Women's Lead Doctor

Organisation: Sunderland AFC
Salary: Competitive
Location: Academy of Light, Sunderland
Contract type: Permanent (Part time)
Closing date: 28 May 2026
Job Description: About the Women's Team:

Our team is committed to fostering a supportive environment that empowers female athletes to showcase their skills and reach their full potential.

We prioritise player development through tailored training programs that focus on technical skills, tactical understanding, and physical fitness.

The SAFC Women’s Football Team benefits from strong collaboration with our Coaching and Analysis teams, ensuring that our strategies and training sessions are informed by the latest insights and best practices.

The Opportunity:

This role is offered on a 0.5 FTE basis.

Provide pitch-side medical cover for all women’s first team matches, acting as the lead clinician in emergency situations and overseeing emergency action plans, doping control, and compliance processes. Assess, diagnose, and manage player injuries and illnesses in collaboration with the wider medical and performance team, while leading cardiac and annual health screening programmes, including medical assessments for new signings and general practice support where required.

Provide clinical oversight of rehabilitation and return-to-play decisions, contributing to concussion management and wider medical risk mitigation policies. Maintain accurate medical records, oversee medical equipment and drug supplies, support medical budgeting, and ensure compliance with safeguarding, health and safety, anti-doping, and governing body regulations. Liaise with external providers regarding scans and specialist treatments as needed.

Work collaboratively with coaching, medical, and performance staff to deliver an evidence-informed female athlete health strategy, ensuring clear communication, professionalism, and confidentiality at all times. Support player wellbeing and education across areas such as women’s health, illness prevention, and long-term athlete care, while maintaining ongoing professional development through CPD and continuous learning.

What We Ask For:

Candidates must be fully registered and licensed with the GMC, hold appropriate medical indemnity to work with WSL 2 players, and possess a Diploma in Sport and Exercise Medicine or equivalent higher qualification. An up-to-date Level 5 ATMMiF qualification is required, alongside completion of the UK Anti-Doping Introduction to Clean Sport and FootballHER courses, or a willingness to undertake them. Applicants must also hold an up-to-date FA Safeguarding qualification.

The successful candidate will have experience providing medical care within an elite or professional sports environment, including pitch-side emergency care and injury management in team sports. They will demonstrate strong knowledge of female athlete health, cardiac screening protocols, anti-doping regulations, and multidisciplinary working practices. Experience maintaining accurate clinical records, supporting medical governance processes, coordinating external referrals and specialist treatment pathways, and managing competing workloads in a high-performance environment is essential.

You will be required to obtain an Enhanced DBS through SAFC.
How to apply: Please apply through our website at https://sunderlandafc.talosats-careers.com/job/880438