Performance Psychologist
AFC Bournemouth
1 day ago
Full-time
On-site
AFC Bournemouth Performance Centre, Wimborne, Wimborne, Dorset
We are seeking an experienced and applied Psychologist to contribute to the delivery of psychological services within the Men’s First Team, alongside leading and delivering key aspects of the Academy psychology provision.
The role provides a unique chance to work across both senior and development environments, supporting players within the Professional Development Phase (PDP) and contributing to their transition into the First Team.
Working as part of an integrated multidisciplinary team, you will support the development of a psychologically informed performance environment that enhances individual and team performance, promotes wellbeing, and prepares athletes to meet the demands of elite football.
The role contributes to the development of integrated mental performance and wellbeing frameworks across the club. Therefore, the role integrates psychological principles into performance environments, focusing on prevention, education, and support, while contributing to a holistic and sustainable athlete development model.
The role will report to the Director of Medical & Performance and is operationally managed by the First Team Head of Medical & Performance. The role works in close collaboration with the Academy Head of Medical & Performance to ensure consistent psychological support and development across the player pathway, and aligns with external psychological consultants and clinical services where appropriate.
First Team Contribution
- Contribute to the delivery of psychological support within the Men’s First Team environment
- Support players through individual and group interventions aligned to performance and wellbeing needs
- Collaborate with medical and performance staff to support psychological readiness within return-to-play processes
Academy Psychology Provision
- Lead and coordinate the delivery of the Academy psychology programme, working collaboratively with relevant staff across all phases
- Deliver targeted psychological support within the Professional Development Phase (PDP), supporting players in preparation for senior football
- Contribute to the delivery of psychology provision across the wider Academy pathway, in collaboration with other practitioners where appropriate
- Support key transition points within the player pathway, particularly progression from Academy to First Team
Integration & Collaboration
- Work as an embedded member of the multidisciplinary team across both First Team and Academy environments
- Contribute to interdisciplinary discussions and player management processes
- Support the ongoing development of a psychologically informed culture across the club
Education & Development
- Deliver education sessions to players and staff on mental performance, wellbeing and personal development
- Support the development of staff capability in embedding psychological principles within coaching and performance environments
General
- As a member of staff to ensure in all matters, you follow and actively promote the club’s mental health policies and practices to ensure an open, non-judgmental and inclusive environment for everyone engaged with the club.
- As a member of staff to ensure that you to adhere to the club’s safeguarding policies and procedures and are committed to our safeguarding values, creating a safe and positive environment for all those who interact with the club.
- Obligation to adhere to the club’s health and safety policy and procedures.
- Responsibility to comply with the Health and Safety at Work etc. Act 1974, the Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005, and all related Company policies, taking reasonable care for their own safety and that of others, reporting hazards or incidents, following safe systems of work, and co-operating with all training and emergency procedures.
- As a member of staff to ensure in all matters you follow and actively promote the club’s equality policies and practices to ensure a welcoming, safe and inclusive environment for everyone engaged with the club.
The duties and responsibilities described are not a comprehensive list and additional tasks may be assigned to the employee from time to time; or the scope of the job may change as necessitated by business demands.
Essential
- Postgraduate qualification (MSc or equivalent) in Sport and Exercise Psychology or related discipline
- HCPC registered Practitioner Psychologist, or near completion of BPS Stage 2/ CASES SEPAR training routes (evidence required upon request)
- Proven experience of delivering applied psychology support within elite or high-performance sport
- Demonstrable experience working directly with elite athletes
- Experience of working effectively within a multidisciplinary team
- Excellent interpersonal and communication skills, with the ability to build trust and influence across a range of stakeholders
Desirable
- Experience working within professional football and/or a Category 1 Academy environment
- Understanding of the Elite Player Performance Plan (EPPP)
- Ability to communicate in an additional language (e.g. French, Spanish or Portuguese)
- Free onsite parking.
- Season ticket and allocation of complimentary/purchased tickets (subject to availability).
- Subsidised lunches and complimentary healthy snacks throughout the day.
- Discounts at the club Superstore.
- Access to Health Cash Plan with Simplyhealth.
- Employee Assistance Programme.
- Contribution towards eye tests and glasses.
- Discounts and benefits from partners and local businesses.
- Club pension & Life Assurance Scheme.
- Paid parental leave (bank of five days per year).
- Club events or other social events throughout the year run by our club social team.
- Paid volunteer opportunities (2 days per year).
- Paid day’s leave on your birthday.
The role provides a unique chance to work across both senior and development environments, supporting players within the Professional Development Phase (PDP) and contributing to their transition into the First Team.
Working as part of an integrated multidisciplinary team, you will support the development of a psychologically informed performance environment that enhances individual and team performance, promotes wellbeing, and prepares athletes to meet the demands of elite football.
The role contributes to the development of integrated mental performance and wellbeing frameworks across the club. Therefore, the role integrates psychological principles into performance environments, focusing on prevention, education, and support, while contributing to a holistic and sustainable athlete development model.
The role will report to the Director of Medical & Performance and is operationally managed by the First Team Head of Medical & Performance. The role works in close collaboration with the Academy Head of Medical & Performance to ensure consistent psychological support and development across the player pathway, and aligns with external psychological consultants and clinical services where appropriate.
First Team Contribution
- Contribute to the delivery of psychological support within the Men’s First Team environment
- Support players through individual and group interventions aligned to performance and wellbeing needs
- Collaborate with medical and performance staff to support psychological readiness within return-to-play processes
Academy Psychology Provision
- Lead and coordinate the delivery of the Academy psychology programme, working collaboratively with relevant staff across all phases
- Deliver targeted psychological support within the Professional Development Phase (PDP), supporting players in preparation for senior football
- Contribute to the delivery of psychology provision across the wider Academy pathway, in collaboration with other practitioners where appropriate
- Support key transition points within the player pathway, particularly progression from Academy to First Team
Integration & Collaboration
- Work as an embedded member of the multidisciplinary team across both First Team and Academy environments
- Contribute to interdisciplinary discussions and player management processes
- Support the ongoing development of a psychologically informed culture across the club
Education & Development
- Deliver education sessions to players and staff on mental performance, wellbeing and personal development
- Support the development of staff capability in embedding psychological principles within coaching and performance environments
General
- As a member of staff to ensure in all matters, you follow and actively promote the club’s mental health policies and practices to ensure an open, non-judgmental and inclusive environment for everyone engaged with the club.
- As a member of staff to ensure that you to adhere to the club’s safeguarding policies and procedures and are committed to our safeguarding values, creating a safe and positive environment for all those who interact with the club.
- Obligation to adhere to the club’s health and safety policy and procedures.
- Responsibility to comply with the Health and Safety at Work etc. Act 1974, the Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005, and all related Company policies, taking reasonable care for their own safety and that of others, reporting hazards or incidents, following safe systems of work, and co-operating with all training and emergency procedures.
- As a member of staff to ensure in all matters you follow and actively promote the club’s equality policies and practices to ensure a welcoming, safe and inclusive environment for everyone engaged with the club.
The duties and responsibilities described are not a comprehensive list and additional tasks may be assigned to the employee from time to time; or the scope of the job may change as necessitated by business demands.
Essential
- Postgraduate qualification (MSc or equivalent) in Sport and Exercise Psychology or related discipline
- HCPC registered Practitioner Psychologist, or near completion of BPS Stage 2/ CASES SEPAR training routes (evidence required upon request)
- Proven experience of delivering applied psychology support within elite or high-performance sport
- Demonstrable experience working directly with elite athletes
- Experience of working effectively within a multidisciplinary team
- Excellent interpersonal and communication skills, with the ability to build trust and influence across a range of stakeholders
Desirable
- Experience working within professional football and/or a Category 1 Academy environment
- Understanding of the Elite Player Performance Plan (EPPP)
- Ability to communicate in an additional language (e.g. French, Spanish or Portuguese)
- Free onsite parking.
- Season ticket and allocation of complimentary/purchased tickets (subject to availability).
- Subsidised lunches and complimentary healthy snacks throughout the day.
- Discounts at the club Superstore.
- Access to Health Cash Plan with Simplyhealth.
- Employee Assistance Programme.
- Contribution towards eye tests and glasses.
- Discounts and benefits from partners and local businesses.
- Club pension & Life Assurance Scheme.
- Paid parental leave (bank of five days per year).
- Club events or other social events throughout the year run by our club social team.
- Paid volunteer opportunities (2 days per year).
- Paid day’s leave on your birthday.