Aston Villa Football Club
Lead Psychologist (Boys Academy)
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Department: Football Division – Boys Academy Performance Psychology Team
Hours of Work: Full-Time, 35 hours per week (flexible working hours including evenings, weekends and matchdays)
Contract Type: Permanent
Salary: Attractive renumeration package dependent on experience
Location: Bodymoor Heath Training Ground
Closing Date: Friday 31 July 2026
The Department
Our Boys Academy Department is proud to have achieved the prestigious Category One Academy status which reflects our commitment to delivering excellence across all areas of youth football including coaching, education, training, and facilities. To continue to deliver our ambitious plans for nurturing, encouraging and developing talent at this level, we have an exciting opportunity for a self-motivated and proactive Psychologist to join our Boys Academy Performance Psychology Team.
The Role
Working as a Lead Psychologist you will deliver and support the management of a Football Performance Psychology programme for our Boys Academy, specifically with a focus on the U21 squad and players transitioning across squads within the Professional Development Phase. You will ensure that all players have individual development programmes based on psychological profiling, observations and discussions with players and staff. You will work closely with the Head of Technical and Player Development to provide psychological support to players on the elite player pathway.
Working closely with the Head of Coach Development, you will devise and lead on the Psychology Coach Development programme for coaches across the Academy, including the delivery of Continued Professional Development (CPD) sessions, training support and the creation of educational resources. You will also lead the delivery of all-staff CPD sessions and multidisciplinary team (MDT) workshops.
You will collaborate with the MDT to enhance the wellbeing and performance of players in the Academy. You will work closely with the Academy Medical and Sport Science Team and play a vital role in supporting rehabilitation programmes and the management of injured players. You will also take a leading role in driving and reinforcing the Academy Culture within our Culture Working Group.
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For further information about the Role, please see the Role Profile.
The Person
This is an opportunity to play a key role in the development of our Boys Academy players, supporting them to development to thrive in an elite environment and reach their maximum potential. We are seeking a professional and experienced Psychologist; you will need to hold the following:
- BSc in Psychology or equivalent
- MSc in Sport and Exercise Psychology or equivalent
- British Psychological Society (BPS) accreditation or Chartered Association of Sport and Exercise Sciences (CASES) accreditation
- Registered with the Health Care Professions Council (HCPC) or in the final stages of your training with the BPS or CASES.
You must have demonstrable experience of working in a Category 1 Academy and have strong knowledge of the Elite Player Performance Plan (expectations of a Category 1 Academy), ideally with experience in delivering a psychology coach development programme. Utilising excellent communication skills which are clear, accurate and engaging, you must have the ability to build rapport and strong professional relationships with a wide range of stakeholders whilst maintaining high professional standards and confidentially at all times.
Given the nature of this role, you will be able to work flexibly including evenings, weekends and matchdays as and when required in line with the Boys Academy schedule.
Why Join Us?
There has never been a better time to join Aston Villa Football Club. Our drive to succeed is visible on the global stage, we are building a family ethos and culture to be proud of, and realising our ambitious plans for the expansion and improvement of our world-class facilities. If you are already excited by this challenge and want to play your part in our historic Club, then you'll be pleased to hear about our amazing staff benefits you'll receive whilst working for us! See our Staff Benefits booklet to find out more.
As part of your application, you will be asked to:
- Upload your CV
- Answer the following question: Please outline your key skills, qualities and experience which make you the ideal candidate for this role (400 words maximum)
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Right to Close Vacancy Posting Early
The Club reserves the right to close any advertised vacancies earlier than the advertised closing date if sufficient applications have been received.
Equality Statement
Aston Villa Football Club celebrates the diversity of its Club and embrace equal opportunities for all. We welcome applications from all candidates regardless of age, race, disability, gender reassignment, pregnancy and maternity, sexual orientation, marriage and civil partnership, sex and religion or belief.
Safeguarding Statement
Aston Villa Football Club is fully committed to safeguarding children and adults at risk across our Club. As such, we adhere to Safer Recruitment processes and for some roles a satisfactory enhanced disclosure via the Disclosure & Barring Service may be required prior to starting in a role at the Club. For more information, please see Aston Villa Football Club | The official club website | AVFC - Safeguarding
There has never been a better time to join Aston Villa Football Club. Our drive to succeed is visible on the global stage, we are building a family ethos and culture to be proud of and realising our ambitious plans for the expansion and improvement of our world-class facilities. If you are already excited by this challenge and want to play your part in our historic Club, then please take a look at our current vacancies and apply today!
Can't see a role for you at the moment but want to join our talent community and stay in touch with us? Introduce yourself below and we will be in touch as and when we have any vacancies which may be a good match for you!
We are at the heart of English football, a majestic name, with a decorated past and an exciting future. The Club are proud that both our first teams compete in the top flight of English men's and women's football with our Academies shaping the next generation of elite footballers. We are determined to keep growing - both on and off the pitch. Our drive to succeed is visible on the global stage, we are building a family ethos and culture to be proud of, all whilst realising our ambitions plans for the expansion of our world-class facilities.
For more information, see here.
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