Performance Psychologist (Men's First Team)

University of New Mexico Hospitals (UNMH); Southampton; On-site; GBP 30,000 - 45,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading sports team is seeking a Sport Psychologist to join their First Team Performance Department. You will apply psychological principles to enhance player performance and well-being, actively collaborating with coaches and medical staff. The role includes conducting assessments, facilitating training sessions, and providing educational support on mental health in sports. This position offers an opportunity to impact elite athlete performance in a dynamic environment.

Benefits

Access to free match tickets

Health & Wellbeing initiatives

Discounted team merchandise

25 days of holiday plus birthday off

Contributory Pension Scheme

Worldwide Travel Insurance

Learning & Development opportunities

Free onsite parking

Cycle to Work Scheme

Qualifications

• Experience working within an elite sporting environment.
• Experience with elite-level athletes on an individual level.
• Ability to work under pressure and adapt in dynamic environments.

Responsibilities

• Conduct initial psychological assessments and discussions with players and coaching staff.
• Run psychological skills training sessions and provide individual check-ins.
• Collaborate with the medical team regarding injured players.

Skills

Interpersonal skills

Flexibility

Problem-solving

Education

Postgraduate degree in Psychology or Sport Psychology

BPS Chartered and HCPC-Registered Sport Psychologist

Job description

What is the role?

Working within the First Team Performance Department, you will work as a fully integrated member of the support team, immersed in the first team environment, applying psychological principles, and working closely with players, coaches, and support staff.

What will you be doing?

You will be working closely with the Multi-Disciplinary Team (MDT), assessing player needs and abilities, monitoring sporting performance and behaviour in combination with identifying areas of improvement and progress, whilst building a clear understanding of the role of the psychologist and the impact sport psychology can have on individual player and staff performance and wellbeing.

You will be responsible for initial psychological assessment, including discussion with the coaching team and players, observation of training and matches, psychometric profiling (e.g., Spotlight) and pre-signing screening when applicable.

Other duties include:

Running sessions with new player signings.

Psychological skills training that contributes to player Individual Performance Plans.

Collaborating with the medical team for medium to long-term injured players.

Conduct semi-regular individual psychological skills training/check-ins.

Ensure safe and appropriate responses are provided and refer where necessary, to the well-being needs of players and staff.

Player and staff education (e.g., performance behaviours including mental health & well-being).

Attending and contributing to multidisciplinary meetings, providing feedback and recommendations.

Is this you?

Key qualifications required:

Postgraduate degree in Psychology or Sport Psychology.

BPS Chartered and HCPC-Registered Sport Psychologist.

Key skills and experience required:

Experience working within an elite sporting environment.

Experience working with elite-level athletes on an individual level.

Experience working with and through coaches/support staff in delivering psychological services

Evidence of impactful 1:1 psychology support and/or psych-education delivery in elite sporting environments.

A strong interest in elite sport & football.

Excellent interpersonal skills with the ability to build strong relationships with staff & players.

A focus on applied, relevant psychological skills & strategies

Ability to work under pressure and be flexible (within a dynamic environment).

Problem-solving ability.

How this benefits you…

If you are successful, you can look forward to a healthy benefits package;

Access to x2 free match tickets for every home league game

Access to our staff Health & Wellbeing initiatives (Mental & Physical Health).

Discounted Southampton Football Club merchandise.

25 days’ holiday per year excluding bank holidays plus your birthday off each year.

Contributory Pension Scheme.

Worldwide Travel Insurance for you and your family.

Learning & Development opportunities - supporting you to develop your potential and achieve in your career.

Free onsite parking.

Cycle to Work Scheme.

Collaborative & inclusive working culture.

The closing date for applications is Tuesday 17th June 2025.

*We reserve the right to close this vacancy early, if a high volume of applicants are received.*