Job Description

JOB DESCRIPTION

JOB TITLE:

Lead Academy Physiotherapist

DEPARTMENT:

Academy Performance and Medical

REPORTS TO:

Head of Academy Performance Services

LOCATION:

Sir Jack Hayward Training Ground, Compton Park

HOURS

A minimum of 37.5 hours per week, exact hours and days to be agreed. Due to the


nature of the role flexibility is essential. Attendance required at consultant


appointments/special events/dinners/induction seminars.

DATE:

Sept 2025

We are Wolves; progressive, determined, bright, unified and humble. A pack that is hungry for

success. Wolves is one of the fastest growing professional football clubs in the UK, and also boasts

one of the richest histories in the beautiful game.

Formed in 1877, Wolves was a founder member of the Football League, and was one of the


country's most successful sides in the fifties and sixties. During a two decade spell the Black


Country's most decorated side won three First Division titles and one of its four FA Cups.


Fast forward to 2021, three seasons at Molineux saw Wolves clinch the Sky Bet Championship


trophy with 99 points, followed by a seventh-place finish in the Premier League, which included


memorable wins over Manchester United, Tottenham Hotspur, Chelsea and Arsenal. The next


season saw the team complete a memorable double over the reigning champions, equal the


previous season's seventh place finish and reach the quarter finals of the Europa League all as part


of the 'longest season' in league history, either starting before or finishing after all other teams.




But this post is about what we will do next, not what we have done.

We are committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children, young people and

adults at risk. We expect all colleagues and volunteers to share this commitment. This means that

the post-holder is required to apply all relevant policies and uphold the Club's commitment to

safeguarding children, young people and adults at risk and to ensuring that Wolves is free from

discrimination and harassment.

_____________________________________________________________

Job purpose

As the 'Lead Academy Physiotherapist' you will be responsible for the physiotherapy provision


across our 9s-21s program. This role will also involve work with the transition/loan squad and first


team as required by the needs of the Club, particularly at high intensity workload periods. As a


result, this role will contribute to the success and achievement of the academy programme. A key


component of this role is the ability strive for excellence to ensure that the optimal service is


provided for all academy players and the Performance Services Department. The role will have a key


leadership focus and strategic insight into how we continue to develop and progress our applied


physiotherapy practices within the academy.

_____________________________________________________________

Key responsibilities

MANAGEMENT OF INJURIES

Lead the provision of physiotherapy services to all players across our 9s-21s boys academy
program.
Support and take an applied lead in certain PDP/Transition players rehabilitation including
players who return from Loan clubs.
Support Physiotherapists/Sports Therapists across the academy with the management of injuries Chair Rehabilitation meetings weekly across the academy program Implement evidence-based practice and utilise advanced clinical reasoning skills during the
rehabilitation process.
Provide weekly detailed information to key stakeholders on the injury status across the academy Demonstrate effective communication with all Academy MDT staff members at all times,
providing information regarding player injury status and rehabilitation progress where


appropriate.
Ensure the management of injuries effectively meets its commitments to the players, coaches
and senior management through clinical audit and accurate documentation.

INJURY PREVENTION

Liaise with all MDT members on a daily basis in order to effectively communicate individual
player availability and readiness to train.
Work alongside the Academy Sport Scientists and Athletic Development Coaches in order to
develop and implement effective injury prevention and pre-habilitation strategies across the


academy.
Support with and deliver daily injury prevention strategies for all PDP/Transition players. Lead the planning and implementation of the evidence based musculoskeletal
screening/profiling of all players on a regular basis throughout the season.
Ensure all PDP squad players have an individualised injury prevention programmes that are
focused on addressing relevant injury risk factors.
Ensure the delivery of injury prevention strategies effectively meets its commitment to the
players, coaches and senior management through clinical appraisal and an evidence-based


approach.

MEDICAL PROVISION AT MATCHES/TOURS

Working with the U21 MDT to ensure appropriate physiotherapy match day cover and advanced
medical care for all U21 squad fixtures and support other academy games when required.
Ensure adequate support is present at all U21 Squad fixtures and training sessions to maintain
standards set out in MEAP.
Ensure all medical equipment and MEAP procedures are regularly reviewed and maintained at
the training ground in line with EPPP criteria.
Support with medical provision for all PDP squad training camps. Work closely with the Lead Academy Doctor to ensure our club wide EAPs are up to date and
practised across the academy staff.

PRE-SIGNING MEDICALS/MEDICAL CONSULTATIONS

Play an active role within the pre-signing medical of academy players liaising closely with the
Head of Academy Performance Services + Academy Doctors.
When necessary, accompany players to medical consultations at short notice (either in this
country or abroad), ensuring the player receives optimal care and advice at all times.

DEPARTMENT RESPONSIBILITIES

Take a Lead role in providing mentorship to PDP,YDP, FDP and Part time staff. Ensure that the Academy Performance Plan is regularly reviewed and updated to maintain EPPP
category one status.
Take a Lead role in implementing First Team/Academy Medical Department CPD sessions Ensure all key administrative tasks are completed and appropriately managed: Review the EPPP document three times a year and review/update KPI targets. Support with the Lead Academy Doctor on all cardiac screening requirements Review and update relevant Academy EAPs along with the Head of Academy Performance
Services and Academy Doctor - annually.
Ensure our policy of inputting all medical notes onto the KitmanLabs system within 24 hours of
completion is upheld across the medical academy staffing
Complete 6 weekly development targets focused on service development and continued
professional development for all academy Physiotherapists/Sports Therapists
Take an active role in the development of the medical aspect of the KitmanLabs system. Lead on the responsibility for the academy FA Wherabouts daily system, with full responsibility
for its accurate completion.

DEPARTMENT STRATEGY

Take an active role as the Academy Medical Department strives to be regarded as a high
performing department
Contribute to the Medical Department strategy through leading on our Player Health Pilar in
conjunction with the Head of Performance Services;


attendance at strategic planning meetings and contributing actively formulating designated project plans and getting these approved leading on designated projects, ensuring milestones are met, giving regular progress reports
to stakeholders


supporting other team members with their projects implementing outcomes of projects across the PDP/YDP Ensuring the live interaction and implementation of our policies and operational procedures

CONTINUAL PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT

Take responsibility for continued professional development and keeping an up to date portfolio
of achievements for all academy physiotherapists/sports therapists.
Strive to advance working practices both within the Medical Department, and in the wider
sports physiotherapy setting by promoting and performing clinical research.

General responsibilities

Compliance with Club policies Compliance with the Club's health and safety procedures Compliance with the Club's safeguarding policies To promote the Club's values To work consistently to embed equality & diversity into the Club To undertake such other duties as may be reasonably expected To maintain professional conduct at all times Be an ambassador of the W.O.L.V.E.S culture and philosophy.

Safeguarding

This role involves working with children and/or adults at risk in a Regulated Activity (or in close
proximity to children and/or adults at risk). This means that the post-holder is required to apply


all relevant policies and uphold the Club's commitment to safeguarding vulnerable people.
Ensure the well-being of Academy players at all times liaising with the Club's Head of
Safeguarding on all safeguarding related matters.

_____________________________________________________________

Key relationships

Head of Academy Performance Services Head of Academy Coaching Academy Manager U18 Head Coach U21 Head Coach PDP Physiotherapists Lead 9s-16s Therapist Lead Academy Doctor First Team Doctor Head of High Performance First Team Head Physiotherapist

_____________________________________________________________

Scope of job

Flexibility in this role is essential - ability to work irregular and unsocial hours as required. Work may be subject to change with less than 24 hours' notice on occasions. Work will regularly be outside 'normal' working hours, in evenings, weekends and bank holidays. Attendance at consultant appointments/special events/dinners/tournaments. All annual leave is to be taken during breaks in the footballing season

Person Specification

Job Title:

Lead Academy Physiotherapist


Knowledge: the level and breadth of knowledge to do the job e.g. understanding of a defined system,


method or procedure, legal or regulatory frameworks etc


Essential


Evidence of developing, implementing and evaluating physiotherapy programmes for young elite
footballers
An understanding of working in the football environment with previous experience of working (PT/FT)
as a physiotherapist in an academy setting or first team setting.
An understanding of the Elite Player Performance Plan including the audit process and categorisation
of football academies



Desirable


Experience of using the KitmanLabs system to input medical notes / pre-habilitation sessions
Technical/work-based skills: skills specific to the job e.g. language competence, typing skills, coaching skills


etc


Essential


Ability to communicate fluently (in English), demonstrating advanced communication skills in order to
meet the requirements of an individual


A positive attitude to information technology Experience of developing and implementing innovative ideas and putting them into practice


Desirable


Experience of using the KitmanLabs system to input medical notes / prehabilitation sessions
General skills and attributes: more general characteristics e.g. flexibility, communication skills, team working


etc


Essential


Understanding of how to work safely with children and/or adults at risk and uphold generally
accepted practice when working with those participants.
Promote, adhere to and implement the Club's Equality Policy and to work consistently to embed
equality and diversity within Club.
Highly motivated individual that demonstrates a proactive attitude towards service development
and demonstrates a passion for working as part of a MDT in professional sport


Excellent problem solving and decision making skills whilst working in a pressurised situations Excellent time keeping and organisational skills Personal integrity and the ability to invoke trust and respect from others Open minded individual with a view of adopting new practices Flexibility to travel in the UK and abroad is essential to meet requirements of the club.

Experience: proven record of experience in a particular field, profession or specialism.





Essential


Leadership experience An understanding of working in the football environment with previous experience of working (FT)
as a physiotherapist in an academy setting


Experience in the provision of physiotherapy to young elite athletes Experience of utilising injury prevention strategies in a professional sporting environment Experience of developing and implementing innovative ideas and putting them into practice Experience of clinically assessing, diagnosing and rehabilitating a wide range of neuromuscular and
orthopaedic conditions in young elite athletes
Experience of modifying training and rehabilitation programmes in order to address an individual's
needs, demonstrating advanced clinical reasoning skills
An understanding of the Elite Player Performance Plan including the audit process and
categorisation of football academies


Experience of modifying training and rehabilitation programmes in order to address an individual's
needs, demonstrating advanced clinical reasoning skills


Advanced personal commitment to continuous professional development Experience of working within a multi-disciplinary team in a professional sporting environment


Desirable


Working with children and/or adults at risk
Qualifications: the level of educational, professional and/or occupational training required





Essential


BSc Physiotherapy MSc (completed or working towards) Minimum of 7 years membership to the Chartered Society of Physiotherapy (MCSP) and registration
with the Health and Care Professions Council (HCPC)


This position is subject to a satisfactory DBS check. The successful candidate must have a clear and
appropriate DBS certificate in place prior to commencing employment, in line with our safeguarding


obligations
Full UK driving license and car FA ATMMIF qualification
Desirable


Leadership and strategic management qualification