Head of Academy Medical

Organisation

Port Vale Football Club

Salary

To be discussed

Location

Stoke-on-Trent, UK.

Contract type

Permanent (Full time)

Closing date

24 August 2026

Job Description

Reporting to: Head of Academy Operations
Contract Type: Full-Time Permanent (37.5 Hours)
Locations: Vale Park, AFC Norton, Keele University, Staffordshire University, Alsager


Key Responsibilities:
Lead and manage the Academy Medical department, ensuring the delivery of a high quality medical service across the Academy programme (U9–U18).
Act as the lead medical contact for the U9–U16 programme, providing effective communication and coordination between players, parents, coaches and multidisciplinary staff.
Manage and support Academy medical staff, including the allocation of responsibilities, planning of medical coverage and ongoing staff development.
Plan and coordinate medical provision for Academy training sessions and fixtures, ensuring appropriate staffing and coverage across the programme.
Manage Academy medical equipment and resources to ensure the department is appropriately equipped to deliver effective medical provision.
Co-lead weekly Medical & Sports Science departmental meetings, supporting effective multidisciplinary communication, planning and player management.
Lead the creation and maintenance of appropriate medical documentation and departmental reports.
Lead medical compliance in line with the Football Intelligence Platform (FIP) and Academy audit requirements, ensuring appropriate standards of documentation, monitoring and reporting are maintained.
Lead the Academy's growth and maturation provision across the U9–U18 programme, ensuring information is appropriately monitored and used to support player management and development.
Oversee rehabilitation planning across the Academy (U9–U18), working collaboratively with medical, Sports Science and coaching staff to support effective injury management and return-to-play processes.
Lead the delivery of rehabilitation within the Professional Development Phase, ensuring players receive appropriate progression through their rehabilitation and return-to-play pathway.
Lead medical clinics for the Schoolboy phases, supporting the assessment, management and ongoing monitoring of injured players.
Work collaboratively with the wider multidisciplinary team to continually develop Academy medical processes, standards and best practice.
About The Candidate
Essential:
Undergraduate degree in Physiotherapy, Sports Therapy or Sports Rehabilitation.
FA Level 4 Intermediate Trauma Medical Management in Football (ITMMiF) qualification.
Minimum of 2 years’ experience within a sport environment.
Minimum of 2 years’ pitch-side and clinical experience.
Experience of working with young people.
Experience working with multi-disciplinary teams.
Experience of scheduling and operational planning.
Experience managing musculoskeletal injuries and rehabilitation programmes within youth sport.
Valid FA Safeguarding Children certificate.
Willingness to undergo Enhanced DBS.
Desirable:
Experience working within professional football or an Academy environment.
MSc in Physiotherapy.
FA Level 5 Advanced Trauma Medical Management in Football (ATMMiF) qualification.

This job description sets out current duties of the post that may vary from time to time without changing the general character of the post or the level of responsibility.

It is necessary to undertake any training relevant to the post, including ongoing CPD training, be trustworthy and adhere to codes of conduct, ethics and confidentiality.
About The Club
Safeguarding Statement
Port Vale Football Club is committed to safeguarding the welfare of children and adults at risk and require all employees to share this commitment and promote the welfare of these groups.

Applicants will be asked about any previous convictions, cautions, reprimands, including those that are considered ‘spent’ as defined by the Rehabilitation Offenders Act 1974 (Exceptions) Order 1975 (Amended 2013). Appointment to this role is subject to a satisfactory Enhanced DBS Check (with children’s barred list check) and references.

Health and Safety
Your core Health and Safety responsibilities are as follows:
Lead by example always being diligent and observant.
Ensure safety & risk are considered within all projects alongside the Head of Academy Education, Safeguarding Lead & Player Care Officer and any other necessary staff.
Ensure a safe and respectable learning environment for all players and staff to maximise their holistic development.

Equality Statement
The employee must always carry out their duties with due regard to Port Vale Football Club policies and procedures.
The employee must ensure a positive commitment towards equality and diversity by treating others fairly and not committing any form of direct or indirect discrimination, victimisation, or harassment of any description and to promote positive working relationships between all internal and external stakeholders.
The employee must contribute to encouraging equality and respecting diversity by embedding such values in the workplace and challenging inappropriate behaviour and processes.
Your core Health and Safety responsibilities are as follows:
Lead by example always being diligent and observant.
Ensure safety & risk are considered within all projects alongside the Head of Academy Education, Safeguarding Lead & Player Care Officer and any other necessary staff.
Ensure a safe and respectable learning environment for all players and staff to maximise their holistic development.

How to apply

https://irecruit.efl.com/vacancies/3201/head-of-academy-medical.html

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