Education Lead - PGA Women's Academy

Job Location:

Academy Training Ground, BR3 1NZ

Contract Type:
Full-time

Deadline: 23rd June 2026

We are Crystal Palace Football Club, a Premier League Football Club with more than 160 years of proud history. Spread across three different sites – brand new main offices at Selhurst Park Stadium, our London office, and our Training Ground/Academy – we offer the best atmosphere and culture for our fans and our employees.

We strive for excellence in the workplace with a philosophy of high standards, professionalism, and a strong work ethic from our employees. We are constantly trying to grow, diversify and build with not only our team on the pitch, but also our team in the offices and on the ground.

• Lead, design and quality‑assure the Academy Education Programme across the PGA, ensuring every player receives a personalised, high‑quality academic support offer, developed in partnership with the player and their parents/carers, and aligned effectively with the football programme.
• Ensure players are equipped with the academic, vocational and personal development foundations that prepare them for life in, through and beyond a playing career, supporting long‑term wellbeing, career adaptability and informed decision‑making.
• Act as the PGA’s strategic lead and primary point of contact for all education providers (schools, colleges, universities and awarding bodies), ensuring clear communication, robust relationships and coordinated scheduling that balances learning, training and competition demands.

• Create and sustain a safe, inclusive and aspirational education environment that supports individual ambition, manages academic pressure effectively, and meets all FA PGA Licence and safeguarding requirements.
• Work collaboratively within the multidisciplinary team, particularly with the Academy Performance Wellbeing Lead, to ensure education considerations are embedded within holistic player development, while maintaining clear professional boundaries and accountability for education provision.
• Ensure education continuity and coordinated arrangements for players experiencing changes in playing environment, including loan moves, academy dual registrations and academy contract transitions.
• Designing and periodically reviewing the overall Education Programme in partnership with learning providers.
• Coordinating academic pathways (GCSE, A-levels, BTECs, functional skills, FE/HE programmes, DiSE).
• Working with schools and colleges to align timetables with training/competition; arranging compensatory education where required.
• Monitoring academic performance:
  • Tracking attendance
  • Reviewing attainment and progress
  • Implementing early interventions
• Ensuring accurate documentation, reporting and data management across academic records.
• Managing internal verification and quality assurance where the club delivers any elements directly.
• Providing guidance to parents/carers on academic pathways, expectations, and how to support learning alongside football.
• Attending MDT meetings and sharing education updates that may affect performance, wellbeing or availability.
• Liaising with coaches to manage training loads during exam periods or academic pressure points.
• Supporting transition planning for players moving between programmes, age groups or education stages, including supported education transitions for players exiting the PGA.
• Collaborate with the Performance Wellbeing Lead to identify and support wider personal and learning development opportunities for players, ensuring that academic, vocational and life‑skills development is embedded within holistic player care.
• Support education planning and communication for players involved in loan agreements,
• ADRs or changes to academy contract status, ensuring training, competition and academic schedules remain aligned.
• Support players to develop confidence and independence in managing their academic commitments.
• Coordinating and quality assuring any club‑based education delivery (e.g., study support, academic interventions, tutoring)
• Providing guidance, induction and feedback to staff and partner tutors.
• Supporting audit, accreditation and compliance processes linked to…