Head of Sports Medicine

Organisation: Crystal Palace FC
Salary: Competitive
Location: Training Ground, Beckenham, BR3 1RJ
Contract type: Permanent (Full time)
Closing date: 3 August 2025
Job Description: Job Location Training Ground, BR3 1RJ

Contract Type Full-time

Deadline 3rd August 2025

Who we are:

We are Crystal Palace Football Club, a Premier League Football Club with more than 160 years of proud history. Spread across three different sites - our London office, Selhurst Park stadium, and our Training Ground/Academy, we offer the best atmosphere and culture for our fans and our employees
We strive for excellence in the workplace with a philosophy of high standards, professionalism, and a strong work ethic from our employees. We are constantly trying to grow, diversify and build with not only our team on the pitch, but also our team in the offices and on the ground.

About this role:

Crystal Palace FC is looking for an experienced and driven Head of Sports Medicine to lead our Medical Department and deliver world-class medical care and rehabilitation support to our First Team players. The successful candidate will oversee all clinical operations, injury prevention strategies, and rehabilitation protocols in alignment with the club's performance and coaching philosophy.

Responsibilities:

Lead, manage, and develop the multidisciplinary medical team, including physiotherapists, strength and conditioning and medical support staff.
Design and implement the medical strategy in alignment with performance, coaching, and recruitment departments.
Support the Academy and Women’s Medical departments to ensure consistency and best practice across the Club.
Drive a culture of continuous improvement, collaboration, and excellence in player care.
Oversee the assessment, diagnosis, treatment, and rehabilitation of all First Team players.
Coordinate return-to-play plans using objective data and clinical best practice.
Manage match-day medical services and provide emergency pitch-side cover as required.
Conduct medical assessments and sign-off for new player acquisitions and loan arrangements.
Develop and implement screening, profiling, and load-monitoring strategies to reduce injury risk.
Manage the First Team medical budget effectively, ensuring optimal allocation of resources.
Work closely with Sports Science and S&C staff to align physical preparation and recovery strategies.
Ensure robust injury surveillance and data analytics to inform decision-making.
Ensure full compliance with Premier League, FA, UEFA, and WADA medical and anti-doping regulations.
Maintain medical documentation, insurance records, and confidential player health files in line with GDPR and ethical standards.
Promote and contribute to medical research and continuous professional development (CPD) within the department.
Lead medical contingency planning, pitch-side emergency protocols, and trauma preparedness.
Demonstrate leadership by actively contributing to the EDI Strategy and Delivery Plan, guiding, and motivating the team to take actionable steps towards achieving EDI objectives.
Establish and drive EDI targets for your department, ensuring measurable progress and accountability.
Conduct regular EDI reviews to ensure new projects procedures and strategies are inclusive, equitable, and aligned with CPFC’s values.
Other duties and responsibilities as required by line manager.
Upholding and promoting the Club’s policies and procedures, including Health and Safety, Safeguarding and Equal Opportunities policies and procedures.

Experience, Skills and Qualifications:

Minimum 5 years’ experience working in elite/professional sport, ideally in football.
GMC-registered doctor with MSc or Diploma in Sports Medicine.
A current ATMMiF or equivalent pitch side trauma/first aid/life support qualification.
Extensive elite sport leadership experience; in-depth knowledge of WADA/FA anti‑doping rules.
Proven leadership and management experience of multidisciplinary medical teams.
Strong understanding of injury risk management, sports science integration, and athlete-centered care.
Experience working in a Premier League or European football environment.
Familiarity with electronic medical record systems

Our commitment to Equality

At Crystal Palace Football Club, Equality, Diversity & Inclusion is spirited and continues to grow due to the working environment, which makes all staff feel appreciated and welcomed. Crystal Palace Football Club do this by encouraging good relations and practices towards different groups and are committed to promoting employment opportunities that celebrate diversity.

We are committed to attracting, recruiting, and retaining the most talented candidates and the club intends to ensure that everyone who wishes to engage with the club, whether as matchday fans, staff, players, board members, participants in Foundation programmes and any other person engaged with the club's activities, has a real and equal opportunity to do so.

Reasonable Adjustment

We are proud to be a Disability Confident Committed employer. We guarantee an interview to all disabled applicants who meet the essential criteria for the role, ensuring equitable opportunities for everyone.

If you require disability-related adjustments during the recruitment process, please contact DLO@cpfc.co.uk (DLO inbox is for disability-related queries only, if you wish to gain further information regarding this vacancy, please contact cpfc.recruitment@cpfc.co.uk). We are here to help you through the whole recruitment process including trying to apply for a vacancy, getting in touch with us through the process, and/or helping with access in case you are required to come in for an interview.

Safeguarding

Crystal Palace Football Club is committed to safeguarding and ensuring the welfare and protection of children and vulnerable people and expects all staff to share this commitment. As such, the post holder will be required to undergo any relevant security checks, including a comprehensive background check, Enhanced Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) to ensure the safety and protection of children and vulnerable individuals.
How to apply: https://ce0720li.webitrent.com/ce0720li_webrecruitment/wrd/run/etrec179gf.open?WVID=5342252rYN&LANG=USA&VACANCY_ID=6307284AxQ