At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead performance support and drive clinical excellence for elite athletes.
- Company: Join Paddle UK, a leader in Olympic sports with a rich medal history.
- Benefits: Enjoy 25 days annual leave, flexible working, and professional development opportunities.
- Other info: Dynamic role with international travel and a focus on innovation in athlete care.
- Why this job: Make a real impact on athletes' performance and health as part of a winning team.
- Qualifications: Degree in Physiotherapy and experience in elite sports required.
The predicted salary is between 40500 - 49500 £ per year.
Location: Hybrid – Lee Valley White Water Centre (LVWWC), Hertfordshire (with domestic and international travel)
Hours: Full-time (Minimum 37 hours per week; requires flexibility including evenings, weekends, and international travel)
Closing date: 23rd August 2026
Drive clinical excellence, lead performance support, and power our Olympic medal targets on the road to LA 2028. Paddle UK is seeking an exceptional Senior Physiotherapist and Performance Support Lead to shape and direct our world-class Canoe Slalom and Kayak Cross programme. This pivotal dual-focused role splits approximately 60% to clinical physiotherapy and 40% to leading the multidisciplinary Performance Support Team. Supporting approximately 20 elite programme athletes, you will combine high-level clinical expertise with strategic leadership—building trust, safely challenging established thinking, and driving world-leading outcomes.
Key Responsibilities- PST Leadership & Management: Line-manage and align the Performance Support Team (including Strength & Conditioning, Psychology, Performance Analysis, and CMO) to deliver targeted, performance-focused workflows.
- Clinical Excellence: Provide primary contact and highly specialised musculoskeletal assessment, triage, diagnostics, and advanced rehabilitation to optimise return-to-performance outcomes.
- Athlete Health & Strategy: Proactively establish and execute strategies to optimise athlete health, mitigate injury and illness risk, and manage prehabilitation and travel loads.
- International Event & Trauma Care: Lead immediate emergency trauma care and medical planning in domestic and overseas training and competition environments (typically 8–12 weeks international travel per year).
- Medical Governance & Service Coordination: Assure medical governance standards to safeguard athlete physical and mental health, while managing contractors and physical health provisions across the broader Slalom programme.
- Data Insight & Surveillance: Oversee surveillance systems to capture injury/illness trends, producing actionable weekly health updates for coaches and leadership.
Why Join Us? This is a high-impact opportunity to step into "the team behind the team" at a hugely exciting time in the Olympic cycle. You will join a culture that values:
- World-Leading Ambition: Direct influence over elite Olympic and World Championship athletes within a highly successful, fast-paced sport.
- Collaborative Leadership: Integration across the Canoe Slalom Leadership Team and UK Sports Institute network, fostering psychological safety and cross-disciplinary innovation.
- Meaningful Change: An environment that encourages curiosity, fresh perspectives, and pushing boundaries beyond traditional injury management into holistic performance enhancement.
About You We are looking for a resilient, highly skilled clinical practitioner and leader with a proven track record in high-performance elite sport. You will possess:
- Clinical Specialism: Substantial experience delivering elite-level sports physiotherapy, including complex case management, return-to-performance planning, and emergency first-responder care.
- Leadership & Influence: Outstanding interpersonal and communication skills, with the ability to lead a multidisciplinary team, manage uncertainty, and build trust across athletes, coaches, and consultants.
- Strategic & Analytical Mindset: A strategic approach to workload management and data insight, using health intelligence to shape performance strategies and mitigate risk.
Qualifications: Degree in Physiotherapy, full HCPC registration, MCSP membership
25 days annual leave, plus bank holidays
Dress for your day
Free onsite parking
Company pension scheme
Employee benefits platform (including Bike to Work, Health and Wellbeing)
Extensive support is available through professional development, supervision, peer networks and access to leading performance knowledge and resources.
To find out more about Paddle UK, our benefits, culture and recruitment process please visit our Careers Centre.
Senior Physiotherapist & Performance Support Lead employer: Paddle UK
Paddle UK is an exceptional employer that fosters a vibrant and inclusive work culture, where creativity and collaboration thrive. With a focus on employee growth, we offer opportunities for professional development and hands-on experience in content creation, all while promoting the joy of paddling in a supportive community. Located in a dynamic environment, our team enjoys the unique advantage of working closely with passionate individuals dedicated to inspiring others to embrace outdoor activities.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Senior Physiotherapist & Performance Support Lead
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We think you need these skills to ace Senior Physiotherapist & Performance Support Lead
Some tips for your application 🫡
Showcase Your Relevant Experience:When applying for the Senior Physiotherapist & Performance Support Lead at Paddle UK, focus on highlighting your clinical experience and any specific training you've undergone. Include any relevant placements or internships you’ve completed, as well as any certifications that bolster your qualifications in human medicine.
Highlight Your Soft Skills:In the field of human medicine, soft skills are just as crucial as technical knowledge. Mention your communication skills, empathy, and teamwork experiences in your CV and cover letter. This shows that you can work well in a clinical setting and with patients, which is super important in this industry!
Tailor Your Cover Letter Thoughtfully:Be sure to personalise your cover letter for the Senior Physiotherapist & Performance Support Lead at Paddle UK. Mention why you’re passionate about human medicine and how you align with the company’s mission. This is your chance to convey your enthusiasm and make a case for why you'll be a valuable addition to the team!
Include Continuing Education:Make sure to mention any ongoing education or courses you’re taking to keep your skills sharp. In human medicine, staying updated with the latest practices is key. It shows you’re dedicated to your field, which employers like Paddle UK will definitely appreciate!
How to prepare for a job interview at Paddle UK
✨Brush Up on Clinical Knowledge
Since you're aiming for a role in human medicine, make sure you’re sharp on the latest clinical guidelines and practices relevant to the position. Be prepared to discuss case studies or scenarios you might encounter in the role. This will show that you're not just knowledgeable but also ready to apply that knowledge in real-life situations.
✨Demonstrate Soft Skills
In human medicine, technical skills are crucial, but don’t forget to showcase your soft skills like communication, empathy, and teamwork. In your answers, share specific examples of how you've worked effectively with patients or colleagues in the past, as these traits are highly valued in clinical settings.
✨Know Your CV Backwards
As you’re applying for a full-time position, your CV should tell a story. Be ready to discuss every part of it, especially your clinical experiences, the impact you had, and what you learned. Employers want to see how your journey has prepared you for this role, so think of it like you're taking them through your professional narrative.
✨Prepare for Ethical Scenarios
Ethics are a big deal in human medicine, so expect questions that assess your decision-making in tricky situations. Think about how you'd handle ethical dilemmas or patient confidentiality concerns. Prepare a few examples that illustrate your thought process and how you prioritise patient welfare in your decision-making.
