Location: Training Ground, Thorp Arch, Wetherby, LS23 7BA
Contract: Permanent
Hours of Work: 37.5 Hours Per Week
Application Deadline: 7th September 2026
What You’ll Be Doing
We are seeking an experienced and forward-thinking Academy Lead Psychologist to lead and continually develop an integrated, evidence-based Psychology Programme across our Category 1 Academy.
This is a key leadership role within the Academy Performance Department, responsible for supporting the psychological development, wellbeing, learning, resilience, and performance of Academy players from U9-U21.
Working closely with coaches, parents, players, and multidisciplinary staff, you will play a pivotal role in preparing young players for the demands of professional football while helping to create a high-performance environment that places holistic player development at its core.
Key Responsibilities:
Academy Psychology Programme
Lead the planning, delivery, and ongoing evaluation of the Academy Psychology Programme across all age groups.
Develop age-appropriate psychological development curricula aligned to the Academy Playing and Coaching Philosophy.
Deliver individual, group, and team-based psychological interventions.
Ensure psychology provision is fully integrated within the Academy Performance Model.
Player Development
Lead psychological profiling and assessment processes.
Design and implement Individual Psychological Development Plans.
Support players in developing key psychological skills including:
Support players during key Academy transition periods and release processes.
Mental Health & Wellbeing
Lead the Academy Mental Wellbeing Strategy alongside key Academy staff.
Provide psychological support to players experiencing personal or performance-related challenges.
Develop referral pathways for specialist clinical support when required.
Promote positive mental health throughout the Academy environment.
Support wellbeing initiatives for staff where appropriate.
Coach & Parent Education
Deliver psychology education workshops to Academy coaches.
Support coaches in embedding psychological principles within everyday coaching practice.
Observe coaching sessions and provide developmental feedback.
Design and deliver parent education programmes covering:
Multidisciplinary Working
Work collaboratively with:
Academy Coaching Staff
Physical Development Department
Medical Department
Performance Analysis Department
Education & Player Care Department
Recruitment Department
Attend multidisciplinary meetings and contribute psychological insight to player reviews and IDPs.
Support rehabilitation and return-to-play processes.
Performance Support
Prepare players psychologically for:
Deliver one-to-one performance consultations.
Support leadership development and team culture initiatives.
Leadership & Department Development
Lead and develop Academy Psychology provision.
Support Academy Performance Department strategy and planning.
Supervise trainee psychologists, placement students, and interns.
Develop departmental procedures, standards, and quality assurance processes.
Promote a collaborative and high-performance culture.
Research & Innovation
Maintain awareness of current research and industry best practice.
Lead applied psychology research and innovation projects.
Evaluate psychological interventions using objective outcome measures.
Present findings and recommendations to Academy staff.
Compliance & Governance
What We’re Looking For
You’ll have:
Outstanding communication and interpersonal skills.
Excellent presentation, facilitation, and education skills.
Ability to build trusted relationships with players, parents, coaches, and colleagues.
Strong organisational and project management skills.
Ability to work collaboratively within multidisciplinary environments.
Passion for player wellbeing, development, and performance.
Experience
Significant experience delivering sport psychology support within an elite sporting environment.
Experience designing and implementing psychology programmes.
Experience supporting youth athletes and talent development pathways.
Experience working within multidisciplinary performance teams.
Experience delivering individual and group psychological interventions.
Experience supporting mental health and wellbeing programmes.
Experience educating coaches, players, and parents.
Experience supervising trainees, students, or junior practitioners.
Knowledge & Understanding
Sport Psychology.
Talent Development.
Mental Health & Wellbeing.
Learning Theory.
Elite Youth Development.
Psychological Profiling and Assessment.
Athlete Transitions and Career Development.
Safeguarding and Player Welfare.
EPPP requirements and Academy environments.
Equality, Diversity & Inclusion.
Desirable
Experience working within a professional football academy or elite youth sport environment.
Experience within a Category 1 Academy.
Experience leading a psychology department or programme.
Experience contributing to research and innovation projects.
Knowledge of athlete management systems and performance environments.
Why Should You Join Leeds United?
Whether you are on the pitch or behind the scenes here, we’re united by passion, pride, and a drive to always improve. You’ll be joining a supportive team where your voice is valued and your development matters.
In return for your dedication, you’ll receive a competitive salary package and pension scheme, along with a range of exciting benefits perks.
If you’re looking to take the next step in your career and want to be part of a club that’s as committed to its people as it is to performance, we would love to see your application.
Deadline: 7th September 2026
