First Team Head Physiotherapist

Role Purpose

The Head Physiotherapist will lead and deliver best-practice medical and physiotherapy services to all players at Swindon Town FC.

The role is responsible for safeguarding player health, optimising availability, injury prevention, player assessment, rehabilitation and return-to-play processes as part of a multidisciplinary team, in line with club objectives and competition medical standards.

Key Responsibilities
Medical & Physiotherapy

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• Lead and direct the provision of comprehensive medical and physiotherapy services to all players.
  
• Demonstrate expert assessment, diagnostic and clinical reasoning skills.
  
• Promote and protect the health, safety and well‑being of all players at all times.
  
• Deliver best‑practice physiotherapy and professional care in line with current evidence and governing body standards.
  
• Manage the medical rota/calendar to ensure appropriate medical cover at all required times.
  
• Maintain accurate and confidential medical records in line with club policy, league regulations and legal standards.
  
• Oversee medical screening, cardiac assessment and annual health evaluations.
  

Injury Management & Rehabilitation

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• Work alongside the First Team Sports Therapist and interdisciplinary team in the implementation and progression of individualised rehabilitation programmes.
  
• Manage the return‑to‑play process ensuring safe and effective return to training and competition as part of an interdisciplinary team.
  
• Be confident working across the full spectrum of injuries expected in a high‑performance football environment.
  
• Ensure adequate medical and rehabilitation cover for players requiring ongoing support during the off‑season.
  

Screening, Testing & Injury Prevention

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• Lead all musculoskeletal screening and testing, including pre‑signing medicals and baseline testing.
  
• Provide clear, relevant medical information to the club Doctor, Director of Sport, Head Coach to support informed decision‑making.
  
• Work as part of a multidisciplinary team to provide individual pre‑habilitation and corrective exercise programmes addressing flagged risk areas throughout the season.
  
• Work as part of a multidisciplinary team to utilise testing data to monitor adaptations, strength changes and improvements in identified areas of concern.
  
• Lead the monitoring of injured players injury status fitness and availability in relation to training and matches.
  
• Develop and implement injury prevention strategies in collaboration with the wider medical and performance team.
  
• Within scope of practice, deliver daily preventative treatments including soft tissue therapy and manual techniques.
  

Match Day Responsibilities

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• Lead match‑day medical provision for all First Team fixtures (home and away).
  
• Provide pitch‑side assessment, treatment and emergency care as required.
  
• Deliver appropriate treatments to players on match days.
  
• Ensure all match‑day medical equipment is maintained, checked and fit for purpose.
  
• Be present at training sessions and matches as assigned, providing immediate medical support when necessary.
  

Medical Governance & Compliance

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• Oversee medical governance and clinical standards across the club.
  
• Work closely with the Club Doctor, involving them where appropriate (e.g. cardiac screening, concussion management).
  
• Ensure full compliance with competition minimum medical standards, anti‑doping regulations and standard operating procedures.
  
• Collaborate with the wider medical and performance team to review and update the club’s clinical governance framework annually.
  
• Maintain accurate, confidential and up‑to‑date medical records and documentation.
  
• Work with the Head of Performance to manage and monitor the medical department budget effectively.
  

Communication & Collaboration

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• Communicate clearly and effectively across the multidisciplinary team, providing regular updates on player availability for training and matches.
  
• Build strong working relationships with coaching, performance and medical staff.
  
• Demonstrate a commitment to continuing professional development (CPD) and remain up to date with advancements in football medicine and physiotherapy.
  

Essential Qualifications & Experience
Qualifications

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• Undergraduate or Postgraduate Degree in Physiotherapy (minimum 2:1).
  
• FA ATMMiF qualification (or equivalent)
  
• Registered member of the Health and Care Professions Council (HCPC).
  
• Member of the Chartered Society of Physiotherapy
  
• Appropriate professional medical indemnity insurance.
  

Experience

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• Proven experience delivering medical services within elite sport or high‑performance environments especially pitch based return to play.
  
• Experience in pitch‑side medical assessment, treatment and emergency care.
  
• Demonstrated experience designing and delivering injury rehabilitation programmes for athletes.
  
• Strong knowledge of football governing body regulations, including medical standards and anti‑doping regulations.
  

Desirable

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• Experience in pitch‑based rehabilitation.
  

Skills & Competencies

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• Excellent communication skills using verbal, written and digital tools.
  
• Strong organisational, planning and administrative skills.
  
• High level of IT literacy, including Microsoft Office (Excel, Word, Outlook) and performance/medical data management systems.
  
• Ability to work effectively under pressure and manage competing priorities in a professional football environment.
  

Safeguarding

Swindon Town Football Club is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people and expects all staff and volunteers to share this commitment.

For positions where a criminal record check (DBS) is identified as necessary, this will be carried out in line with the Club’s safer recruitment procedures and relevant legislation.

The post holder will be required to undertake safeguarding training periodically and comply with all safeguarding policies and procedures.

Equality, Diversity & Inclusion

Swindon Town Football Club is committed to promoting equality of opportunity for all staff and job applicants. We aim to create a supportive and inclusive working environment in which all individuals can make best use of their skills, free from discrimination, harassment or victimisation, and where decisions are based solely on merit.

The Club does not discriminate on the basis of age, race, nationality, ethnic origin, religious or political belief or affiliation, trade union membership, gender, gender reassignment, gender identity, marriage and civil partnership status, pregnancy and maternity, sexual orientation, disability, socio‑economic background or any other characteristic protected under the Equality Act 2010