The posting
Job description
The Head of Performance (Women) will provide strategic leadership across the medical, rehabilitation and physical development functions within Fulham FC Women, ensuring players are physically prepared, robust, ready and able to consistently perform at their highest level.
Working closely with the Head Coach, coaching, medical, analysis and operations teams and leading the performance team, the role will develop and implement an integrated performance strategy that connects physical preparation, injury prevention, rehabilitation, return to football, load management and long-term player development.
The role will lead the performance provision for the 1st Team, while ensuring clear communication and alignment between the medical and physical development departments.
A key responsibility will be to establish a high-performance culture and environment in which player availability, physical development and performance are prioritised, while maintaining a player-centred approach to individual needs and development.
Working commitment: 3.5 days (28 hours) The Head of Performance (Women) must: • Hold an undergraduate degree in Sports Science, Strength & Conditioning, or a closely related field. • Have a Professional Accreditation from a recognised body (e.g., UKSCA, NSCA-CSCS, or BASES). • Have the FA Introduction to First Aid in Football certificate (valid and in date). • Have the FA Safeguarding Certificate (valid and in date). • Have excellent communication and interpersonal skills, with the ability to build positive relationships with players, colleagues and key stakeholders. • Have experience managing teams of people towards desired strategic outcomes. • Have experience working within elite female sports programmes and/or elite football environments. • Show an ability to work collaboratively within a multidisciplinary team, whilst also working independently when required. • Demonstrate excellent organisational skills, with strong attention to detail and consistently high professional standards. • Have the ability to appropriately challenge, support, and motivate colleagues and players.
Ideally, the Head of Performance (Women) will: • Masters degree Sports Science, Strength & Conditioning, or a closely related field. • Have their UEFA B Licence (or currently working towards). • Demonstrate experience working with elite female footballers. • Have experience using HUDL/ WIMU, Kitman Labs, Teamworks. • Have the ability to make effective decisions under pressure. • Demonstrate resilience, accountability and ownership in challenging situations. The following is a non-exhaustive list of the responsibilities of the role:
Strategic: • Lead the design, implementation and review of the club's annual performance strategy, ensuring alignment with football objectives and player development priorities. • Provide strategic oversight of the performance services provision for the First Team, including medical, physical development and nutrition. • Develop an integrated approach between physical development, medical, rehabilitation and football performance that promotes best practice in women's football. • Work closely with the Physical Development Coach to ensure physical preparation reflects the demands of the team's playing style and competition level. • Create and maintain a clear process for medical and performance information to be shared with the Head Coach to support training and selection decisions. • Oversee the monitoring and reporting of performance, wellness, training load and injury data to support evidence-based decision making.
Leadership: • Line manage performance department staff and support their ongoing professional development. • Conduct regular performance reviews, objective setting and professional development planning for departmental staff. • Work closely with the Lead Physio and wider medical team to ensure high standards of player care and wellbeing. • Promote effective communication between Medical, Physical Development, Coaching and Analysis. • Ensure appropriate communication between medical staff, coaching staff and players regarding player availability and restrictions. • Be an active member of the Women's Management Team (WMT), contributing to the development of departmental strategy, standards and culture. • Contribute to staff meetings, planning meetings and multidisciplinary player reviews, where directed by the Head Coach.
Operational/ Compliance: • Establish effective processes for injury prevention, assessment, treatment, rehabilitation and return to play. • Support the development and implementation of return-to-training and return-to-play protocols. • Ensure appropriate medical records, screening data and performance information are maintained in line with club policies and professional standards. • Oversee the effective delivery of physical preparation programmes during pre-season, in-season and transition periods. • Ensure all performance practices comply with relevant club policies, professional standards, Football Association regulations, Women's National League requirements and any future competition regulations.
