An exciting job opportunity has arisen at Leeds United Football Club for a First Team Head of Nutrition, which will be based at our fabulous training ground in Wetherby, West Yorkshire.

The Head of Nutrition’s main responsibility is to educate players and support staff on how dietary strategies can enhance performance, recovery and health.

Main Responsibilities:

• Responsibility for the Education and Development of player nutritional awareness.
• Support on Match Day and Training sessions with nutritional input and advice.
• Evaluate player body composition with both skin fold measurement and DEXA scan, present this information to staff and players and provide guidance and support to allow players to achieve maximum performance.
• Deliver nutritional strategies and protocols in accordance with the Club standards and directives.
• Attend medical and multi-disciplinary meetings to provide updates on individual nutritional plans as necessary.
• Have a presence in the dining room to advise players on correct nutritional choices whilst providing creative options and ensuring food standards are upkept.
• Providing regular communication and updates to the Head of Performance and coaching staff regarding player nutrition and composition.
• Travel with the team for both home and away fixtures, including briefing hotels, ensuring hotel food is of the correct standard and quantity for the players and is provided on time. Ensuring that the dressing room is set up correctly for nutritional support in game including fluids, snacks and energy products, ensuring recovery strategies and post-match catering is provided to Club nutritional standards.
• Develop and evaluate bespoke nutritional programs for elite players.
• Implement strategies to support players' training and competitive programs whilst demonstrating a comprehensive knowledge of the science that supports sports nutrition e.g., nutrition to support strength development, recovery, hydration, supplementation, use of ergogenic aids, injury etc.
• Implement injury and rehabilitation nutrition programs for elite players as part of a team with other medical, fitness and coaching staff.
• Develop standards and protocols for key areas of nutrition provision e.g., supplementation, travel, performance catering and menu planning as well as illness and injury contingency plans.
• To be the point of contact for the catering team around timings, nutritional needs and culinary creativity.
• Take the lead on overall wellness provision for players with the assistance of the head of sports science, including sleep, readiness and recovery.

Please note your job and role title may be changed subject to operational requirements.  From time to time your manager may ask you to do other reasonable tasks not stated within this advertisement but commensurate to the position.

Who are we looking for?

To be successful you must have experience working with elite athletes in an elite sports environment and you must have a post-graduate degree in Performance Nutrition or Nutrition with sports expertise or a similar nutrition-based discipline from a recognised university.  You must have a nutrition qualification e.g., SENr Accredited (or have the ability to complete accreditation within an agreed time period).  Likewise, you must have an ISAK Level 1 or willingness to undertake training and experience in body composition measurements, interpretation and data storage.

You must also have:

• Experience of catering and cooking on a basic level;
• Experience of developing and implementing evidence-based innovative ideas and putting them into practice, including working in an applied and integrated multi-disciplinary manner;
• Experience in or evidence of understanding the provision of nutritional support to athletes and coaches to support performance, which should include the planning, implementation and monitoring of specific nutrition programs; and experience in or evidence of understanding the ability to modify nutritional programs according to assessment data, in conjunction with Fitness, Medical and other support staff.
• UKAD advisor certificate / attended the Introduction to Clean Sport course
• Be able to work flexible hours and travel both nationally and internationally and understand the pressures and commitments required for elite players involved in higher level youth football.
• Excellent interpersonal and communication skills, the ability to adapt to the football schedule and be well experienced in consulting situations.
• The ability to be an excellent role model and demonstrate the ability to create positive working relationships with key stakeholders.

It is desirable that you have:

• Evidence of further development and recent CPD activities - this could include experience in elite sporting environments other than football
• Knowledge of the overall Elite Player Plan (EPPP) and specifically the sports science elements of EPPP. 

EQUALITY & DIVERSITY:

As we are a diverse organisation that respects differences in race, ethnicity, religion or belief(s), gender, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, marital status, disability, age or with regards to pregnancy or maternity, we welcome all applications. We want everyone to feel valued and included in the football community and to achieve their full potential. Leeds United is opposed to any form of discrimination and commits itself to the redress of any inequalities by taking positive action where appropriate.

SAFEGUARDING & RECRUITMENT:

Leeds United FC are committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children, young people and adults at risk, and expect all staff to share this commitment. All staff, whatever their role will receive safeguarding training and will be expected to champion the culture of 'safeguarding is everybody's responsibility'.

You can apply by completing our online application form:

https://forms.office.com/e/5UXsLqBM40