Academy Sports Medicine Lead in Manchester

Location: Carrington Training Complex

Manchester United is a high-performance organisation dedicated to success on and off the pitch.

The Role

Reporting directly to the Head of Academy Performance, the Academy Sports Medicine Lead will deliver world-class medical care to Manchester United’s Academy players, supporting the health, wellbeing and long-term development of elite young athletes from the Foundation Phase to the Professional Development Phase. The role drives exceptional standards of clinical care and player support within a high-performance environment and operates within a helix model under the Head of Sports Medicine.

Key Responsibilities

• Act as the lead doctor for Manchester United’s Academy, taking primary responsibility for the medical care of all Academy players.
• Oversee and coordinate medical provision for Academy training sessions, matches, tours and tournaments, including national and international travel.
• Assess, diagnose, treat and manage injuries and medical conditions, ensuring appropriate rehabilitation plans are implemented.
• Provide pitch-side and clinic-based medical cover at the Carrington Training Complex and match venues as required.
• Manage relationships and referrals to external specialists and consultants as needed.
• Develop and oversee clinical governance protocols specific to the Academy, including emergency action planning, concussion management, cardiac screening and anti-doping education.
• Support the education and development of Academy medical and physiotherapy staff, promoting continuous professional development and best practice standards.
• Collaborate closely with the Head of Academy Physiotherapy and other sports-science and performance departments to deliver integrated care.
• Work with parents/guardians to communicate relevant medical information while maintaining full confidentiality and safeguarding compliance.
• Maintain accurate and timely medical records using the club’s athlete medical system, ensuring robust data protection and audit practices.
• Contribute to regular multidisciplinary case meetings and liaise effectively with coaches, support staff and other departments to align medical decision-making with performance goals.
• Occasionally support the First Team Doctor and Women’s Team Doctor when appropriate and agreed with the Head of Academy Performance.
• Undertake other duties and projects as assigned by the Head of Academy Performance in line with the club’s evolving needs.

The Person

• Proven experience in general medical practice and sports medicine, ideally in elite high-performance youth development.
• Extensive background providing medical care to elite young athletes, with strong knowledge of child and adolescent physiology.
• Fully GMC-registered and in good standing.
• Confident in emergency care, pitch-side trauma and safeguarding.
• Excellent communication skills, able to engage young players, parents, coaches and multi-disciplinary teams.
• Methodical, organised with high standards of accuracy and attention to detail.
• Calm, resilient and decisive under pressure; comfortable handling complex cases and making sound judgments.
• Committed to best practice, continuous learning and maintaining the highest medical and ethical standards.
• Flexible and adaptable to the demands of elite sport, including evenings, weekends, travel and unsociable hours.
• Proficient in IT systems, Microsoft Office and electronic medical records.

Our Values

• Badge – Earn the badge every day. Respect our history and heritage. Be best in class and deliver to the standards expected of Manchester United. No one is bigger than the club.
• Bravery – Be bold, be brave and take calculated risks. Do things differently and innovate. Lead by example and do what’s right for the club even when it’s hard.
• Spirit – Embody the spirit of Manchester United. Show strength of character, act with passion and fight back, no matter what.

What We Offer

• Annual Incentive Scheme to reward your dedication and hard work.
• 25 days annual leave (plus bank holidays) and an opportunity to purchase additional holiday days.
• Electric Vehicle scheme via Octopus and cycle to work scheme.
• Wellness Support with access to mental health resources, digital health checks, and nutritionists through Aviva Digicare+ Workplace.
• Exclusive Discounts through our United Rewards platform, giving you access to exclusive deals from the club and partners.
• Gym facilities in our onsite locations and opportunities for regular social events and team-building activities.
• Enhanced family Leave Benefits and policies.
• Enhanced Career Development with access to professional learning platforms like LinkedIn Learning and internal training programmes.
• A supportive work environment that values diversity, equity, and inclusion and individual growth.

Our Commitment To You

We believe that a diverse and inclusive environment makes us stronger. We are committed to building a team where everyone feels welcomed, valued and empowered to contribute their unique perspectives. Diversity, equity and inclusion sit at the core of our recruitment strategy and we welcome applicants from all backgrounds.

Ready To Join Us?

If this sounds like the perfect role for you, please submit your application by Friday 22nd May. Manchester United is committed to safeguarding children and vulnerable adults and, as part of this commitment, all candidates will undergo a Disclosure and Barring Service check and reference checks. It is unlawful to employ a person in a UK-based job who does not have permission to live and work in the UK. You should make yourself aware of how immigration laws apply to you before applying for any of our roles.