At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead the development of physical performance strategies for academy players.
- Company: Join Manchester City, a prestigious Premier League club with a rich history and passionate fanbase.
- Benefits: Enjoy 26 days annual leave, private healthcare, birthday off, and lifestyle discounts.
- Other info: This role involves collaboration with top professionals and a commitment to excellence in player development.
- Why this job: Make a real impact on young athletes' journeys to elite football while working in a dynamic environment.
- Qualifications: Extensive knowledge in physical development and experience in managing high-performing teams required.
The predicted salary is between 43200 - 72000 £ per year.
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Join to apply for the Head of Physical Performance - Academy role at City Football Group
Location:
Manchester, GB
Opening Date: 7 Jul 2025
Full Time / Part Time: Full Time
Contract Type: Permanent
Closing Date of Applications – 14/07/2025
Our Story
Manchester City is an English Premier League club whose roots began in East Manchester. From its first incarnation as St Mark’s West Gorton in 1880, the club became Manchester City FC in 1894. Behind each title lies emotion, moments and memories that resonate with millions of supporters around the world. Manchester City fans are known for their commitment and togetherness, as a Club that fights to the end.
The role
We are seeking an experienced and dynamic leader to oversee the development and delivery of Physical Performance strategies across all phases of our Academy. In this pivotal role, you will manage a team of 10+ practitioners, ensuring a world-class approach to physical development that supports player progression from youth to elite senior football.
Working collaboratively with 1st Team Performance Services, you will play a key role in aligning long-term development plans and ensuring smooth player transitions into the senior environment. The role also demands a strong commitment to governance, safety, and Premier League Category 1 standards.
If you are passionate about performance, player development, and leading high-performing teams in elite sport, we’d love to hear from you.
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 the design and delivery of physical performance strategies to support the development of elite academy players
- Manage and guide the Academy Physical Performance team, working closely with coaching and performance support staff (e.g. medical, nutrition, psychology)
- Ensure players in the Professional Development Phase reach peak physical readiness to compete at the highest level and transition smoothly to senior football
- Design and oversee a physical development curriculum tailored to age and developmental stages, with clear performance benchmarks and evaluation systems
- Collaborate with the Academy Director of Performance and facilities team to ensure top-tier training and performance environments
- Support budget planning and management in partnership with the Performance and Finance teams
- Drive staff development through clear objectives, professional development plans, and ongoing learning opportunities
- Contribute to the Academy Performance and Management Teams by promoting high standards, collaboration, and continuous improvement
What we are looking for
Knowledge
- Extensive knowledge of physical development in young athletes, including:
- Physical Profiling
- Strength & Conditioning
- Player Monitoring
- Recovery & Regeneration
- Planning & Programming
- Growth & Maturation
- Strong leadership skills with the ability to manage people and evaluate staff performance
- Ability to challenge staff performance, standards, values, and behaviours in line with Academy standards and competencies
- Capable of working to tight deadlines and with flexibility in working patterns
- Adaptability to fast-paced environments
- Ability to develop networks and maintain effective working relationships
- Skilled in facilitation, including managing and resolving tensions, disputes, and conflicts
- Able to influence key stakeholder groups and manage change effectively
- Delegation and accountability skills
- Experience delivering high-quality physical training programmes to young athletes
- Proven experience in managing and developing skilled/specialised staff
- Significant applied Strength & Conditioning/Sport Science experience in elite sport
- Experience in collaborative MDT (Multi-Disciplinary Team) environments to solve performance issues
- Track record of leading and managing practitioners in elite sport
- UKSCA accreditation or equivalent
- Undergraduate & Postgraduate degrees in a related field
Technical/Work-Based Skills
- Understanding of how to develop coaching and communication skills to engage and motivate young players
- Ability to use data and expertise to derive actionable insights for decision-making
- Passion and ability to challenge conventional thinking with innovative problem-solving
- Experience working in large interdisciplinary coaching and support teams
- Proven leadership of departments and management of multiple direct reports
- Effective collaboration with multiple internal and external stakeholders to drive strategy and performance
- Deep understanding of growth and maturation principles in youth athletes
- Passionate and enthusiastic while maintaining humility in professional interactions
- Budget management experience
- Significant experience in youth development within professional football
- Successful completion of NGB audits or equivalent
- Collaboration with national football teams and federations
- BASES accreditation
- FA Level 2 or above coaching qualification
- Additional relevant coaching, leadership, or management qualifications to support the role
We will screen all applicants and select candidates whose skills and experience seem to meet our needs. We will carefully consider your application during the initial screening and will contact you only if you are selected for an interview.
Employment is subject to the provision of proof of eligibility to work in the UK.
Due to our safeguarding promise, all UK based CFG roles will be subject to a DBS check upon commencing employment with us. This will be either a basic, standard or enhanced check depending on the job role and responsibilities.
Seniority level
Seniority level
Director
Employment type
Employment type
Full-time
Job function
Job function
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#J-18808-LjbffrHead of Physical Performance - Academy in Manchester employer: City Football Group
Manchester City FC is not just a football club; it's a community that thrives on passion, commitment, and excellence. As the Head of Physical Performance for our Academy, you will be part of a dynamic team dedicated to nurturing elite athletes, with access to exceptional resources and a culture that prioritises professional development and collaboration. Enjoy generous benefits including 26 days of annual leave, private healthcare, and a supportive environment that fosters growth and innovation in the heart of Manchester.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Head of Physical Performance - Academy in Manchester
✨Show Your Expertise in the Gym
Get into your local fitness scene and start offering free workshops or training sessions. This not only showcases your skills but also gets your face out there. People love to connect with trainers who are active in their community!
✨Engage on Social Media
Use platforms like Instagram or TikTok to share workout tips, success stories, or transformations you’ve facilitated. Tagging your content with local fitness community hashtags can help you gain visibility and connect with potential clients or employers like City Football Group.
✨Connect with Local Gyms and Fitness Studios
Visit local gyms or fitness studios and ask if they need trainers. Many places look for trainers based on word-of-mouth, so don't hesitate to introduce yourself. If City Football Group is in your area, dropping by could be a golden opportunity!
✨Make Your Application Stand Out
When applying to places like City Football Group, consider including a personal training portfolio showcasing client testimonials, fitness plans, and your own fitness journey. This adds a personal touch and helps you stand out in the ever-crowded fitness market!
We think you need these skills to ace Head of Physical Performance - Academy in Manchester
Some tips for your application 🫡
Demonstrate Your Knowledge of Trends:Stay ahead of the curve by mentioning any current fitness trends or methods you’ve incorporated into your training practice. If you've got experience in areas like HIIT, functional training or nutrition coaching, share that! It shows us you’re serious about your development and can adapt to meet client needs.
How to prepare for a job interview at City Football Group
✨Showcase Your Knowledge of Fitness Trends
Make sure you're clued up on the latest fitness trends and methodologies. We should be ready to discuss how your training philosophy aligns with modern practices, or how you can implement new techniques that could benefit clients at City Football Group.
✨Demonstrate Your Client Management Skills
Being a personal trainer isn’t just about knowing workouts; it’s also about how you manage and motivate clients. We should think of examples where you've developed personalised training plans or motivated clients to hit their goals, and how you can apply that at City Football Group.
✨Prepare for Practical Scenarios
Expect to encounter practical scenarios in your interview, like demonstrating an exercise or discussing how you'd help a client overcome specific challenges. We should prepare for these by practicing key exercises and thinking through our coaching cues and support strategies.
✨Get to Know City Football Group's Clientele
Since it's a full-time gig, understanding the specific clientele City Football Group caters to is key. We should look into their target demographics and think about how our experience aligns with their needs, ensuring we can hit the ground running from day one.
