Academy Lead Sports Scientist

Location:
The County Ground with the abilities totravel to other training facilities

Reports to:
Academy Director & Head of Football Development, Academy Head of Player Development, Academy Head of Coaching

Full Time: 37.5 hours per week

Overall purpose of the job

Responsible for overseeing the physical and athletic development of young athletes in an academy setting, including designing and implementing strength & conditioning programmes, collaborating with the multidisciplinary team, and monitoring player progress. The Lead Sport Scientist will have responsibility for the day-to-day PDP sport science delivery aswell leading physical programs across the schoolboy age groups.

Key tasks and responsibilities

Personal Development

• Undertake self-development to ensure knowledge in relation to all aspects of physiotherapy is up-to-date and forward-thinking.

Program Design and Implementation

• Develop and implement innovative strength and conditioning programs tailored to the specific needs of young athletes
• Update physical individual learning plans

Performance monitoring

• Using data analysis and other methods to track player progress and identify areas for improvement (GPS and data capturing/analysis)
• Completion and reporting of anthropometric assessment and physiological fitness testing acrossthe season for U9-U18 squads

Player Transition

• Prepare young players for the demands of senior football

Holistic Development

• Foster a high-performance environment that supports the physical, mental and emotional well-being of young athletes
• Contribute to the delivery of the SEP apprenticeship programme

Communication and Leadership

• Ensure the Academy
  
  EFL Youth Development Rules are satisfied and documented on the club's audittool
• Record all dataand update KML iP in line with the EFL Youth Development Rules and Academy Performance Plan
• Manage placement students, studentships and casual staff within the Academy Sports Science dept
• Attend, lead and contribute to organised meetings
• Working closely with coaches, nutritionists, medical staff and other professionals to ensure a holistic approach to player development.

Compliance and Safety

• Ensure all activities are conducted safely and in accordance with the relevant regulation sand best practices.

Such other duties as may be appropriate to achieve the objectives of the post and to assist the Academy Director.

Qualifications

• BSc (Hons) in Sport Science or similar (essential)
• Hold, be working towards accreditation or willingness to complete the UK Strength and Conditioning Association (or equivalent workshops run by an equivalent body)
• Hold a current Basic First Aid for Sport Qualification (EFAiF) (essential)

Experience

Experience of working in at least 1 of the following roles:

• A football club
• A sports club
• University

Knowledge and/or experience of at least 2 of the following:

• Capturing physical testing data
• Designing physical curriculum and programming
• Working with young elite athletes
• Working as a member of multi-disciplinary team

ICT experience of FiP, Sports code/hudl, excel, word and any other software as required to carry out the duties required for the job

Who you are

• Have a flexible attitude to work
• Ability to work on own initiative and as part of a team
• Have a polite and courteous manner
• Be organised and have good time management skills
• The ability to meet stringent deadlines
• Be able to adapt to different and changing situations
• Have the drive and enthusiasm to set high standards and achieve company objectives
• Have a personable approach

Safeguarding

To have due regard for safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people and to follow the child protection procedures adopted by the FA and the club.