Academy Lead Sports Scientist in Swindon

Location: The County Ground with the abilities to travel to other training facilities

Reports to: Academy Director & Head of Football Development, Academy Head of Player Development, Academy Head of Coaching

Full Time: 37.5 hours per week

Salary: dependant upon experience

Overall purpose of the job

Responsible for overseeing the physical and athletic development of young athletes in an academy setting, including designing and implementing strength & conditioning programmes, collaborating with the multidisciplinary team, and monitoring player progress. The Lead Sport Scientist will have responsibility for the day-to-day PDP sport science delivery as well leading physical programs across the schoolboy age groups.

Key tasks and responsibilities

• Personal Development
  • Undertake self-development to ensure knowledge in relation to all aspects of physiotherapy is up-to-date and forward-thinking.
• Program Design and Implementation
  • Develop and implement innovative strength and conditioning programs tailored to the specific needs of young athletes.
  • Update physical individual learning plans.
• Performance monitoring
  • Using data analysis and other methods to track player progress and identify areas for improvement (GPS and data capturing/analysis).
  • Completion and reporting of anthropometric assessment and physiological fitness testing across the season for U9-U18 squads.
• Player Transition
  • Prepare young players for the demands of senior football.
• Holistic Development
  • Foster a high-performance environment that supports the physical, mental and emotional well-being of young athletes.
  • Contribute to the delivery of the SEP apprenticeship programme.
• Communication and Leadership
  • Ensure the Academy EFL Youth Development Rules are satisfied and documented on the club’s audit tool.
  • Record all data and update KML iP in line with the EFL Youth Development Rules and Academy Performance Plan.
  • Manage placement students, studentships and casual staff within the Academy Sports Science dept.
  • Attend, lead and contribute to organised meetings.
• Multidisciplinary Collaboration
  • Working closely with coaches, nutritionists, medical staff and other professionals to ensure a holistic approach to player development.
• Compliance and Safety
  • Ensure all activities are conducted safely and in accordance with the relevant regulations and best practices.
• Such other duties as may be appropriate to achieve the objectives of the post and to assist the Academy Director.

About The Candidate

Qualifications

• BSc (Hons) in Sport Science or similar (essential).
• Hold, be working towards accreditation or willingness to complete the UK Strength and Conditioning Association (or equivalent workshops run by an equivalent body).
• Hold a current Basic First Aid for Sport Qualification (EFAiF) (essential).

Experience

• Experience of working in at least 1 of the following roles:

• A football club
• A sports club
• University

• Capturing physical testing data
• Designing physical curriculum and programming
• Working with young elite athletes
• Working as a member of multi-disciplinary team

Who you are

• Excellent communication.
• Have a flexible attitude to work.
• Ability to work on own initiative and as part of a team.
• Have a polite and courteous manner.
• Be organised and have good time management skills.
• The ability to meet stringent deadlines.
• Be able to adapt to different and changing situations.
• Have the drive and enthusiasm to set high standards and achieve company objectives.
• Have a personable approach.

Safeguarding

To have due regard for safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people and to follow the child protection procedures adopted by the FA and the club.