Head of Physical Development and Pathways

Liverpool Football Club; Liverpool City Region; On-site; GBP 100,000 - 125,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading football academy in the United Kingdom is seeking a Sports Scientist to develop and deliver a cutting-edge sports science program tailored to young footballers. The role includes creating age-specific strategies for physical development and managing the integration of injured players into training. Candidates should possess a postgraduate degree in sports science and have at least three years of experience in a similar environment. The Academy is committed to inclusivity and offers a supportive workplace for diverse backgrounds.

Benefits

25 days holiday plus bank holidays

Contributory pension scheme

Life Assurance Cover

Free financial guidance

Cycle to Work scheme

Exclusive shopping discounts

Employee Assistance Programme

Special club perks

Qualifications

• A postgraduate degree in sports science from a recognised university.
• Minimum of three years' experience delivering strength and conditioning to academy football players.
• Excellent role model with integrity and enthusiasm.

Responsibilities

• Create a strategy for physical development across the academy.
• Develop performance monitoring strategies for academy players.
• Manage integration of injured players into the football program.

Skills

Communication skills

Interpersonal skills

Knowledge of physiological demands of football

Team collaboration

Leadership qualities

Education

Postgraduate degree in sports science

UKSCA Strength and Conditioning qualification

Tools

Microsoft Word

Microsoft Excel

Microsoft PowerPoint

Job description

Responsibilities

• Create a strategy and innovative age specific framework for physical development across Liverpool Football Academy in line with EPPP.
• Set short-, medium- and long-term department goals to achieve the academy and club vision.
• Develop world leading physical performance and sports science processes for academy football players. This will include appropriate pitch and gym based physical development programming, sports science monitoring strategies, screening assessments, growth and maturation strategies, individual player physical profiling, periodisation of training, recovery strategies, injury management and rehabilitation, innovation and research.
• Manage and evaluate field and gym based physical performance sessions designed to enhance the athletic football abilities of academy players.
• Manage appropriate integration of injured players into the football programme in consultation with the physiotherapists, rehab coaches, physical performance coaches and football coaches.
• Drive innovation through the performance insights team, staff innovation projects, PhD projects and external relationships with universities.
• Lead Academy physical performance research and work with other field specialists to enhance understanding and answer performance questions related to the adolescent physical development.
• Work with an interdisciplinary approach, maintaining strong professional relationships with performance, medical, coaching and operational staff both at the academy and with the first team.
• Work with football and physical performance coaches to provide individual development programmes based on physical profiles.
• Recruit and build elite staffing structures whilst succession planning and futureproofing.
• Liaise with appropriate physical performance and coaching staff regarding players physical requirements when playing between age groups.

Overview

To develop, manage and deliver an innovative age specific sport science programme in line with LFC Academy development principles. Working closely with the Lead coaches, medical and sport science teams develop an integrated, age specific and individualised sport science programme to help players achieve their football potential. Ensure that the Academy (and the club) is seen as a leading provider of the best possible approaches to player fitness and conditioning. Contribute to the maintenance and development of a world-class high-performance environment at the Academy.

Qualifications

• A postgraduate degree in sports science (or another relevant discipline) from a recognised university.
• UKSCA Strength and Conditioning qualification or ability to gain within an agreed timeframe.
• BASES accredited.
• Minimum of three years' experience delivering strength and conditioning to academy football players.
• Knowledge of the physiological demands of football including approaches to monitoring and evaluating training loads especially in young and developing adults.
• Excellent interpersonal and communication skills.
• Understanding of the pressures and commitments required for young players involved in higher level youth football.
• The ability to create an ethos which promotes high aspirations and achievement for all.
• Demonstrate the ability to create positive working relationships with all key stakeholders.
• Possession of all qualifications required by the league and maintaining CPD activities as advised by the league and as appropriate to the role.
• Ability to work flexible hours and travel nationally and internationally.
• Excellent role model, integrity and enthusiasm.
• 'Can do' attitude with a drive to continually improve the practice of the department and personal skills.
• Very high level of proficiency using Microsoft Word, Excel and Powerpoint.

Desirable Qualifications

• PhD in Sports Science.
• Formal qualification in management and or leadership.
• BASES HPSA.
• Evidence of further development and recent CPD activities.
• FA Football Coaching Qualifications.
• FMS Certification.
• FA Fitness Trainers Award.
• Experience in elite sporting environments other than football.
• An understanding of the support strategies for a player's emotional and welfare needs including safeguarding.
• Recognised safeguarding/child protection qualification.
• Knowledge of the overall Elite Player Performance Plan (EPPP) and specifically the sports science elements of the EPPP.
• Evidence of working in a high pressure environment.
• Demonstrable commitment to equal opportunities working practice.
• Up to date emergency first aid qualification.

Benefits

• 25 days holiday (plus 8 bank holidays and the option to purchase up to an additional 5 days).
• Contributory pension scheme matching up to 5.5%.
• Life Assurance Cover.
• Free financial guidance and mortgage advice.
• Car salary sacrifice scheme for affordable driving.
• Cycle to Work scheme to keep you active.
• Purchase season ticket loans for easier commuting.
• Exclusive shopping discounts & cashback with top retailers.
• Will Writing Service for future planning.
• Employee Assistance Programme for confidential support.
• Medicash Health Cash Plan for everyday healthcare needs.
• Volunteering opportunities to give back to the community.
• Special LFC perks – retail discounts, partner offers, free LFCTV GO access, and priority tickets for matches, events & concerts.

Equality, Diversity and Inclusion

At Liverpool Football Club, we have an unwavering commitment to equality, diversity and inclusion and are always looking to making a positive difference in the communities that we operate within. We are proud of our achievements in this area; maintaining the Premier League Equality Standard Advanced Level, becoming a founding signatory of the Football Association's Football Leadership Diversity Code and being recognised as a leader in this important area on and off the pitch. We take our responsibilities in this area seriously and through the work being done across the club, we are committed to increasing the diversity of our people and becoming an increasingly inclusive workplace for all. We are committed to hiring great people representative of diverse backgrounds, perspectives, and skills across our entire business. If you share our enthusiasm and passion for inclusivity, then we want to hear from you.