1.      The Department

Our Boys Academy is a Premier League Category One environment, built on delivering consistent, high-performance support across every stage of the player pathway. Operating at the intersection of development and elite performance, our Sport Science and Medicine Department plays a critical role in preparing players for the demands of First Team football.

Working closely with the Loans and Emerging Talent and First Team multi-disciplinary team’s, we ensure players progress with the robustness, availability, and performance capacity required to succeed at the highest level.

2.      The Role

This is a senior leadership role within the Academy performance structure, where you will lead the physiotherapy provision and directly influence the development of players progressing towards First Team Football.

You will not only deliver high-level clinical support but help set the direction, standards, and expectations for physiotherapy across the pathway.

The Opportunity:

·         Lead the Physiotherapy Service across all Academy age groups

·         Set and drive return-to-performance standards aligned to department expectations

·         Maximise player health, robustness, and availability

·         Develop, mentor and challenge staff to consistently raise standards across the pathway

Your Impact:

·         Lead rehabilitation and return-to-performance planning and delivery

·         Oversee injury audit and availability tracking to inform practice

·         Contribute to athletic development and injury prevention frameworks

·         Provide clear multi-disciplinary team (MDT) communication

3.      The Person

To be considered for this role, you will need to hold the following qualifications:

·         BSc (Hons) in Physiotherapy (minimum 2:1)

·         MSc in Physiotherapy (or equivalent)

·         Membership to the Chartered Society of Physiotherapy (CSP)

·         Registration with the Health and Care Professions Council (HCPC)

This is an opportunity to lead the physiotherapy provision within a Category One Academy and play a key role in developing players towards First Team football.

You will already be operating within an elite, full-time performance environment, with experience delivering physiotherapy support to high-level athletes—ideally within the Professional Development Phase, with exposure to First Team environments.

You are confident managing complex injuries and making clear, informed decisions in fast-paced settings, using strong clinical reasoning to return players not just to play, but to a higher level of performance. You understand the demands of developing players, with experience across growth and maturation, injury prevention, and athletic development, and take pride in building robust, available athletes ready for the next level.

You thrive in a high-performing MDT, building strong relationships and influencing across disciplines to ensure the player remains central, with stakeholders consistently aligned and informed.

While not essential, experience within a Category One Academy (EPPP), First Team environments, and mentoring practitioners would be advantageous.

4.      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, please ensure you upload your CV and Cover Letter.

For further information, the Role Profile and to apply please go to careers.avfc.co.uk/jobs

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 diversity and embraces 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 Foundation. 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 Foundation. For more information, please see Aston Villa Football Club | The official club website | AVFC – Safeguarding