Performance Psychologist (Consultancy Basis)

Bristol City Football Club; West of England; On-site; GBP 40,000 - 60,000; Full time

Job summary

Bristol City Football Club is seeking a Sport/Exercise Psychologist to provide specialist psychological support to the Men's First Team and Academy. The role involves delivering evidence-based interventions tailored to performance, wellbeing, and team dynamics, working with a multidisciplinary staff at the Bristol City FC Training Ground.

This consultancy-based position equates to two days per week, with some home and away travel as appropriate.

Qualifications

• Postgraduate qualification in Sport / Exercise Psychology (or equivalent).
• HCPC registration as a Sport and Exercise Psychologist.
• Experience delivering applied psychological support within elite sport.

Responsibilities

• Provide specialist psychological support to players and staff within Men's First Team and Academy as required.
• Design and deliver evidence-based psychological interventions tailored to performance demands.
• Work collaboratively with Physical Performance, Medical, Coaching, Analysis and Football Strategy departments.
• Deliver workshops and wellbeing initiatives to promote high-performance behaviours and personal development.
• Maintain safeguarding, confidentiality and record-keeping in line with standards.

Skills

Sport psychology

Team sport environment

Interpersonal skills

Stakeholder collaboration

Education

Postgraduate qualification in Sport / Exercise Psychology

HCPC registration

Job description

Club vision:

to play football at the highest level. Bristol City is a widely respected institution within English football, defined by its stability, rich heritage, and a track record of elite player development. Looking ahead, we aren’t simply aiming for a place in the top flight; we are committed to being 'Premier League Ready' in every sense.

Ashton Gate is our home – a world-class venue that caters for all of Bristol by also hosting the Bristol Bears, Bristol City Women, concerts, international sporting and other events.

When we achieve our goal of playing in the Premier League for the first time, it will be transformative not just for the club, but for the city of Bristol itself.

Job mission:

To provide specialist psychological support to players and staff, primarily within the Men's First Team and, where appropriate, the Academy, to enhance individual and team performance and support the Club's wider football objectives. Working collaboratively with the Physical Performance, Medical and Coaching departments, the role will design and deliver evidence-based psychological interventions tailored to the physical, tactical and psychological demands of professional football. Note: The role will be delivered on a consultancy basis, equivalent to two days per week across the Bristol City FC Training Ground, plus home and away day travel where appropriate.

Key responsibilities:

• Help develop a psychologically informed high-performance environment across the Men's First Team and, where appropriate, the Academy.
• Provide evidence-based psychological support to players and coaches to strengthen wellbeing, resilience and consistent performance under pressure.
• Build strong working relationships within the multidisciplinary team across Physical Performance, Medical, Coaching, Analysis and Football Strategy.
• Help players manage the psychological demands of professional football throughout the season, including injury rehabilitation, return to play, performance transitions and pressure.
• Design and deliver individual, small-group and team interventions that meet training, competition and player development objectives.
• Inform multidisciplinary planning and decision-making through psychological expertise, identifying factors that may affect player readiness, performance and development.
• Support coaches and staff in developing communication, leadership and behaviours that strengthen team dynamics, performance and culture.
• Help develop frameworks, processes and support strategies that embed psychological principles in daily performance practice.
• Deliver workshops, education sessions and wellbeing initiatives to promote high-performance behaviours and personal development across the programme.
• Uphold professional boundaries, confidentiality, safeguarding and record-keeping standards. Share information within the multidisciplinary team only where appropriate and in line with professional and legal requirements.

Experience required:

Skills & Experience

• Experience providing psychological support within multidisciplinary teams in high-performance sport, working with teams, organisations, and individual athletes.
• Experience delivering psychological support in team sport environments with complex tactical and decision-making demands.
• Experience enhancing team dynamics, behaviours, and collective performance.
• Strong ability to build effective relationships and collaborate with players, coaches, and multidisciplinary staff.
• Excellent interpersonal and communication skills, with the ability to positively influence individuals and groups.
• Experience supporting individuals to perform under pressure in demanding, high-performance environments.
• Ability to balance performance enhancement with player wellbeing, ensuring a holistic approach to support.
• Ability to apply psychological theory and research to develop practical, evidence-based interventions within professional sporting environments.

Essential Qualifications

• Relevant postgraduate qualification in Sport / Exercise Psychology.
• HCPC registration as a Sport and Psychologist.
• Demonstrable experience delivering applied psychological support within elite sport.
• Appropriate safeguarding training and enhanced DBS clearance before commencing work, where required.

Desirable Qualifications & Experience

• CASES accreditation
• Experience working within professional football, particularly within a first-team environment.

Our behaviours:

• Confident - we believe we will be a Premier League team
• Prepared - we have Premier League standards in every area
• Tenacious - we make things happen and follow through
• Accountable - we commit to continuous measurable improvement

Safeguarding Statement

Bristol City Football Club and Academy are committed to safeguarding the welfare of children and young people and expects all staff and volunteers to endorse this commitment. Note: Due to the nature of the role, any job offer is dependent on a DBS check. All information will be kept by the Safeguarding Officer in strictest confidence.

Equality Statement

The successful candidate must ensure a positive commitment towards equality and diversity by treating others fairly and not committing any form of direct or indirect discrimination, victimisation or harassment of any description and to promote positive working relationships between all internal and external stakeholders. We are an equal opportunities employer.