Head of Academy Physiotherapy

Department

Academy

Report to

Academy Manager

Location

Oriam – Scotland’s Sports Performance Centre, Edinburgh, EH14 4AS and away fixture venues where required.

Salary

Competitive salary plus excellent employee benefits.

Hours

Full-time: 37.5 hours per week, worked across 5 days out of 7. You are required to be flexible to support the weekly fixture schedule, including weekends and midweek evenings. We are happy to discuss flexible working requests, which will be considered where they can be accommodated alongside these operational requirements.

Closing Date

Monday 5th October 2026 – Due to an expected high volume of applications, the advert may be closed earlier.

The role

An exciting opportunity has arisen for an ambitious Physiotherapist to lead our Physiotherapy provision across the Academy and Professional Development Phase.

Reporting to the Academy Manager, the Head of Academy Physiotherapy will provide clinical and operational leadership across Academy Physiotherapy, delivering an elite, player-centered service that supports player availability, development, performance and wellbeing. You will lead and develop the Academy Physiotherapy team, working closely with multidisciplinary colleagues to prepare and support players on their pathway towards first-team football.

Key Responsibilities:

• Lead the delivery of an elite Physiotherapy service across the Academy and Professional Development Phase.
• Lead and develop the Academy Physiotherapy team, promoting high performance.
• Oversee clinical provision across training, clinics and matchdays.
• Deliver expert assessment, treatment, injury management and rehabilitation.
• Collaborate with the multidisciplinary colleagues to optimise player health and performance.
• Drive best practice in injury prevention, rehabilitation and return-to-play.
• Manage player medical information, clinical governance and external pathways.
• Support management of maturation and growth-related injury risk.
• Contribute to research, audit, innovation and continuous improvement.
• Strong commitment to safeguarding and player welfare.
• Help shape the long-term direction and standards of Academy Physiotherapy.

Essential Experience, Qualifications & Requirements:

• BSc (Hons) Physiotherapy or an equivalent recognised qualification.
• Postgraduate qualification in Sports Physiotherapy, Sports Rehabilitation, Sports Medicine or a related discipline (desirable).
• Current HCPC registration.
• Experience in elite/professional football or a comparable high-performance environment.
• Proven experience leading, managing or developing clinical staff.
• Strong knowledge of sports injury management, rehabilitation and return-to-play.
• Able to evidence the Legal Right to Work in the UK.

Essential Skills & Abilities:

• Proven leadership and people-management experience.
• A collaborative, evidence-based and player-centred approach.
• Excellent communication, organisation and decision-making skills.
• A commitment to innovation, continuous improvement and professional development.
• The ability to thrive in a demanding, high-performance environment.

What’s in it for you?

• Be part of an Elite Academy environment striving for constant improvement.
• Use of top of the range facilities.
• Opportunity for professional development.
• Hearts Way curriculum embedded across the Boys’ and Girls’ Academy pathway.

How to apply:

If you think that you are suitable for the position and meet the criteria above, please send a Covering Letter and CV to [email protected].