Head of First Team PhysiotherapyHuddersfield Town

Post Title
Head of First Team Physiotherapy.

Department/Location
Medical and Performance Department, Canalside Training Centre.

Reports To
Head of Medical and Performance.

Responsible For
First Team Physiotherapists and Sports Therapists.

Purpose of the Role
As Head of First Team Physiotherapy you will lead on the physiotherapy provision for the Club’s First Team. You will be responsible for the delivery, management, and continuous development of evidence-based physiotherapy services, ensuring players receive world-class injury prevention, assessment, treatment, and rehabilitation support.

Working closely with the Head of Medical and Performance, and the wider Multidisciplinary Team (MDT), the post holder will play a key role in maximising player availability, enhancing performance, reducing injury risk, and supporting safe and effective return to play processes.

The role requires an exceptional practitioner who can combine outstanding clinical expertise with strong leadership, communication, and organisational skills within an elite football environment.

Functional Links
Internal:
Sporting Director.
Head of Medical and Performance.
First Team Head Coach and Coaching Staff.
Sports Science and Performance Staff.
Chief Medical Officer / Club Doctors.
Medical Staff.
Staff and managers throughout the organisation.

External:
Specialist Consultants and Surgeons.
Premier League, EFL, and FA Medical Departments.
External Healthcare Providers.
Opposition Clubs’ Medical Staff.
Professional Footballers’ Association (PFA).
League Managers’ Association (LMA).

Key Performance Indicators

• Maximise player availability throughout the season.

• Reduce preventable injury incidence and recurrence rates.

• Deliver effective and efficient rehabilitation programmes.

• Ensure evidence-based return to play decisions.

• Maintain high standards of clinical governance and record-keeping.

• Develop and support Physiotherapy staff across the department.

• Enhance medical service provision through innovation and continuous improvement.

Role Specific Responsibilities

Clinical Leadership

The post holder is required to:

• Lead and manage all First Team Physiotherapy services.

• Provide expert musculoskeletal assessments, diagnoses, and treatment.

• Oversee the management of all player injuries and illnesses in consultation with the Head of Medical and Performance and MDT.

• Deliver and supervise high-quality rehabilitation programmes tailored to individual players.

• Develop and implement clinical pathways and rehabilitation frameworks.

• Lead service development initiatives and continuously evaluate best practice.

• Contribute to departmental strategic planning and performance objectives.

Injury Prevention and Performance Enhancement

The post holder is required to:

• Develop and implement injury prevention strategies.

• Support physical profiling and pre-participation assessments.

• Collaborate with Sports Science staff to monitor player loading and recovery.

• Utilise objective markers and testing procedures to support rehabilitation progression and return to play decisions.

• Contribute to optimising player performance and long-term physical development.

Match Day and Training Operations

The post holder is required to:

• Provide physiotherapy cover for all First Team training sessions and fixtures.

• Deliver immediate pitch-side assessments and emergency care.

• Maintain current Advanced Trauma Medical Management in Football (ATMMiF) or equivalent qualification.

• Work closely with opposition medical teams and emergency services when required.

• Ensure Emergency Action Plans (EAPs) are implemented and communicated effectively.

• Travel with the First Team as required for domestic and international fixtures.

Multidisciplinary Team Collaboration

The post holder is required to:

• Work collaboratively with coaching, medical, and performance staff.

• Communicate injury status, rehabilitation progress, and availability updates to relevant stakeholders.

• Attend regular MDT meetings and contribute to integrated player management discussions.

• Liaise with external specialists, imaging providers, and consultants.

• Support players throughout consultations, investigations, and surgical procedures where appropriate.

Leadership and Staff Development

The post holder is required to:

• Provide leadership and mentorship to Physiotherapy and medical staff, and interns/student placements.

• Support the recruitment, onboarding, and development of medical personnel.

• Foster a culture of continuous professional development and reflective practice.

• Promote the Company’s values, and high-performance behaviours and standards across the department.

• Assist the Head of Medical and Performance with annual Performance Development Plans (PDPs) as required.

• Contribute to education sessions for players and staff.

Governance, Administration, and Compliance

The post holder is required to:

• Maintain accurate, confidential, and contemporaneous medical records.

• Ensure compliance with HCPC, CSP, FA, EFL, Premier League and other healthcare standards and professional codes of conduct/practice.

• Contribute to departmental audits and quality assurance processes.

• Assist and manage the medical and physiotherapy budget.

• Oversee medical equipment procurement and inventory management.

• Develop, review, and update departmental Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs).

• Ensure all activities comply with GDPR and data protection legislation.

Club-Wide Responsibilities

The post holder is required to:

• Promote and uphold the values, culture, and ‘Everything Together’ ethos of the Company.

• Adhere to all safeguarding policies and procedures.

• Support and champion equality, diversity, and inclusion initiatives.

• Complete all mandatory training requirements.

• Maintain the highest standards of professionalism, integrity, and confidentiality.