PDP Performance Psychologist - Academy
City Football Group
3 hours ago
Full-time
On-site
Manchester, GB #job-location.job-location-inline { display: inline; }
Manchester City is a football club rooted in East Manchester, with a story that began in 1880 and continues to grow today. Built on resilience, belief and togetherness, success on the pitch is driven by the moments and memories shared with millions of Fans around the world. City is known for its bravery, its determination to the very end and its strong connection to where we come from. With Mancunian roots and a global outlook, we are shaped by our Fans and driven by a long-term vision, from developing future talent to supporting the communities we call home. Together, we are creating the next chapter, the City way.
Within our Academy Performance Services team, we work collaboratively to support players and staff across the pathway. This role will help embed psychologically informed practice across coaching, wellbeing and performance support, creating the conditions for young players to develop with confidence, clarity and care as they move towards senior football.
The Role
This role leads the planning, delivery and continual development of integrated performance psychology support to targeted age groups across the Professional Development Phase (PDP), working closely with coaches, players and multidisciplinary staff to embed psychology into everyday performance and development.
You will support elite player development and transitions towards senior football at the highest level through integrating and embedding performance psychology in player development and team preparation. You will work proactively and deliberately to increase awareness, understanding, and application of psychological skills to support resilience, decision making, and performance under pressure. Using psychological profiling and ongoing formulation, you will help coaches and support staff better understand each player's needs and adapt their approach accordingly
Importantly, you will collaborate with coaches, parents and multidisciplinary colleagues to build a consistent and psychologically informed environment as well as contribute to governance, safeguarding and case documentation standards, helping maintain a high-quality service that supports player growth and wider Academy objectives.
Success in this role will be measured by the quality support to players and its impact on on-pitch performance, and wellbeing as well as by your ability to influence coaching practice, strengthen the performance environment and contribute to the long-term development of Academy players.
What You’ll Bring
- A relevant postgraduate qualification in Sport and Exercise Psychology or a related field, with HCPC registration and Chartered BPS membership and/or CASES accreditation.
- Experience delivering performance psychology support in elite sport or a talent development environment.
- Experience delivering psychology support at the system, team and individual levels, and using profiling, formulation, or assessment to inform support.
- An understanding of adolescent development, psychologically informed environments, and long-term player development.
- Experience working collaboratively with clinical psychologists and proactively enabling positive wellbeing in fast-moving high-performance environments.
- Clear and effective communication, facilitation, and relationship-building skills.
- An understanding of safeguarding, wellbeing and duty of care within youth sport, with the ability to work collaboratively in a fast-paced environment.
Why Choose Us
Working at Manchester City means being supported to do your best, with the flexibility and encouragement to look after your wellbeing. We are committed to helping our people learn, grow and thrive in a culture built on collaboration, openness and hard work.
As part of our team, you will receive 26 days’ annual leave plus a day off for your birthday, private healthcare and dental cover, and an annual discretionary bonus. You will also have access to a Health Cash Plan, Employee Assistance Programme with 24/7 GP support, and a company pension and life assurance.
You can enjoy a range of additional benefits, including cycle to work, Give As You Earn, discounted match tickets, savings in the City Store, a free City+ subscription, stadium tour discounts, and wider retail and lifestyle offers.
How to Apply
If this role sounds like it is for you, we would love to hear from you. To apply, please submit your application via our careers site by 15 July 2026. We encourage you to apply as soon as you can.
We work with a select group of agency partners and do not accept unsolicited applications. Any CVs submitted without prior agreement will be treated as a direct application.
Equal Opportunities
City Football Group is committed to achieving workforce diversity and we pride ourselves on creating an inclusive working environment. We welcome all applications irrespective of social and cultural background, national origin, race, age, sex, gender identity, disability - physical or hidden, sexual orientation, veteran status, religious belief, or any other characteristics protected by law. We strive to provide a fully inclusive and accessible recruitment process. We encourage all applicants to reach out if they require any support or accommodations to enable them to thrive throughout our recruitment process. Please contact Hiring@cityfootball.com.
Due to our safeguarding promise, all UK based CFG roles will be subject to a DBS check upon commencing employment with us. This will be either a basic, standard or enhanced check depending on the job role and responsibilities.
Within our Academy Performance Services team, we work collaboratively to support players and staff across the pathway. This role will help embed psychologically informed practice across coaching, wellbeing and performance support, creating the conditions for young players to develop with confidence, clarity and care as they move towards senior football.
The Role
This role leads the planning, delivery and continual development of integrated performance psychology support to targeted age groups across the Professional Development Phase (PDP), working closely with coaches, players and multidisciplinary staff to embed psychology into everyday performance and development.
You will support elite player development and transitions towards senior football at the highest level through integrating and embedding performance psychology in player development and team preparation. You will work proactively and deliberately to increase awareness, understanding, and application of psychological skills to support resilience, decision making, and performance under pressure. Using psychological profiling and ongoing formulation, you will help coaches and support staff better understand each player's needs and adapt their approach accordingly
Importantly, you will collaborate with coaches, parents and multidisciplinary colleagues to build a consistent and psychologically informed environment as well as contribute to governance, safeguarding and case documentation standards, helping maintain a high-quality service that supports player growth and wider Academy objectives.
Success in this role will be measured by the quality support to players and its impact on on-pitch performance, and wellbeing as well as by your ability to influence coaching practice, strengthen the performance environment and contribute to the long-term development of Academy players.
What You’ll Bring
- A relevant postgraduate qualification in Sport and Exercise Psychology or a related field, with HCPC registration and Chartered BPS membership and/or CASES accreditation.
- Experience delivering performance psychology support in elite sport or a talent development environment.
- Experience delivering psychology support at the system, team and individual levels, and using profiling, formulation, or assessment to inform support.
- An understanding of adolescent development, psychologically informed environments, and long-term player development.
- Experience working collaboratively with clinical psychologists and proactively enabling positive wellbeing in fast-moving high-performance environments.
- Clear and effective communication, facilitation, and relationship-building skills.
- An understanding of safeguarding, wellbeing and duty of care within youth sport, with the ability to work collaboratively in a fast-paced environment.
Why Choose Us
Working at Manchester City means being supported to do your best, with the flexibility and encouragement to look after your wellbeing. We are committed to helping our people learn, grow and thrive in a culture built on collaboration, openness and hard work.
As part of our team, you will receive 26 days’ annual leave plus a day off for your birthday, private healthcare and dental cover, and an annual discretionary bonus. You will also have access to a Health Cash Plan, Employee Assistance Programme with 24/7 GP support, and a company pension and life assurance.
You can enjoy a range of additional benefits, including cycle to work, Give As You Earn, discounted match tickets, savings in the City Store, a free City+ subscription, stadium tour discounts, and wider retail and lifestyle offers.
How to Apply
If this role sounds like it is for you, we would love to hear from you. To apply, please submit your application via our careers site by 15 July 2026. We encourage you to apply as soon as you can.
We work with a select group of agency partners and do not accept unsolicited applications. Any CVs submitted without prior agreement will be treated as a direct application.
Equal Opportunities
City Football Group is committed to achieving workforce diversity and we pride ourselves on creating an inclusive working environment. We welcome all applications irrespective of social and cultural background, national origin, race, age, sex, gender identity, disability - physical or hidden, sexual orientation, veteran status, religious belief, or any other characteristics protected by law. We strive to provide a fully inclusive and accessible recruitment process. We encourage all applicants to reach out if they require any support or accommodations to enable them to thrive throughout our recruitment process. Please contact Hiring@cityfootball.com.
Due to our safeguarding promise, all UK based CFG roles will be subject to a DBS check upon commencing employment with us. This will be either a basic, standard or enhanced check depending on the job role and responsibilities.