Performance Wellbeing Lead in Penarth

Job Location: Academy Training Ground, BR3 1NZ

Contract Type: Full-time

Who we are

We are Crystal Palace Football Club, a Premier League Football Club with more than 160 years of proud history. Spread across three different sites – brand new main offices at Selhurst Park Stadium, our London office, and our Training Ground/Academy, we offer the best atmosphere and culture for our fans and our employees. We strive for excellence in the workplace with a philosophy of high standards, professionalism, and a strong work ethic from our employees. We are constantly trying to grow, diversify and build with not only our team on the pitch, but also our team in the offices and on the ground.

About this role

The Performance Well-being Practitioner will support the holistic development and well‑being of female players within the Club, addressing their physical, mental, social, career, and financial needs. They will work closely with coaching, medical, and support staff to ensure a gender-sensitive approach that prioritises player welfare as a foundation for performance. The role requires overseeing individual well‑being plans, supporting players throughout their club lifecycle—including onboarding, development, loans, and exiting—and fostering a high‑performing, caring culture where well‑being is embedded in all aspects of training, competition, and daily Club life. The Practitioner will act as a trusted advocate, promoting lifelong skills, personal growth, and resilience for female athletes while ensuring professional boundaries and safeguarding standards are maintained.

Responsibilities

• Develop, implement, and monitor individualised well‑being plans addressing mental, physical, social, career, and financial needs of female players.
• Support players through club transitions, including onboarding, moving between teams or loan spells, and exiting the Club, with clear documentation and follow‑up.
• Integrate mental, social, and physical well‑being strategies into daily Club operations, ensuring clear signposting and referral pathways for specialist support.
• Act as a key member of the multi‑disciplinary team (MDT), collaborating with coaches, sports science, medicine, psychology, and safeguarding teams to ensure coordinated support.
• Promote a high‑performing care culture, ensuring all staff understand their role in supporting player well‑being and embedding well‑being into decision‑making and Club processes.
• Deliver one‑to‑one support using counselling, executive coaching, and mentoring skills while maintaining professional boundaries.
• Educate and guide staff to identify players in need of support, acting as a resource and reference point for well‑being best practice.
• Oversee and contribute to a club‑wide well‑being strategy, including mental health frameworks, clinical provision, safeguarding procedures, and female athlete health guidance.
• Ensure confidentiality and record‑keeping standards are maintained to a professional level equivalent to clinical practice.
• Support players’ personal development, including career planning, education, leadership, networking, and life skills development.
• Ensure well‑being activities are measurable, visible, and meet professional standards, with defined outcomes and KPIs.
• Serve as a role model for well‑being, professionalism, and continuous development, staying up‑to‑date with current research and best practice in female athlete welfare.
• Engage in personal and professional development, including CPD, research, mentorship, and reflection on practice to continually enhance effectiveness.
• Other duties and responsibilities as required by line manager.
• Upholding and promoting the Club’s policies and procedures, including Health and Safety, Safeguarding and Equal Opportunities policies and procedures.

Experience, Skills and Qualifications

• Demonstrated experience in supporting the holistic development of female athletes, including well‑being, transitions, and personal development.
• Experience working in women’s professional sport or a high‑performance environment.
• Proven ability to integrate effectively into multi‑disciplinary teams, contributing to coordinated care.
• Knowledge of mental health, safeguarding, career development, and female athletes health.
• Experience delivering coaching, mentoring, or counselling interventions in a professional sport context.
• Strong interpersonal skills: effective listening, questioning, empathy, communication, and maintaining professional boundaries.
• Ability to manage sensitive situations, support resilience, and build trust with players and staff.
• Evidence of reflective practice, professional development, and application of current research and best practice.
• Degree‑level qualification in relevant fields (e.g., sports psychology, well‑being, counselling, education, social work, executive coaching, psychology).
• Desirable: Master’s‑level qualification, UKAD Clean Sport Advisor, Mental Health First Aid (sports), FA Safeguarding certification, EMCC or ILM coaching/mentoring certifications, enhanced DBS clearance.
• Commitment to ongoing CPD and maintaining professional standards aligned with the latest evidence in female athlete well‑being.

Benefits

• Complimentary match day ticket
• Reward and Discount Scheme through our Tech Scheme and Simple Health app
• Health and Wellbeing benefit scheme
• 20% Discount in our Retail Stores
• Discounts in various gyms through GymFlex
• Volunteering Day – 1 Workday off to support a charity of your choice.
• Travel Season Ticket loan
• Holiday allowance: 25 Days

Our commitment to Equality

At Crystal Palace Football Club, Equality, Diversity & Inclusion is spirited and continues to grow due to the working environment, which makes all staff feel appreciated and welcomed. Crystal Palace Football Club do this by encouraging good relations and practices towards different groups and are committed to promoting employment opportunities that celebrate diversity. We are committed to attracting, recruiting and retaining the most talented candidates and the club intends to ensure that everyone who wishes to engage with the club, whether as matchday fans, staff, players, board members, participants in Foundation programmes and any other person engaged with the club's activities, has a real and equal opportunity to do so.

Reasonable Adjustment

We are proud to be a Disability Confident Employer. We guarantee an interview to all disabled applicants who meet the essential criteria for the role, ensuring equitable opportunities for everyone. If you require disability‑related adjustments during the recruitment process, please contact DLO@cpfc.co.uk. If you wish to gain further information regarding this vacancy, please contact recruitment@cpfc.co.uk.

Safeguarding

Cristal Palace Football Club is committed to safeguarding and ensuring the welfare and protection of children and vulnerable people and expects all staff to share this commitment. As such, the post holder will be required to undergo any relevant security checks, including a comprehensive background check, Enhanced Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) to ensure the safety and protection of children and vulnerable individuals.