Job Description

Salary: Please state your expectations within your application

Contract: Full Time, 42 hours a week

Location: The Nigel Doughty Academy, Nottingham, NG2 7SR

Reporting to: Academy Player Care And Wellbeing Lead

Closing Date For Applications: 17th July 2026

About the Role:

You will be responsible for the implementation of the Psychology programme across the Foundation Phase, Youth Development Phase and Under 18’s. To work as part of a team within the psychological department and the wider MDTs focusing on constructing a culture and environment that fosters development through support and challenge. Focusing on how you can develop all key stakeholders assisting the development of each player through insight and innovation.

The Perks of the Job:

• Opportunity to access tickets for events at The City Ground.

• Employee Assistance Programme.

• Access to high street and gym discounts.

• Discount within our Club shop.

• Free on-site parking.

Key Tasks and Responsibilities:

• Lead the delivery of the periodised psychological syllabus with the focus on the development and support of Academy players throughout the Foundation Phase, Youth Development Phase and Under 18’s.

• Lead parental/guardian support and education workshops centred around the psychological syllabus and parent recommended topics.

• Lead on the development of Academy staff understanding and application of the psychological syllabus within their disciplines, providing practical interventions and feedback.

• Lead the development of Individual Development Plans for Foundation Phase, Youth Development Phase and Under 18’s, guided by player grading and observations.

• Lead on the delivery of psychological development by working closely with staff and influencing the players environment to present high levels of challenge and support.

• Work with the Academy and Women’s Lead Psychologist and Academy Player Care and Wellbeing Lead around transitional preparations for age groups.

• Identify innovate opportunities to provide experiences for all players to develop both as a player and person.

• Lead the use of cognitive testing using and implementing an innovative platform to aid the development of our players. Be an active member of the working group with a focus upon how cognitive insight can inform applied practice and player development.

• Work closely with all MDT staff, recognising where psychological assistance can facilitate delivery and player development.

• Be an active contributor of the SWEP team, supporting case management and the resolution of open player concerns.

• Contribute through both delivery and support of the Academy Mental Health Strategy & Action Plan to ensure effective implementation in the academy.

• Support academy staff to continually enhance the working culture and promote an environment that supports positive mental health and wellbeing for young people.

• Support the Academy & Women’s Lead Psychologist in managing dynamic workloads and assisting where necessary.

• Assist with the delivery of Spotlight profiling and team development.

• Provide regular monthly reports to update and inform the Academy strategy.

• To maintain player information confidentiality and professional distance from all playing staff always acting within professional codes of conduct and scope of practice.

• Ongoing ambitions to develop best practice within the psychological department through CPD, external club contact and other sport observations.

What are we looking for:

Essential:

• Postgraduate degree in Sport Psychology

• Health and Care Professions Council (HCPC) Register of Health and Care Professionals or on one of the approved training routes/pathways towards HCPC registration (i.e. CASES, BPS)

• FA Safeguarding Children

• Experience of working in an elite sporting environment

• Experience of working in Academy football

Desirable:

• Mental Health First Aid Qualification

Forest For Everyone

We aim to create a culture which embraces and celebrates our differences, enables individuals to feel comfortable, maximise their potential and eliminate discrimination.

Nottingham Forest Football Club is an equal opportunities employer and welcomes applications from all suitably qualified persons, regardless of age, disability, gender, gender reassignment, marital / civil partnership status, pregnancy / maternity leave, race, religion/belief, sexual orientation, or any other legally protected characteristic.

Nottingham Forest Football Club is a signatory of the FA’s Football Leadership Diversity Code. We are committed to developing policies to promote equal opportunities and diversity within our workforce. To monitor our progress against these commitments, we Invite all applicants to provide diversity data during the application process.

Disability Confident Committed Employer

We are a Disability Confident Committed employer. We encourage applications from people with disabilities and long-term health conditions. If you need disability-related adjustments to the recruitment process, please indicate this in your application.

If you are likely to meet the definition of being a "disabled person" according to the Equality Act 2010, you may be eligible to apply for an interview via the Disability Confident Scheme - please indicate this in your application form below. The information you share with us about your health or disability will not be used in recruitment selections.

Our Commitment to Safeguarding

As part of the Club’s commitment to safeguarding, the successful applicant may be required to undergo a Disclosure Barring Service (“DBS”) check or an enhanced DBS check. The results of a DBS check will be considered on an individual basis, and the Club will act in a proportionate manner when deciding whether or not to proceed with the appointment.

An FA Enhanced DBS disclosure is required for all relevant new appointments to the Club. Individuals will be asked to declare any convictions, cautions or reprimands, warnings or bind-overs that may have been incurred. The Club reserves the right to carry out risk assessments where content has been disclosed on a DBS disclosure if it feels that it is relevant to the job requirements. Failure to satisfy the Club and the PL's safeguarding requirements may lead to the job offer being withdrawn or, if they have already started employment, summary termination of the employment.