Lead Foundation / Youth Development Phase Physiotherapist

Aston Villa Fan Consultation Group; Birmingham; On-site; GBP 60,000 - 80,000; Full time

Job summary

A prominent football club in Birmingham is seeking a dynamic Lead Physiotherapist for their Football Division – Boys Academy Medical and Sport Science Department. This pivotal role focuses on providing expert physiotherapy services for young athletes in the Foundation and Youth Development Phases, and requires relevant rugby physiotherapy qualifications. The position demands flexibility to work during evenings, weekends, and matchdays, aiming to ensure the health and performance of U15-16 players. An attractive remuneration package is offered based on experience.

Benefits

Attractive remuneration package

World-class facilities

Opportunity for professional development

Qualifications

• Proven experience in high‑quality physiotherapy provision to elite youth athletes.
• Ability to assess and manage growth related injuries effectively.
• Experience working within multidisciplinary teams in sports.

Responsibilities

• Lead physiotherapy services for Foundation Phase and Youth Development Phase.
• Conduct assessments and rehabilitation for youth players focusing on U15-16s.
• Educate athletes and parents on Sport Science impact.

Skills

Experience providing physiotherapy to elite youth athletes

Assessment of growth related injuries

Team collaboration in sports environment

Education

BSc (Hons) in Physiotherapy (minimum 2:1)

Membership to the Chartered Society of Physiotherapy (CSP)

Registration with the Health and Care Professions Council (HCPC)

Job description

Department: Football Division – Boys Academy Medical and Sport Science Department

Hours of Work: Full-time (with flexibility to work during evenings and weekends, including matchdays)

Contract Type: Permanent

Salary: Attractive Remuneration Package depending on experience

Location: Bodymoor Heath Training Ground

Closing Date: Sunday 1 February 2026

The Department

Our Boys Academy Department is proud to have achieved the prestigious Category One status, a testament to our commitment to delivering the highest standards of coaching, education, training, and facilities for youth football. This accolade underscores our commitment to excellence and our passionate pursuit of nurturing future talent, as demonstrated during our recent FA Youth Cup and league campaigns.

As we continue to build on this success, we are thrilled to announce an exciting opportunity for a dynamic and skilled Physiotherapist to join our team. In this pivotal role, you will lead the physiotherapy services for our Foundation Phase (FP) and Youth Development Phases (YDP), playing a vital part in nurturing, encouraging, and supporting the next generation of our Professional Development players.

The Role

As the Lead FP/YDP Physiotherapist, you will take charge of coordinating and delivering expert youth player assessment, rehabilitation and athletic development to our FP and YDP players with a primary focus on the U15-16s squads. Your expertise will be key to shaping a cutting‑edge, evidence‑based approach to youth player health, availability, and performance, working collaboratively within our multidisciplinary Academy Medical and Sport Science Department.

Based at our world‑class Bodymoor Heath Training Ground, you’ll play a pivotal role in educating athletes and their parents to understand the impact of Sport Science and Medicine on availability, robustness, motor skills, strength, power and ultimately performance.

For further information about the Role, please see the Role Profile.

The Person

To be considered for this role, you will need to hold the following qualifications:

• BSc (Hons) in Physiotherapy (minimum 2:1)
• Membership to the Chartered Society of Physiotherapy (CSP)
• Registration with the Health and Care Professions Council (HCPC)

To excel in this role, you will bring proven experience in providing high‑quality physiotherapy provision to elite youth athletes in a full‑time capacity within a professional sport.

Your expertise will encompass a comprehensive understanding of growth and maturation and its implications for a developing athlete. You must be able to demonstrate proficiency in assessing and managing growth related injuries including structuring and delivering of criteria‑based player ‘position specific’ outdoor rehabilitation.

We are seeking a team player who thrives in high‑pressure unpredictable environments and has experience working collaboratively within Interdisciplinary and Multi‑Disciplinary Teams.

While not essential, knowledge of the Elite Player Performance Plan (Category 1 Academy), experience mentoring junior practitioners, and an understanding of the unique demands of a FP and YDP environment would be highly advantageous.

Why join us?

There has never been a better time to join Aston Villa Football Club. Our drive to succeed is visible on the global stage, we are building a family ethos and culture to be proud of, and realizing our ambitious plans for the expansion and improvement of our world‑class facilities. If you are already excited by this challenge and want to play your part in our historic Club, then you’ll be pleased to hear about our amazing staff benefits you receive whilst working for us! See our Staff Benefits booklet to find out more.

As part of your application, you will be asked to:

1. Upload your CV

2. Answer the following question:

a) Please outline how your relevant experience, key skills, qualities aligns with the role profile (400 words maximum)

Right to Close Vacancy Posting Early

The Club reserves the right to close any advertised vacancies earlier than the advertised closing date if sufficient applications have been received.

Equality Statement

Aston Villa Football Club celebrates the diversity of its Club and embraces equal opportunities for all. We are proud to be a Disability Confident employer and fully support The FAs Football Leadership Diversity Code.

We welcome applications from all candidates regardless of age, race, disability, gender reassignment, pregnancy and maternity, sexual orientation, marriage and civil partnership, sex and religion or belief.

Safeguarding Statement

Aston Villa Football Club is fully committed to safeguarding children and adults at risk across our Club. As such, we adhere to Safer Recruitment processes and for some roles a satisfactory enhanced disclosure via the Disclosure & Barring Service may be required prior to starting in a role at the Club. For more information, please see Aston Villa Football Club | The official club website | AVFC - Safeguarding