Senior Physical Performance Coach – Men’s 1st Team in Oxford

We have an exciting opportunity for an individual to join Oxford United FC as a Senior Physical Performance Coach – Men’s First Team.

We are evolving the way that Medical and Performance Services are delivered at Oxford United Football Club.

Every player requires an individualised, integrated, outcome focussed team behind them.

We are developing as a department, and we are building an innovative, insightful and collaborative team to meet this challenge.

Our commitment to excellence on and off the pitch requires a world-class approach to physical performance, ensuring our players are in peak physical condition.

We are looking for a highly motivated physical performance coach to join our Medical and Performance Department.

As part of the Club Physical Performance strategy, the ideal candidate will have a proven track record of delivering elite-level physical performance coaching in football and possess a relentless drive to achieve world-class standards.

This role will involve working with first team players and the highest priority U23 players so some experience working with youth athletes is an advantage.

You will be responsible for and deliver gym and pitch-based aerobic, strength, power, speed, speed endurance and football specific conditioning programmes bespoke to the individual player(s).

What will you be doing?

• Individual Player and First Team High-Performance Coach / Mentor: Be the responsible member of the Performance Team to ensure “World Leading Support” for a set number of first team players & high potential U23 players.

This involves prescribing, administering, monitoring and refining each player’s highly individualised performance programme.

• Construct & communicate a physical review for each player in the group that are the responsible High-Performance Coach for on a 4-weekly basis.
• Deliver & analyse the pre-season and in-season physical testing/re-testing for strength, power, speed, movement and endurance capabilities.
• Deliver pitch-based “Football Fitness Sessions” with the team, individuals, small groups & contribute to rehabilitating players.
• Conduct daily physical assessments evaluating the physiological readiness status of individual players in collaboration with the Performance Department.
• Deliver gym-based “Strength/Power Sessions” with the team, individuals, small groups & contribute to rehabilitating players.
• Deliver gym- and pitch-based “Injury Prevention Sessions” with the team, individuals, small groups & contribute to rehabilitating players.
• Innovate: You will be required to explore an area of physical performance and update regularly to the wider team on this specific innovation project.
• Assist with individual & team-based recovery sessions.
• Be involved with every aspect of planning and preparing sessions
• Pack and prepare kit and equipment for team travel.
• Attend tours and fixtures as necessary.
• Contribute to the Club’s sports science research strategy.
• Undertake Continued Professional Development personally and organised by the Club.
• Hours Per Week: 40
• About The Candidate
• Knowledge of the physical and physiological demands of elite football which will ideally be gained from at least 5 years’ experience working in football at first team or academy level.
• Completion of an MSc in sport science or a related discipline is essential.
• UKSCA accreditation or BASES accreditation, or being in the process of attaining these accreditations, is essential for a successful application.
• The completion of UEFA coaching badges would be looked upon favourably.
• You will be required to have knowledge and expertise in using a wide array of strength, power and speed diagnostic testing modalities.

This may include using invisible gym testing apparatus such as linear position transducers.

Knowledge and experience of conducting and interpreting movement screenings is desirable in this role.

• It is essential that you can build good relationships and rapport quickly with players, coaches and other staff throughout the club.

Our relationships represent and reflect on the whole department.

• You will be a clear communicator with the ability to explain big concepts in small words. You will regularly be required to present your opinions to the MDT.
• You will have a passion about applying research into practice in both the gym and on the pitch and a desire to be an innovator in your field of expertise.

You will have the opportunity to show your drive, ambition and curiosity if you successfully join our team.

About The Club

At Oxford United Football Club, we have an unwavering commitment to equality, diversity and inclusion and are always looking to making a positive difference in the communities that we operate within.

We are proud of our achievements in this area; maintaining the EFL Equality Standard Advanced Level, becoming a founding signatory of the Football Association’s Football Leadership Diversity Code and being recognised as a leader in this important area on and off the pitch.

We take our responsibilities in this area seriously and through the work being done across the club, we are committed to increasing the diversity of our people and becoming an increasingly inclusive workplace for all.

We are committed to hiring great people representative of diverse backgrounds, perspectives, and skills across our entire business.

If you share our enthusiasm and passion for inclusivity, then we want to hear from you.

Oxford United FC is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and vulnerable adults and expects all Colleagues and Volunteers to share this commitment.

This role is subject to a satisfactory enhanced DBS check.