Lead Academy Physiotherapist

The Dundee United Football Company Limited

Organisation: The Dundee United Football Company Limited
Salary: Competitive, dependant on experience
Location: Dundee, DD3 7JW, Scotland
Contract type: Permanent (Full time)
Closing date: 19 February 2026
Job Description: Job Title Lead Academy Physiotherapist
Place of Work Foundation Park & Tannadice Park, Dundee, DD3
Contract type Full time, Permanent.
Reporting to Academy Director &
Head of Medical & Performance
Key Relationships Lead Academy Coaches
Academy Coaches
All Academy Staff, Players & Parents
Salary To be discussed, competitive.

Purpose
We are seeking an experienced and progressive Lead of Academy Physiotherapist to lead the provision of elite level physiotherapy and sports therapy services across our Academy. You will play a central role in supporting the health, wellbeing, and performance of our young players, ensuring the highest standards of clinical care, injury management, and safeguarding.
This is a pivotal position within the Academy’s multi disciplinary team, contributing to the development of talented young footballers in line with the Club’s playing philosophy and long-term player development strategy.

Main Responsibilities and Duties
The successful candidate will:

Clinical & Matchday Duties
Management of Injuries
• Lead the provision of physiotherapy services to the Professional Development Team squad.
• Lead the provision of physiotherapy services across the Academy squads.
• Standardise the management of injuries by leading in the development and structure of injury rehabilitation and return to play guidelines.
• Ensure the management of injuries effectively meet its commitments to the players, coaches and senior management through clinical audit and accurate documentation.

Injury Prevention
• Liaise effectively with the Academy squads coaching staff daily to keep them informed of players’ availability for matches and training.
• Work as part of the Medical and Performance interdisciplinary team to deliver effective injury prevention strategies across all age groups.
• Lead the musculoskeletal profiling for all Academy players plus integrate the results into the overall player development plan.
• Ensure the delivery of preventative rehabilitation effectively meets its commitments to players, coaches and senior management through clinical audit and accurate documentation.

Medical Provision at Matches/Training Sessions/Training Camps
• Provide emergency and physiotherapy cover for U17 and Professional Development Team squad matches.
• To organise emergency and physiotherapy match day cover for all Academy matches.
• To plan, organise and implement the emergency and physiotherapy service provision for all Professional Development team and Academy team training sessions and training camps.
• To ensure all medical equipment and procedures are regularly reviewed and maintained at the Foundation Park, Tannadice Football Stadium and any other Academy training venues under the guidance of the Head of Medical and Performance.
• To ensure that an emergency action plan is in place prior to any Home & Away fixtures in the Academy.
• To support the emergency and physiotherapy service provision at the Professional Development Team and Academy fixtures as required.

Player Management & Communication
• Maintain accurate, secure, and up to date medical records.
• Communicate effectively with coaching staff regarding injury status, rehabilitation progress, and return to play plans.
• Build positive, professional relationships with young players and their parents/carers.

Governance & Professional Standards
• Work in accordance with relevant legislation, governing body regulations, and Club policies, including health and safety requirements and the Club’s Code of Conduct.
• Hold appropriate professional indemnity and maintain all mandatory professional registrations.
• Ensure compliance with PVG, safeguarding and child protection obligations.

Performance & Development
• Continuously evaluate and improve medical and performance processes within the Academy.
• Attend training, CPD opportunities and internal medical meetings as required.
• Support wider Club initiatives when appropriate and contribute to the culture of excellence across the Academy.
• Take an active role in all Medical and Performance team meetings and any other planned meetings.
• Assist in the production of all department procedure documents under the guidance of the Head of Medical and Performance.
• Carry out a comprehensive injury audit for the Development and Academy teams.

Essential Criteria
• BSc in Physiotherapy.
• Sport Promote or First Aid Qualification Equivalent.
• CSP/HCPC registration.
• Strong communication skills appropriate to collaborating with young athletes, parents, and multi disciplinary staff.
• Ability to engage, motivate and support young people, demonstrating empathy, enthusiasm, and professionalism.
• Experience of working in a similar role within a professional football club multidisciplinary team at Academy, Development or 1st Team level.
• Experience of a role that required athlete management with a detailed understanding of injury prevention and rehabilitation strategies.
• Highly skilled in communicating complex data in terms that are easily understood by a wide range of audiences.
• Excellent interpersonal skills including the ability to adapt to the environment to motivate behavioural change and augment performance.
• Evidence of recent CPD and a comprehensive CPD portfolio.
• Competent IT skills, including Microsoft Word, Excel, and PowerPoint.
• Commitment to working evenings and weekends in line with Academy schedules.
• PVG check must be completed prior to appointment.

Desirable Criteria
• Further qualifications in a relevant field (e.g., postgraduate degree, specialist courses).
• Training in Child and Adolescent Mental Health.
• Additional skills that can enhance wider Academy or Club operations (e.g., S&C experience, sports science knowledge, soft tissue therapy).

Application Details

Please note that there is no sponsorship available for this position. No agencies please.

To apply, please send your cv and covering letter to academy.recruitment@dundeeunitedfc.co.uk by Monday 9th February 2026 at 1pm.

Dundee United is committed to ensuring equal opportunities are given to all and welcomes applications from all areas of the community regardless of age, disability, sex, gender reassignment, sexual orientation, pregnancy and maternity, race, religion or belief, marriage, and civil partnerships.
How to apply: Please note that there is no sponsorship available for this position. No agencies please. To apply, please send your cv and covering letter to academy.recruitment@dundeeunitedfc.co.uk by Thursday 19th February 2026 at 1pm. Dundee United is committed to ensuring equal opportunities are given to all and welcomes applications from all areas of the community regardless of age, disability, sex, gender reassignment, sexual orientation, pregnancy and maternity, race, religion or belief, marriage, and civil partnerships.