Academy Performance Lifestyle and Player Support Manager

Closing Date of Applications – 26/06/25

Our Story

Manchester City Women is an English football club initially founded by City in the Community in 1988. Relaunched by a formal partnership with Manchester City FC, MCWFC entered the FA Women’s Super League and professionalised in 2014. Success has followed in not only the FAWSL but also the Women’s FA Cup and Continental Tyres League Cup, while the team has regularly competed in the UEFA Women’s Champions League. The team plays its home fixtures at Joie Stadium, a 7,000 capacity arena. The stadium sits on the wider Etihad Campus, which also encompasses the City Football Academy, a state-of-the-art training and development facility that houses its women’s, men’s and academy teams.

Our Winning Team

As part of our dynamic Performances Services team, the Performance Lifestyle and Wellbeing Practitioner will provide and lead the delivery and development of Performance Lifestyle and Wellbeing support to MCWFC Academy players (8-19 years). Within this role you will provide holistic support and development of the MCWFC Academy players in career, wellbeing, lifestyle and education, aligned to the MCWFC Performance Lifestyle and Wellbeing strategy.

Your Impact

• Performance Lifestyles and Wellbeing Curriculum
  • Develop and document an age/stage appropriate PL and wellbeing curriculum for MCWFC academy.
  • Deliver and coordinate to one-to-one and group-based player development, to support their journey as a football player and independent young person, e.g. time management, finance, social media.
  • Support in the development of MCWFC Academy Performance Lifestyle and Wellbeing curriculum, to include parent/guardian education.
  • Continual review and yearly assessment of the impact of the curriculum at each age group.
  • Collaboration with MCWFC education department to ensure ongoing educational needs are met.
  • Work with education to build external networks/links with education providers.
• Support in the Management of Host Families Recruited for MCWFC Academy Players
  • Lead in the recruitment of host families.
  • Complete ongoing monitoring and supervision with host families.
  • Complete administration tasks associated with host family process, including coordination of payments and safety certificates.
  • Be the primary MCWFC contact for MCWFC Host Families.
• Provide Proactive Transition Support as Players Transition Onto, Through and From the MCWFC Academy
  • Collaborate across a multi-disciplinary team to ensure the highest possible standards and smooth transition process for every player.
  • Build relationships and communicate with relevant stakeholders, including parents and guardians.
  • Work with First Team Performance Lifestyle and Wellbeing Coach to assist in the transition of academy players into the First Team.
  • Provide individualised transition co-ordination and support to players exiting the academy.
• Proactive Member of MDT Meetings and Psychosocial Wellbeing Forums
  • Collaborate as part of an internal psychosocial group to facilitate mental health and wellbeing support to players.
  • Co-ordinate, lead and case manage academy wellbeing forums.
  • Monitor wellbeing action plans and external referrals.
• To Complete Necessary Administrative Tasks to Ensure Successful Service Delivery
  • Ensure that MCWFC Academy is compliant with the PGAAC regulations:
  • A) All documentation is up to date for the season.
  • B) Document is shared, signed and stored as appropriate.
  • C) Preparation and delivery for the annual PGAAC audit.
• To Undertake Any Other Reasonable Duties as Determined by Director of Performance Services and Performance Lifestyle & Wellbeing Coach
  • Build relationships with key stakeholders.

What We Are Looking For

This is an opportunity for an individual who is at Degree level or equivalent in Sports Management, Sport Science/Studies or a discipline relevant to the support and development of high performing individuals. Or significant experience of elite sporting systems and environments from an athlete or coaching perspective.

• Good working knowledge of best practice safeguarding and child protection practices.
• Experience of designing, developing, delivering and evaluating holistic support interventions across the areas identified in the MCWFC strategy and aligned to the PGAAC audit.
• Experience of engaging Under 16yrs and Under 18yrs athletes or other high performing individuals on a group or 1:1 basis (if applicable).
• Able to create and deliver engaging presentations and workshops to a variety of stakeholders.
• It would be advantageous to hold a Higher degree level or equivalent – in areas as above.
• Having a Level 3 Certificate in Athlete Personal Development & Lifestyle (TASS).
• Mental Health First Aid (MHFA).
• Professional Coaching & Mentoring qualification (any level) and/or individual accreditation (i.e. EMCC, ICF).
• Strong understanding of UK educational requirements with the skills to facilitate bespoke solutions that support both personal and performance ambitions.
• Excellent prioritisation skills with the ability to proactively manage a large and diverse athlete caseload.
• Understanding of and experience working with diversity and inclusivity awareness (cultures, languages, ethnicity, LGBTQ, religion, etc.).

This Is Your City

As part of our team, you will be entitled to 26 days annual leave plus an additional day off for your birthday, private healthcare and a Simply Health cash plan, an annual discretionary bonus, plus a range of partnership and lifestyle discounts.