Head of Academy Psychology - West Ham United FC, London

Head of Academy Psychology - West Ham United FC, London

Deadline for applications - midday, Monday 30 December, 2024

Department: Academy Football Science & Medicine

Location: Chadwell Heath/Rush Green

Contract - Full Time (Will include some evenings and weekends)

An exciting opportunity has arisen for an accredited Sport & Exercise Psychologist to join the Category 1 Academy Science & Medicine department.

Main Responsibilities

• Lead on the direction and evolution of an Academy Psychology Framework, aligned across the phases and clearly demonstrating age and stage appropriate modifications to provision along a player's Academy journey.
• Manage a team of staff to optimise the delivery of Academy Psychology provision across the phases.
• Take an active lead on planning and delivery of psychological support to all PDP players, including U18 squad, U21 squad and loan players.
• Ensure a calendar and curriculum of content and activity is in place, widely communicated across the Academy, adhered to, and aligned to the department framework for YDP & FP.
• Ensure the implementation of phase appropriate psychological and mental health screening at appropriate stages, in line with the department framework.
• Ensure provision of staff and parent education programmes relevant to role and phase.
• Be an active member of the Academy Management Team (AMT), attending monthly meetings and representing the Psychology department.
• Attend monthly meetings with Psychology staff and Head of Academy Science & Medicine to review provision and drive progress as a department.
• Be accountable for setting and evaluating against Psychology department KPIs, aligned with the overall Academy mission & strategy.
• Lead the department through annual PGAAC audit processes, with an excellent understanding of the requirements of Safe to Operate, Compliance and Standards, and a clear strategy on how the department will excel in each area, following through to execute these plans.
• Integrate within, and drive a culture with individual development at the forefront, demonstrating the Academy values in everything we do as a club.

Person Specification

• BPS accredited BSc (Hons) Psychology (or equivalent)
• BPS accredited MSc Applied Sport & Exercise Psychology (or equivalent)
• QSEP or SEPAR accreditation pathway complete.
• HCPC accreditation.
• Previous experience of working with elite young athletes.
• Good understanding of adolescent brain development.
• Experience managing staff.
• Experience working in an MDT.
• Effective and appropriate communication skills.
• Good time management and prioritisation skills.
• Experience working within a Football Academy.
• Experience working with senior athletes as well as in youth sport.
• Experience using PMA or Kitman Labs/Football Intelligence Platform.
• Excellent understanding of the expectations of a Category 1 Academy according to the EPPP.

Other information Benefits on offer (may vary based on contract type and location)

• 25 days annual leave plus your birthday off
• Pension and life insurance
• Travel season ticket loan
• Cycle to work scheme
• Priority access to apply for match tickets
• Discounted season tickets
• Staff discounts in the club store, café and official partner products and services
• Discounted gym membership and onsite fitness room facilities
• Family friendly leave policies
• Company social events

EDI Statement

Our club's history is rooted in a solid commitment to equity, diversity, and inclusion, and we openly strive to be leaders in promoting EDI values. West Ham United is tactical in its approach to addressing inequity and prioritising the undertaking of meaningful and lasting change for all.

We prioritise removing barriers to attracting and engaging the best talent from all communities. We are proactive in creating equal access to opportunities and benefits for everyone and a discrimination free environment where everyone experiences being treated with dignity and respect regardless of their background, circumstances, or protected characteristics.

Safeguarding

At our Club and Foundation, we advocate a proactive approach to ensure every child and adult has the right to experience safety and be treated with care, respect, and dignity. Therefore, we prioritise protection from harm and promote safeguarding good practice and compliance as an integral part of all our operations and engagement. This includes conducting robust, safer recruitment checks to identify any potential risks associated with individuals who may pose a threat to children or adults who are at risk of harm.

How to Apply

To apply, please reply to the link with your full CV and a supporting statement outlining your motivation for applying and how you feel you meet the profile of the candidate we are looking for.

The deadline for applications is midday on Monday 30th December 2024. Please note that the vacancy may close early if there is a high volume of applicants.

Interviews expected to be held early January 2025.

Due to a high number of expected applicants, only those successful will be contacted.

About the club

At the heart and soul of London since 1895 West Ham United is a dynamic, fan-focused football club constantly moving forward but always with an eye on the past.

Our home at the London Stadium has a capacity of 62,500 making it one of the biggest club stadia in the country however our tickets are the lowest priced for London based clubs in the Premier League, echoing objectives to create affordable family football.

In 2018, our Women's team gained professional status for the very first time, jumping 2 divisions and competing in the Women's Super League (WSL), the premier division of women's football in England. After finishing a respectable 7th, the team enjoyed particular success in the FA Cup reaching the final of the competition, eventually being beaten by 2017 winners Manchester City.

In April 2019, we opened our brand-new Academy facility based at Chadwell Heath which will help to bring through some of the very best talents in the area, the recent emergence of First Team Players Declan Rice and Ben Johnson are a testament to the work already being done at the Academy.

On the business side, we are continuing to create a stadium our supporters can call home, with the renaming of the Billy Bonds Stand and Claret and Blue pitch surrounding amongst the latest developments. Additionally, the club has achieved the Disability Confident Leader status.

The club employs a constantly growing workforce of approximately 300 core staff and 500 Foundation and events staff, and is a truly unique place to work. We welcome talented individuals who will thrive in our ambitious organisation.

In October 2023, West Ham United was awarded the Advanced level of the Premier League Equality, Diversity and Inclusion Standard, recognising the Club's ongoing dedication and commitment to equality, diversity and inclusion (EDI). It is the second time West Ham United has received the award, which is the top accolade that can be achieved by Premier League clubs, having first been presented with the Advanced level in 2020.