Lead Physical Development Coach (AVWFC)

Job description

Department: Football Division - Women’s Medical and Sport Science Department Hours of Work: Full-time (with flexibility to work during evenings and weekends, including matchdays) Contract Type: Permanent Salary: Attractive Remuneration Package Location: Bodymoor Heath Training Ground Closing Date: Sunday 13 September 2026 The Department Our Women’s First Team compete in the Barclays Women's Super League, the highest league in the country for professional women's football. We are proud of the growth we’ve achieved as a team. As we continue our journey and build for the future, we are focusing our efforts on having the right resources in place to support our ambitious vision: nurturing, encouraging, and developing talent – and establishing ourselves as a leading force in women’s football. The Role Working as a Physical Development Coach, you will play a key role in designing, delivering and evaluating individualised strength and physical development programmes that align with the Club's performance philosophy and playing model. You will lead gym-based training sessions focused on developing strength, power, movement quality and injury resilience, while also overseeing position-specific physical development programmes for goalkeepers that reflect the demands of the modern game – working towards return to play. Working closely with the Head of Performance Services, you will monitor, profile and assess players' physical qualities, using performance data to tailor programmes that support individual development plans and optimise performance outcomes. You will also lead the physical development pathway for Academy and transition players, ensuring a seamless progression into the First Team through age-appropriate programming, robust monitoring and effective collaboration with key stakeholders. You will oversee the Club’s physical performance monitoring processes, analysing profiling, testing and performance data to drive player development and inform key performance decisions. The role will also involve producing individual performance plans and maintaining accurate physical development and rehabilitation records. For further information about the Role, please see the Role Profile . The Person To be considered for this role, you will need to hold the following qualifications: BSc (Hons) Sport Science or related field UK Strength and Conditioning Association (UKSCA) Accredited Strength and Conditioning Coach (ASCC) or in a position to attain the ASCC accreditation by the start of the 2027/28 Season FA Level 2 Emergency First Aid in Football (EFAiF) qualification UKAD Clean Sport Advisor You must have demonstrable experience working as a sports scientist/conditioner within a professional sports environment, as well as proven experience in delivering physical pre-training preparation, gym-based strength training, return-to-performance sessions (pitch and gym-based), warm-up and recovery sessions. We are looking for someone with strong organisation skills, has excellent verbal and written communication skills which are clear, concise, and accurate with the ability to adapt and able to make effective quick decisions within a fast-paced sporting environment. Ideally, you will hold a MSc in Strength and Conditioning or postgraduate in a related field and have demonstrable experience working in a similar role within a professional football environment, specifically with elite female athletes. You must hold a full UK driving licence with access to a vehicle and be flexible to work evenings, weekends, and matchdays as required by the team schedule. Why Join Us? There has never been a better time to join Aston Villa Football Club. Our drive to succeed is visible on the global stage, we are building a family ethos and culture to be proud of, and realising our ambitious plans for the expansion and improvement of our world-class facilities. If you are already excited by this challenge and want to play your part in our historic Club, then you'll be pleased to hear about our amazing staff benefits you'll receive whilst working for us! See our Staff Benefits booklet to find out more. As part of your application, you will be asked to: 1) Upload your CV 2) Answer the following question: a) Pleas e outline your key skills, qualities and experience which make you the ideal candidate for this role, focusing your answer on your experience with return-to-performance protocols (400 words maximum) Right to Close Vacancy Posting Early The Club reserves the right to close any advertised vacancies earlier than the advertised closing date if sufficient applications have been received. Equality Statement Aston Villa Football Club celebrates the diversity of its Club and embrace equal opportunities for all. We welcome applications from all candidates regardless of age, race, disability, gender reassignment, pregnancy and maternity, sexual orientation, marriage and civil partnership, sex and religion or belief. Safeguarding Statement Aston Villa Football Club is fully committed to safeguarding children and adults at risk across our Club. As such, we adhere to Safer Recruitment processes and for some roles a satisfactory enhanced disclosure via the Disclosure & Barring Service may be required prior to starting in a role at the Club. For more information, please see Aston Villa Football Club | The official club website | AVFC - Safeguarding