Nicholls will leave Sunderland this summer for New York City, bringing to an end his four year stay at the Academy of Light.
Nicholls has done a fine job on Wearside and is extremely highly thought of behind the scenes. The 35-year-old has been a key figure at Sunderland during a period when a number of youngsters have come through the academy and established themselves as first team stars, including Chris Rigg.
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Despite now playing in the Premier League, Sunderland still want to produce their own first team players, while the new academy manager will also be tasked with "attracting better players and strengthening recruitment" in the youth ranks.
In their advert for the role, Sunderland say: "This is a rare opportunity to lead one of English football’s most historic and strategically important Category 1 Academies at a moment of genuine evolution.
"The club is seeking a head of academy to build on strong operational foundations and lead the next phase of the academy’s journey — one defined by elite player recruitment, accelerated development, and consistent progression into first-team football or high-value professional outcomes.
"With robust safeguarding, education, and operational structures already in place, this role is not about firefighting or rebuilding systems. It is about raising the ceiling: attracting better players, strengthening recruitment and development across the pathway and ensuring the Academy consistently produces players capable of impacting the first team or the wider professional game."
Sunderland say the new head of academy will "set the strategic direction of a category 1 academy with a clear focus on player outcomes" and work alongside the academy's recruitment team with the focus on the identification and retention of talent.
Sunderland say: "This is a role for a leader who understands that great academies are built on both structure and instinct - and who knows when to push, when to protect, and when to evolve."
Discussing his role and focus during his time on Wearside, Nicholls told BBC Radio Newcastle last week: "It's consistently evolving and changing. The remit coming here, Kyril was insistent the academy was a fundamental part of this club's future.
"Through Kristjaan and now Flo, it was about producing players for the first team. That's why we're here, that's why we exist, that's why we have 40-50 strong staff members.
"But secondary is to give those young people a future, on the pitch. If we can't get them into our first team, can we set them up for a career elsewhere? Then failing that, can we set them up to be successful in other interests they have in life.
"Each one of them has a journey with the club, you get to know their families and them as people. You develop relationships with all of them and want the best for them."