Rochdale AFC are looking to recruit an Academy Sports Scientist (part-time).
Rochdale AFC are the number one Academy for productivity at Category 3 for the second year in succession. This means that over the last three years the Academy has produced more home-grown players to play First Team football than any other Category 3 Club in the country. We are the second highest in the English Football League and third highest across the country including the Premier League.
An exciting opportunity exists for a highly motivated and enthusiastic sports scientist to become a member of the Sports Science and Medicine Department at Rochdale AFC Academy. This role will involve close work with other key stakeholders including coaching and medical colleagues covering all aspects of elite player performance.
We are looking to recruit an Academy Sports Scientist who will be able to design, develop, and implement appropriate sports science practices as part of the Academy’s Sports Science and Medicine Programme for the Club’s Academy Players. The Academy Sports Scientist will be assigned to work within the PDP (U18s) and the YDP (U16s and U15s). The candidate will contribute to the maintenance and development of an elite performance environment at the Academy.
Vacancy: Part-time Academy Sports Scientist
Department: Sports Science & Medicine Department
Reporting to: Head of Sports Science
Salary: £9000 per annum
Please see the below Role Profile and Person Specification (a detailed job description is available on request).
Role Profile
Reporting to the Head of Sports Science, the Academy Sport Scientist will contribute to the maintenance and development of an elite performance environment at RAFC Academy through:
- Providing sports science support for Academy Teams under the direction of Academy Management, Coaching and Support Staff.
- Ensuring the short-, medium-, and long-term strategies of the Academy Sports Science and Medicine Department are implemented within desired timescales.
- Ensuring the day-to-day Implementation of the Academy’s scientific support processes, geared towards achieving the Sports Science and Medicine Department’s vision and strategy.
- Providing sports science support that effectively meets the nationally audited criteria, and its commitments to players and coaches.
- Assisting in the achievement of the Academy’s annual performance targets.
Person Specification
The successful candidate will have an appreciation of the scientific underpinnings of soccer, and experience of working within an elite soccer environment is desirable. Effective communication skills, an understanding of working with young players, commitment to working unsociable hours, and the ability to create an elite ethos and be a role model are essential.
Qualifications
Essential:
- A qualification at degree level (or equivalent) in sports science or a related area specialising in the physical preparation of athletes.
Desired:
- A qualification at higher degree level (or equivalent) specialising in the physical preparation of athletes.
- UK Strength and Conditioning Accredited, or ambition to achieve such accreditation within an agreed timescale.
- Football coaching qualification at FA Level 2, or ambition to achieve such qualification within an agreed timescale.
Technical-/work-based skills
Essential:
- Demonstrate good levels of I.T. literacy, in particular the use of PMA and Microsoft Excel and PowerPoint.
- Possess the coaching, communication, and motivational skills that engage and drive diverse young players to elite performance.
General skills and attributes
Essential:
- The ability to work to deadlines using problem solving skills, initiative, and sensitivity.
- Respond positively to change in a dynamic, fast-moving environment.
- Ability to work as part of a multidisciplinary team and develop productive intra-/inter-departmental relationships.
Desired
- Track record in working within multidisciplinary coaching and support teams.
If you meet the qualification criteria and feel you have the relevant experience and evidence to meet the role profile and person specification, then please apply via email with a covering letter and CV to:
Kevin Gibbins
Head of Sports Science
Kevin.Gibbins@rochdaleafc.co.uk
Please note, only those shortlisted for interview will be contacted.
Closing date: 18 June 2017
BAME Declaration
The EFL has introduced positive action measures aimed at tackling the under-representation of coaches and managers from Black, Asian, and Minority Ethnic (BAME) backgrounds. New regulations require clubs to shortlist at least one suitably qualified BAME candidate (where an application has been received) for all roles in Academy football.
Do you consider your ethnicity to fall within one of the following definitions?
- Black
- Asian
- Other Minority Ethnic (i.e., any other ethnic group that is not ‘White British’)
*YES/NO (please indicate on your application)