Department: Football Division – Girls Academy Department Hours of Work: Full-time, 35 hours per work (with flexibility to work during evenings and weekends, including matchdays) Contract Type: Permanent Salary: Up to £30,000 per annum dependent upon experience Location: Bodymoor Heath Training Ground Closing Date: Friday 10 July 2026 The Department Our Girls Academy Department has established itself as a leader in girls youth football development, consistently delivering the highest standards in coaching, education and training across 10 teams with players aged U10 – U21. We are committed to nurturing talent and creating a supportive and professional environment and we are proud of the role we play in shaping the next generation of female footballers as demonstrated in our recent success with our U21s winning the Professional Game Academy Plate. To support our continued growth and success of our programme, we have a new opportunity for a Performance Wellbeing Lead to join the team. The Role You will lead the Professional Girl’s Academy (PGA)’s Performance Wellbeing programme, working as an advocate for the girl’s game and ensuring that environments prioritise empowerment and enable long-term success of our players. In this role, you will lead and deliver a player development programme that supports progression through the Girls Academy pathway, transition into senior football and preparation for future careers. You will provide personalised emotional, psychological and practical support throughout all player transitions, into, through and beyond the pathway. You will provide structured wellbeing and personal development guidance such as career planning, aspiration mapping, readiness for trials or new environments in order to prepare players for life beyond the PGA and helping players build confidence and resilience beyond football. You will reflect and review the programme using evidence-based and research-based informed approaches to maximise impact and ensure resources are used effectively as well as work alongside players to co-create tailored support and feedback documented in their Individual Development Plans (IDPs) each season. Working closely with the Youth Technical Director, Head of Safeguarding and Wellbeing, and wider performance staff, you will ensure that a collaborative approach is undertaken within the wider multidisciplinary team (MDT) to enable relevant information to be communicated effectively. For further information about the Role, please see the Role Profile. The Person We are looking for an experienced, approachable, and forward-thinking individual with a passion and interest in players’ wellbeing and personal needs. You will need: Demonstrable experience in wellbeing, pastoral support, player care or performance lifestyle provision Athlete Personal Development and Lifestyle (APDL) certificate or relevant coaching / mentoring qualification (or equivalent) FA Safeguarding Children Course FA Safeguarding Adults Course FA Introduction to First Aid in Football (IFAiF) / Emergency First Aid qualification. Youth Mental Health First Aid Award (YMHFA) You must have proven experience in designing or managing programmes that support long term wellbeing, lifestyle or personal development with the ability to build trust through respect, transparency and support. You must be able to communicate in a clear and concise manner and be able to multitask and prioritise workload effectively in a fast-paced and dynamic environment. You must be available to work flexibly as this role will require you to work evenings and weekends, and you must hold a full, UK driving licence with access to a vehicle. Why Join Us? There has never been a better time to join Aston Villa Football Club. Our drive to succeed is visible on the global stage, we are building a family ethos and culture to be proud of, and realising our ambitious plans for the expansion and improvement of our world-class facilities. If you are already excited by this challenge and want to play your part in our historic Club, then you'll be pleased to hear about our amazing staff benefits you'll receive whilst working for us! See our Staff Benefits booklet to find out more. As part of your application, you will be asked to: Upload your CV Answer the following question: Please outline your key skills, qualities and experience which make you the ideal candidate for this role (400 words maximum) Right to Close Vacancy Posting Early The Club reserves the right to close any advertised vacancies earlier than the advertised closing date if sufficient applications have been received. Equality Statement Aston Villa Football Club celebrates the diversity of its Club and embrace equal opportunities for all. We welcome applications from all candidates regardless of age, race, disability, gender reassignment, pregnancy and maternity, sexual orientation, marriage and civil partnership, sex and religion or belief. Safeguarding Statement Aston Villa Football Club is fully committed to safeguarding children and adults at risk across our Club. As such, we adhere to Safer Recruitment processes and for some roles a satisfactory enhanced disclosure via the Disclosure & Barring Service may be required prior to starting in a role at the Club. For more information, please see Aston Villa Football Club | The official club website | AVFC - Safeguarding