First Team Manager - Job Description and Person Specification
Thursday, 30 October 2025
Job Description - First Team Manager
- To lead and manage the men's football operations of Blyth Spartans AFC
- To recruit and manage the first team squad within the budget set by the Board
- To recruit and manage a coaching and 'backroom' team with the agreement of the board
- To develop an attractive, successful playing style capable of delivering results in line with the targets agreed with the Board
- To oversee and deliver opposition scouting, research and match preparation
- To carry out all required media duties, including working with the club's media team to provide appropriate content
- To set and ensure adherence to the highest professional standards and discipline
- To embrace and champion the values of the football club, ensuring that the football staff and all players buy into our ethos
- To liaise with the Academy and with Blyth Spartans Juniors to develop a player development pathway towards the first team squad
- To attend events where required, whether club or community based
- To report regularly, candidly and honestly to the club chairman and Board
Person Specification
Qualifications
Essential
- UEFA B coaching licence
- FA Safeguarding certificate and enhanced DBS check
Desireable
- UEFA A coaching licence
- FA Emergency First Aid certificate
Skills
Essential
- Ability to recruit, build and lead a team with excellent communication and people management skills.
- Ability to work under own initiative and as part of a team.
- Managing team and individual performance.
- Budget planning and financial control, objective setting and accurate administration.
- A role model for code of conduct behaviours in the game and highly supportive of standards for equality, diversity and inclusion in line with FA guidelines.
Desireable
- Media trained and confident talking to press.
- Competent with the use of IT and IT based systems.
Knowledge and experience
Essential
- Experience of successful team management at an equivalent level, with a demonstrable win ratio of 40% or more
- A good understanding of non-league football, extensive network in the football community and knowledge of transfers and player availability.
- Managing team and individual performance.
- Proven experience of building a winning team, and in particular of supporting and developing younger players.
- Experience of working within an agreed playing budget and efficient financial management and record-keeping.
Desireable
- Experience of player registration rules.
- Knowledge and understanding of safeguarding young people.