IMULAB Performance Cantre
Full Time | £28,000-£31,000 DOE
THE OPPORTUNITY
IMULAB is developing a new Performance Centre in Blackburn, bringing together physiological testing, blood biomarkers, performance assessment, athlete monitoring and recovery technologies within one facility.
We are looking for a Performance Centre Coordinator & Sport Science Assistant to become a key part of the team.
This is a varied, hands-on role combining front-of-house responsibility and centre administration with practical support for athlete testing, performance assessments and recovery services. You will report to the Performance Physiologist and will often be the first person an athlete or client meets when they arrive at the centre.
We're looking for someone highly organised, personable and interested in sport, health and human performance, who enjoys working with people and would like the opportunity to develop practical experience within a performance environment.
THE ROLE
You will be responsible for helping the Performance Centre operate smoothly day to day.
The role will combine three main areas:
- Athlete and client experience
- Performance testing support
- Performance Centre operations
ATHLETE & CLIENT EXPERIENCE
You will manage the front-of-house experience within the Performance Centre, including:
- Welcoming athletes, teams and clients
- Managing appointments and testing schedules
- Responding to telephone and email enquiries
- Supporting athletes through the testing journey
- Preparing clients for appointments
- Ensuring relevant forms and pre-test information have been completed
- Coordinating testing, blood collection and recovery appointments
- Taking payments where required
- Managing follow-up bookings and retesting appointments
- Maintaining a professional, organised and welcoming environment
You will become familiar with the different assessments and services delivered within the centre and should be able to confidently explain what each involves and how athletes should prepare.
PERFORMANCE TESTING SUPPORT
Working alongside the Performance Physiologist, you will assist with the preparation and delivery of performance assessments.
Depending on your experience and training, this may include supporting:
- VO₂max and metabolic testing
- Blood lactate testing
- Treadmill and cycling assessments
- Body composition assessments
- Heart-rate and blood-pressure measurements
- Spirometry
- Hydration and sweat assessments
- Force plate and jump testing
- Strength and power assessments
- Athlete readiness assessments
- Repeat testing and monitoring sessions
You will help prepare equipment and testing areas, record data and support athletes throughout assessments. As your competence develops, there will be opportunities to independently conduct selected standardised assessments under agreed protocols.
Scientific interpretation of more complex physiological testing will remain the responsibility of the Performance Physiologist.
BLOOD TESTING SUPPORT
Blood biomarker testing will form an important part of the IMULAB Performance.
You will help coordinate the blood-testing process, including:
- Preparing testing areas and consumables
- Checking athlete information and documentation
- Coordinating blood collection appointments
- Supporting sample administration and tracking
- Ensuring testing records are accurately maintained
- Coordinating blood testing with wider performance assessments
Phlebotomy qualification or experience would be advantageous but is not essential. Training may be provided for the right candidate depending on the requirements of the role.
PERFORMANCE & RECOVERY TECHNOLOGIES
The centre will provide a range of performance and recovery services.
These will initially include technologies such as:
- Hyperbaric oxygen
- Photobiomodulation / red-light therapy
- Pneumatic compression
- Additional recovery and performance technologies introduced as the centre develops
You will receive appropriate training to safely operate relevant equipment and will assist with athlete preparation, session delivery, cleaning and equipment checks.
CENTRE OPERATIONS
You will help ensure that the Performance Centre is ready to deliver a consistently high standard of service.
Responsibilities will include:
- Preparing testing rooms and equipment
- Maintaining stock and consumables
- Supporting equipment cleaning and routine checks
- Maintaining accurate athlete and client records
- Assisting with equipment logs and quality-control documentation
- Ensuring testing and recovery areas remain organised
- Coordinating diaries and appointments
- Supporting team and group testing days
- Assisting with events and external testing where required
- Supporting the Performance Physiologist with reports, data entry and administration
- Helping continually improve the athlete journey through the centre
WORKING WITH ATHLETES
You may work with people ranging from recreational athletes through to elite and professional competitors. We therefore need someone who is confident, discreet and professional. You should be equally comfortable welcoming someone attending their first performance assessment and supporting a professional athlete or team through a structured testing day.
Excellent customer service is important, but this should be delivered in a professional performance environment rather than a traditional hospitality setting.
CONTENT & COMMUNICATION
The Performance Centre will also create educational content around athlete testing, physiology, biomarkers, nutrition and recovery.
You should be comfortable being around filming and occasionally appearing in content demonstrating equipment, assisting with assessments or explaining elements of the athlete experience. You do not need to be a presenter or content creator.
ABOUT YOU
We are looking for someone who is organised, dependable and genuinely interested in sport and human performance.
Essential
- Excellent organisation and administrative skills
- Strong interpersonal and communication skills
- Confident working directly with clients and athletes
- Comfortable working with technology and learning new systems
- Strong attention to detail
- Ability to follow testing protocols accurately
- Professional and discreet approach
- Ability to remain organised in a busy environment
- Willingness to learn new practical and technical skills
- Genuine interest in sport, health or human performance
- Ability to work effectively both independently and as part of a small team
Desirable
- Degree or qualification in Sport & Exercise Science, Exercise Physiology, Sports Therapy or a related discipline
- Practical experience within a sports science or performance environment
- Experience supporting physiological or performance testing
- Experience with VO₂, lactate, body composition or force-plate testing
- Experience working with athletes
- Phlebotomy experience or qualification
- First Aid qualification
- Experience within a clinic, gym, sports facility or customer-facing environment
Recent Sport & Exercise Science graduates with strong practical skills and the right attitude are encouraged to apply.
DEVELOPMENT
This role offers significant opportunity to develop practical experience in applied sports science. You will work directly alongside and report to the Performance Physiologist and receive training across the testing systems and technologies used within the centre.
As your experience and competencies develop, there will be opportunities to take greater responsibility for selected assessments and athlete monitoring services. We are looking for someone who wants to develop with the Performance Centre as it grows.
THE PERSON
The right person will probably be someone who enjoys both people and detail.
You'll be comfortable speaking to athletes at reception one minute and preparing a metabolic test or recording lactate results the next. You'll notice when something isn't ready. You'll follow protocols properly. You'll want to understand what is being measured and why.
Most importantly, you'll care about making the athlete's experience professional from the moment they arrive until the moment they leave.
Pay: £28,000.00-£31,000.00 per year
Benefits:
- Employee discount
- Free parking
- Health & wellbeing programme
- On-site parking
Work Location: In person
