Academy Lead Strength & Conditioning Coach

Bristol City FC.; Bristol; On-site; GBP 27,000; Full time

Job summary

A professional football club is seeking an experienced Academy Lead Strength & Conditioning Coach to join their Academy Sports Science department. The role involves leading Strength & Conditioning programmes for U16-U21, supporting athlete transition to the first team, and maintaining high professional standards. Candidates should possess a BSc in Sports Science and be experienced in working within a professional sports academy. The position offers a competitive salary and a chance to be part of a growing Academy.

Qualifications

• Experience in developing players in an Academy environment.
• Ability to develop and work with young people.
• Experience in long-term athlete development.

Responsibilities

• Lead the S&C delivery of U16-U21 Strength & Conditioning programmes.
• Assist in the planning and implementation of physiological training games programme.
• Provide a clear transition link from academy to first team training.

Skills

Previous experience within a professional sports academy environment

Hold at least a BSc in Sports Science

Current Basic First Aid for Sport Qualification

Education

BSc in Sports Science or relevant discipline

Tools

Microsoft Excel

VALD systems

Gymaware systems

Job description

Organisation Bristol City FC. Salary £27,000 per annum Location Robins High Performance Centre, Bristol Contract type Permanent (Full time) Closing date 6 January 2026 Job Description

DEPARTMENT : Academy Sports Science

REPORTS TO : Head of Sports Science

• Do you have experience of developing players in an Academy environment?
• Do you understand the requirements to play professional football at all levels?
• Do you have the ability to develop and work with young people?
• Do you have a BSc in Sports Science / Strength and Conditioning?
• Do you want to be part of the South West’s ONLY category 2 Academy?

With a vision to build a “1st team squad with a core of home grown talent”, Bristol City FC Academy have seen a record number of Academy players in our First Team squad in the last few years and we are now building our structure for future and continued success. Our First Team are a Championship side with big ambitions and a home for a Premier League team to be proud of. These are our most exciting times and we are looking for committed, exceptional people to join us on our unique journey.

We now require an Academy Lead Strength & Conditioning Coach to take an important role in our team and join our Academy Sports Science department.

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES INCLUDE BUT ARE NOT LIMITED TO :

• Lead the S&C delivery of U16-U21 Strength & Conditioning programmes and the Academy Medical staff in the design, planning and implementation of return-to-play programmes (U16-U21).
• Lead all U18 and U23 testing collection / analysis including:
  • Collection and analysis of daily condition monitors (wellness) and readiness to re-perform monitoring, applying appropriate interventions where necessary.
  • Execution of physical attribute testing procedures, data collation and analysis, including player reviews and relevant intervention prescriptions.
• Assist the academy sports science staff in the planning and implementation of physiological training games programme, monitoring external / internal / psycho-social training load through the use of GPS, heart rate and session RPE data where required, particularly in the return to play process.
• Assist the Academy Medical staff in the design, planning and implementation of return-to-play, pre-habilitation and rehabilitation programmes (U18 and U23).
• Contribute to the delivery of performance education sessions to all players (U18 and U23), parents and relevant staff.
• Ensure the Academy Strength & Conditioning services are consistently operating at best-practice standards.
• Maintain the professional standards of the Sports Science department at all times.
• Provide a clear link between players transitioning from academy to first team training, staying in constant communication with first team medical, sport science and coaching staff.
• Support department staff in maintaining sports science / strength & conditioning equipment and consumables.
• Contribute with verbal and written reports to Academy multi-disciplinary meetings and contribute to both Academy and first team departmental Continuous Professional Development (CPD) whilst conducting regular research into areas of contemporary sport and exercise science.

Essential Skills

• Hold at least a BSc in Sports Science (or another relevant discipline) from a recognised university
• Hold a current Basic First Aid for Sport Qualification (or equivalent / higher)
• Previous experience within a professional sports academy environment
• Previous experience of long-term athlete development

Desirable Skills :

• Post-graduate qualification in related subject (S&C)
• Hold S&C accreditation or a willingness to obtain within 6 months
• Competencies in Microsoft Excel, interest in power BI, producing training and testing reports for players and staff.
• Experience with VALD and Gymaware systems.