Organisation Reading Football Club Salary £ Competitive Location Bearwood Park Training Ground, Reading RG41 5DB Contract type Permanent (Part time) Closing date 26 January 2026 Job Description Working alongside the 1st Team/Academy Performance departments the successful candidate will provide evidence based, age appropriate nutritional support to the 1st Team Squad and all age groups in the academy. You will be required to develop, review and deliver the academy nutrition syllabus, while also ensuring all stakeholders in a player’s journey are educated on the nutritional demands of the youth/professional athlete to help optimise performance and support a healthy lifestyle.
Key Accountabilities
To deliver nutritional support to the 1st team squad players.
To deliver a nutrition syllabus across the development phases: Foundation Phase (U9-U11), Youth Development Phase (U12-U16), Professional Development Phase (U18-U23)
Deliver group and individual nutritional support to all players within the academy, this may be through the form of group presentations, practical’s or player 1-1’s.
To conduct nutrition and dietary assessments of all full-time academy players, and where appropriate on 1st team players and younger age players.
To produce individual nutritional learning plans for all full-time players and where appropriate 1st team players and younger age players.
In conjunction with the multi-disciplinary team assist with players physical development and targets through nutritional interventions.
Provide nutritional support during the rehabilitation process for injured players within the club in conjunction with the Multi-Disciplinary Team.
To support the training menus for 1st Team, Academy Players and staff, in liaison with the Head Chef.
Liaise with the Head Chef and Canteen staff on all aspects of nutritional delivery and support across the club.
To lead and support the nutrition requirements for away games, travel, oversees tours, and training camps across the 1st Team and Academy.
To regularly monitor and assess players nutrition in relation to the academy nutrition syllabus.
To support the Player Care department with host family, parent and coach education.
Develop and implement evidence based and age appropriate nutrition resources which can be shared with key stakeholders throughout the academy.
To advise on the supplementation strategy and assist in the ordering of such products.
To assist in the preparation and administering of hydration and recovery strategies where appropriate.
To carry out hydration and pre-training assessment and presentation as directed.
To undertake anthropometric testing as directed.
On occasion travel with relevant age groups to matches and tournaments to observe and assist with nutritional practices.
Maintain up to date records on the club performance Management Application) in conjunction with EPPP/ Premier League Requirements and Regulations
To maintain and update qualifications and CPD by contributing to the clubs CPD program
To using effective communication to liaise with all appropriate staff in relation to the above listed responsibilities.
Person Specification
Qualifications: Essential - BSc in nutrition, or related discipline; Listed on the Sport and Exercise Nutrition Register (SENr); FA Safeguarding. Desirable - MSc in Nutrition or related discipline; BASES Accredited or working toward accreditation; ISAK Level 1 Qualification; Food hygiene qualification.
Experience: Essential - Experience of providing nutritional support to athletic populations; Experience of working and dealing with large group sizes; Experience of working in youth development. Desirable - Experience of working within an elite sporting environment; Experience in the preparation and delivery of CPD workshops and presentations
Knowledge: Essential - Understanding of key nutritional concepts and their application to a sporting environment; UKAD and anti-doping regulations; Understanding of the physical development stages of young footballers. Desirable - An understanding of the EPPP process; A strong understanding of growth and maturation
Skills: Essential - Computer Literacy including MS office and Excel; Encourage, maintain and manage elite footballers; Ability to develop and maintain professional working relationships; Ability to work closely with the extended multi-disciplinary team; Time management; Reliable; Adaptable and flexible
Attitude: Essential - Strong commitment to developing elite athletes; Demonstrates drive; Proactive approach to work; An understanding and commitment to equal opportunities in employment and sport