effectively work closely within the U9 – U16 MDT team to support a multi-discipline approach to recruitment, retention and development whilst helping contribute, share & demonstrate continual high-standards & good practice in all areas of work.
7. Player Registrations: To ensure effective administration of all new player registrations and trial players (including induction & exit processes). Whilst working closely with Operations, Management & the rest of the Recruitment team to support compliance of all registrations.
8. Safe to Operate & Compliance: To ensure the Youth Development Rules and all other internal protocols are complied with at all times to the highest standard. To always place the well-being, welfare and safety of each young person in your care at the forefront of every Academy activity and to ensure all other relevant procedures and protocols are effectively followed.

Standard Responsibilities

linked to audit tool

Macro / Annual

•To arrange Emerging Hammers Games Programme consisting of fixtures and festivals/Uk tournaments.

•Implement Pre-Academy & Emerging Hammers Session structure & delivery – in line with West Ham Way,

•Designing a Yearly Recruitment Events programme for half terms - Open trial days & initiatives.

•Support the Head of Talent ID with the Retention programme –.

•Administration of scouting procedures - ID Cards, Code of Conduct.

•Support the decision-making process and signing of players

Meso / 8 Weekly Blocks

•Reviewing Monthly Scout Performance and measuring productivity.

•Monitor and highlight retention percentages through the retain or release period.

•Conduct 4week Mid trial reviews with other departments to discuss 8wk trialist process.

•Emerging Hammers Programme – progression to trial.

•Discussion of Depth charts to highlight areas needed for Recruitment.

•Support the delivery of CPD events and updates to Recruitment Staff – Scouts/Coaches.

•Work with and alongside the staff in the delivery of our Emerging Hammers Centre in Belfast.

Micro / Weekly

Organise and deliver Trialist list to departments and hold trialist induction/Signing evening.

• Keep record of player attendance and send invitations to new trialists.

• Manage and assess training Group sizes/quality.

• Collect and maintain Scout Reports.

• Trialists admin maintained and improved

• Reviewing matchday footage to assess and monitor players both internally and externally

•Assigning scout coverage/fixtures to ensure maximum coverage in line with strategy.

•Construct a target list of players within your age groups that are currently playing academy football.

Safe to Operate Responsibilities

1.Staff must evidence a commitment to the safety and welfare of children, young people and adults at risk regardless of their age, gender, language, religion, ethnic background or sexual identity and ensure the safety and protection of all children, young people and adults at risk taking part in any activity arranged by or in the name of the Club.

2.It is a requirement for staff to follow the Club’s Safeguarding reporting procedures to report without delay, allegations of abuse, poor practice or which is or may, impact on the welfare of a child, young person or adult at risk. After contacting and taking guidance from the Safeguarding Team, staff must use the Club’s Child Protection Online Management System (CPOMS ) to record the concern within 24 hours unless directed to do otherwise.

3.Ensure implementation of the clubs health & safety, safeguarding, welfare and equality policies to create a safe working environment for all;

Compliance Responsibilities

1.To engage in the necessary CPD and professional qualifications to further your expertise (ensuring all Premier League and FA stipulations are adhered to).

2.Perform duties with due regard to club policies and procedures and legislative requirements at all times;

3.Ensure working practices are compliant with relevant legislation and data protection legislation and/or general data protection regulations (GDPR) requirements;

4.Ensure, where relevant, that all performance data is captured in a timely manner onto the Performance Management Application (PMA).

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:

📅 Deadline: 5pm Friday 5th September 2025

📌 Please note: Due to the high volume of applications expected, only shortlisted candidates will be contacted.