Academy Lead Performance Physiotherapist

Lead Performance Physiotherapist (Academy) | Elite Youth Football | QPR | London

Salary: £40,000 – £45,000 + discretionary bonus
Location: QPR Training Ground (TW5 9PQ), London
Contract: Full Time (includes evenings & weekends)
Department: Academy Performance & Medical

Shape the Future of Elite Youth Football

Queens Park Rangers Football Club (QPR) is seeking an experienced and ambitious Lead Performance Physiotherapist to drive medical excellence across our Category Academy (U8–U21).

This is a senior opportunity for a sports physiotherapist who wants to lead in professional football, influence long-term player development, and shape best practice in injury prevention, rehabilitation, and return to play (RTP).

If you are passionate about elite youth sport, growth and maturation, and working within a high-performing multidisciplinary team (MDT), this role offers genuine impact and leadership responsibility.

Your Impact

As Lead Performance Physiotherapist, you will:

• Lead and oversee all academy medical services across U8–U21.
• Deliver and quality assure elite rehabilitation programmes and criteria-led Return to Play (RTP) pathways.
• Drive evidence-based injury prevention and screening strategies aligned to First Team standards.
• Monitor growth, maturation and peak height velocity (PHV) to inform individual player programming.
• Collaborate daily with coaches, sports scientists and academy doctors within a structured MDT model.
• Lead, mentor and develop Academy physiotherapists and sports therapists.
• Contribute to long-term performance projects including LTAD, physical profiling and RTP framework development.
• Maintain medical governance standards in line with HCPC, CSP and FA regulations.

You won’t just manage injuries — you will influence availability, performance and long-term athlete development.

What We’re Looking For

Essential Qualifications

• BSc (Hons) Physiotherapy (or equivalent)
• Current HCPC registration
• Current CSP membership
• FA Level 5 ATMMiF qualification
• Enhanced DBS
• FA Safeguarding Certificate

Experience & Expertise

• Experience in sports injury assessment and rehabilitation
• Experience working with elite youth athletes or within academy football
• Strong understanding of growth and maturation in developing athletes
• Experience within a professional football environment (desirable)
• Confidence leading clinical decision-making and presenting within MDT meetings
• High standard of medical record keeping and audit processes

You’ll Thrive Here If You Are:

• A confident clinical leader with excellent communication skills
• Passionate about youth development and athlete welfare
• Organised, professional and detail-oriented
• A collaborative team player who drives high standards
• Committed to continuous professional development

Why Join QPR?

• Work within a progressive EFL professional football club
• Lead and shape Academy medical strategy
• Influence long-term player development models
• Collaborative high-performance environment
• Competitive salary + bonus
• Genuine opportunity to make measurable impact

Safeguarding & Equality

Queens Park Rangers Football Club is fully committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people. All staff are expected to share this commitment. This role is subject to Enhanced DBS clearance.

QPR is an equal opportunities employer and welcomes applications from all suitably qualified candidates.

Queens Park Rangers Football Club is an ambitious and community-driven EFL club based in West London. We are proud of our heritage, but equally focused on building a modern, progressive future.

Our Academy sits at the heart of our long-term vision. We are committed to developing talented young footballers within a high-performance, evidence-led environment that prioritises player welfare, education and holistic development.

At QPR, collaboration defines how we work. Our Performance, Medical and Coaching departments operate within an integrated model where expertise is valued, innovation is encouraged and standards are high.

We are committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people. All staff are expected to uphold the highest professional and ethical standards in line with Club, FA and EFL regulations.

Queens Park Rangers Football Club is an equal opportunities employer. We actively welcome applications from individuals of all backgrounds and are committed to building a diverse and inclusive workforce.

For further information about the Club and our policies, please visit: www.qpr.co.uk