Company Name:
Exeter City
Location:
Exeter
Vacancy Type:
Permanent
Position:
Academy Non-Coaching
Advertising End Date:
19 Jul 2026

About The Role

As an integral part of our dynamic team, you will play a crucial role in upholding our organisation's commitment to sustainability. Regardless of your specific role in Finance marketing, HR, procurement, or any other department, we expect all employees to actively embrace and adhere to our sustainability policies. Your dedication to environmentally conscious practices, resource efficiency, and ethical considerations will contribute to our collective efforts in fostering a responsible and sustainable workplace. We believe that each team member, regardless of their functional area, plays a vital role in promoting and implementing sustainable practices that align with our organizational values

Exeter City Football Club seeks to ensure the safety, safeguarding and wellbeing of all children, young people and adults at risk who engage in its activities.

We are seeking an experienced, innovative and passionate Head of Academy Medical & Performance to lead and develop the Academy's Medical & Performance Department. This is a leadership role responsible for delivering an outstanding multidisciplinary medical and performance programme that optimises player health, development, performance and wellbeing across all Academy age groups. This is a full-time, permanent role and an exciting opportunity to play a key role in the development of future professional footballers within a progressive Academy environment.

 

Who are we?

Exeter City Football Club is a special club with over 20 years of Supporters’ Trust ownership something we are very proud of. Our ownership model places our supporters and community engagement at the forefront of everything we do and we are proud to have a special place in the heart of the community. Trust ownership is reflected in our commitment to balancing on-field success with long-term sustainability and we have a remarkable track record of nurturing talent through our Academy, promoting players to the first team, and maximising their performance. In addition to the success of our Academy and men’s team Exeter City Women successfully transitioned into being fully managed by the Club in 2024 and were promoted to the third tier of women’s football in the FA Women’s National League Southern Premier Division in 2024.

 

Culture 

We recognise the advantages of having a diverse workforce with a broad range of skills, diversity of experiences and perspectives and we embrace the creativity and innovation this brings. We pride ourselves on having an inclusive culture and a workplace that brings opportunity, development and growth. We embrace a culture of accountability where we set clear expectations and goals, open lines of communication and strong leadership.

 

Role

The successful candidate will provide strategic leadership for the Academy Medical & Performance Department, managing a multidisciplinary team of medical and sport science professionals while ensuring the department consistently meets the standards of the EFL Elite Player Performance Plan (EPPP).

As Head of Academy Medical & Performance you will oversee all aspects of medical care, rehabilitation, sport science, athletic development and player performance, ensuring evidence-based practice supports player health, wellbeing and long-term development.

The role includes leading athlete testing and monitoring programmes, delivering high-quality pitch-side medical provision, managing the safe return-to-play process for injured players and recruiting, mentoring and developing staff to foster a culture of continuous professional development.

Working collaboratively with Academy Coaches, the First Team Medical Department and external stakeholders, the successful candidate will build strong partnerships, drive innovation, ensure compliance with all EFL, EPPP, safeguarding and audit requirements, and continuously review and improve departmental policies, procedures and practices in support of the Academy's wider player development strategy.

The successful candidate must have a MSc in Strength & Conditioning (S&C), Sport Science or Physiotherapy and possess an excellent working knowledge of sport science and sports medicine, combined with outstanding leadership and people management skills. Candidates will need to be able to demonstrate exceptional organisational and planning abilities, alongside excellent communication and relationship-building skills that enable effective collaboration across a multidisciplinary team. High levels of professionalism, integrity and accountability are essential and a player-centred approach to development and a committed to fostering a culture of continuous learning, innovation and excellence is critical. Above all, candidates must have a genuine passion for developing young players and making a positive contribution to the ongoing success of the Academy.

 

If you wish to apply for this position, please follow the link to apply.

Any applications after the closing date will not be accepted.  The closing date: 19th July 2026.  Interview date: on or after 23rd July 2026

All candidates will require a DBS Check and must be able to prove their eligibility to work within the UK.

ECFC is an equal opportunities employer and committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people and expects all staff and employees to share this commitment.

About The Candidate

Purpose & Role function

  • Responsible & accountable for the smooth, efficient & professional operation of the Medical & Performance Department within the Academy multi-disciplinary development programme.
  • Maintain the required number of qualified staff to meet Academy programme needs and establish an ethos of continuous improvement.
  •  Uphold and demonstrate the values, standards and behaviours expected by ECFC both inside & outside the Club.
Role Summary
  • Manage the Academy's medical provision, ensuring that players return to training safely and efficiently.
  • Co-ordinate and deliver high-quality medical care for all Academy players.
  • Provide timely and accurate diagnoses, treatment plans, and projected return-to-play timelines following any player injury.
  • Utilise an evidence-based approach to rehabilitation and return-to-play protocols for players with musculoskeletal injuries.
  • Deliver pitch-side emergency aid and ensure effective training of part-time medical staff to maintain a safe environment for all players.
  • Oversee athlete testing, monitoring, and individualised athletic development programmes to ensure comprehensive support for player progression.
  • Ensure compliance with EFL audit requirements for all relevant documentation and procedural standards.
  • Develop and refine processes for key functions within the medical and performance department, conducting annual reviews at the season’s end to drive continuous improvement.
  • Build and maintain relationships with key stakeholders, including educational institutions and relevant partners.
  • Support medical and performance staff development through CPD opportunities, regular appraisals, and both internal and external mentorship.
  • Identify and recruit qualified staff to meet Academy needs, adhering to HR recruitment protocols.
  • Collaborate with universities to bring in students for educational placements, helping to identify and nurture potential future talent for the Academy.
  • Work with the Lead Academy Physiotherapist to conduct annual appraisals for all part-time medical staff.
  • Provide support and coverage for medical & performance staff in pitch-side duties, rehabilitation services, and other key tasks as needed.
  •  Undertake any other reasonable and relevant tasks as assigned

Qualifications

Essential:

  • MSc in Strength & Conditioning (S&C), Sport Science or Physiotherapy
  • FA ATMiFF (can be completed in post)
  • Current (in-date) FA DBS check
  • Current (in-date) FA Safeguarding Children Certificate
  • Full, clean driving license

Desirable:

  • BASES accreditation
  • FA coaching qualifications
  • Additional S&C and Sport Science certifications
  • Nutrition-related qualifications
  • FA Psychology for Football certification

 

Qualities

Essential:

  • Demonstrates strong working knowledge across both sport science and medicine
  • Skilled planner and innovative programme creator and writer
  • Strong work ethic; industrious and productive
  • Positive mental attitude
  • Effective communicator and relationship builder
  • Team-oriented, with a collaborative approach to working with players, staff, and others
  • Personable, approachable, and friendly
  • Dedicated learner and willing educator
  • Persistent, patient, and innovative problem-solver
  • Strong advocate for a multi-disciplinary approach across all levels and ages
  • Committed to the growth and progress of the ECFC Academy

Experience

Essential:

  • Experience working with elite youth athletes
  • Knowledge of growth, maturation, and related injuries
  • Leadership experience in a high-performance setting
 Desirable:
  • Leadership experience specifically within an Academy setting
  • Experience in planning and delivering sports rehabilitation for musculoskeletal injuries
 
Other Requirements

Essential:

  • High degree of personal drive and motivation
  • Enhanced Disclosure & Barring Service (DBS) certification
  • Commitment to maintaining and updating professional qualifications through external CPD
  • Previous experience within a professional sport environment
 

Regulatory Standards

  • Ensure full compliance with all EPPP Safe to Operate, Compliance, and Standards related to the Medical Department.
  • Maintain the required number of qualified staff to meet Academy programme needs, conducting biannual appraisals for each team member.

ISO & EFL Audit

  • Guarantee adherence to all EFL audit requirements for medical & performance documentation and procedures, ensuring all documentation is readily available for auditors.

Provision

  • Develop, refine, and document processes for key functions within the medical & performance department, performing annual reviews at the end of each season to drive continuous improvement.
  • Oversee medical care, athlete testing, monitoring, and athletic development programmes, ensuring a comprehensive approach that supports player progression through adaptation-led training.
  • Ensure all SS&M staff receive regular supervision and one-on-one support, aligning Academy activities with the goal of optimising player health, fitness, performance, and well-being. Ensure consistent adherence to academy policies, practices, and procedures.
  • Foster CPD for all medical & performance staff, enhancing the quality of delivery for the Academy and club.
  • Build and sustain relationships with key stakeholders, educational institutions, and relevant partners. Collaborate with universities to bring in student placements, supporting educational development and identifying potential talent for future Academy roles.
 
 Personal Development
  • Maintain personal professional qualifications in accordance with EFL requirements, including ATMiFF accreditation and DBS clearance.
  • Demonstrate a commitment to ongoing professional development and self-improvement in medical & performance.
 
 

About The Club

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