Athletic Performance Coach: Women’s Programme

Organisation: Harlequin Football Club Ltd
Salary: Competitive
Location: SSP
Contract type: (Full time)
Closing date: 14 July 2025
Interview date: 23 July 2025
Job Description: Role Overview
Work within a multidisciplinary team to support Harlequins Women player’s ability to perform within the game model.
General Responsibilities:
• Manage the athletic performance for a player pool of 25-35 athletes (Senior Performance & Senior Transition).
o Programming of speed/plyometric, power, strength, robustness, conditioning and mobility.
o Load management of players training and match load.
o Support of players when going through return to play processes.
o Testing, screening and profiling.
o Female health considerations and support.
o Long-term tactical periodisation.
o Regular reviews and feedback (IDP’s) to players on their athletic development.
• Manage relationships and handover processes with key external stakeholders (such as pathway RFU coaches and practitioners) to best support players and create alignment between club & country.
• Work effectively with the MDT to provide a well-rounded practice that is in the best interest of the program and the players ability to perform (including and not limited to Athletic Performance, Nutrition, Psychology, Medical, Analysis, Coaching & Operations).
• Lead on the club's recovery strategy and interventions through various strategies and times of the season.
• Contribute within medical performance meetings with the objective to make performance-based decisions in a holistic and collaborative approach.
• Maintain an open line of communication with rugby coaches to inform the load, intensity and contextual demands of the game to maximise training quality of the squad.
• General support of both training and match days that provides a high-performance support to players.

Essential Qualities:
• Undergraduate degree (BSc or equivalent) in Strength & Conditioning, Sport & Exercise Science, or a related field.
• 1-2 years’ experience in an athletic performance position.
• Outstanding people management, communication skills and ability to work in a fast-paced environment.
• High competency when coaching in a variety of contexts (gym and field).
• Knowledge around the physical and technical game demands within rugby union.
• Organised with excellent attention to detail through strong administration skills.
• Valid UK driving license.
• Excellent computer literacy skills.

Desirable Qualities:
• Postgraduate degree (MSc or equivalent in Strength & Conditioning, Sport & Exercise Science or a related field.
• Experience working in a team sport environment, ideally within rugby union.
• Experience and/or knowledge of working with sports science technology, particularly GPS and VALD technology.
• Experience using performance software’s (Hudl & Kitman Labs).
• Experience working with female athletes.
• RFU Coaching certification.
• Recognised First Aid and CPR certification.

The Culture and Behaviours we look for:
• Tempo – Manages their time appropriately to deliver high performance outcomes, but not at individual cost. Knows when to go fast, and also when its right to give things time for reflection and consideration.
• Relate – Understands the fundamental role of relationships in driving high performance and keeps this at the heart of everything they do for players, for the team and for themselves.
• Unconventional – Recognises the unconventional in the players they support and the team they work in and understands the benefits this diversity brings to the team and knows how to utilise
it to drive great outcomes. Adapts what they offer to meet the needs of the individual player.
• Enjoyment – understands the importance of enjoyment in driving great outcomes for players and creates time for this.

How to Apply: Please provide a 1-page cover letter and 1-page CV (presented as 1 PDF document) to jobs@quins.co.uk

Application Process: Successful applicants will be asked to attend an interview day that would consists of x1 formal interview and x1 informal interview.
Harlequins is an equal opportunities employer and positively encourages applications from suitably qualified and eligible candidates regardless of sex, race, disability, age, sexual orientation, gender reassignment, religion or belief, marital status, or pregnancy and maternity.
How to apply: jobs@quins.co.uk