At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead the Physical Performance and Data Analysis strategy for elite youth footballers.
- Company: Join Aston Villa, a prestigious Category One Academy with a family ethos.
- Benefits: Attractive salary, world-class facilities, and amazing staff benefits.
- Other info: Dynamic team culture with opportunities for personal and professional growth.
- Why this job: Shape the future of young talent in an elite football environment.
- Qualifications: BSc in Sport Science, MSc preferred, with experience in data analysis.
The predicted salary is between 36900 - 45100 £ per year.
Department: Football Division - Boys Academy Medical and Sport Science Team
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 30 August 2026
The Opportunity
Aston Villa’s Boys Academy proudly holds the prestigious Category One status, the highest standard in English youth football, a testament to our commitment to world-class coaching, education, training and facilities. Fresh from previous successful FA Youth Cup and league campaigns, and the club winners of the UEFA Europa League there has never been a more exciting time to help shape the next generation of talent at our world-class Bodymoor Heath Training Ground.
This is a rare chance to own the Academy’s Physical Performance and Data Analysis strategy across our Professional Development Phase – turning complex data into insight that genuinely moves the needle for some of the most promising young players in the country. You will work collaboratively with a talented multidisciplinary team, benchmark our brightest prospects against Premier League, Premier League 2 and First Team standards, and see your analysis translate directly into player development. If you are driven by data, obsessed with its visualisation, and want your work to shape real decisions in an elite environment, this is the role for you.
Your Impact
- Own the Academy’s Physical Performance and Data Analysis strategy end-to-end – from design and implementation through to review
- Transform complex, multi-source data into clear, compelling insight that shapes MDT decisions in real time and helps protect players from injury
- Benchmark our Elite players against Premier League, Premier League 2 and First Team standards – pinpointing exactly where they can develop and linking it to their Individual Development Plans
- Build innovative visualisation tools and digital signage that put meaningful feedback in front of players and coaches every single day
- Connect physical outputs to the technical and tactical context of the game, ensuring training truly prepares players for the demands of the match
- Periodise the training week alongside the MDT, prescribing loads that keep players fresh, protected and performing at their physical peak
- Help deliver/lead practical on-field sessions assisting the squad Physical Performance Coaches
The Person
To be considered for this role, you will need to hold the following qualifications:
- BSc (Hons) in Sport Science or equivalent (minimum 2:1)
- MSc in a related subject area
You will bring demonstrable experience of data collection and physical performance analysis with elite youth footballers in a full-time capacity within a professional sporting environment, along with a genuine passion for interpreting complex, multi-data sets and visualising them clearly in tools such as Excel and Power BI. A thorough understanding of sport science principles i.e growth and maturation, injury prevention, rehabilitation and physical performance in the context of the game – is essential, as is proven experience of working within interdisciplinary and multidisciplinary teams. Knowledge of the Elite Player Performance Plan (Category One Academy) and experience within a Professional Development Phase environment would be a real advantage.
Why join us?
There has never been a better time to join Aston Villa Football Club. Our drive to succeed is visible on the global stage, we are building a family ethos and culture to be proud of, and realising our ambitious plans for the expansion and improvement of our world-class facilities. If you are already excited by this challenge and want to play your part in our historic Club, then you'll be pleased to hear about our amazing staff benefits you'll receive whilst working for us!
Right to Close Vacancy Posting Early
The 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 embrace equal opportunities for all. 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. As such, we adhere to Safer Recruitment processes and for some roles a satisfactory enhanced disclosure via the Disclosure & Barring Service may be required prior to starting in a role at the Club.
Physical Performance Scientist employer: Aston Villa Football Club
Aston Villa Football Club is an exceptional employer, offering a vibrant work culture that thrives on passion for football and community engagement. As a Social Media Lead, you'll benefit from competitive staff perks while being part of a historic club undergoing an exciting transformation, with ample opportunities for personal and professional growth in the dynamic world of sports media.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Physical Performance Scientist
✨Get Involved in Local Sports Communities
Dive into your local sports scene! Attend community games, coaching sessions, and meet-ups. Building relationships with coaches and team managers can help you uncover job opportunities before they even hit the job boards.
✨Leverage Internships and Volunteering
Even though you’re after a full-time role, don’t underestimate internships or volunteering in sports organisations. These positions not only give you hands-on experience but can also lead to permanent openings. Plus, it’s a fantastic way to make your face known in the industry!
✨Visit Sports Job Fairs
Keep an eye out for sports job fairs and career expos specific to the recreation management field. These events are goldmines for meeting hiring managers from organisations like Aston Villa Football Club. Bring your A-game and be ready to chat about how you can contribute to their team!
✨Apply Through Our Website
Don't forget to check out openings on our site! Our listings will often include positions at excellent organisations in sports recreation management, including Aston Villa Football Club. Applying directly through our platform increases your chances of getting noticed by recruiters. Let's get you that dream job!
We think you need these skills to ace Physical Performance Scientist
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Off Your Passion for Sports:In your cover letter, let your enthusiasm for sports and recreation shine through! We want to see your genuine interest in the industry and how it's shaped your career choices. Sharing specific experiences, like managing a team or organising an event, can really make you stand out.
Highlight Relevant Experience:When crafting your CV, focus on any relevant internships, volunteer work, or part-time jobs related to sports and recreation management. Make sure to quantify your achievements – did you increase team participation by a certain percentage or successfully lead a project? Numbers speak volumes!
Tailor Your CV for Sports Management:Use a CV format that emphasises your skills in leadership, teamwork, and event coordination. Don’t forget to include specific training or certifications that relate to sports management, as these can set you apart from other applicants. We love seeing candidates with relevant qualifications!
Express Your Long-Term Goals:In your application, we want to see your career aspirations in sports management. Don’t hesitate to include how you envision your future in this industry and how joining Aston Villa Football Club aligns with those goals. We’re looking for candidates who are not just a perfect fit for the role but are also excited about growing with us!
How to prepare for a job interview at Aston Villa Football Club
✨Highlight Your Passion for Sports
When chatting with Aston Villa Football Club, make sure to express your genuine love for sports and recreation. Share experiences that showcase your passion, whether it's managing a local sports team, organising events, or simply being an active participant in various activities. This helps them see you're not just a fit on paper, but also someone who truly cares about the field.
✨Showcase Your Management Skills
This role is all about managing resources and people, so be ready to discuss your leadership and organisational skills. Prepare some examples from your past experiences where you've successfully led a team or managed a project, particularly in a sports or recreation setting. Use the STAR (Situation, Task, Action, Result) technique to make your answers concise and impactful.
✨Be Prepared for Scenario-Based Questions
Expect case studies or scenario-based questions that assess your problem-solving and decision-making skills. You might be asked how you would handle a tricky situation, such as resolving a conflict between team members or managing a crisis during a major event. Think through these scenarios and practice how you’d articulate your thought process and solutions.
✨Demonstrate Enthusiasm for Team Collaboration
In the sports and recreation management field, teamwork is essential. During the interview, be prepared to discuss how you work within a team and foster a collaborative environment. Share success stories where teamwork led to a positive outcome, emphasising how you built relationships and encouraged participation among team members to achieve a common goal.
