Player Care Manager – First Team and Emerging Talent

Barnsley Football Club; West of England; On-site; GBP 30,000 - 42,000; Full time

Job summary

Bristol City Football Club is recruiting for an Elite Player Care professional to provide tailored welfare support to the First Team, PDP and emerging talent. The role requires building relationships with players and families, coordinating housing, travel and matchday logistics, and ensuring safeguarding and regulatory compliance.

Based at Ashton Gate, you will work closely with staff across operations and media to ensure a seamless player experience and proactive wellbeing support throughout

Qualifications

• At least 2 years’ experience providing tailored operational or individual support within elite sport.
• Proven ability to coordinate complex operational activity, travel, matchday requirements and stakeholder engagement.
• Excellent organisation and administrative skills with strong attention to detail and record keeping.
• Clear, effective communication with players, families and colleagues; discretion and cultural sensitivity.

Responsibilities

• Support the design, development and implementation of an integrated Club approach to Player Care with relevant staff in the Player pipeline.
• Resolve issues promptly and implement proactive measures to prevent recurrence.
• Respond to out-of-hours issues and emergencies as required.
• Lead on welcoming new First Team players with tours, staff introductions and initial arrival arrangements.
• Build relationships with players and families and coordinate comprehensive lifestyle support.
• Coordinate housing/vehicle arrangements and liaise with external agencies and service providers.
• Attend home and away matches to provide in-person support and assist matchday operations.
• Support the Operations Manager with matchday logistics and player guest experiences.
• Coordinate Loans Manager activities for in-going and outgoing loans; visit players during the season.
• Assist Media with player appearances at events and signings; maintain safeguarding and record-keeping.

Skills

Elite sport support

Stakeholder coordination

Organisation & admin

Interpersonal communication

Discretion & safeguarding

Education

Sports science/psychology degree

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 establish an Elite Player Care provision by providing support to the First Team, PDP and emerging talent players. Lead on managing daily welfare needs whilst promptly handling issues and emergencies as and when required.

Key responsibilities include but are not limited to:

• To support the design, development and implementation of an integrated Club approach to Player Care in working with the relevant staff in the Player pipeline.
• Resolve issues promptly while implementing proactive measures to prevent them from recurring.
• Respond to out-of-hours issues and emergencies on an ad hoc basis.
• Lead on providing each new First Team player with a bespoke welcome that allows a seamless transition into life at Bristol City FC. This should include being present at new player signings, providing a training ground tour, key staff introductions and ensuring all practicalities are in place during the initial arrival period.
• Building relationships with players and families and coordinating appropriate support throughout the player's journey.
• Support First Team, PDP & emerging talent players by providing comprehensive lifestyle assistance. This may include, but is not limited to, house rentals, passports, NI number, language lessons and payment of bills.
• Establish credible relationships with external agencies and service providers to manage all housing/vehicle arrangements and being knowledgeable on these requirements.
• Attend all home and some away First Team matches to provide in person support where required.
• Support the First Team Operations manager in any operational needs for players on matchdays, including presence in the player lounge and establishing relationships with player families and guests.
• Facilitating match day logistics for players' guests, including hospitality where appropriate.
• Liaise with the Loans Manager and Loan Clubs, for both in going and outgoing loans, to ensure the welfare and wellbeing of the players. This should also encompass visits to each player throughout the season.
• Work with the Media Department to support player appearances at club & foundation events and facilitate merchandise signings as required.
• Ensuring compliance with club, statutory, and football governing body requirements, and maintaining accurate records.
• A strong understanding of safeguarding and welfare practices, as well as the ability to work independently and with a team.

About The Candidate

What you’ll bring:

• At least 2 years’ experience providing tailored operational or individual support within elite sport, a high-performance environment or a similar industry.
• Proven ability to take ownership of complex operational activity, coordinating internal and external stakeholders, domestic and international travel, matchday requirements and associated logistics.
• Excellent organisation and administrative skills, with strong attention to detail and the ability to maintain accurate records, anticipate requirements, manage competing priorities and meet deadlines.
• Clear and effective interpersonal and communication skills, with sound judgement, discretion and cultural sensitivity when supporting players, families and colleagues.

  Essentials

• Willingness to undergo a full DBS check.
• A strong commitment to equality, diversity and inclusion.
• A genuine passion for football.
• A high level of empathy, with the ability to support players through challenging circumstances.
• A good understanding of the English football league system and relevant governing bodies.

  Desirable

• Fluency in one or more additional languages.
• A positive and proactive approach to professional development and continuous learning.
• A bachelor's degree in sports science, psychology or a related field, or a relevant Player Care qualification.

  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

About The Club

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.