At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead the development of elite physical training for aspiring football players.
- Company: Join Leeds United, a passionate and supportive football academy.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, pension scheme, and exciting perks await you.
- Other info: Be part of a culture that values your voice and personal growth.
- Why this job: Make a real impact on young athletes' journeys to elite performance.
- Qualifications: Degree in Sport Science or related field; experience in elite football required.
The predicted salary is between 39458 - 40000 £ per year.
- Hours of Work: 37.5 hours per week
- Application Deadline: 8th August 2026
- What You’ll Be Doing
We are seeking an experienced and forward-thinking Senior Academy Physical Development Coach to join our Academy Performance Department.
This is a key role within our Category 1 Academy, responsible for leading the planning, delivery, monitoring, and continual development of an evidence-based Physical Development Programme, primarily within the Professional Development Phase (U21s).
You will play a significant role in preparing players for the demands of elite and First Team football through world-class physical preparation, athletic development, injury prevention, and return-to-performance practices.
Working collaboratively within a multidisciplinary environment, you will support the Academy Performance Plan and long-term player development strategy while helping to create an elite performance culture.
Key Responsibilities
- Physical Development Delivery
- Lead the design, implementation, and evaluation of the Physical Development Programme for the Professional Development Phase.
- Deliver high-quality individual and group strength and conditioning sessions.
- Develop individual athletic development plans based on maturation, positional demands, injury history, and performance objectives.
- Prepare players for the demands of U21, First Team, and elite football.
- Lead matchday preparation, recovery strategies, and post-match monitoring processes.
- Integrate physical development into weekly multidisciplinary planning.
- Performance Monitoring & Sports Science
- Lead the collection and interpretation of performance data, including:
- GPS
- Force plate testing
- Countermovement jump profiling
- Speed profiling
- Anthropometry
- Wellness monitoring
- Growth and maturation data
- Internal and external training load monitoring
- Develop player profiling reports and performance dashboards.
- Benchmark players against Academy and elite football standards.
- Provide evidence-based recommendations to optimise performance and reduce injury risk.
- Medical & Performance Integration
• Work closely with medical staff to deliver
- Injury prevention programmes
- Return to Performance strategies
- Load management plans
- Rehabilitation progressions
- Support players transitioning from rehabilitation back into full training and competition.
- Attend multidisciplinary performance meetings and contribute to player reviews.
- Player Development
- Contribute to Individual Development Plans (IDPs).
• Educate players on
- Recovery
- Nutrition
- Sleep
- Lifestyle behaviours
- Professional standards
- Support the holistic development of Academy players.
- Assist player transitions into U21 and First Team environments.
- Leadership & Department Development
- Support the Head of Physical Development in delivering departmental strategy.
- Mentor graduate staff, interns, and developing practitioners.
- Contribute to departmental policies, procedures, and quality assurance processes.
- Drive innovation, research, and continuous improvement across physical performance provision.
- Promote a high-performance culture focused on excellence and player development.
- Recruitment & Talent Identification
- Conduct physical assessments for trialists and recruitment events.
- Provide physical profiling reports to support recruitment decisions.
- Contribute to talent identification processes and player profiling frameworks.
- Compliance & Governance
• Ensure compliance with
- Premier League EPPP requirements
- Safeguarding legislation
- Health & Safety regulations
- GDPR
- Equality, Diversity & Inclusion policies
- Maintain accurate records within PMA.
- Support Academy audits and quality assurance reviews.
- What We’re Looking For
You’ll have
- Degree in Strength & Conditioning, Sport Science, or a related discipline.
- UKSCA Accreditation (or equivalent) or currently working towards accreditation.
- Valid First Aid Qualification.
- FA Safeguarding Children Certificate.
- Eligibility to pass an Enhanced DBS Check.
- Full UK Driving Licence.
- Excellent communication, organisational, and presentation skills.
- Strong understanding of elite youth football and athlete development.
- Passion for long-term player development and high performance.
Experience
- Minimum three years’ experience working within an elite football academy environment.
- Experience within a Category 1 Academy or similar high-performance environment.
- Experience designing and delivering long-term athletic development programmes.
- Experience working within multidisciplinary performance teams.
- Experience using athlete monitoring technologies including GPS, force plates, and performance tracking systems.
- Experience supporting injury prevention and return-to-performance programmes.
- Experience delivering individual and group strength and conditioning sessions.
- Experience contributing to player development plans and performance reviews.
- Knowledge & Understanding
- Elite Player Performance Plan (EPPP).
- Long-Term Athlete Development principles.
- Growth and maturation.
- Youth athletic development.
- Elite football performance demands.
- Load monitoring and athlete management.
- Injury prevention and return-to-performance methodologies.
- Safeguarding, welfare, equality, diversity, and inclusion.
- Data-informed coaching and performance analytics.
Desirable
- Master’s Degree in Sport Science or Strength & Conditioning.
- ISAK Accreditation.
- Experience contributing to research and innovation projects.
- Experience benchmarking players against elite standards.
- Experience developing performance dashboards and reporting tools.
- Knowledge of advanced athlete management systems and data visualisation platforms.
Why Should You Join Leeds United?
Whether you are on the pitch or behind the scenes here, we’re united by passion, pride, and a drive to always improve.
You’ll be joining a supportive team where your voice is valued and your development matters.
In return for your dedication, you’ll receive a competitive salary package and pension scheme, along with a range of exciting benefits perks.
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Senior Academy Physical Development Coach in Leeds employer: Comunidadlift
The Football Association is an exceptional employer, offering a unique opportunity to work at the iconic St. George’s Park and Wembley National Stadium, where you can contribute to the success of England's Para Football teams. With a commitment to professional development, a diverse and inclusive work culture, and top-notch facilities, we ensure that our employees thrive while making a meaningful impact in the world of sports. Join us in fostering resilience and excellence in Para athletes, all while enjoying the benefits of a supportive and dynamic environment.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Senior Academy Physical Development Coach in Leeds
✨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
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We think you need these skills to ace Senior Academy Physical Development Coach in Leeds
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 Comunidadlift 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 Comunidadlift
✨Highlight Your Passion for Sports
When chatting with Comunidadlift, 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.
