Closing Date : 16 October 2026
Boys Pathway Manager
Employer: Milton Keynes Dons Football Community Trust
Location: Stadium MK & Community Hubs in and around Milton Keyens Salary: £25,000 -£30,000pa Contract: 1 Year Fixed Term Hours: Full time -37.5 hours per week About Us Milton Keynes Dons Community Trust isacharitable organisation dedicated tomaking apositive impact on people’s lives through sport and community programmes. Wesupport individuals, particularly young people, tobuild confidence, develop leadership skills, and improve their physical and mental wellbeing, regardless of their background orability .
Wedeliver inclusive, high- quality programmes designed tomeet theneeds ofourcommunities, ensuring that everyone hastheopportunity toparticipate and thrive .
We arebuilding onstrong foundations tobecome aleading force forgood across Milton Keynes, reaching further, supporting more people, and working inpartnership with organisations across thecitytocreate lasting change.
Together, wecanmake alasting difference
The Role
Wearelooking foranenthusiastic, organised and motivated Boys Pathway Manager tolead and develop our Boys Football Pathway, creating high- quality opportunities that support player development from grassroots through totheelite game .
This isanexciting opportunity toplay akey role inshaping the future ofboys' football within theMK Dons Community Trust .You will beresponsible formanaging and growing our Boys Advanced Player Development Centres, Community Football programmes and Soccer Schools, whilst developing strong relationships with local clubs, schools and keystakeholders.
Working closely with theHead ofCommunity Football, you will ensure thesuccessful delivery ofprogrammes that inspire young players, support coach development and provide clear progression opportunities for participants across thepathway .
Key Responsibilities
- Deliver high- quality Soccer Schools that achieve participation and performance targets .
- Develop effective talent identification processes tosupport player progression throughout thepathway .
- Build and maintain positive relationships with local football clubs, schools and community partners .
- Line manage coaches and staff working within the Boys Pathway, providing mentoring, support and continuous professional development .
- Recruit, develop and retain high- quality coaching staff .
- Ensure allprogrammes operate inline with FA,Community Trust and safeguarding standards .
- Manage programme administration, registrations and parent communications .
- Monitor programme performance, collect impact data and contribute toKPIreporting, case studies and funding evidence.
- Support wider Community Trust activities, matchday events and community engagement initiatives as required.
- Promote the values ofMK Dons Community Trust, ensuring equality, diversity and inclusion are embedded across allprogrammes .
About You
Essential Criteria
- UEFA CCoaching Qualification .
- FALicensed Coach .
- FAEmergency First Aidqualification (orrecognised FAequivalent) .
- Current FASafeguarding Children qualification .
- Experience coaching boys' football within aplayer development environment .
Essential Criteria Cont .
- Knowledge and understanding ofcurrent boys' football player pathways and development structures .
- Understanding ofchild development and theability tocreate positive learning environments .
- Experience managing orcoordinating football programmes .
- Excellent organisational, planning and communication skills .
- Ability tobuild positive relationships with players, parents, schools, clubs and colleagues.
- Willingness towork evenings, weekends and occasional matchdays .
- FullUKdriving licence and access toown transport.
Desirable Criteria
- UEFA BCoaching Qualification .
- Experience ofTalent Identification .
- Understanding ofLong -Term Player Development principles .
- FAYouth Award orYouth Coaching qualification .
- Experience developing and mentoring coaches through CPD.
- Experience working within anacademy orelite player development environment .
- Knowledge ofacademy structures and player progression pathways .
Why join us:
This is more than a football coaching role, it's an opportunity to inspire the next generation of players and help shape the future of football within Milton Keynes.
As Boys Pathway Manager, you will play a central role in developing exciting football opportunities that enable young people to grow, progress and reach their full potential. Through innovative coaching programmes, player development and community engagement, your work will have a lasting impact on hundreds of young participants each year.
You'll join an ambitious and passionate organisation committed to improving lives through football, sport and community programmes. As we continue to expand our football pathway, you'll have the opportunity to influence its future direction, develop talented coaches and build strong partnerships across the local football community.
We value collaboration, innovation and continuous improvement and are committed to investing in our people through ongoing training, professional development and career progression opportunities.
If you're passionate about player development, coaching excellence and creating meaningful opportunities for young people through football, we'd love to hear from you.
Our CommitmentEquality, Diversity & Inclusion
We are committed to creating an inclusive workplace that values diversity and welcomes applications from all backgrounds and welcome applications from all sections of the community.
Safeguarding
We are dedicated to providing a safe and secure environment for all. Safeguarding is everyone’s responsibility, and all team members are expected to uphold our policies and procedures.
Application Process
To apply, please submit:
A completed application form
Your CVA covering letter outlining your suitability for the role Applications should be sent to: careers@stadiummk.com As part of our safer recruitment process, reference requests may be completed prior to interview. Successful applicants will also be required to undertake an enhanced DBS check at the appropriate level for the role.
