At a Glance
- Tasks: Support athletic development for U21/18 squads and assist in player health and performance.
- Company: Join Aston Villa Football Club, a prestigious Category One Academy.
- Benefits: Attractive salary, flexible hours, and a supportive team environment.
- Why this job: Make a real impact on the next generation of elite footballers.
- Qualifications: BSc in Sport Science and experience with elite youth athletes required.
- Other info: Dynamic role with opportunities for professional growth in a world-class training facility.
The predicted salary is between 36000 - 60000 £ per year.
Overview
Department: Football Division – Boys Academy Medical and Sport Science Department
Hours of Work: Full-time (with flexibility to work during evenings and weekends, including matchdays)
Contract Type: Permanent
Salary: Attractive Remuneration Package depending on experience
Location: Bodymoor Heath Training Ground
Closing Date: Sunday 5 October 2025
The Department
Our Boys Academy Department is proud to have achieved the prestigious Category One Academy status which reflects our commitment to delivering excellence across all areas of youth football including coaching, education, training, and facilities. We are dedicated to supporting and nurturing the next generation of elite footballers, as demonstrated in our memorable treble-winning 2024/25 season for our U18s as we topped the Under-18 Premier League Southern section table, the Under-18 Premier League national title and we lifted the prestigious FA Youth Cup.
As we continue to build upon this success, we are delighted to announce an exciting opportunity for a Sport Scientist to join our expanding team, working within the Professional Development Phase (PDP). In this pivotal role, you will assist the Sport Science provision for our U21/18 squads within the Academy, playing a vital part in nurturing, encouraging, engaging and supporting the next generation of elite players.
The Role
As the PDP Sport Scientist you will play a key supporting role in the delivery of the athletic development pathway for our PDP players. Under the guidance and support of the Lead Academy Sport Scientist and Senior Sport Scientist and the wider multi-disciplinary team (MDT) you will assist in the delivery of the athletic development pathway to our U21/18 squad players. Your expertise will help shape a cutting-edge, evidence-based approach to player health, availability, and physical development, working collaboratively within our multidisciplinary Academy Medical and Sport Science Department.
Based at our world-class training ground, you will assist with the delivery of engaging, age-appropriate athletic development and Individual Physical Development sessions. You will assist with physical testing, growth and maturation monitoring, and matchday preparation, as well as supporting rehabilitation programmes in collaboration with the Academy Medical team. Through a proactive and player-centric approach, you will assist with the delivery of comprehensive physical development programmes that cater to both group and individual needs. These programmes will empower our young players to harness their physical potential and excel in a high-performance environment, equipping them for the transition to the next phase of their development.
For further information about the Role, please see the Role Profile.
The Person
To be considered for this role, you will need to hold the following qualifications:
* BSc (Hons) in Sport Science (minimum 2:1)
* MSc in Sport Science /Strength and Conditioning (or equivalent)
You will bring significant proven experience in assisting and delivering high-quality Athletic Development to elite youth athletes within a professional sporting environment.
You will have a thorough understanding of Sport Science principles, including strength and conditioning, growth and maturation, injury prevention, rehabilitation, and physical performance analysis and be able to apply these principles in both field and gym environments.
We are seeking a team player who thrives in a dynamic environment and has experience working collaboratively with Multi-Disciplinary Teams.
Ideally, you will have knowledge and understanding of the Elite Player Performance Plan (Category 1 Academy) and the unique demands of a Professional Development Phase environment.
You must also be available to work flexibly as this role will require you to work evenings and weekends, and you will need to hold a full UK driving license.
Why join us?
Aston Villa Football Club is excited to welcome you. We are building a family ethos and culture to be proud of, with ambitious plans for expansion and improvement of our world-class facilities. If you are excited by this challenge and want to play your part in our historic Club, you will receive a range of staff benefits. See our Staff Benefits booklet to find out more.
Application Instructions
As part of your application, you will be asked to:
- Upload your CV
- Answer the following question(s):
a) Please outline how your relevant skills and experience aligns with the role profile, including an example of your relevant work and results achieved (400 words maximum)
Important Notices
Right to Close Vacancy Posting Early
This club reserves the right to close any advertised vacancies earlier than the advertised closing date if sufficient applications have been received.
Equality Statement
Aston Villa Football Club celebrates the diversity of its Club and embraces equal opportunities for all. We are proud to be a Disability Confident employer and fully support The FA’s Football Leadership Diversity Code.
We welcome applications from all candidates regardless of age, race, disability, gender reassignment, pregnancy and maternity, sexual orientation, marriage and civil partnership, sex and religion or belief.
Safeguarding Statement
Aston Villa Football Club is fully committed to safeguarding children and adults at risk across our Club. We adhere to Safer Recruitment processes and for some roles a satisfactory enhanced disclosure via the Disclosure & Barred Service may be required prior to starting in a role at the Club. For more information, please see Aston Villa Football Club | The official club website | AVFC – Safeguarding
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Professional Development Phase Sport Scientist (Boys Academy) employer: Aston Villa Fan Consultation Group
Contact Detail:
Aston Villa Fan Consultation Group Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Professional Development Phase Sport Scientist (Boys Academy)
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to people in the industry, especially those connected to the Boys Academy or similar roles. A friendly chat can open doors that a CV just can't.
✨Tip Number 2
Show your passion during interviews! Talk about your love for sport science and how you can contribute to nurturing young talent. Let your enthusiasm shine through!
✨Tip Number 3
Prepare for matchday scenarios! Think about how you'd handle real-life situations in the role. This shows you're ready to jump in and make an impact from day one.
✨Tip Number 4
Don't forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets noticed. Plus, it shows you're serious about joining our team at Aston Villa.
We think you need these skills to ace Professional Development Phase Sport Scientist (Boys Academy)
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your CV: Make sure your CV is tailored to the role of PDP Sport Scientist. Highlight relevant experience and qualifications that align with the job description, especially your work with elite youth athletes.
Craft a Compelling Answer: When answering the question about your skills and experience, be specific! Use examples from your past roles that demonstrate how you've successfully contributed to athletic development and worked within a multi-disciplinary team.
Show Your Passion: Let your enthusiasm for sport science and youth development shine through in your application. We want to see your commitment to nurturing the next generation of elite players, so don’t hold back!
Apply Through Our Website: Remember to submit your application through our website. It’s the best way to ensure it gets to us directly, and we can’t wait to see what you bring to the table!
How to prepare for a job interview at Aston Villa Fan Consultation Group
✨Know Your Sport Science Stuff
Make sure you brush up on your knowledge of sport science principles, especially those related to strength and conditioning, injury prevention, and physical performance analysis. Be ready to discuss how you've applied these in real-world scenarios, particularly with youth athletes.
✨Show Your Team Spirit
This role is all about collaboration, so be prepared to talk about your experience working within multi-disciplinary teams. Share specific examples of how you've contributed to a team environment and supported others in achieving common goals.
✨Flexibility is Key
Since the job requires evening and weekend work, it’s important to demonstrate your flexibility. Be honest about your availability and share any previous experiences where you’ve adapted your schedule to meet the needs of a team or project.
✨Engage with the Academy's Vision
Familiarise yourself with the Academy's ethos and recent successes, like the treble-winning season. Show genuine enthusiasm for their mission to develop elite players and be ready to discuss how you can contribute to that vision through your role as a Sport Scientist.