Head of Academy Medical and Performance - The Academy, Liverpool Way, Kirkby

We are seeking a Head of Academy Medical & Performance to provide strategic leadership, clinical governance, and operational oversight of all medical, physical performance, rehabilitation, and player psychology services within the Academy. The role is responsible for designing and embedding an integrated, evidence‑led medical and performance strategy that supports long‑term athlete development, and enables sustainable progression. Working closely with coaching and performance teams, the postholder ensures that academy players are supported through robust medical governance, high‑quality multidisciplinary practice, and continuous improvement, aligned to the academy’s playing philosophy and long‑term strategic objectives.

What you will be doing:

• Strategic Leadership & Governance: Lead the development and delivery of the Academy Medical & Performance team, aligned with the academy’s overall performance model and long‑term athlete development framework. Act as the clinical and professional lead for academy medical and performance services, ensuring best practice, ethical decision‑making, and player‑centred care.
• Integrated Service Delivery: Oversee the planning, coordination, and quality of all medical, rehabilitation, physical performance, and psychological services across the academy age groups. Ensure effective multidisciplinary working, aligning medical, strength & conditioning, physiotherapy, psychology, nutrition, and coaching inputs. Provide strategic oversight of injury prevention, rehabilitation pathways, return‑to‑play decision‑making, and workload management.
• Player Health, Availability & Development: Drive initiatives that maximise player availability and durability, reducing injury risk while supporting performance progression. Ensure medical and performance programmes are developmentally appropriate, age‑specific, and evidence‑based. Act as a key advisor on medical and performance considerations impacting player selection, progression, and transition to the professional phase.
• People Leadership & Capability Building: Lead, manage, and develop academy medical and performance colleagues, setting clear expectations, objectives, and standards of practice.
• Stakeholder Management & Communication: Build strong relationships with players and parents, providing clear, professional communication regarding player health and welfare. Collaborate closely with the Director of Medical & Performance to ensure alignment between academy and first‑team pathways.
• Compliance, Data & Continuous Improvement: Ensure compliance with all relevant medical, safeguarding, data protection, and governing body regulations. Oversee accurate medical record‑keeping and promote best practice in data use to inform decision‑making and risk management. Use insight, audit, and review to drive continuous improvement in medical and performance outcomes.

What we are looking for:

• Essential Knowledge / Behaviours: Extensive experience in Sports & Exercise Medicine, with credibility to lead clinical practice within an elite academy environment. Proven ability to operate at a strategic leadership level while maintaining strong clinical governance. GMC registration with licence to practise and evidence of ongoing appraisal and revalidation. Postgraduate qualification (Diploma / MSc) in Sports & Exercise Medicine. Strong understanding of safeguarding, welfare, health & safety, and data governance in youth and adolescent sport. Level 5 ATMMiF or equivalent. Membership of the Faculty of Sports and Exercise Medicine (MFSEM). Additional qualifications in musculoskeletal or performance‑related disciplines.
• Desirable Knowledge: Diploma in Musculoskeletal medicine or Sports and Exercise Medicine. To be a fellow of the Faculty of Sports and Exercise Medicine (MFSEM). Be qualified in Sport and Exercise Medicine (SEM) or equivalent.
• Essential Functional / Technical Skills: Resilient, calm under pressure and able to manage in a fast-paced environment. Naturally collaborative, able to work across the multidisciplinary team and other player support departments. Ability to work on own initiative unsupervised and as an effective team member. Excellent communication skills; high level of empathy. Demonstrate planning and organisational skills. Flexible, able to travel and willing to work unsocial hours in accordance with the demands of the role. Computer literate, familiar with Microsoft Office or similar packages. Full driving license.

Please note, this vacancy may close early if we receive a high volume of applications, so we encourage you to apply as soon as possible.

To reward your hard work and commitment we offer a competitive salary, 25 days holiday (plus 8 bank holidays and the option to purchase up to an additional 5 days) and access to our benefits kit bag which includes but not limited to: Contributory pension scheme matching up to 5.5%, Life Assurance Cover, Free financial guidance and mortgage advice, Car salary sacrifice scheme for affordable driving, Cycle to Work scheme to keep you active, Purchase season ticket loans for easier commuting, Exclusive shopping discounts & cashback with top retailers, Will Writing Service for future planning, Employee Assistance Programme for confidential support, Medicash Health Cash Plan for everyday healthcare needs, Volunteering opportunities to give back to the community, Special LFC perks – retail discounts, partner offers, free LFCTV GO access, and priority tickets for matches, events & concerts.

At Liverpool Football Club, we have an unwavering commitment to equality, diversity and inclusion and are always looking to make a positive difference in the communities that we operate within. We are proud of our achievements in this area; maintaining the Premier League 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. Liverpool 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.