Head of PerformanceSalford City

Head of Performance

Salary: Competitive

Contract Type: Permanent

Hours: 40 hours, full time

Reports To: Sporting Director

Location: Various SCFC sites across Manchester and Salford.

The Purpose:

As the driving force behind our performance department, the Head of Performance will play a pivotal role in preparing our players to meet the demands of elite football. This senior, hands on role leads the strategic integration of performance and will be responsible for all aspects of physical development, including gym-based strength and conditioning, match-readiness, injury prevention and return-to-play protocols. This role champions a collaborative, data-informed approach that enhances player development, maximises physical output, and minimises injury risk across all our football teams.

This role goes beyond leadership. It’s a dynamic, hands on position which sits at the heart of our club’s commitment to high performance and excellence.

The Role:

Leadership & Management

• Proactively lead and integrate all performance support services to ensure alignment with the club’s playing philosophy and match demands (including sports science, medicine, physiotherapy, nutrition and S&C).
• Lead and coordinate all performance staff to ensure alignment, collaboration, consistency and a fully integrated approach across performance services to maintain elite standards.
• Develop and deliver a high-performance strategy aligned with the club’s footballing philosophy.

Multi-Disciplinary Team & Individual Preparation

• Collaborate with 1st Team Coaches to effectively plan, deliver and review training, match-day and recovery protocols.
• Oversee the design and implementation of integrated return-to-play protocols, ensuring physiotherapists and rehabilitation staff deliver structured programs that minimise injury risk and support a safe return to full performance.
• Ensure that gym-based work is fully integrated into broader physical periodisation plans.
• Ensure periodisation aligns with tactical periodisation and match demands.
• Report regularly to the Head Coach and Sporting Director on team and individual performance metrics and advise on player availability.
• Provide regular reports and insights to coaches and leadership teams, presenting data in an accessible format to guide training and match-day decisions.

Individual Development Planning

• Proactively manage and co-ordinate delivery of targeted individual development plans, tailored to both individual and team needs, to drive physical, psychological technical and tactical development.
• Design and deliver gym-based programmes that enhance strength, power, mobility, and injury resilience, while ensuring correct exercise technique, appropriate progression, and athlete safety.
• Proactively manage individual development plans, focusing on physical development and conditioning tailored to both individual and team needs.
• Provide players with clear education on the importance of physical preparation, such as gym work, nutrition and recovery protocols.
• Support the integration of the youth development pathway by collaborating with Academy staff and ensuring alignment and seamless transition of performance principles across all age groups.

Athlete Well-Being

• Oversee the medical team ensuring the highest standards of care and player welfare are consistently maintained.
• Oversee injury surveillance systems and proactively reduce injury risk.
• Create an inclusive and psychologically safe environment for staff and players, that promotes positive mental health.

High-Performance Environment

• Monitor and analyse physical data to guide decision making and adapt programmes accordingly.
• Implement evidence-based methods across teams and stay up to date with research and trends in physiotherapy, sports science and S&C.
• Evaluate and implement performance technologies, methodologies and best practices.
• Support ongoing development of performance staff through mentoring and CPD.
• Optimise and support future development of the training ground and football spaces across the club.

The Essentials:

• A Master’s degree in High Performance or a related field, with clear evidence of further experience and learning specifically in an elite sports environment.
• UKSCA or BASES Accredited
• A strong grasp of data-driven performance monitoring and injury prevention including an understanding of GPS, performance analysis tools and recovery strategies.
• Proficiency in athlete management systems (AMS), GPS and gym-based monitoring tools.
• Experience designing and delivering gym programmes in elite/professional football.
• Demonstrable experience of your ability to lead and collaborate effectively within multidisciplinary teams.
• Excellent interpersonal and communication skills.
• Emergency First Aid in Football (EFAiF) qualification.
• Enhanced DBS Clearance
• FA Safeguarding qualification
• Experience in undertaking health and safety duties and responsibilities appropriate to the post
• Full, UK driving licence.

Desirable:

• Experience in Academy and/or women’s football environments
• UEFA coaching qualification (bonus, not required)

The Club actively encourages Continuous Professional Development and would expect the successful candidate to ensure they are keeping updated with new theory and legislation, attend any necessary FA in-service training, and participate in a program of CPD across technical teams.

About The Candidate

We are seeking an experienced professional who:

• Is an expert in long-term athlete development, with a proven track record of applying principles across the performance pathway.
• Has a strong track record in elite football, delivering high-quality performance services and technical expertise.
• Takes a strategic yet practical approach, actively engaging in day-to-day delivery while ensuring challenges are addressed and performance goals are consistently met.
• Demonstrates proven leadership in managing multidisciplinary teams and overseeing diverse workstreams with clarity and cohesion.
• Excels under pressure, with the agility to adapt to evolving schedules and tight deadlines without compromising on standards.
• Is a personable and collaborative leader, capable of building strong, trust-based relationships across multidisciplinary teams and with players.
• Leads by example, fostering a culture of professionalism, continuous improvement and high performance throughout the department.

About You:

You are a highly skilled and proactive performance leader with a deep understanding of elite football environments. You're someone who thrives in the thick of it - on the training pitch, in the gym and alongside players and staff on matchdays. You bring a wealth of practical experience and a proven ability to deliver high-performance outcomes in a fast-paced, high-pressure setting.

As a central figure at the club, your work will directly influence player readiness, recovery and long-term development. You’ll be a trusted voice in football decision-making, using your expertise to shape physical preparation strategies that align with our tactical identity and match demands.

We’re looking for a confident, approachable leader who builds strong relationships across departments. Your calm, flexible and collaborative nature allows you to guide and support staff at all levels from our academy to our First Team while maintaining the highest standards of professionalism and care.

You will also play a key mentoring role within the department, guiding and developing staff across all levels of the performance team. Your ability to share knowledge and nurture emerging talent will be essential in building a high-performing, cohesive unit. By fostering a culture of continuous learning and professional growth, you’ll help ensure that the club not only meets today’s demands but is also prepared for the future.

You’ll be expected to:

• Be present and active on matchdays (home and away), delivering pre-match preparation, half-time assessments, and post-match recovery protocols.
• Take a forward-thinking, evidence-based approach to physical performance, staying current with the latest research and integrating best practices into daily operations.
• Lead by example, upholding the highest standards of integrity, behaviour and safeguarding in every interaction with players and staff.
• Foster a culture of excellence, ensuring our sports science programme is aligned with BASES and/or UKSCA codes of conduct and consistently delivers a first-class player experience.
• Comply with club policies including health and safety, whereabouts and safeguarding.

This role demands flexibility, with regular evening and weekend work to support the dynamic nature of training and match schedules. Your ability to adapt, plan ahead and remain composed under pressure will be key to your success.