This is an exciting opportunity for a forward-thinking and innovative Performance Psychologist, with prior experience working in elite sport, to work as part of the Performance and Medical Department at the London City Lionesses. The successful candidate will work closely with the Club (Sports) Therapist and Head of Performance. The Performance Psychologist will be expected to facilitate effective inter-departmental communication.  The Performance Psychologist will work with players around improving mental skills for performance, preparing for competition and to improve training efficiency. It is expected that the Performance Psychologist maintains high standards of professional integrity, prioritising the delivery of quality care and safeguarding player safety whilst supporting them in their performance goals. This role will also require collaboration with the Club Doctor (Head of Clinical Governance), to ensure that the requisite standards of medical care are delivered throughout the season.

The Performance Psychologist will:

• Provide individual and team performance psychology and well being support and education, to enhance the performance of athletes.


• Develop optimal performance psychology and lifestyle strategies specific to female athletes.


• In collaboration with the Head Coach, Director of Football, and Performance and Medical staff, develop and implement the vision, mission and core vales of London City Lionesses.


• Collaborate with the Club Doctor to ensure compliance with league standards of Clinical Governance.


• Ensure integrated cutting-edge and female focused performance psychology support, working closely with the technical, medical and performance Multi-Disciplinary Team.


• Provide support to players and staff during training sessions, recovery and games, with some travel required.


• Provide performance-based evaluations and team performance psychology interventions for players, coaches and support staff.


• In collaboration with the club doctor, develop and manage the mental health referral pathway to ensure players and staff have access to clinical psychology support.


• Maintain a comprehensive, indexed database of work conducted with players and coaches, working within the rules of the UK Professional Code of Conduct, Standards and Guidelines.


• Design, position and deliver practical support, education and interventions that enable players, coaches and staff to thrive on and off the pitch.


• Provide a variety of personal development sessions throughout the season to both players and support staff.


• Work collaboratively with the Performance and Medical team to provide Multi-Disciplinary support by implementing and monitoring optimal female health, recovery, physical profiling, strength and conditioning, training and match load monitoring, psychology and return to play strategies.


• In collaboration with the Performance and Medical staff review, develop and co-ordinate applied performance and medical research projects, contributing to an evolving, multi-club, and World leading support program specific to female athletes. Mentor undergraduate students, interns and volunteers as appropriate and required.


• Attend and assist with workshops, in-service meetings, national and FA focused meetings, professional development ourses/workshops and other development opportunities.


• Perform other duties as assigned.  The above provides an outline for the role required and should not be regarded as a conclusive list.

The ideal candidate has:

• BSc and MSc in psychology/sport psychology (or relevant equivalent)


• Registered with the Health & Care Professions Council (HCPC)


• Qualification in counselling and / or therapeutic techniques, such as:  CBT, ACT, REBT, EMDR


• Safeguarding and Protecting Children / FA Safeguarding Children (acquired before starting role)


• DBS Clearance / Enhanced FA CRC check (acquired before starting the role)


• Mental Health England First Aid Certification


• British Psychological Society Chartered Status or BASES Accredited


• PhD in psychology/sport psychology or relevant equivalent


• Qualification in validated psychometric instruments


• Engages in continuous professional development


• Experience in providing performance impacting psychological support to tactical / decision making sports specifically women’s team sports


• Leadership and management experience


• Ability to build and maintain professional relationships with clinical and non-clinical staff members


• Ability to work on own initiative


• Experience of providing support that targets the optimisation of team dynamics/behaviour