Head of Athletic PerformanceSt Patrick's Athletic

St Patrick's Athletic FC are seeking an ambitious, highly motivated and experienced performance professional to lead the club's athletic performance department as Head of Athletic Performance.

This is a key leadership role within the first-team football operation. The successful candidate will develop and oversee a comprehensive athletic performance programme that maximises player availability, physical development, match day readiness and on pitch performance.

Working closely with the First-Team Manager, Sporting Director, coaching staff and medical department, the successful applicant will help create a high performance environment aligned with the club's sporting objectives. 

They will combine strong technical knowledge and practical football experience with the ability to translate sports science and performance data into practical improvements on the pitch.

 

The Role and Responsibilities

1. Leadership and Performance Strategy

 

• Lead the strategic direction and day-to-day operation of the club's athletic performance programme.
   
• Develop and implement a comprehensive physical performance strategy aligned with the club's football philosophy and competitive objectives.
   
• Establish clear performance standards, processes and individual player development plans.
   
• Promote a culture of professionalism, accountability, continuous improvement and high performance.

2. Strength and Conditioning

 

• Design, deliver and oversee individual and team-based strength and conditioning programmes.
   
• Develop players' strength, power, speed, acceleration, deceleration, agility and repeated high-intensity running capacity.
   
• Plan and deliver pre-season preparation, in-season conditioning, recovery sessions and off-season training programmes.
   
• Ensure gym-based and pitch-based conditioning are effectively integrated into the weekly training schedule

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3. Match Preparation and Periodisation

 

• Lead the physical preparation and periodisation of the first team throughout the competitive season, maintaining physical performance and readiness.
   
• Plan training loads around match schedules, fixture congestion, travel and recovery requirements, preparing players for the demands of domestic league and cup competitions.
   
• Collaborate with the coaching staff to ensure training intensity and volume support tactical and technical objectives.

4. Performance Monitoring and Sports Science

 

• Implement appropriate systems for monitoring training load, player readiness, fatigue and physical performance.
   
• Use relevant sports science technology and objective data to inform training prescription and player management.
   
• Conduct regular physical assessments and use the results to guide individual development plans.
   
• Analyse physical performance data to identify trends, opportunities for improvement and potential concerns.

5. Injury Risk Reduction and Return to Performance

 

• Work closely with the club's medical and rehabilitation staff to support player availability and physical wellbeing, contributing to evidence-informed injury risk reduction through training design, workload management and physical preparation.
   
• Support the physical rehabilitation and reconditioning of injured players in collaboration with the medical team.
   
• Develop and monitor structured return-to-training and return-to-performance progressions in line with clinical recommendations and agreed medical clearance processes, supporting players' safe reintegration into full training and competition

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6. Individual Player Development

 

• Establish and maintain individual physical development plans for first-team players.
   
• Identify physical strengths, weaknesses and development priorities through testing, observation and performance data.
   
• Deliver targeted interventions to improve individual performance and address specific physical requirements.
   
• Support the physical integration of new signings and younger players transitioning into senior football.
   
• Provide regular feedback to players on their physical development, training progress and performance objectives.

7. Communication and Collaboration

• Build strong working relationships with the Manager, Sporting Director, coaches, physiotherapists, medical staff and other relevant personnel.
• Present performance findings and player-management recommendations clearly to support informed decisions, and contribute to regular performance meetings, planning sessions and departmental reviews.
• Ensure the athletic performance programme is integrated into the wider first-team operation.
• Maintain appropriate records, documentation and reporting procedures.

Essential Qualifications and Experience

Candidates should demonstrate:

 

• A recognised degree in Strength and Conditioning, Sports Science, Exercise Physiology or a closely related discipline.
   
• Relevant professional strength and conditioning qualifications.
   
• Proven experience delivering strength and conditioning and physical performance programmes within football or another elite sporting environment.
   
• A strong understanding of football-specific physical demands, training periodisation and player load management.
   
• Experience using performance monitoring systems, physical testing and sports science data to inform practice.
   
• Strong planning, organisational, communication and interpersonal skills.
   
• The ability to work effectively within a multidisciplinary performance team.
   
• A proactive, professional and player-centred approach to performance development.
   
• A commitment to continuing professional development and evidence-informed practice.

Desirable Experience

The following would be advantageous:
 

• Previous experience within professional football.
   
• Experience leading or managing an athletic performance department.
   
• Experience working within a senior first-team environment across a full competitive season.
   
• Familiarity with GPS tracking, athlete monitoring platforms and performance analysis software.
   
• Experience managing physical preparation during fixture congestion and periods of high competitive demand.
   
• Experience establishing departmental processes, performance standards and long-term physical development strategies.

Personal Attributes

The successful candidate will be resilient and adaptable, able to respond effectively to changing schedules, selection demands and the pressures of professional football