Academy Physical Performance Coach with Specialism in Return to Play

Comunidad Lift; Sheffield; Hybrid; GBP 32,000 - 39,000; Full time

Job summary

Sheffield United FC Academy is recruiting a Physical Performance Coach to optimise the physical development of Academy players. The role focuses on planning and delivering return to play processes, with involvement in gym and pitch-based development sessions and performance testing.

The successful candidate will work within the Elite Performance Team, collaborate with medical and coaching staff, and contribute to an elite development pathway for young athletes.

Qualifications

• MSc in Sports Science / Strength & Conditioning.
• CASES Accreditation (or evidence of working towards).
• UKSCA Accreditation (or evidence of working towards).
• Experience of providing physical performance support to young athletes.
• Experience of working within an elite sporting environment.
• To uphold the FA Safeguarding Children certificate.
• FA First Aid (Level 2 Emergency First Aid in Football).
• Enhanced DBS check required on offer acceptance.

Responsibilities

• Plan and deliver the return to play processes for academy players.
• Lead or support gym and pitch-based athletic development sessions and testing.
• Use GPS, VALD and 2-D analysis to profile players and translate data into development plans.
• Provide performance support to the U18 squad on match-days.
• Collaborate with multidisciplinary teams to deliver the elite physical development programme.
• Adhere to safeguarding, equality, and health & safety policies.

Skills

Communication

Organisational skills

Player development

Education

MSc in Sports Science/Strength & Conditioning

CASES Accreditation

UKSCA Accreditation

Job description

• Contract Type: Permanent, full time
• Hours: 40 hours per week
• Location: Sheffield United Training Academy and various opposition clubs
• Line Manager: Academy Head of Elite Performance
• Salary: Up to £35,000 per annum, dependent on experience
• Post Reference: AC1026-PPPC

Sheffield United FC Academy are committed to being one of the best and innovative developers of talent in the country; to Out Run, Out Fight, Out Play the opposition.

To contribute to this ambition, the Elite Performance Team are looking to recruit a passionate and knowledgeable Physical Performance Coach who can optimise the physical development of the Academy’s players.

The successful candidate will be responsible for planning and delivering the return to play processes to the Academy’s players in the professional development phases, as well as supporting the Elite Performance Department to deliver an elite physical development programme.

Core Role Responsibilities

• Work closely with other members of the Elite Performance Team to ensure a multidisciplinary team approach is adopted to player support.
• Work closely with the medical, coaching and multidisciplinary teams to plan and deliver all stages of the return to play process.
• Prioritise the development of speed, efficiency, and effectiveness of movement as a key thread throughout the return to play pathway.
• Use performance technologies, including GPS, VALD and 2-D kinematic analysis, to assess, monitor and profile players, translating data into meaningful development plans.
• Lead or support the design and delivery of gym and pitch based athletic development sessions and performance testing to support the physical development of Academy players.
• Provide performance support to the U18 squad on match-days.
• Participate and lead in internal CPD while pursuing external CPD requirements.
• Drive and inspire players to achieve an elite level of athletic performance.
• Project a proper and professional image of Sheffield United Football Club and act in the best interests of the Club at all times.
• Any other typical Academy Physical Performance Coach duties as requested by management.

Club Wide Responsibilities

• Adhere to all Sheffield United Football Club’s Safeguarding Policies and Procedures to foster an environment which protects from harm those defined as children and adults at risk.
• Report any concerns of a Safeguarding nature to the relevant parties and remain fully compliant with any applicable Safeguarding checks and due diligence and recognise your responsibility to the Club’s Safeguarding agenda.
• Report any concerns of discrimination to the relevant parties and promote a welcoming and inclusive club environment for all.
• Adhere to the Club’s Equality, Diversity and Inclusion policies, supporting the Club to create an environment which is inclusive and all-encompassing.
• Carry out and actively participate in all training requests as directed by the Club, including mandatory health and safety training, emergency procedures, fire safety, manual handling, safeguarding, and role‑specific safety instruction.

Essential Criteria for the Role

• MSc in Sports Science / Strength and Conditioning.
• CASES Accreditation (or evidence of working towards).
• UKSCA Accreditation (or evidence of working towards).
• Experience of providing physical performance support to young athletes.
• Experience of working within an elite sporting environment.
• To uphold the FA Safeguarding Children certificate.
• FA First Aid (Level 2 Emergency First Aid in Football).
• This role requires the completion of an enhanced criminal record check through the DBS upon offer acceptance.
• Strong organisational skills.
• Excellent communication skills
  • ability to communicate with players of all age ranges.
  • ability to communicate with coaches across all phases.

Desirable Criteria for the Role

• Specialism in the delivery of return to play processes.
• Specialism in the collection and analysis of physical outputs from GPS measurements.
• Experience of working within an Academy.

Interview Process

• Stage 1 – Getting to know you & Competency based questions.
• Stage 2 – Practical Delivery.

Closing Date: Sunday 18th October 2026
Please note that in the instance of high volumes of applications we may close this vacancy earlier than the closing date noted above.

Eligibility for Employment in the UK
In accordance with current legislative requirements the successful applicant must produce documentary verification of their eligibility to work in the UK and will not be allowed to start work until this has been received.

Equality and Diversity
Sheffield United FC is committed to the principle of equal opportunity in employment and its employment policies for recruitment, selection, training, development and promotion are designed to ensure that no job applicant or employee receives less favourable treatment on the grounds of race, colour, nationality, religion or belief, sex, sexual orientation, marital status, age, ethnic and national origin, disability or gender reassignment.

Sheffield United FC are a Disability Confident Committed Employer. If you would like further information regarding the scheme and how we are able to support disabled persons within the workplace, then please contact our HR team at [email protected]

Safer Recruitment
Sheffield United FC is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children, young people and adults at risk. The successful applicant will be required to undertake appropriate safeguarding checks as well as providing proof of right to work in the UK. For further information on the Club’s Safeguarding Statement please access the following link:
sufc.co.uk/club/policies/safeguarding-policy