Senior Rehabilitation Physiotherapist – Men’s Team

TC

Oxford United have an exciting opportunity for an individual to join the Club as a Senior Rehabilitation Physiotherapist – Men’s First Team. 

We are evolving the way that medical and performance services are delivered at Oxford United.  Every player requires an individualised, integrated, outcome-focused team behind them. We are developing as a department, and we are building an innovative, insightful and collaborative team to meet this challenge. Our commitment to excellence on and off the pitch requires a world-class approach to medical services, ensuring our players are in peak physical condition.

We are looking for a highly motivated Senior Rehabilitation Physiotherapist to join our Medical and Performance Department. As part of the Club Physical Performance strategy, the ideal candidate will have a proven track record of delivering elite-level medical services & rehabilitation in football and possess a relentless drive to achieve world-class standards.  

The Senior Rehabilitation Physiotherapist will be responsible for the delivery, coordination and continuous development of rehabilitation and injury-prevention processes for assigned Men’s First Team players. The role will provide expert sports physiotherapy support throughout the entire injury-management pathway, from initial injury through rehabilitation, reconditioning and return to training and competition. Working closely with Sports Medicine, Performance and Sport Science staff, the successful candidate will ensure players receive high-quality clinical care, evidence-based rehabilitation and individualised performance support.

What will you be doing?

Rehabilitation Management

  • Assess and clearly communicate individual rehabilitation requirements following medium- and long-term injuries.
  • Design, implement and progress individualised rehabilitation programmes from injury onset through to return to team training and competitive match play.
  • Take a leading role in the rehabilitation and return-to-performance process for assigned injured players.
  • Deliver and supervise both gym-based and pitch-based rehabilitation sessions, ensuring appropriate progression throughout each stage of rehabilitation.
  • Guide, monitor and evaluate rehabilitation interventions to ensure safe, effective and evidence-informed progression.
  • Measure, analyse and communicate individual player progress throughout the rehabilitation process.
  • Utilise objective testing and monitoring systems, including VALD technologies and GPS data, to inform rehabilitation progression and return-to-performance decision-making.
  • Implement progressive load-management and football-specific reconditioning strategies to prepare players for the demands of first-team training and competition.
  • Work collaboratively with the wider multidisciplinary team to establish appropriate rehabilitation milestones and return-to-training and return-to-competition criteria.
  • Ensure rehabilitation programmes address both the immediate injury and any underlying physical deficits that may influence future performance or injury risk.

Physiotherapy Support – Training & Competition

  • Deliver high-quality physiotherapy assessment and treatment to injured and available first-team players, including manual therapy, soft tissue and other physiotherapy interventions as part of individual player management plans.
  • Support player preparation ahead of training sessions and matches.
  • Develop and deliver individual injury-prevention interventions before training and competition where required.
  • Support daily first-team training operations, including pitch-side physiotherapy provision and emergency injury management.
  • Provide sports physiotherapy support across both the medical department and on-pitch environments.
  • Attend first-team fixtures, training camps and tours as required.

Injury Prevention

  • Identify and communicate individual and squad injury-prevention requirements.
  • Collect, analyse and interpret relevant medical, physical and performance information to identify potential injury risk factors and physical deficits.
  • Design, implement and monitor individualised injury-prevention programmes.
  • Educate, support and supervise players throughout injury-prevention interventions.
  • Measure and report individual player development and prevention outcomes.
  • Contribute to the ongoing development of proactive injury-risk reduction strategies across the Men’s First Team.

Interdisciplinary Collaboration

  • Work closely with Physical Performance staff to integrate rehabilitation principles within individual physical development programmes.
  • Contribute to multidisciplinary performance recommendations that support individual player athletic development.
  • Develop and implement strategies to address physical deficits during both injury-related and non-injury-related interruptions to normal training.
  • Work collaboratively with Physical Performance staff to analyse rehabilitation demands, training loads and injury-prevention requirements.
  • Contribute to the design and delivery of individual player development programmes incorporating primary, secondary and tertiary injury-prevention principles.
  • Provide clear and timely reporting to the Head of Medical Services regarding player rehabilitation, treatment and return-to-performance progression.

Documentation, Monitoring & System Development

  • Maintain accurate, timely and comprehensive documentation across all designated medical and performance platforms.
  • Record rehabilitation content, physiotherapy interventions, testing outcomes, player responses and return-to-play milestones.
  • Ensure objective rehabilitation and return-to-performance data are clearly communicated and accessible to relevant members of the multidisciplinary team.
  • Contribute to the continued development of the Club’s rehabilitation, injury-prevention and return-to-performance processes.
  • Undertake Continued Professional Development personally and through opportunities organised by the Club.

Who are we looking for?

The successful candidate will be an experienced sports physiotherapist with a strong track record of delivering high-level rehabilitation within professional football or elite sport.

You will have:

  • A recognised degree in Physiotherapy and current relevant professional registration, including HCPC registration and CSP membership.
  • Extensive experience delivering rehabilitation and return-to-performance programmes within professional football or elite sport.
  • Significant practical experience delivering both gym-based and pitch-based rehabilitation.
  • Extensive practical experience in physiotherapy treatment, including manual therapy and soft tissue techniques.
  • The ability to interpret clinical, physical and performance information and use this to inform rehabilitation progression and return-to-performance decisions.
  • A strong understanding of injury-prevention principles and their application within elite football.
  • Excellent communication and interpersonal skills, with the ability to build strong relationships and rapport with players, coaches and staff.
  • Experience working effectively as part of a multidisciplinary team, integrating medical, physical performance and sport science information into player-management decisions.
  • A commitment to personal development, evidence-based practice and the continued development of the Club’s Medical and Performance Department.

How to Apply

  • Please apply by sending a cover letter and CV to vacancies@oufc.co.uk. Applications will close at 5:00pm on Sunday 16 August.

Code of Conduct

Oxford United Football Club expects the highest standards of integrity and conduct in all matters concerning the Club and its employees. The Code of Conduct makes clear the standards of conduct expected from its employees and explains the responsibilities of the Club, as the employer. All employees are expected to always act wholeheartedly in the interests of the Club. Any conduct detrimental to its interests or its relations with its customers, suppliers, the public, or damaging to its public image shall be a breach of Club rules and policies. Discriminatory, offensive, and violent behaviour is unacceptable, and any complaints or concerns will be dealt with and acted upon.

Equality, Diversity & Inclusion

Oxford United Football Club are committed to ensuring that equality, inclusion, and diversity of opportunity are at the very heart of everything we do to ensure we provide fair and non-prejudicial access to the services across the Club. We uphold everyone’s freedom of rights and choice to be different and aim to provide opportunities for everyone to succeed. It is the policy of the Club that no person, whether player, job applicant, employee, volunteer, or customer, shall be discriminated against. The Club opposes all forms of unlawful and unfair discrimination, either direct or indirect, or harassment, on the grounds of the following ‘protected characteristics’: Age, Disability, Gender Reassignment, Marriage & Civil Partnership, Pregnancy & Maternity, Race, Religion or Belief, Sex, and Sexual Orientation. Anyone who is found to be in breach of this could receive disciplinary action, which may well include suspension and dismissal. The Club is fully committed to the EFL Equality, Diversity & Inclusion Standards, and as we are underrepresented in these areas, we particularly welcome ‘entry level’ applications from women, individuals from Black and Minority Ethnicities, the LGBT community, and anyone with a disability.

Safeguarding and Safer Recruitment

Oxford United Football Club are committed to and has both a moral and legal obligation to ensure that all children and vulnerable adults are protected and kept safe from harm whilst engaged in services organised and provided by the Club, and believes that the general wellbeing, welfare, and safety of all children and vulnerable adults involved in Club activities is of the utmost importance. The Club will fulfil its responsibilities by ensuring it displays best practice in safeguarding matters – including Safer Recruitment - carried out in a spirit of partnership and openness with the child or vulnerable adult, families, and the relevant local authority.