Job Description

Derby County are seeking to recruit an Academy Physiotherapist (U21s/B Team) to join the Academy Medicine and Physical Performance department at Moor Farm Training Centre.

Working for Derby County Football Club offers a unique opportunity to be part of one of England's most historic and passionately supported clubs. With a proud legacy, a dedicated fan base, and an exciting vision for the future, Derby County offers a dynamic and rewarding work environment both on and off the pitch. Whether you're joining the team in coaching, administration, marketing, or operations, you'll be contributing to a culture rooted in ambition, community, and progress. Employees benefit from a collaborative work environment and opportunities for professional development.

The successful candidate will be responsible for, under the guidance of the Head of Academy Medicine & Physical Performance AND Lead Physiotherapist - work autonomously as a Senior staff member of the Department and to lead the assessment, treatment, match day delivery and rehabilitation of PDP Phase (U21/B Team), assist with management/delivery across the Academy (FP-YDP-PDP), and support the Lead Physiotherapist and wider department where directed.

Key Role Responsibilities:

To be involved in all medical, wellbeing and health-related matters relating to all Academy players - but ultimately to have full responsibility for the coordination of the U21/B Team - including front facing delivery.

To have an active role in assessing and treating players in the professional development phase (PDP U21/B Team) and assist with the U9-U16 age groups as required. This includes front facing delivery, developing, organising and implementing treatment and rehabilitation programmes (and related paperwork) or any duties outlined in the APP or Handbook.

To lead on elements of the APP or Department Handbook as dictated by the Head of Academy Medicine and Physical Performance OR Lead Physiotherapist.

To ensure the upkeep and security of the academy's medical records in accordance with audit and SOP requirements.

To support whereabouts and anti-doping procedures where required.

To assist in completing and securing all medical insurance documentation relating to all academy players, including trialist/loan players.

To ensure that details of all injuries suffered and subsequent rehabilitation are recorded within the Kitman or dictated notes system and provided to the League and the FA as required for national audit purposes.

To record the progress and development of each Academy Player under the Sports Science and Medicine Programme (including the results of tests, full details of injuries, the treatment thereof, and the length and period of rehabilitation) in the Performance Review and Performance Clock.

To coordinate in conjunction with Lead Physio, Senior staff and Academy Doctor the mandatory screening, implementation of Fitness to Participate medicals for all new Academy players (Scholars, trialists loans, etc.); including completing all relevant documentation by parents/guardians.

To assist other Academy Physiotherapists in organising and implementing evening treatment clinics for players aged 9 -16, tours and other required events.

To assist in coordinating the medical screening for those Academy players as designated under the F.A / PFA sponsored scheme as part of the pre-signing medical.

To assist with developing a pre-signing medical screening report on each player for the Board.

Work closely with your age group MDT and communicate daily with the wider MDT.

To assist in constructing injury profiles on all Academy players and actively implement injury prevention strategies in conjunction with strength and conditioning/Performance staff.

Monitor longitudinal trends such as weight, body fat, and composition and implement strategies to reach desirable levels for Academy players.

To organise and deliver medical / health education programmes of training for all Academy players and staff. Coordinate and deliver (where appropriate) health / medical education briefings for all Academy players' parents/guardians.

To be involved in the organisation and conduction of "in service" medical training for Academy coaching and/or medical staff.

To support and participate in all audits--both compliance and player-specific--to ensure relevant and accurate information.

To liaise with the Head of Academy Medicine and Physical Performance, Doctor, Coach/es, and Physiotherapist/s concerning all medical / health-related matters of all Academy players.

To attend briefings, courses and seminars, as able or as required by the Club, The Premier League, and The Football League and commit to undertake Continued Professional Development.

In addition to the above, it is expected that there will be a continual attempt to keep abreast of current research and the latest developments in the treatment and prevention of injuries to provide a high level of duty of care to all playing staff.

To work collaboratively with all Teams/Phases of the Academy and ensure fluid and consistent management for players irrelevant of age group.

To provide Senior mentoring and learning support to all staff, especially those working in younger age groups.

To support recruitment and induction processes for staff where appropriate.

To support the Lead Academy Physiotherapist or YDP Phase as required.

To demonstrate consistently high standards of behaviour and to operate within the parameters of the Laws of the Game, the Rules of the Football Association or the Rules of the FA Premier League.

To assist the Head of Academy Medicine and Physical Performance & work closely with the Lead Physiotherapist to develop, organise, coordinate and implement the treatment and rehabilitation, medical screening and medical / health education programmes for the 9-23 year age range academy players - or any other duties as part of the Academy Performance Plan (APP).

To support the delivery and coverage of medical provision for across the Academy as directed by the Head of Academy Medicine and Physical Performance in the case of AL/staff unavailability.

To support the Head of Academy Medicine and Physical Performance and other Senior/Academy Medical staff with administration, scheduling, ordering, budgets, audits and compliance requirements.

To provide match day cover primarily but not isolated to the under-21/B Team squad and assist, where indicated, with the under-18s and YDP/Foundation games programmes.

To support and collaborate with the Lead Physiotherapist with their philosophy and strategy for the department and with line management where directed to consults, doctors and junior FT staff.

To be responsible for the health, safety and welfare of customers and colleagues, complying with health and safety guidance and policy.

Continuously work to maintain, embed and improve the club's safeguarding provision, ensuring the highest standards for safeguarding children and adults at risk.

To uphold and promote organisational policies and procedures, promoting those specifically applicable to this area of work and also including equality, diversity and inclusion.

To present and promote an appropriate public image in representing the organisation.

To undertake any other duties as may reasonably be required commensurate with the post.

Personal characteristics and experience:

Knowledge and experience of working in a professional sports performance setting

Knowledge and experience in clinical professional sports performance work

Documented CPD

Post-graduate professional sports experience (desirable).

Resilient, self-motivated and driven

Assertive and confident

Team player with the ability to carry out independent work

Ability to work in a fast-paced environment

Committed to high standards

Knowledge of the Premier League Elite Player Performance Plan (EPPP) and academy audit process

Qualifications:

Essential

BSc or MSc (pre-reg) degree in Physiotherapy

Membership to the Chartered Society of Physiotherapists (CSP)

Membership to the Health Professions Council (HPC)

FA Level 5 Advanced Trauma Medical Management in Football (ATMMiF) or equivalent (hold or willing to obtain as soon as possible)

Experience delivering at elite level or pro sport

Desirable

Registered with the Disclose and Barring Service (DBS) Update Service

Post graduate qualification Physiotherapy

Football experience

Salary is competitive, dependent on experience.

This is a full-time role, and due to the demands of professional football, there is a requirement for weekend and evening work, as well as regular national travel.

Who are Derby County...

Derby County Football Club, established in 1884, is one of the founder members of the English Football League and has a rich and varied history, including two First Division titles in 1972 and 1975 and an FA Cup success in 1946. The club are currently playing in the Sky Bet Championship, the second tier of English Football following their promotion from League One in the 2023/24 season and is under the management of Head Coach John Eustace. The club also boasts a successful and respected Category One Academy, a status which has been held since 2014, and a Women's side competing in the FA Women's National League Northern Premier Division. Derby County recently embarked on an exciting new era following the change in ownership to Clowes Developments (UK) Limited, in the summer of 2022. Our track record of producing talent is outstanding, and we intend to protect that proud legacy, investing in key roles within the club to build on the foundations in place for success.

Everything we do as a Club is built around the three pillars of stability, integrity and progress. Our core values are:

We are proud of who we are and what we do

We are positive, inspired and passionate

We are ambitious and driven

We are prepared, honest and humble

We are the heartbeat of our community

We are the club of opportunity

Derby County employee benefits include:

25 days annual leave plus bank holidays

Two complimentary staff season tickets

Two complimentary staff away memberships, subject to availability

20% discount at DCFC Megastore

Company Pension with Aviva

Discounts with select Club partners and sponsors

Healthshield Cash Health Plan to support employee health and well-being and Perks for great deals and discounts

Participating in our employee forum, 'The Herd' and Staff Events!

Training and development opportunities

Access to programmes and volunteering opportunities with Derby County Community Trust

Subsidised lunchtime meals at Moor Farm

How to apply...

Derby County Football Club is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children, young people and adults at risk, and expects all staff and volunteers to share this commitment.

As part of the Club's commitment to providing a safe environment for children and young people, applicants should be aware that this post is subject to an Enhanced Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) Criminal Record Check.

Derby County Football Club is an Inclusive Club for all and is committed to Equality and Diversity.

To apply for this role, please complete an application form, which can be found HERE.

Alternatively, please copy and paste - http://thera.ms/apply - to your chosen browser.

More information can be found at https://www.dcfc.co.uk/page/jobsandcareers

The closing date for receipt of applications is

Sunday 17 August 2025.

We reserve the right to close the vacancy early.

Strictly no agencies please.

Derby County Football Club's Job Applicant Privacy Policy can be found at dcfc.co.uk.

Job Type: Full-time

Work Location: In person

Application deadline: 17/08/2025