First Team Recovery Specialist in Nottingham

Salary: Please state your expectations within your application

Contract: Full Time, 42 hours a week

Location: The Nigel Doughty Academy, Nottingham, NG2 7SR

Department: First Team Performance

Reporting to: Performance Services Lead

Closing Date For Applications: 3rd June 2026

About the Role

To lead the design and delivery of evidence-based recovery strategies for the men’s first team players at Nottingham Forest. Provide an individualised, player‑centric approach that optimises readiness, availability, and performance. The role will collaborate closely with multidisciplinary staff to integrate recovery within the wider performance model, while driving continuous innovation and best practice.

Perks of the Job

• Opportunity to access tickets for events at The City Ground.
• Employee Assistance Programme.
• Access to high street and gym discounts.
• Discount within our Club shop.
• Free on-site parking.

Key Tasks and Responsibilities

• Construct the recovery strategies for Nottingham Forest football club men’s first team.
• Establish a comprehensive player monitoring system using the latest technology to identify changes in readiness and performance.
• Work in close collaboration with the head of performance and medical leads to devise interventions that enhance player recovery between games and selected training sessions.
• Drive interventions around match days particularly, post‑match recovery with considerations made for travelling and home games.
• Design and lead MD +1 and +2 recovery interventions that prioritise player’s returning to training and performance within the shortest reasonable time frame.
• Create options that meet the needs of each player and their recovery profile.
• Consider the actions of players outside of the performance environment and implement strategies to improve sleep, travel and engagement with technology.
• Drive strategies alongside medical colleagues that can improve recovery from injury and the rehab time frame.
• Present data to the MDT in order to provide an overview of player wellness and insights into their recovery.
• Assist with roles aimed at delivering the performance strategy to the men’s first team.
• Working with academy and women’s team practitioners, share knowledge and assist them with the implementation of appropriate recovery interventions for their respective player groups.
• Lead on staff education of the latest evidence‑based recovery interventions.
• Any other reasonable tasks as determined by your line manager.

What Are We Looking For

• Experience in the application of sport science to professional athletes and coaches at first‑team, international or top‑tier level of sports performance.
• An extensive background knowledge in the effectiveness of multiple recovery strategies and their impact on performance outcomes.
• Experience in leading and delivering sport science education via presentation or creation of resources.
• Ability to lead others in the MDT and aid in critical decision making.
• Naturally collaborative with a strong set of inter‑personal skills.
• Ability to work flexible hours and travel.
• MSC in sports science or a related discipline.
• Previous professional experience in the Sports Science field.
• UKAD certification.

• Evidence of enhancing the sports science.
• Fluent in multiple languages.
• PhD in sports science or a related discipline.
• Level 3 (or higher) qualification in sports massage.
• BASES accreditation.
• UKSCA accreditation.

Forest For Everyone

We aim to create a culture which embraces and celebrates our differences, enables individuals to feel comfortable, maximise their potential and eliminate discrimination. Nottingham Forest Football Club is an equal opportunities employer and welcomes applications from all suitably qualified persons, regardless of age, disability, gender, gender reassignment, marital / civil partnership status, pregnancy / maternity leave, race, religion/belief, sexual orientation, or any other legally protected characteristic.

Nottingham Forest Football Club is a signatory of the FA’s Football Leadership Diversity Code. We are committed to developing policies to promote equal opportunities and diversity within our workforce. To monitor our progress against these commitments, we require all applicants to provide accurate diversity data during the application process.

Disability Confident Committed Employer

We are a Disability Confident Committed employer. We encourage applications from people with disabilities and long-term health conditions. If you need disability-related adjustments to the recruitment process, please indicate this in your application.

If you are likely to meet the definition of a “disabled person” according to the Equality Act 2010, you may be eligible to apply for an interview via the Disability Confident Scheme – please indicate this in your application form below.

The information you share with us about your health or disability will not be used in recruitment selections.

Our Commitment to Safeguarding

As part of the Club’s commitment to safeguarding, the successful applicant may be required to undergo a Disclosure Barring Service (“DBS”) check or an enhanced DBS check. The results of a DBS check will be considered on an individual basis, and the Club will act in a proportionate manner when deciding whether or not to proceed with the appointment.

Individuals will be asked to declare any convictions, cautions or reprimands, warnings or bind‑overs that may have been incurred. The Club reserves the right to carry out risk assessments where content has been disclosed on a DBS disclosure if it feels that it is relevant to the job requirements. Failure to satisfy the Club and the PL’s safeguarding requirements may lead to the job offer being withdrawn or, if they have already started employment, summary termination of the employment.