Lead Sports Therapist

Club: Chippenham Town FC

Department: Medical & Performance

Reporting to: First Team Manager & Academy Manager

Location: Stanley Park Sports Ground / Thornbury Surfacing Stadium (with travel to all fixtures as required)

Contract: Part-time (In Season)
Salary: £13,500 – £16,500 (dependent on experience)

Working Hours (In Season)

• Monday: 12:00 – 16:00

• Tuesday: 15:00 – 21:00

• Wednesday: As per Academy games schedule (Home fixtures only)

• Thursday: 15:00 – 21:00

• All Vanarama National League fixtures (Saturdays and selected midweek evenings)

Flexibility is essential in line with the demands of a National League football environment.

Role Purpose

Chippenham Town FC is seeking to appoint a highly competent, driven and professional Lead Sports Therapist to lead and manage the Club’s medical provision across the First Team and U17–U21 Academy programme.

The successful candidate will take full operational responsibility for the planning, delivery and management of medical services within a high-performance football environment. The role requires strong leadership, excellent clinical standards and the ability to operate effectively within a multi-disciplinary performance team to optimise player availability and performance.

The Lead Sports Therapist will ensure best-practice standards in injury prevention, treatment, rehabilitation and return-to-play protocols, supporting the Club’s objective of maximising player performance and squad availability throughout the season.

Key Responsibilities

First Team Medical Leadership

• Lead and deliver all aspects of medical provision for the First Team squad.

• Provide pitch-side medical cover at all First Team training sessions.

• Provide full matchday medical cover at all home and away fixtures, including pre-match preparation, in-game management and post-match care.

• Lead return-to-play protocols and rehabilitation planning to ensure safe and performance-ready player reintegration.

• Collaborate closely with coaching staff to manage player availability and physical readiness.

Assessment, Treatment & Rehabilitation

• Conduct comprehensive injury assessment, diagnosis and treatment of First Team and Academy players.

• Design and implement structured rehabilitation programmes aligned with performance objectives.

• Deliver gym-based and pitch-based rehabilitation sessions.

• Monitor rehabilitation progress and adapt interventions based on objective markers and player response.

Performance & Injury Prevention

• Lead pre-season and in-season screening in collaboration with the Sports Science department.

• Develop and implement evidence-based prehabilitation programmes to mitigate injury risk.

• Contribute to load management discussions and performance planning within the MDT.

Department Management & Governance

• Develop and maintain clear medical processes and communication pathways between Sports Science, Conditioning and Coaching departments.

• Produce and present regular injury and availability reports to First Team management.

• Maintain accurate, confidential and professional medical records.

• Manage medical equipment, stock control and clinical supplies.

• Ensure all practice aligns with SST or BASRAT professional standards and governance frameworks.

Education & Staff Development

• Deliver medical CPD and first aid training for Club staff as required.

• Recruit, supervise and mentor intern support staff.

• Provide structured feedback and liaison with partner Universities.

• Maintain continuous professional development and ensure all qualifications remain valid and up to date.

General Responsibilities

• Comply with all Club policies and procedures, including health and safety, safeguarding and equality policies.

• Uphold the professional standards expected within a National League football environment.

• Maintain confidentiality and act with integrity at all times.

• Demonstrate leadership, professionalism and accountability across all areas of responsibility.

• Undertake any additional duties reasonably required in support of the Club’s performance objectives.

Person Specification

Essential

• BSc (Hons) in Sports Therapy.

• Registered member of either SST or BASRAT.

• Up-to-date FA Intermediate Trauma Medical Management in Football (ITMMiF) qualification or equivalent.

• Experience delivering medical provision within a competitive sporting environment.

• Strong clinical reasoning, rehabilitation planning and pitch-side emergency management skills.

• Enhanced DBS check.

• Full UK Driving Licence.

• Must live within a commutable distance of Chippenham.

Desirable

• Experience working within elite or professional football.

• Experience leading or managing medical provision within a team sport environment.

• Experience working within a multi-disciplinary high-performance team.

How to Apply

Closing date: Friday 27th February 2026

Applications are to be sent by email to Recruitment@chippenhamtown.com.. Applications should include a covering letter (max. 1 page) on the experience you have that makes you suitable for the role and should be accompanied by a current CV. . 

Due to the high volume of applicants we receive, if you have not been contacted one month after applying, please assume your application has been unsuccessful. We reserve the right to bring forward the closing date of any of our job vacancies if we receive a suitable number of quality applications from which to make a shortlist.