JOB TITLE: Senior Academy Performance Psychologist
DEPARTMENT: Performance and Medical
REPORTS TO: Head of Academy Performance Services
DIRECT REPORTS: N/A
LOCATION: Compton
HOURS: Full-Time
DATE: March 25’

We are Wolves

Progressive, determined, bright, unified, and humble. A pack that is hungry for success. Wolves is one of the fastest-growing professional football clubs in the UK and boasts one of the richest histories in the beautiful game.

Formed in 1877, Wolves was a founding member of the Football League and one of the country’s most successful sides in the fifties and sixties. During a two-decade spell, the Black Country’s most decorated side won three First Division titles and one of its four FA Cups.

Fast forward 70 years, and Wolves are back amongst football’s elite. Over the past six years, we have celebrated promotion to the Premier League, back-to-back 7th place finishes, and a Europa League quarter-final campaign. Now, we will be competing in the Premier League for a sixth successive season.

But this post is not about what we have done but what we will achieve next.

We are committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children, young people, and adults at risk. We expect all colleagues and volunteers to share this commitment. This means that the post-holder is required to apply all relevant policies and uphold the Club’s commitment to safeguarding and ensuring that Wolves is free from discrimination and harassment.

Job Purpose

Wolves are recruiting for a Senior Academy Performance Psychologist to work within the Academy as a fully integrated member of the support team. This full-time role requires a practitioner who will be immersed in the program, applying psychological principles, promoting Wolves' values, and working closely with players, coaches, support staff, and parents.

This psychology role focuses primarily on the Professional Development Phase (PDP) and aims to further enable staff and players to maximize performance and enhance wellbeing.

Key Responsibilities

1. Support understanding of the psychological needs of players and inform targeted interventions

• Work daily with PDP coaches and multi-disciplinary staff to identify and enhance understanding of the psychological needs of players.


• Provide 1:1 direct performance support for PDP players where appropriate.


• Support player transitions between U16-PDP.


• Work with the Goalkeeping department to support them across the academy.


• Attend loans meetings to support staff in applying psychological insights.

2. Targeted Group Workshops (Based on Identified Needs)

• Provide relevant education for academy coaches and multi-disciplinary staff.


• Deliver a variety of psychological workshops to PDP players throughout the season to support their understanding and development of Wolves psychology characteristics (Drive, Openness, Regulation).

3. Integrating Psychology into Training, Matches, and Tournaments

• Travel to matches and away tours with PDP teams.


• Observe, facilitate staff and player reflections, and support the implementation of psychological training interventions.

4. Responding Safely and Appropriately to the Wellbeing Needs of Players

• Contribute to and support the Wellbeing Forums.


• Work closely with Player Care, Safeguarding, and the Academy Clinical Psychologist to educate the system and support player wellbeing.

5. Ensure the Academy Meets EPPP Standards for Psychology Provision

• Adhere to Elite Player Performance Plan (EPPP) requirements.

General Responsibilities

• Compliance with Club policies.


• Compliance with the Club’s health and safety procedures.


• Compliance with the Club’s safeguarding policies.


• Promote the Club’s values: Progressive, Humble, Determined, Bright, and Unified.


• Embed equality and diversity within the Club.


• Undertake other reasonable duties as required.


• Maintain professional conduct at all times.

Key Relationships

• Head of Academy Performance Services


• Academy Manager


• Changing Minds Contracted Psychologists


• PDP Multi-Disciplinary Team (MDT)

Person Specification

Skills, Knowledge, and Qualifications

Essential

• Postgraduate degree in Psychology or Sport Psychology.


• BPS Chartered and HCPC-Registered Sport Psychologist.


• Fully enhanced DBS check and up-to-date Child Protection Certificate.


• Experience working with adolescents in an elite sporting context.


• Excellent interpersonal skills with the ability to build strong relationships with staff and players.


• Evidence of impactful 1:1 psychology support and/or psych-education delivery to relevant populations.


• Experience working with and through coaches/support staff in delivering psychological services.


• Open to learning, committed to self-improvement, and reflective in practice.


• Strong emotional regulation skills and self-care awareness.


• Ability to work under pressure and flexible to work unsociable hours when necessary.

Desirable

• Experience providing transition support between YDP and PDP phases.


• Previous experience in an Academy or Senior Football environment, preferably within the Professional Development Phase (PDP).


• Organized, methodical, and logical approach to work.


• Creative presentation skills with experience in delivering engaging presentations.