Women's Professional Leagues Limited (WPLL) has taken over responsibility for the Barclays Women's Super League and Barclays Women's Championship from the FA. Each club participating in these leagues will act as a shareholder in the new company. The completion of the agreement spearheads a new era in the sport, dedicated to driving growth and maximising potential, placing players and fans at its core.

Led by CEO Nikki Doucet, the new company is founded on a new vision and mission to transform women's football by building the most distinctive, competitive and entertaining women's football club competition in the world for the players and fans of today and tomorrow.

https://womensleagues.thefa.com/statement-womens-professional-leagues-limited/

The Women's Professional Leagues Limited (WPLL) is seeking a Performance Well-Being Lead for the women's professional game. This strategic leadership role is responsible for ensuring that athlete well-being is prioritised in all aspects of training and competition. The role involves collaborating with internal and external stakeholders and club staff to implement a comprehensive performance well-being strategy, prioritising the holistic development of athletes. Enabling them to excel both as footballers and individuals.

Please note;

The WPLL team is currently based in Wembley Stadium but is due to move to a new office in Farringdon, London from summer 2025. This role will be hybrid and we welcome applications from candidates outside of London. Further detail about the hybrid nature of the role and working set up can be discussed at interview.

Please include a cover letter with your application, clearly outlining your interest and suitability for the role.

Interviews are currently scheduled to be held at Wembley Stadium on Monday 14th April 2025.

KEY ACCOUNTABILITIES

Leadership & Strategy

• Develop and implement a Performance Well-Being Strategy, ensuring alignment with WPLL and club-specific objectives. 
• Partner with internal and external stakeholders (e.g. Clubs, Leagues, FA, PFA, FIFPRO and higher education institutes) to champion and develop sustainable cultures that balance performance with individual care.
• Influence and collaborate with club leadership and staff to drive alignment and engagement in performance well-being initiatives.
• Provide regular feedback to the League & Performance Development Department and WPLL leadership on operational delivery in clubs, particularly in relation to mental, physical, social, career, and financial well-being. 
  

Club & Practitioner Development

• Support clubs in delivering holistic, integrated well-being support for athletes' career aspirations, personal welfare, and optimal performance and continue to embed the value of performance well-being for female players in women's professional clubs.
• Continuously review and elevate standards of performance well-being in clubs through performance support reviews and action planning.
• Offer guidance on various elements of performance well-being, including female athlete health.
• Develop and oversee CPD strategies, incorporating external expertise where required.
• Establish and engage a Community of Practice to maximise the potential of a limited but evolving well-being resource.
• Support the development and implementation of Mental Health & Well-Being Strategies at clubs.
• Regularly evaluate well-being programs and interventions to ensure they meet evolving athlete and club needs.
• Provide comprehensive reports to WPLL leadership, highlighting progress, challenges, and areas for improvement. 
  

Collaboration with Performance Well-Being Steering Group, PGA & England Teams

• Engage with WPLL disciplines to maximise internal resources for well-being support.
• Develop and leverage WPLL Learning Tools (Resource Hub) to provide ongoing education and training.
• Build infrastructure and systems, including workforce strategies, policies, and management frameworks, to enhance performance well-being.
• Contribute to research and development within the broader performance well-being community. 
  

Research & Innovation

• Lead a project to better understand the psychological demands of the game.
• Stay informed of emerging trends, research, and best practices in athlete well-being, integrating findings into program development.
• Utilise data and feedback to assess and refine the effectiveness of performance well-being initiatives.
• Foster a culture of continuous learning, encouraging clubs to adopt innovative approaches to athlete care. 
  

Education & Training (Practitioner Support)

• Provide professional development opportunities for club staff to enhance their capacity to support athlete well-being effectively.
• Develop and disseminate educational resources to promote best practices in performance well-being.
• Cultivate a network of well-being practitioners to share insights, challenges, and solutions. 
  

Monitoring & Evaluation 

• Regularly assess the effectiveness of well-being programs and interventions.
• Incorporate feedback from athletes and staff to refine and enhance strategies.
• Provide structured reports to WPLL leadership, tracking progress, identifying challenges, and suggesting improvements. 
  

• Execute additional tasks as required in order to meet WPLL's changing priorities.
• Comply with all company policies and procedures to ensure the highest standards of health, safety and wellbeing can be maintained.
• As part of WPLL's commitment to ensuring a safe environment for everyone in football, every employee will be required to complete a DBS check. The level of the check required will be based on the activity of the specific job role and in line with legislation and government guidance.
  

ESSENTIAL SKILLS & EXPERIENCE

Interpersonal & Leadership Skills 

•    Ability to build effective working relationships with diverse stakeholders. 
•    Skilled in active listening, problem-solving, and conflict resolution. 
•    Strong communication skills, capable of translating complex ideas into practical actions. 
•    Passionate about the growth and development of women's professional football.

Knowledge & Qualifications 

•    Undergraduate degree and Master's (or demonstrable professional experience equivalent to) in sports psychology, sports science, education, mental health and well-being, or a related performance well-being discipline. 
•    Strong understanding of transitions management, female athlete health, lifestyle, personal and professional development, and athlete well-being. 
•    Familiarity with high-performance and professional sport systems. 

Experience

•    Proven track record in strategic planning and implementation within a high-performance setting. 
•    Extensive experience in service development and strategy. 
•    Background in working in sport. 
•    Background of working with women.
•    Experience in interdisciplinary collaboration with social care, education, sports science, counselling, and psychology professionals. 

DESIRABLE SKILLS & EXPERIENCE

•    Professional Accreditation in well-being, psychology, or sports science. 
•    Research Experience in athlete well-being and performance. 
•    Innovative mindset, with an openness to new approaches in athlete care. 
•    ILM Level 7 certificate and diploma for Executive and Senior level coaches & mentors or EMCC Level 7 certificate in counselling

We welcome applications from everyone and are proud to be an equal opportunities employer. If you have any particular requirements in respect of the recruitment or interview process, please mention this during your application.