Loans and Recruitment Sports Scientist

About the club

We are the heartbeat of the city. Come and be a part of a long and proud history where we strive to be the best in everything we do, on and off the pitch. Bringing the people and communities together, join the Newcastle United Family, as we embark on the next steps of our exciting journey.

About the role

We’re looking for an experienced Sports Scientist to provide sports science support to all Newcastle United loan players across a wide range of age groups. Working with the wider MDT the role will assist in the physical profiling of players to ensure that it mirrors the physical and playing profile of Newcastle United.

The role will also support the broader Loan Player MDT to identify host clubs for players that provide suitable environments in terms of playing style and player development. Therefore, it will be critical to develop and maintain close relationships through effective communication with host Clubs.

Taking a data driven approach to player progress and monitoring you will collate progress reports on each player and deliver field based and gym-based sessions, where appropriate, to ensure that players are prepared for the loan pathway.

Due to the nature of the role significant UK and European travel will be involved.

Your impact

You will have significant experience of working at an elite level in professional football and hold a qualification at degree and post graduate level (or equivalent) in Sports Science or Strength & Conditioning from a recognised University.

With a proven track record of providing innovative and pro-active sports science support to elite athletes with a demonstrable positive impact on performance you will have a strong of the physiological demands of elite level football.

A UEFA B level coaching qualification and experience of working in Academy football with knowledge of the player pathway would be highly desirable.

About the team

Joining our growing and skilled performance department that includes medical, nutrition, psychology and sport science/performance staff you will help support the development, health and wellbeing of the players at NUFC. The role will work closely with colleagues across the player loan multi-disciplinary team to ensure the best possible experience and development pathway for our loan players in the UK and abroad.

Why choose us?

We’ve got a range of great benefits and rewards, from flexible ways of working, participation in our non-contractual employee bonus scheme, NUFC life assurance, free parking, discount at Shearers Bar and the Club Shop, Helping Hand – where you can access free GP appointments, Wellbeing Resources, Legal and Financial Support, pension contribution, free lunch and the best part, free tea and coffee. In addition, we run a salary sacrifice scheme which includes, tech, car, cycle to work and many more.

Role responsibilities

• Work as part of the loan player MDT assisting in the identification of suitable host clubs in accordance with playing style and development opportunities.
• Develop strong relationships with staff at host clubs to ensure consistent and effective communication lines and timely data collection.
• Contribute to weekly, monthly and seasonal loan player MDT meetings detailing player progress
• Collate, analyse and disseminate appropriate physical performance data in line with the current philosophy of the Club’s performance department.
• Coordinate with host clubs to organise suitable dates for club visits, progress check- ups and performance assessments in line with the Club’s Performance department.
• Establish and collate progress reports on each loan player as agreed with the loan player MDT.
• Analyse match footage of all loan players and collate a physical KPI video database, providing detailed feedback when required.
• Provide comparisons between loan player match data and positional premier league benchmarking data.
• Deliver field and gym based sessions when required ensuring players are prepared and ready for the loans pathway.
• Work closely with the recruitment team compiling physical data reports on prospective players throughout development pathways across the world.
• Build on positional physical KPI data from the performance department and develop world wide physical comparison techniques in line with the data and insights team.
• Research the physical development trends across European leagues.
• Analyse footage of prospective players and provide expert opinion on physical qualities related to the Club’s philosophy
• The role will involve working remotely, as well as visiting and liaising with players and staff at various football clubs across the UK and Europe.
• Any other reasonable duties.
   

Role requirements

• Perform duties with due regard to club policies and procedures and legislative requirements at all times.
• Ensure implementation of the clubs health & safety, safeguarding, welfare and equality policies to create a safe working environment for all.
• Ensure working practices are compliant with relevant legislation and data protection legislation and/or general data protection regulations (GDPR) requirement.
• Undertake continuous professional development (CPD) training and/or additional training as identified or as required.

Qualifications & training

Essential:

• Degree (or equivalent) in Sports Science or Strength & Conditioning or equivalent relevant experience.
• Post-graduate qualification in Sports Science or Strength & Conditioning or equivalent relevant experience.

Desirable:

• UEFA B Coaching Qualification or higher.

Knowledge, skills & experience

Essential:

• Extensive experience of working in elite level football.
• Experience providing SS support to elite athletes and coaching staff with proven ability to positively impact development & performance.
• A knowledge and understanding of the physiological demands of elite level football.
• Awareness of the pressure and challenges of working in a high-performance environment.
• Ability to work alone and as part of an MDT
• Experience of providing consistent high-level feedback to key stakeholders demonstrating strong report writing skills
• Experience of creating and managing innovative databases.

Desirable:

• Experience of working within academy football.
• Experience of data analytics.
• Academy pathway experience.
• Ability to communicate effectively in multiple languages Knowledge and understanding of the player loans pathway.
• Experience dealing with the challenges associated with the transition of players through the Academy development pathway.
• Experience of managing physical databases across multiple leagues.
• Experience of designing physical benchmarking KPIs.

How to apply

Click ‘Apply Now’ via THIS LINK

Please apply as soon as possible as this vacancy may close early should we receive a high volume of suitable candidates.

Recruitment Agencies – please note that we do not accept unsolicited/ speculative candidate details or applications. Any candidates supplied, unless formally requested, will be taken as a direct/ free candidate.

United As One

We’re committed to equality, diversity and inclusion and believe in equal opportunities for all. We recognise that the diversity of our people is one of our greatest strengths. We work together to reflect the communities we serve and to maintain an inclusive environment in which everyone can be their authentic self and is enabled to achieve their full potential.

Safeguarding

We’re committed to being a place where everyone is safe, heard, valued and able to thrive so we place high value on the safeguarding and welfare of everyone we engage with.