Head of Mental Performance in Norwich

Head of Mental Performance in Norwich

Norwich Full-Time 40500 - 49500 £ / year (est.) No working from home possible
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At a Glance

  • Tasks: Drive elite performance through psychology and wellbeing at Norwich City Football Club.
  • Company: Join the dynamic team at Norwich City Football Club, a leader in sports performance.
  • Benefits: Enjoy 25 days annual leave, matchday tickets, and comprehensive wellbeing support.
  • Other info: Be part of a club that values growth, integrity, and resilience.
  • Why this job: Make a real impact on players' mental performance and thrive in a supportive culture.
  • Qualifications: Postgraduate qualification in Psychology and 5 years' experience in elite sport required.

The predicted salary is between 40500 - 49500 £ per year.

An exciting opportunity has arisen for an experienced candidate to join the Performance department at Norwich City Football Club in a new role of Head of Mental Performance.

This is an excellent role for someone who is passionate about driving elite performance through psychology and wellbeing.

This is a full-time, permanent role based at the Avant Training Centre in Norwich.

Key tasks/responsibilities include, but is not limited to

  • Develop and deliver a club-wide mental performance vision that supports sustained elite performance.
  • Enhance player and staff performance through evidence-based psychology programmes and interventions.
  • Embed mental skills training to improve focus, resilience, emotional control, and decision-making under pressure.
  • Provide tailored support to individual players, teams, coaches, and senior leaders.
  • Foster a high-trust, opportunity-focused culture that enables people to thrive and perform at their best.
  • Lead the Club’s Mental Health and psychological wellbeing provision in partnership with medical and welfare teams.
  • Integrate psychological insights into talent identification, recruitment, and player development processes.
  • Lead, develop, and govern the Club’s psychology services, ensuring best practice, compliance, and continuous improvement.
  • To act in a manner that supports the Club’s Values of Growth, Integrity, Belonging, Resilience, Pride and Commitment

Qualifications/Experience

Essential

  • Postgraduate qualification to MSc/Ph D level in Psychology or Sport Psychology
  • Active Practitioner Psychologist status registered with the Health & Care Professions Council (HCPC), along with BPS Chartered status or SEPAR alignment.
  • Minimum 5 years’ experience delivering service in elite sport.
  • Proven history of embedding psychological principles directly into integrated coaching systems, rather than just delivering isolated 1-on-1 clinical sessions.

Desirable

  • Experience of delivering service in First Team professional football environments.
  • Demonstrated experience providing performance consulting or executive coaching to Sporting executives and/or Head Coaches.

Background in driving applied research projects that directly convert academic evidence into pitch-side competitive edges.

Successful candidates will benefit from a comprehensive range of club benefits. This includes (but is not limited to):

  • Complimentary matchday ticket for home fixtures
  • 25 days annual leave + bank holidays
  • Enhanced family friendly leave policies
  • Pension Scheme with Royal London
  • Access to Reward Gateway recognition and discount platform
  • Enhanced CPD opportunities and structured professional development pathways.
  • The opportunity to get involved in wider club initiatives through a variety of Working Groups.
  • A range of wellbeing support, including 24/7 access to a GP for employees and their dependents, as well as access to gyms and exercise classes at both Carrow Road & Avant Training Centre.
  • Don’t miss out on this fantastic opportunity to join the Canaries,

Applications will be considered on receipt, and therefore early applications are encouraged.

Norwich City Football Club are committed to ensuring equal opportunities are given to all and welcomes applications from all areas of the community regardless of age, disability, sex, gender reassignment, sexual orientation, pregnancy and maternity, race, religion or belief, marriage and civil partnerships.

Norwich City Football Club are an equal opportunities employer and recognises the importance of safeguarding children and vulnerable adults in the workplace.

Please be aware that a criminal disclosure and identity check will be carried out for this post.

Engagement will be subject to a satisfactory DBS disclosure.

In line with Keeping Children Safe in Education (2026) guidance, we may conduct online searches as part of our due diligence processes on shortlisted candidates.

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Head of Mental Performance in Norwich employer: Norwich City Football Club

Norwich City Football Club is an exceptional employer that values its employees and fosters a vibrant work culture centred around teamwork and passion for football. With opportunities for personal and professional growth, the club encourages its staff to excel in their roles while enjoying unique experiences on matchdays, making it a rewarding place to work for those dedicated to enhancing fan experiences.

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Contact Details:

Norwich City Football Club Recruitment Team

StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫

We think this is how you could land Head of Mental Performance in Norwich

Get Involved in Local Sports Communities

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Visit Sports Job Fairs

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Apply Through Our Website

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We think you need these skills to ace Head of Mental Performance in Norwich

Mental Performance Expertise
Psychology Knowledge
Wellbeing Strategies
Evidence-Based Interventions
Mental Skills Training
Focus and Resilience Development
Emotional Control Techniques

Some tips for your application 🫡

Show Off Your Passion for Sports:In your cover letter, let your enthusiasm for sports and recreation shine through! We want to see your genuine interest in the industry and how it's shaped your career choices. Sharing specific experiences, like managing a team or organising an event, can really make you stand out.

Highlight Relevant Experience:When crafting your CV, focus on any relevant internships, volunteer work, or part-time jobs related to sports and recreation management. Make sure to quantify your achievements – did you increase team participation by a certain percentage or successfully lead a project? Numbers speak volumes!

Tailor Your CV for Sports Management:Use a CV format that emphasises your skills in leadership, teamwork, and event coordination. Don’t forget to include specific training or certifications that relate to sports management, as these can set you apart from other applicants. We love seeing candidates with relevant qualifications!

Express Your Long-Term Goals:In your application, we want to see your career aspirations in sports management. Don’t hesitate to include how you envision your future in this industry and how joining Norwich City Football Club aligns with those goals. We’re looking for candidates who are not just a perfect fit for the role but are also excited about growing with us!

How to prepare for a job interview at Norwich City Football Club

Highlight Your Passion for Sports

When chatting with Norwich City Football Club, make sure to express your genuine love for sports and recreation. Share experiences that showcase your passion, whether it's managing a local sports team, organising events, or simply being an active participant in various activities. This helps them see you're not just a fit on paper, but also someone who truly cares about the field.

Showcase Your Management Skills

This role is all about managing resources and people, so be ready to discuss your leadership and organisational skills. Prepare some examples from your past experiences where you've successfully led a team or managed a project, particularly in a sports or recreation setting. Use the STAR (Situation, Task, Action, Result) technique to make your answers concise and impactful.

Be Prepared for Scenario-Based Questions

Expect case studies or scenario-based questions that assess your problem-solving and decision-making skills. You might be asked how you would handle a tricky situation, such as resolving a conflict between team members or managing a crisis during a major event. Think through these scenarios and practice how you’d articulate your thought process and solutions.

Demonstrate Enthusiasm for Team Collaboration

In the sports and recreation management field, teamwork is essential. During the interview, be prepared to discuss how you work within a team and foster a collaborative environment. Share success stories where teamwork led to a positive outcome, emphasising how you built relationships and encouraged participation among team members to achieve a common goal.