First Team Recovery Specialist

Organisation: Nottingham Forest Football Club
Salary: Please state your expectations within your application
Location: Nottingham
Contract type: Permanent (Full time)
Closing date: 11 June 2026
Job Description: Salary: Please state your expectations within your application
Contract: Full Time, 42 hours a week
Location: The Nigel Doughty Academy, Nottingham, NG2 7SR
Department: First Team Performance
Reporting to: Performance Services Lead
Closing Date For Applications: 11th June 2026

About the Role:
To lead the design and delivery of evidence-based recovery strategies for the men’s first team players at Nottingham Forest. Provide an individualised, player-centric approach that optimises readiness, availability, and performance. The role will collaborate closely with multidisciplinary staff to integrate recovery within the wider performance model, while driving continuous innovation and best practice.

The Perks of the Job:
Opportunity to access tickets for events at The City Ground.
Employee Assistance Programme.
Access to high street and gym discounts.
Discount within our Club shop.
Free on-site parking.

Key Tasks and Responsibilities:

Construct the recovery strategies for Nottingham Forest football club men’s first team. This should align to the overall performance objectives of NFFC and support the individual requirements of our players.
Establish a comprehensive player monitoring system using the latest technology to identify changes in readiness and performance.
Work in close collaboration with the head of performance and medical leads to devise interventions that enhance player recovery between games and selected training sessions.
Drive interventions around match days particularly, post-match recovery with considerations made for travelling and home games.
Design and lead MD +1 and +2 recovery interventions that prioritise player’s returning to training and performance within the shortest reasonable time frame.
Place a strong focus on individual engagement with recovery modalities. Create options that meet the needs of each player and their recovery profile.
Consider the actions of players outside of the performance environment and implement strategies to improve sleep, travel and engagement with technology, for example.
Drive strategies alongside medical colleagues that can improve recovery from injury and the rehab time frame.
Present data to the MDT in order to provide an overview of player wellness and insights in to their recovery.
Assist with roles aimed at delivering the performance strategy to the men’s first team. This will include strength training, training load monitoring and nutritional support.
Working with academy and women’s team practitioners, share knowledge and assist them with the implementation of appropriate recovery interventions for their respective player groups.
Lead on staff education of the latest evidence-based recovery interventions. Aiming to have a positive impact on their performance in their role.
Any other reasonable tasks as determined by your line manager.

What are we looking for:

Essential:
Experience in the application of sport science to professional athletes and coaches at first-team, international or top-tier level of sports performance.
An extensive background knowledge in the effectiveness of multiple recovery strategies and their impact on performance outcomes.
Experience in leading and delivering sport science education via presentation or creation of resources.
Ability to lead others in the MDT and aid in critical decision making.
Naturally collaborative with a strong set of inter-personal skills.
Ability to work flexible hours and travel.
MSC in sports science or a related discipline
Previous professional experience in the Sports Science field
UKAD certification

Desirable:
Evidence of enhancing the sports science. Demonstrated by publication of research, presentation in public or creation of literature related to sport nutrition.
Fluent in multiple languages.
PhD in sports science or a related discipline
Level 3 (or higher) qualification in sports massage.
BASES accreditation
UKSCA accreditation
How to apply: https://careers.nottinghamforest.co.uk/jobs/7764302-first-team-recovery-specialist