YDP Physical Performance Manager

Comunidad Lift; Greater London; Hybrid; GBP 60,000 - 90,000; Full time

Job summary

Chelsea Academy is seeking a YDP Physical Performance Manager to lead athletic development for the U14-U16 Full Time School programme. You will define the development philosophy, shape the phase, and coach the U16 squad on grass.

You will build and guide a high-performing team of Athletic Development Coaches, ensuring players are challenged, supported and developed as people and athletes for future PDP and mens football.

Qualifications

• Deep passion for youth athletic development and performance behaviours.
• Strong planning and organisational skills with a coaching mindset.
• Ability to lead, develop and empower staff within a high-performance environment.

Responsibilities

• Set vision and direction for athletic development across U14-U16 FT School programme.
• Define philosophy and lead a high-performing YDP team with hands-on coaching.
• Coach the U16 squad and integrate development goals into daily practice.

Skills

Youth athletic development

Skill acquisition

Leadership

Planning

Coaching

Job description

JOB TITLE: YDP Physical Performance Manager

LOCATION: Chelsea FC Training Ground, Cobham. Travel as required

JOB TYPE: Full-time, permanent

REPORTING TO: Head of Performance Sciences - Academy

DIRECT REPORTS: 2 x YDP Athletic Development Coaches (1 × full-time, 1 × part-time)

About Chelsea Football Club's Academy Performance Support Team

At Chelsea Academy, we want to deliver Performance Sciences and Physical Development differently. We are continuing to evolve our structure and build a team who give the Academy and Club the best chance of sustained success. The Academy Performance Support team is a crucial part of the academy in its drive to be the 'Global Leader in Youth Development' - To enable us to produce the next generation of the PL best players. We have made significant progress towards this goal and continue to build momentum, evolve further and continually strive for success, with the belief that the best is yet to come. We want people who are excited to be part of this process and are passionate about youth development.

The Heartbeat of the Chelsea Academy

The Youth Development Phase is the heartbeat of our academy pathway. Within this phase, growth and maturation, skill acquisition and performance behaviours come together to form the foundation of a programme that builds robust, adaptable and athletic players who are ready to physically dominate in the PDP and men's football. The stability and consistency of the programme within the YDP means there are significant opportunities to impact athletic development and shape our players as athletes and as people for the future, making it a critical part of the wider academy.

A Destination, Not a Stepping Stone

At Chelsea, we see the YDP as a destination in its own right, not a stepping stone. Every practitioner has a voice within our structure. This role sits at the centre of how the Academy develops its players, with the opportunity to influence our approach and be a leader within the department. Built around our on site Full Time School programme, the YDP offers a more structured and predictable weekly rhythm, giving you time to plan with intent, coach with depth and invest in developing players and staff.

Job Overview

This role will play a key part in how Chelsea develops the next generation of the Premier League's best players. As YDP Phase Manager, you will set the vision and direction for athletic development across our U14-U16 Full Time School programme. Working alongside the Head of Performance Sciences, you will define a future-facing philosophy that keeps Chelsea at the cutting edge of youth development. You will combine strategic leadership of the phase with hands-on coaching of the U16 squad, so our principles show up every day on the grass. You will build and lead a high-performing team, developing your Athletic Development Coaches into outstanding practitioners and creating an environment where every player is challenged, supported and understood as an individual. Your success will show not just in availability and physical capability measures. It will show in the robust, adaptable and confident young athletes who move on from the YDP ready to thrive and dominate in the PDP and mens game.

Your Skills, Experience & Personal Traits

We are looking for someone with a deep passion for youth athletic development, skill acquisition and the development of performance behaviours, who takes pride in seeing young people grow over time. You will have a deep understanding of adolescent development, be highly organised with strong planning skills, a creative and adaptable coach, and a leader who develops staff with clarity and care, bringing a growth mindset and the ambition to help shape the future of the Chelsea Academy.