The Head of Academy Performance oversees the delivery of performance support services across the academy (U11 – U18 squads) for both our boys’ and girls’ programmes. The role holder will line manage a team of sport scientists, physiotherapists, and other allied health practitioners. They will be responsible for the effective operation of the multi-disciplinary team and drive both development and performance outcomes for the academy. An additional aspect of the role includes line managing our women’s first-team performance staff.

We are looking for a candidate who is highly motivated and passionate about working with and developing young athletes. In addition, we are seeking someone who can develop good working relationships with a variety of groups including fellow practitioners, coaches, young players, and their parents. The successful candidate will be joining a team of forward thinking and ambitious staff who are dedicated to creating an inclusive and supportive working environment.

Key Responsibilities:

• Line manages academy (boys & girls) and women’s first team support staff and coordinate the provision of sports science and medicine services across these programmes.
• Develop and maintain positive relationships and effective communication pathways with players, parents, coaches, and members of the multi-disciplinary team.
• Design and implement a long-term development plan to help prepare youth players for the physical and mental demands of first-team football.
• Design and maintain a data management system for longitudinal player monitoring adopting a conscientious approach to data entry and judicious interpretation and dissemination of results.
• Design and contribute to the delivery of a professional development curriculum for performance staff and support them in attaining professional accreditations relevant to their respective disciplines.
• Design and lead regular fitness testing amongst all academy squads.
• Contribute to the design and delivery of gym-based training sessions.
• Contribute to the design and delivery of speed, agility, plyometric & conditioning sessions.
• Facilitate and proactively contribute to applied research projects as directed by the Head of Performance.

Essential Criteria:

• Undergraduate degree in sport science or related discipline.
• Proven experience in the provision of sport science support services to athletic populations, preferably within a professional football club.
• UKSCA accredited.
• Postgraduate degree in sport science or related discipline (Desirable).
• ISAK level 1 accredited (Desirable).
• Experience of line managing other staff (Desirable).
• BASES accredited or working towards via supervised experience pathway (Desirable).

Personal Skills:

• Conscientious and committed to attention to detail.
• Excellent communication skills in the written and spoken word.
• Excellent information technology skills and an understanding of modern software design.
• Critical thinking and analytical mind set.
• Strong character able to operate within a high-pressure working environment and put forward their point of view.
• Ability to work independently as directed whilst contributing proactively to the department.
• Honesty and openness and an approachable demeanor.
• Commitment to professional development.

How to apply

If you meet the job role criteria and would like to apply, please send a covering letter and CV to the HR Departmen