Head of Academy Psychology

Charlton Athletic Community Trust; Stamping Ground (KY); On-site; USD 55,000 - 59,000; Full time

Job summary

Charlton Athletic Football Club seeks a Head of Academy Psychology to lead the psychology programme across the Boys Academy (U9–U21). You will shape delivery, observe training, provide individual and group support, and translate insights into practical coaching tools.

Reporting to the Academy Manager, you will line-manage a casual psychologist, supervise placement students, and collaborate with coaching, Player Care and medical colleagues to support player development and wellbeing.

Qualifications

• Degree in Psychology and MSc in Sport and Exercise Psychology or Psychology.
• HCPC registration as a Practitioner Psychologist and FA Safeguarding Certificate.
• Experience supporting athletes aged 9–21 in a professional football academy or another sporting environment.
• Experience designing, delivering and evaluating tailored psychology support for athletes, teams and staff.
• People management experience, strong communication skills and the ability to turn theory into practical support.
• Three or more years’ experience in psychology and experience across multiple sports would be an advantage.

Responsibilities

• Lead psychology across the Boys Academy (U9–U21).
• Observe training and matches; deliver individual and group support.
• Translate psychological insight into practical coaching tools for players and coaches.
• Work with coaching, Player Care and medical colleagues on development plans and wellbeing.
• Line-manage a casual psychologist and supervise placement students.
• Develop staff through psychologically informed coaching and evaluate impact.

Skills

Communication skills

People management

Experience with athletes

Multi-sport experience

Education

Degree in Psychology

MSc in Sport and Exercise Psychology

HCPC registration

FA Safeguarding Certificate

Job description

Head of Academy Psychology

Charlton Athletic Football Club | Boys Academy

£41,000–£44,000, Depending On Experience And Qualifications

Permanent | 40 hours per week

Sparrows Lane Training Ground / The Valley, with travel as required

Help shape how Charlton’s next generation thinks, learns and performs.

Charlton’s Academy has a proud tradition of developing first-team players. We’re looking for a Head of Academy Psychology who is passionate about young people’s development and ready to lead a programme that supports them through the realities of academy football.

Reporting to the Academy Manager, you’ll shape and lead psychology across our Boys Academy, from U9 to U21. You’ll have the opportunity to influence the whole development environment: how players respond to pressure, how coaches give feedback and how families support young people through change.

Your work will be part of everyday academy life. You’ll observe training and matches, deliver individual and group support, and translate psychological insight into practical approaches that players and coaches can use. Working with coaching, Player Care and medical colleagues, you’ll contribute to individual development plans and support players through injury, progression, loans and release.

You’ll also lead the psychology strategy and curriculum, develop staff through psychologically informed coaching, and evaluate the programme’s impact. Alongside your own delivery, you’ll line manage a casual psychologist working mainly with U9–U15 players and supervise placement students.

We want someone who builds trust, asks thoughtful questions and makes complex ideas accessible. You’ll be comfortable influencing colleagues, supporting families through difficult moments and balancing performance ambitions with player wellbeing. You’ll recognise the boundaries of sport psychology, refer to clinical services when needed and work closely within our safeguarding framework.

You’ll Bring

• A degree in Psychology and an MSc in Sport and Exercise Psychology or Psychology.
• HCPC registration as a Practitioner Psychologist and a valid FA Safeguarding Certificate.
• Experience supporting athletes aged 9–21 in a professional football academy or another sporting environment.
• Experience designing, delivering and evaluating tailored psychology support for athletes, teams and staff.
• People management experience, strong communication skills and the ability to turn theory into practical support.
• Three or more years’ experience in psychology and experience across multiple sports would be an advantage. You’ll need flexibility for evening work and Saturday matches, and the right to work in the UK.

If you want to help young players fulfil their potential while supporting the person behind the player, we’d like to hear from you. We may close the vacancy early.

Charlton Athletic is committed to safeguarding children and young people and welcomes applications from all sections of the community. Appointment is subject to satisfactory references, identity and right-to-work checks, and an Enhanced FA DBS check undertaken by the Club.