Lead Physiotherapist AFC Bournemouth

We are looking for a Women’s Team Lead Physiotherapist to provide high-quality physiotherapy services that support injury prevention, assessment, treatment, and rehabilitation of players within an elite Women’s Football environment. The role contributes to player availability, long-term athlete health, and integrated performance support in line with WSL Performance Support Regulations.

Key responsibilities

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• Lead the women’s team performance and medicine department on an operational level in conjunction with the co‑ordinator of performance and medicine.
  
• Deliver comprehensive physiotherapy services including assessment, diagnosis, treatment, and rehabilitation of injuries.
  
• Design and deliver individualised rehabilitation programmes aligned with best practice and performance demands.
  
• Support injury prevention strategies in collaboration with strength & conditioning and medical staff.
  
• Contribute to return‑to‑play planning and decision‑making through multidisciplinary processes.
  
• Provide pitch‑side medical and emergency cover for training sessions and matches as required.
  
• Maintain accurate medical records in line with data protection, confidentiality, and clinical governance standards.
  
• Communicate effectively with coaching and performance staff regarding player availability and progression.
  
• Support ongoing monitoring of player health, load tolerance, and injury trends.
  
• Adhere to club medical policies, FA regulations, and WSL medical requirements.
  
• As a member of staff to ensure in all matters, you follow and actively promote the club’s mental health policies and practices to ensure an open, non‑judgmental and inclusive environment for everyone engaged with the club.
  
• As a member of staff to ensure that you to adhere to the club’s safeguarding policies and procedures and are committed to our safeguarding values, creating a safe and positive environment for all those who interact with the club.
  
• Obligation to adhere to the club’s health and safety policy and procedures.
  
• As a member of staff to ensure in all matters you follow and actively promote the club’s equality policies and practices to ensure a welcoming, safe and inclusive environment for everyone engaged with the club.
  
• Responsibility to comply with the Health and Safety at Work etc. Act 1974, the Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005, and all related Company policies, taking reasonable care for their own safety and that of others, reporting hazards or incidents, following safe systems of work, and co‑operating with all training and emergency procedures.
  

The duties and responsibilities described are not a comprehensive list and additional tasks may be assigned to the employee from time to time; or the scope of the job may change as necessitated by business demands.

Skills, Knowledge and Expertise

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• BSc or MSc in Physiotherapy.
  
• Registered with the Health and Care Professions Council (HCPC).
  
• Member of the Chartered Society of Physiotherapy (CSP).
  
• Level 5 ATMMIF certificate.
  
• ATMMIF‑R reaccreditation certificate.
  
• Appropriate professional indemnity insurance.
  
• Emergency First Aid for Sport.
  
• Safeguarding and DBS clearance.
  
• UK anti‑doping introduction to clear sport certificate.
  
• Experience working in elite sport or high‑performance environments.
  
• Experience managing musculoskeletal injuries in athletes.
  
• Experience working as part of a multidisciplinary performance or medical team.
  

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• Experience leading a multidisciplinary performance or medical team.
  
• Experience within professional or elite Women’s football.
  
• Postgraduate qualification in sports physiotherapy or related discipline.
  
• Experience with pitch‑side emergency care.
  
• Knowledge of FA or WSL medical governance frameworks.
  

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• Strong clinical reasoning and hands‑on treatment skills.
  
• Knowledge of football‑specific injury profiles and demands.
  
• Understanding of return‑to‑play frameworks and risk management.
  
• Excellent communication and organisational skills.
  
• Awareness of female athlete health considerations.
  
• Player‑centred and evidence‑based approach.
  
• High standards of professionalism and clinical integrity.
  
• Collaborative team member within an integrated performance model.
  
• Calm and effective under pressure.
  
• Committed to diversity, inclusion, and the growth of women’s football.
  
• Effective communicator with players, staff, and stakeholders.
  

Benefits

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• Free onsite parking.
  
• Season ticket and allocation of complimentary/purchased tickets.
  
• Subsidised lunches and complimentary healthy snacks throughout the day.
  
• Discounts at the club Superstore.
  
• Access to Health Cash Plan with Simplyhealth.
  
• Employee Assistance Programme
  
• Contribution towards eye tests and glasses.
  
• Discounts and benefits from partners and local businesses.
  
• Club pension & Life Assurance Scheme.
  
• Paid parental leave (bank of five days per year).
  
• Club events or other social events throughout the year run by our club social team.
  
• Paid volunteer opportunities (2 days per year).
  
• Paid day’s leave on your birthday.
  

Having established the start of an exciting new chapter in our long and storied history since a takeover in 2022 by chairman Bill Foley, AFC Bournemouth has seen significant investment committed towards sustaining Premier League status.

The construction of a state‑of‑the‑art training facility alongside the arrival of promising young talent from top clubs around Europe have provided the club with a fantastic platform from which to build its on‑field expectations.

We have placed an importance on maintaining the same focus on family and community that we have proudly displayed over the years, and delivering that engagement with our loyal supporters is a passionate and integrated backroom staff, working closely together to provide a positive and lasting experience for all.

Tagged as: England, Fixed Term, Leadership & Management, Physiotherapy, women's football