Lead Academy Performance Nutritionist

Job Location:     Academy Training Ground BR3 1NZ

Contract Type:   Part-time (15 hours) - Permanent 

Salary/ ROP:       Competitive

Deadline:           

Who we are:

We are Crystal Palace Football Club, a Premier League Football Club with more than 160 years of proud history. Spread across three different sites - brand new main offices at Selhurst Park Stadium, our London office, and our Training Ground/Academy, we offer the best atmosphere and culture for our fans and our employees. 

We strive for excellence in the workplace with a philosophy of high standards, professionalism, and a strong work ethic from our employees. We are constantly trying to grow, diversify and build with not only our team on the pitch, but also our team in the offices and on the ground.

About this role:

We have an exciting opportunity for an individual to lead our Academy Nutrition provision.

The focus of this role is to design and deliver a nutrition programme and education syllabus for Crystal Palace Academy players with a particular focus on the U15 – U21 age groups.

This is a part-time role (2 – 3 days per week), based at our Academy Training Ground in Beckenham reporting into our Head of Academy Performance.

Responsibilities:

• Develop and deliver nutrition programmes and provide individualised 1-1 nutrition support to young players in the academy, including loan players.
• Implement nutrition strategies to support young players’ training, competitive and rehabilitation programmes whilst demonstrating a comprehensive knowledge of the science that supports sports nutrition e.g. nutrition to support athletic development, growth and maturation, recovery, hydration, supplementation, injury recovery etc
• Measuring, monitoring and interpreting body composition data.
• Liaise with chefs around food service provision for Academy training days as well as home and away matches.
• Develop and deliver an evidence-based nutrition education syllabus, including regular education classes and resources to enhance nutrition knowledge, habits and behaviours amongst players.
• Develop and deliver nutrition education workshops for parents/guardians and host families.
• Attend weekly medical and multi-disciplinary meetings to provide updates on individual nutrition plans and progress of injured players.
• Maintain records of all player consultations, nutrition interventions and track measurable outcomes.
• Work closely with the Medical and Performance team to provide nutritional support and guidance for injured players.
• Provide practical cooking workshops to all age groups across the season.
• Develop a presence in the Academy restaurant to oversee meal building choices and provide nutritional guidance.
• Develop age group specific infographics to support nutrition education.
• Support U16 Players in their transition into becoming a Scholar and the impact this will have on their nutritional requirements.
• Provide nutrition workshops for coaching staff to ensure everyone is communicating the same messages.
• Develop tournament and travel nutrition protocols and liaise with catering team to organise away game/tournament fuel.
• Implement practical solutions to support players' training and competitive programs, alongside school schedules and the demands of travel between school and training.
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• Other duties and responsibilities as required by line manager.
• Upholding and promoting the Club’s policies and procedures, including Health and Safety, Safeguarding and Equal Opportunities policies and procedures.

Experience, Skills and Qualifications:

• Experience of working with elite athletes
• A degree in Performance Nutrition / Nutrition Science
• SENr Accredited (or have the ability to complete accreditation within an agreed time period)
• ISAK Level 1 (desirable)
• Excellent interpersonal and communication skills
• Experience of working with children and parents
• Knowledge of the Elite Player Performance Plan

Benefits:

• Complimentary match day ticket
• Reward and Discount Scheme through our Tech Scheme and Simple Health app
• Health and Wellbeing benefit scheme
• 20% Discount in our Retail Stores
• Discounts in various gyms through GymFlex
• Volunteering Day - 1 Workday off to support a charity of your choice.
• Travel Season Ticket loan
• Holiday allowance: 25 Days 

Our commitment to Equality

At Crystal Palace Football Club, Equality, Diversity & Inclusion is spirited and continues to grow due to the working environment, which makes all staff feel appreciated and welcomed. Crystal Palace Football Club do this by encouraging good relations and practices towards different groups and are committed to promoting employment opportunities that celebrate diversity.

We are committed to attracting, recruiting, and retaining the most talented candidates and the club intends to ensure that everyone who wishes to engage with the club, whether as matchday fans, staff, players, board members, participants in Foundation programmes and any other person engaged with the club's activities, has a real and equal opportunity to do so.

Reasonable Adjustment

We are proud to be a Disability Confident Committed employer. We guarantee an interview to all disabled applicants who meet the essential criteria for the role, ensuring equitable opportunities for everyone.

If you require disability-related adjustments during the recruitment process, please contact DLO@cpfc.co.uk (DLO inbox is for disability-related queries only, if you wish to gain further information regarding this vacancy, please contact cpfc.recruitment@cpfc.co.uk). We are here to help you through the whole recruitment process including trying to apply for a vacancy, getting in touch with us through the process, and/or helping with access in case you are required to come in for an interview.

Safeguarding

Crystal Palace Football Club is committed to safeguarding and ensuring the welfare and protection of children and vulnerable people and expects all staff to share this commitment. As such, the post holder will be required to undergo any relevant security checks, including a comprehensive background check, Enhanced Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) to ensure the safety and protection of children and vulnerable individuals.