Lead Academy Physiotherapist 
Department Academy
Reports to Head of Academy Performance & Assistant Academy Manager
Location Academy Training Ground(s) and The Cledara Abbey Stadium
Salary Competitive
Hours 40 hours per week, including match days and evenings. Flexibility around working days and hours

Role Summary
The Lead Academy Physiotherapist will oversee all medical provision for the Academy's U9– Young Pro’s age groups, lead clinical assessments and interventions for the U18s and support the U9–U16 Lead Therapist in managing the U9-U16 Medical Department. 
In this leadership role, you will manage all full-time and part-time medical staff and the Department as a whole, leading a ‘Best in Class’ Academy Medical department that goes above and beyond to ensure high standards of care is provided for all players.

Key Job Outcomes
• Lead a ‘Best in Class’ Academy Medical department.
• Lead and manage medical provision for the U18s – Young Pro’s, including age-appropriate injury prevention, movement and postural screening, assessment, treatment and rehabilitation.
• Lead and manage the review and implementation of (but not limited to) all clinical, diagnosis, lines of communication, RTT/RTP guidelines and screening interventions.
• Oversee the Medical provision of the FP & YDP, providing line management to the Academy Lead Therapist (U9-U18).
• Lead and manage full-time and part-time Academy Therapists, and ensure appropriate medical coverage is provided across FP, YDP, and PDP for training, fixtures, and tours. This should be communicated directly to relevant staff to ensure clear lines of communication are established. 
• To ensure all clinical examinations and therapeutic interventions are documented via KitmanLabs and communicated to relevant staff.
• Provide weekly updates on U18s – Young Pro’s player availability and rehabilitation progress to relevant Academy & 1st Team stakeholders in a timely manner.
• Conduct monthly, quarterly, and annual injury audits to identify trends, inform injury prevention strategies, and support continuous improvement in medical provision.
• Maintain clinical records in line with HCPC and GDPR standards; ensure all notes are logged within 24 hours.
• Work in collaboration with the Academy Lead Therapist (U9-U16) to arrange U15–U21 cardiac screening in line with FA guidelines, including follow-up care.
• Collaborate with the Head of Academy Performance & Assistant Academy Manager and Head of Medical on player transitions from U18s/Young Pros to the First Team.
• In conjunction with the Head of Academy Performance & Assistant Academy Manager, lead on the PGAAC Audit for Academy Medical services, ensuring adherence to all rules and regulations. 
• Support the Head of Medical in upholding Medical Department Minimum Standards, including (but not limited to) creation and stress testing of EAPs, equipment maintenance.
• Lead clinical decision-making for injury care pathways, including referrals and accompanying players when needed.
• Maintain up-to-date professional credentials and ensure compliance for all Academy Therapists.
• Build and maintain strong interdisciplinary relationships with staff in Performance, Coaching, Education, Player Care, Operations and Recruitment. 
• To lead on departmental CPD training programmes and also engage in frequent personal CPD to ensure up to date knowledge is maintained.


This job description sets out the key outcomes required. It does not specify in detail the activities required to achieve these outcomes. As a term of your employment, you may reasonably be expected to perform duties of a similar or related nature to those outlined in the job description.

Person Specification
Skills, Knowledge, Qualifications & Experience Required/ Desirable
BSc In Physiotherapy
MSc in Physiotherapy
HCPC Registration
FA ITMMiF
FA Safeguarding Children
IT Skills, including Outlook, Word and PowerPoint
Experience using athlete management systems, testing equipment and player monitoring tools
Experience in delivering injury prevention and rehabilitation programmes to youth athletes
Competence in emergency care and pitch-side trauma management
Familiarity with EPPP and Academy football environments
Ability to maintain accurate clinical records and uphold data protection standards
Experience of working with player/parents in football environments
Experience in working in a multi-disciplinary team

Personal Qualities/Attributes
Hardworking and enthusiastic
Excellent organisational skills and attention to detail
Reliable and committed
Ability to work independently and as part of a team
Able to communicate effectively
Willingness to work weekday evenings
Excellent team player and motivator

Application Process
Application Instructions Interested applicants should apply by submitting their Application form, CV and Cover Letter, applications which do not include all documents will not be reviewed. 

Application Closing Date Tuesday 15th July 2025
Interview Date(s) Tuesday 22nd July 2025
Start Date To be discussed during the interview process

Mission, Vision & Values Mission
Cambridge United aspires to compete at the highest level of the English Football League, whilst operating a financially sustainable football club embedded within the heart of its community.
We are custodians with a collective responsibility to protect and enhance the Club for future generations.

Vision
Creating Memories  
We engage current and future generations of supporters by creating memorable moments.
Driving Standards & Performance 
We will evolve by driving standards and performance through self-reflection and education. 
Enhancing Lives
We are an inclusive Club that is United in Endeavour to enhance lives through the power of sport.  

Values
We engage positive and inspiring characters who are committed to serving and strengthening our community, by adopting our 3 keys values.

Teamwork 
We achieve more through working together than alone and are United in Endeavour.

Hard Work
We are committed to learning and working towards our pursuit of excellence in everything we do. 
Humility 
We will celebrate each other’s successes and recognise that no individual is greater than the collective.

Employability Statement Cambridge United FC is committed to promoting equality of opportunity for all staff.  We aim to create a supportive and inclusive working environment in which all individuals can make best use of their skills, free from discrimination or harassment, and in which all decisions are based on merit.

Safeguarding Statement Cambridge United FC is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people and expects all staff to share this commitment.
For those positions where a criminal record check (DBS) is identified as necessary, this will be carried out in line with other safer recruitment checks.
The post holder will be required to undergo Safeguarding training periodically.

Equality, Diversity & Inclusion
Cambridge United FC is committed to promoting equality of opportunity for all staff and job applicants. We are committed to creating an inclusive workplace and welcome applications from disabled candidates. If you require any adjustments during the recruitment process, please let us know. 
We aim to create a supportive and inclusive working environment in which all individuals can make best use of their skills, free from discrimination or harassment, and in which all decisions are based on merit. We do not discriminate based on age, race, nationality, ethnic origin, religious or political belief or affiliation, trade union membership, gender, gender reassignment, gender identity, marriage and civil partnership status, pregnancy and maternity, sexual orientation, disability, socio-economic background or any other inappropriate distinction or characteristic covered by the Equality Act 2010.

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