Bristol Bears
Head of Athletic Performance
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DEPARTMENT: Athletic Performance
REPORTS TO: Director Of Rugby
REPORTEES: Athletic Performance Staff
LOCATION: Bristol Bears High Performance Centre, Abbots Leigh, Bristol, BS8 3TF. Where required, the role may include duties at off-site locations.
CONTRACT TYPE: Permanent
WORKING HOURS: 37.5 hours over a 5-day week. This role will require evening and weekend working as well as travel.
SALARY: Competitive
CLOSING DATE: Thursday 13th August at midnight
ABOUT BRISTOL BEARS
Bristol Bears Rugby is part of Stephen Lansdown’s sporting group of companies which includes Bristol Sport, Bristol City Football, Bristol Flyers Basketball and each of their respective community charities. Our vision is ‘to inspire our community through rugby success’. Our supporters regularly attend Ashton Gate Stadium to watch the team perform in Premiership and European Cup Competitions as well as our Women’s team who play at the highest level of domestic competition.
ROLE SUMMARY
We are looking for an evidence-driven performance leader to drive the physical preparation, conditioning, and long-term athletic development of our first team squad. Reporting to the Director of Rugby, you will lead a multidisciplinary performance team and work in close collaboration with coaching, medical, and sports science staff.
PRINCIPLE RESPONSIBILITIES
- Design, implement, and oversee the year-round athletic performance programme across the full playing squad to enable them to play the Bears way.
- Lead and develop the athletic performance team, including strength and conditioning coaches, sports scientists, and relevant performance staff.
- Manage player load, recovery, and readiness in partnership with the medical and sports science staff to minimise injury risk and optimise availability.
- Use GPS, heart rate, force-plate, and other performance data to inform training prescription and return-to-play protocols.
- Oversee individualised development plans for players across all positions and career stages, including academy-to-first-team transition.
- Set and manage the performance department's budget, equipment, and facility requirements.
- Collaborate with coaching staff to align physical preparation with tactical and technical game plans.
- Lead the constant refinement of the department’s systems and processes, holding the department to an elite standard.
- Stay up to date with best practice and research in elite athletic performance.
- Contribute positively to the Bears vision and culture.
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KEY RELATIONSHIPS
- Director of Rugby
- Coaching staff
- Medical staff
- Players & coaches
ESSENTIAL
- Bachelor’s degree in Sports Science, Strength & Conditioning, Exercise Physiology, or a related discipline required.
- Minimum of five years’ experience in elite professional sport, with at least two years in a leadership role overseeing sports science or performance operations.
- Strong communication and leadership skills, able to influence and collaborate effectively with coaches, players, and staff across departments.
- Analytical and detail-orientated with the ability to translate complex data into actionable training insights.
- Capable of thriving in a dynamic, high performance team environment.
- Knowledge and understanding of rugby union and the development pathways.
DESIRABLE
- Master’s or PhD in Sports Science, Strength & Conditioning, Exercise Physiology, or a related discipline.
- 5+ years in a leadership role overseeing sports science or performance operations.
- Experience with data-analysis systems and statistical software.
HEALTH AND SAFETY
- Responsible for ensuring all health and safety procedures are followed at all times, with relevant documentation to support.
- Ensure all employees complete the training required to do their job.
- Report all incidents and accidents as required.
- Complete and review the risk assessments for the department.
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EQUAL OPPORTUNITIES
We are committed to the principle of equal opportunity and its policies for recruitment, selection, training, development and promotion are designed to ensure that no employee or potential employee receives less favourable treatment on the grounds of race, colour, nationality, religion or belief, sex, sexual orientation, marital status, age, ethnic and national origin, disability or gender reassignment.
SAFEGUARDING
Bristol Rugby Club Limited is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children, young people and vulnerable adults and expects all employees to share this commitment. This role would be subject to an enhanced Disclosure Barring Service (DBS) check.
BENEFITS
As part of the Bears family, you’ll have access to a wide range of benefits, including:
WORK LIFE BALANCE
- 25 days annual leave plus bank holidays (pro rata)
FINANCIAL SECURITY
- Hargreaves Lansdown pension scheme
- Life assurance policy
FAMILY FRIENDLY BENEFITS
- Enhanced parental leave
HEALTH & WELLBEING
- Employee Assistance Programme
- HPC gym access (subject to player schedules)
- Company Sick Pay
- Career development opportunities through CPD and Apprenticeship Levy funding
TRAVEL & LIFESTYLE PERKS
- Cycle to Work scheme
- Discounted First Bus travel
- Electric vehicle scheme
FOOD & ON-SITE BENEFITS
- Subsidised meals at the HPC on training days
- Onsite parking at the HPC
SPORT, EVENTS & DISCOUNTS
- Matchday tickets for Bristol Bears Men and Women home fixtures
- Ad-hoc tickets for other Bristol Sport fixtures
- Discounts at Ashton Gate food and beverage outlets on matchdays
- Discounts with a variety of local businesses including attractions, hotels and cafes
- Discount at the Bristol Sport retail shop
- Bears Kit (where applicable for the role)
Please note that some benefits are non-contractual and may be subject to change as well as subject to terms and conditions.
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