At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead the Physical Performance Team, enhancing player performance and reducing injury risks.
- Company: Join Manchester City Women, a top-tier football club with a rich history and ambition.
- Benefits: Enjoy 26 days annual leave, private healthcare, birthday off, and lifestyle discounts.
- Why this job: Make a real impact in elite sports while working in a collaborative and innovative environment.
- Qualifications: BSc in Sport Science or related field; experience in elite sports and team leadership required.
- Other info: Opportunity to influence performance at the highest level in women's football.
The predicted salary is between 43200 - 72000 £ per year.
Our Story
Manchester City Women is an English football club initiallyfounded by City in the Community in 1988. Relaunched by aformal partnership with Manchester City FC, MCWFC enteredthe FA Women’s Super League and professionalised in 2014.Success has followed in not only the FAWSL but also theWomen’s FA Cup and Continental Tyres League Cup, while theteam has regularly competed in the UEFA Women’s ChampionsLeague.
The team plays its home fixtures at Joie Stadium, a7,000capacityarena. The stadium sits on the wider Etihad Campus,which also encompasses the City Football Academy, a state-of-the-art training and development facility that houses itswomen’s, men’s and academy teams.
Our Winning Team
Manchester City Women’s Football Club is seeking an experienced and dynamic Head of Physical Performance to lead our Physical Performance Team across both First Team and Academy environments. Reporting to the Director of Performance Services, you will play a key role in delivering world-class Sport Science and Strength & Conditioning support to maximise team and individual potential, reduce injury risk, and enable consistent high-intensity performance. You will provide strategic leadership, mentor a multidisciplinary team, and collaborate closely with coaches, players, and medical staff to drive innovation and excellence in physical preparation and return-to-play processes. This is a unique opportunity to influence performance at the highest level and contribute to the club’s ambition to compete for major honours.
This is Your City
As part of our team, you will be entitled to 26 days annual leave plus an additional day off for your birthday, private healthcare and a simply health cash plan, an annual discretionary bonus, plus a range of partnership and lifestyle discounts.
Your Impact
- Lead and manage the strategic planning, delivery, and review of physical performance and strength & conditioning programmes across MCWFC First Team and Academy.
- Oversee and line-manage the Physical Performance team, ensuring world-class standards in sport science and strength & conditioning support.
- Drive a proactive and integrated approach to injury rehabilitation in collaboration with coaches, medical staff, and the wider performance team.
- Act as a senior member of the Performance Leadership Team, role-modelling an open, collaborative, and psychologically informed leadership style.
- Develop and implement staff development plans and learning opportunities to grow a world-class physical performance workforce.
- Contribute to the management of the Physical Performance budget and ensure optimal use of performance spaces and facilities.
- Collaborate closely with coaching staff to plan, deliver and review on-pitch training aligned with team strategy and physical development goals.
- Lead the creation and execution of individual development plans (IDPs), physical profiling processes, and goal setting for players.
- Design and oversee physical development frameworks to ensure consistent, evidence-based practices across the club.
- Develop and maintain athlete monitoring systems to generate actionable insights that optimise readiness, recovery, and performance.
- Partner with the Head of Physiotherapy to ensure innovative and integrated approaches to injury prevention, rehabilitation, and player health.
What we are looking for
Essential
- BSc in Sport Science, Strength & Conditioning or related area.
- A recognised postgraduate qualification (ie MSc) in Sport Science, Strength & Conditioning or related area • UKSCA Accreditation or equivalent
- Experience working in an elite sporting environment.
- Experience of working effectively within a high-performing interdisciplinary team.
- Experience in a ‘lead’ role with responsibility for delivering physical change that impacts performance
- Significant experience in line management/mentoring of other practitioners
- An advanced ability to develop excellent relationships with key stakeholders (Players, Coaches, wider MDT) that enable challenge, support, and ability to positively influence the wider programme.
- An ability to reflect on current working practice & adapt as required.
- An advanced ability to utilise performance related data to inform practice
Desirable
- Experience working in elite professional football.
- Experience working with elite female athletes or a female team sport.
- Previous coaching/mentoring training.
- Previous leadership and management training.
- BASES accreditation
- Experienced delivering/contributing successful physical change in complex injury rehabilitation/return to play programmes
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Head of Physical Performance (MCWFC) employer: DFL
Contact Detail:
DFL Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Head of Physical Performance (MCWFC)
✨Tip Number 1
Network with professionals in the sports science and strength & conditioning fields, especially those who have experience in elite football. Attend relevant conferences or workshops to meet potential colleagues and learn about the latest trends in physical performance.
✨Tip Number 2
Familiarise yourself with Manchester City Women’s Football Club's current physical performance strategies and recent achievements. This knowledge will help you tailor your discussions during interviews and demonstrate your genuine interest in contributing to their success.
✨Tip Number 3
Prepare to discuss specific examples of how you've successfully led teams in implementing physical performance programmes. Highlight your experience in injury rehabilitation and how it aligns with the club's goals for player health and performance.
✨Tip Number 4
Showcase your ability to work collaboratively with multidisciplinary teams. Be ready to share instances where you've effectively partnered with coaches, medical staff, and other stakeholders to drive performance improvements and foster a positive team environment.
We think you need these skills to ace Head of Physical Performance (MCWFC)
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your CV: Make sure your CV highlights relevant experience in sport science and strength & conditioning, particularly in elite sporting environments. Emphasise any leadership roles and your ability to work within interdisciplinary teams.
Craft a Compelling Cover Letter: Write a cover letter that showcases your passion for women's football and your vision for the role. Discuss how your background aligns with the club's goals and how you can contribute to their success.
Highlight Relevant Qualifications: Clearly list your qualifications, including your BSc and any postgraduate degrees in sport science or related areas. Mention your UKSCA accreditation and any other relevant certifications that demonstrate your expertise.
Showcase Your Experience: Provide specific examples of your previous work in elite sports settings, especially any experience with injury rehabilitation and performance enhancement. Use metrics or outcomes to illustrate your impact on team performance.
How to prepare for a job interview at DFL
✨Know Your Sport Science
Make sure you have a solid understanding of sport science principles, especially in relation to strength and conditioning. Be prepared to discuss how you've applied these principles in previous roles, particularly in elite sporting environments.
✨Showcase Your Leadership Skills
As a Head of Physical Performance, you'll need to demonstrate your leadership abilities. Prepare examples of how you've successfully managed teams, mentored practitioners, and fostered collaboration within multidisciplinary teams.
✨Prepare for Scenario Questions
Expect scenario-based questions that assess your problem-solving skills and ability to handle complex situations, such as injury rehabilitation or performance optimisation. Think about specific challenges you've faced and how you overcame them.
✨Understand the Club's Vision
Research Manchester City Women and their ambitions. Be ready to discuss how your vision aligns with theirs and how you can contribute to their goals, particularly in terms of physical performance and player development.