At a Glance
- Tasks: Support the holistic well-being of female players, addressing their physical, mental, and social needs.
- Company: Join Crystal Palace Football Club, a historic Premier League team with a vibrant culture.
- Benefits: Enjoy match tickets, health benefits, discounts, and a volunteering day off.
- Other info: Be part of a diverse team committed to equality and inclusion.
- Why this job: Make a real impact on female athletes' lives while working in a dynamic sports environment.
- Qualifications: Experience in athlete development and a degree in relevant fields required.
The predicted salary is between 30000 - 40000 £ per year.
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.
- Uphold and promote 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. We are here to help you through the whole recruitment process, including applying for a vacancy, getting in touch with us through the process, and/or helping with access if you are required to come in for an interview.
Safeguarding
Crystal 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.
Performance Wellbeing Lead employer: Crystal Palace FC
Crystal Palace Football Club is an exceptional employer, offering a vibrant and inclusive work culture at our Academy Training Ground in BR3 1NZ. We prioritise employee well-being and professional growth, providing comprehensive benefits such as health schemes, discounts, and a commitment to equality and diversity. Join us in fostering a high-performing environment where your contributions to the holistic development of female athletes will be valued and supported.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Performance Wellbeing Lead
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to people in the industry, especially those connected to Crystal Palace. Attend events, join online forums, and don’t be shy about asking for informational interviews. You never know who might have the inside scoop on job openings!
✨Tip Number 2
Prepare for your interview by researching the club’s values and culture. Understand their commitment to player well-being and diversity. Tailor your responses to show how your experience aligns with their mission. This will help you stand out as a candidate who truly gets what they’re about.
✨Tip Number 3
Practice makes perfect! Conduct mock interviews with friends or mentors. Focus on articulating your experiences related to supporting female athletes and well-being strategies. The more comfortable you are speaking about your skills, the more confident you’ll feel during the real deal.
✨Tip Number 4
Don’t forget to follow up after your interview! A simple thank-you email can go a long way. Mention something specific from your conversation to remind them of your enthusiasm and fit for the role. And remember, apply through our website for the best chance at landing that dream job!
We think you need these skills to ace Performance Wellbeing Lead
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your Application:Make sure to customise your CV and cover letter for the Performance Wellbeing Lead role. Highlight your experience with female athletes and how you can support their holistic development, as this is key to what we’re looking for.
Showcase Your Skills:Don’t just list your qualifications; demonstrate how your skills in counselling, mentoring, and working within multi-disciplinary teams can contribute to our high-performing care culture. We want to see how you can make a real impact!
Be Authentic:Let your personality shine through in your application. We value authenticity and want to know who you are beyond your professional achievements. Share your passion for player welfare and how you embody our club’s values.
Apply Through Our Website:For the best chance of success, make sure to submit your application through our official website. This way, we can easily track your application and ensure it gets the attention it deserves!
How to prepare for a job interview at Crystal Palace FC
✨Know Your Stuff
Before the interview, dive deep into Crystal Palace Football Club's values and mission. Understand their commitment to player well-being and how your experience aligns with their goals. This will show that you're not just interested in the role, but also in contributing to their culture.
✨Showcase Your Experience
Prepare specific examples from your past work that demonstrate your ability to support female athletes' holistic development. Highlight any relevant experience in multi-disciplinary teams and how you've successfully integrated well-being strategies in a professional sport context.
✨Ask Thoughtful Questions
Come prepared with questions that reflect your understanding of the role and the club's approach to player welfare. Inquire about their current well-being strategies or how they measure success in this area. This shows your genuine interest and helps you assess if the club is the right fit for you.
✨Be Yourself
Authenticity goes a long way! Be open about your passion for supporting athletes and your commitment to continuous professional development. Let your personality shine through, as they’re looking for someone who can foster a caring culture while maintaining professionalism.
