Job Description
Middlesbrough Football Club is looking to recruit a Lead Academy Sport /Performance Psychologist, to work with our under 9 to under 23 players, based at the Training Ground, Hurworth, Nr Darlington. Supporting our Category 1 Academy, you will be responsible for the preparation, delivery and evaluation of the psychological support programme to the players and parents at the Club under the guidance of the Head of Education and Welfare.

THE ROLE:
• To psychologically profile all players in the designated phases of development, providing group reports and individual feedback and support when required and, in line with the safeguarding policy and the Elite Player Performance Plan (EPPP) requirements, ensuring individual learning plans are formulated and reviewed
• Since a key part of the role will be to work closely with all staff, to ensure appropriate challenges and strategies are in place when working with players and to ensure performance psychology is engrained in the club environment
• To form close working relationships with our medical and science support staff to ensure appropriate provisions, linked to players’ wellbeing and mental health at key points in their development, are in place
• To provide psychological resources to ensure all players, parents and staff have access to current support material
• To ensure all players are aware, have access and benefit from the psychology provision as part of their continued development, through a variety of delivery methods.
• To plan and deliver a comprehensive programme for parents and guardians of all Academy players
• To establish close links with external practitioners and governing bodies to ensure we maintain current best practice with respect to research development and to continually review, improve and communicate knowledge
• To complete all necessary admin tasks to meet the requirements of the Academy’s quality management systems and FAPL monitoring, including inputting relevant information to the Performance Management Application (PMA)
• To work closely with our Head of Coaching to ensure all coach behaviours are assessed within training/games and develop appropriate strategies in line with Coach Competency Frameworks (CCF).

CANDIDATES SHOULD:
• Be educated to Masters level in Sport and Exercise Psychology
• Possess, or be working towards completion (within 6 months), of achieving chartered status with the British Psychological Society / BASES accreditation
• Have proven relevant experience within an elite sporting environment
• Have excellent organisational skills, the ability to accurately manage data and to work to tight deadlines
• Have the ability to engender trust and respect for others and be self-motivated, working both as part of a team and individually
• Thrive on the challenges of working in professional sport and must have a flexible approach to working hours to facilitate meeting all the demands of the role
• Be eligible to work in the UK and have a full UK driving licence
This post falls within the scope of ‘regulated activity’ and is exempt from the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act (1974). Successful applicants will be required to undertake a Disclosure & Barring Service check and are required to declare any convictions, cautions, reprimands and final warnings that are not ‘protected’ as defined by the Rehabilitation of Offenders (Exemptions) Act 1975.
MFC is an equal opportunities employer and positively encourages applications from suitably qualified and eligible candidates regardless of sex, race, disability, age, sexual orientation, gender reassignment, religion or belief, marital status, or pregnancy and maternity. MFC is also committed to the safeguarding of vulnerable groups

How to apply
If you would like to be part of a committed team who value humility, respect and honesty please contact recruitment@mfc.co.uk to request an application form