Organisation Sunderland AFC Salary Competitive Location Academy of Light, Sunderland Contract type Permanent (Full time) Closing date 28 May 2026 Job Description inspiring.
About the Women's Team:
Our team is committed to fostering a supportive environment that empowers female athletes to showcase their skills and reach their full potential.
We prioritise player development through tailored training programs that focus on technical skills, tactical understanding, and physical fitness.
The SAFC Women’s Football Team benefits from strong collaboration with our Coaching and Analysis teams, ensuring that our strategies and training sessions are informed by the latest insights and best practices.
The Opportunity:
Lead the design, delivery, and monitoring of the Women’s First Team strength and conditioning programme, ensuring all gym and on-field sessions are evidence-informed, periodised, and aligned with training and match demands. Deliver an integrated physical performance programme tailored to the specific needs of elite female footballers throughout the season.
Provide sports science support through the collection, analysis, and interpretation of GPS and physiological monitoring data, sharing key insights with coaching, medical, and performance staff to inform training load management and performance planning. Support physical performance testing, maintain accurate monitoring records, and use data to drive programme development and player progression.
Work collaboratively with the medical team to support rehabilitation and return-to-play processes, while contributing to injury prevention strategies and player education across areas including recovery, hydration, nutrition, and performance habits. Maintain strong communication across the interdisciplinary team, contribute to a positive player environment, and demonstrate a commitment to ongoing professional development and CPD.
What We Ask For:
Candidates should hold a degree in Sports Science or a related discipline and possess, or be working towards, UKSCA Accredited Strength and Conditioning Coach (ASCC) status. Applicants should also hold, or be willing to obtain, the FA Emergency First Aid qualification, and complete the UK Anti-Doping Introduction to Clean Sport and FootballHER courses. Must be in possession of an up-to-date FA Safeguarding qualification.
The successful candidate will demonstrate experience supporting physical performance within elite sport and delivering gym-based strength and conditioning programmes in a team sport environment. They will have a strong understanding of the physical development needs of female athletes, experience using performance monitoring technologies and diagnostics, and the ability to work collaboratively with coaching and multidisciplinary staff to deliver integrated training programmes. Strong organisational skills and the ability to manage competing priorities in a high-performance environment are essential.
You will be required to obtain an Enhanced DBS through SAFC.