At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead the Performance Wellbeing programme and provide personalised support for players' transitions.
- Company: Join a leading Girls Academy Department at Bodymoor Heath Training Ground, known for its high coaching standards.
- Benefits: Salary up to £30,000 per annum with flexible working hours including evenings and weekends.
- Other info: This is a full-time permanent role requiring a UK driving licence.
- Why this job: Be part of shaping the next generation of female footballers in a supportive environment.
- Qualifications: Must have experience in wellbeing support and relevant qualifications like APDL and Youth Mental Health First Aid.
The predicted salary is between 30000 - 30000 £ per year.
Department: Football Division – Girls Academy
Hours of Work: Full-time, 35 hours per week (with flexibility to work during evenings and weekends, including matchdays)
Contract Type: Permanent
Salary: Up to £30,000 per annum dependent upon experience
Location: Bodymoor Heath Training Ground
The Department
Our Girls Academy Department has established itself as a leader in girls youth football development, consistently delivering the highest standards in coaching, education and training across 10 teams with players aged U10 – U21. We are committed to nurturing talent and creating a supportive and professional environment and we are proud of the role we play in shaping the next generation of female footballers as demonstrated in our recent success with our U21s winning the Professional Game Academy Plate.
To support our continued growth and success of our programme, we have a new opportunity for a Performance Wellbeing Lead to join the team.
The Role
You will lead the Professional Girl’s Academy (PGA)’s Performance Wellbeing programme, working as an advocate for the girl’s game and ensuring that environments prioritise empowerment and enable long‑term success of our players. In this role, you will lead and deliver a player development programme that supports progression through the Girls Academy pathway, transition into senior football and preparation for future careers. You will provide personalised emotional, psychological and practical support throughout all player transitions, into, through and beyond the pathway. You will provide structured wellbeing and personal development guidance such as career planning, aspiration mapping, readiness for trials or new environments in order to prepare players for life beyond the PGA and helping players build confidence and resilience beyond football. You will reflect and review the programme using evidence-based and research-based informed approaches to maximise impact and ensure resources are used effectively as well as work alongside players to co-create tailored support and feedback documented in their Individual Development Plans (IDPs) each season. Working closely with the Youth Technical Director, Head of Safeguarding and Wellbeing, and wider performance staff, you will ensure that a collaborative approach is undertaken within the wider multidisciplinary team (MDT) to enable relevant information to be communicated effectively.
The Person
We are looking for an experienced, approachable, and forward-thinking individual with a passion and interest in players’ wellbeing and personal needs. You will need:
- Demonstrable experience in wellbeing, pastoral support, player care or performance lifestyle provision
- Athlete Personal Development and Lifestyle (APDL) certificate or relevant coaching / mentoring qualification (or equivalent)
- FA Safeguarding Children Course
- FA Safeguarding Adults Course
- FA Introduction to First Aid in Football (IFAiF) / Emergency First Aid qualification
- Youth Mental Health First Aid Award (YMHFA)
You must have proven experience in designing or managing programmes that support long term wellbeing, lifestyle or personal development with the ability to build trust through respect, transparency and support. You must be able to communicate in a clear and concise manner and be able to multitask and prioritise workload effectively in a fast‑paced and dynamic environment. You must be available to work flexibly as this role will require you to work evenings and weekends, and you must hold a full, UK driving licence with access to a vehicle.
Performance Wellbeing Lead (Girls Academy) employer: Aston Villa Football Club
The Girls Academy Department is dedicated to developing young female football talent, with a recent success in the U21s winning the Professional Game Academy Plate. Located at Bodymoor Heath Training Ground, the team fosters a professional environment that prioritises player empowerment and wellbeing. Employees enjoy a competitive salary and the opportunity to work flexibly around matchdays.
