Head of Medical Warrington Wolves Closing Date: Ongoing Salary: Competitive Location: Warrington, UK

ABOUT THE ROLEAND WHAT WE ARE LOOKING FOR

Working as part of a wider team of 20 performance staff, TheHead of Medical will be responsible for over 30 professional athletes competing in Super League (namely the first team squad). Reporting to theDirector of Rugbyandworking alongside theHead Coachand Head of Performance, you will also be directly responsible forthe Medical Teamas line manager, ensuring their integrationwith the wider team and continued professional development. Your core dutieswillinclude but are not limited to:

• Lead and developthe club’s medical provision, delivering world‑class clinical care while operating as an integral member of the wider performance department
• Provide strategic leadershipacross all medical services, ensuring players receive the highest standards of assessment, treatment, rehabilitation and performance support throughout the performance pathway
• Work collaborativelywith coaching, strength & conditioning, sports science and performance staff. Youwillbe required tocontribute to an integrated high‑performance environment where evidence‑based practice, innovation and continuous improvement underpin decision making
• Fostera culture that places player welfare at its core whilst striving to maximise player availability and optimise performance
• Integrate and understandour performance pathway model including Scholars, Academy and Reserves to ensure the requirements of player readiness are recognised prior to player integration with the first team squad

We work in a fast paced, professionaland ever evolving environment as the demands of Super League and the season calendar dictate. Primarily based at ourperformancetraining facility and Halliwell Jones stadium, we also move cross country and internationally,with the Head of Medicalrolebeingcriticalto ensuring we are successful in every aspect of our planning and delivery.From daily player availability updatesand training preparationto leading all aspects of match day player care, we are looking for someone who understands not onlyourathletes, butthe people centred around the entire programme– and the importance of connecting our departments.

CLINICAL LEADERSHIP

Lead and oversee all medical services across thefirst team squad, ensuring the highest standards of clinical care, governance and professional practice. Including but not limited to:

• Medical assessments, diagnosis and treatment
• Rehabilitation planning and progression alongsidereturn-to-performance programmes
• Coordination ofplayer preparation for training and competition
• Liaisingwith consultants, surgeons and external healthcare providersin relation to player health
• Ensure clinical practice reflects current evidence and best practice within elite sport

PLAYER HEALTH & PERFORMANCE

Work collaboratively withthecoaching, strength & conditioning and sports science staff to maximise player health, availability and performance throughout the seasonvia:

• Contributingto multidisciplinary performance meetings, providing evidence-based recommendations regarding player readiness, rehabilitation progression and return-to-performance decisions
• IntegratingGPS, athlete monitoring data and clinical assessment into rehabilitationprotocol
• Designingand deliveringindividualised rehabilitation programmes
• Produce regular medical reports detailing player status, rehabilitation progress and projected availabilityto the Head Coach to inform training andgame-baseddecisions
• Leadthemedicaldevelopment and implementation of injury prevention strategies

DEPARTMENT LEADERSHIP & DEVELOPMENT

Provide leadership, mentorship and support to physiotherapy and medical staff across theclubthrough:

• Fosteringa collaborative, accountable and high-performance culture within the medical departmentthat promotescontinuous professional development
• Drive the continual development of medical services through innovation, reflection and the implementation of best practice
• Identify opportunities to improve clinical pathways, rehabilitation processes and interdisciplinary collaboration
• Encourage knowledge sharing, case review and collaborative learning across the wider performance departmentutilising outside partners and leaders of industry

GOVERNANCE & ADMINISTRATION

• Ensure all medical records, injury surveillance data and rehabilitation documentation are accurately maintained using the Club’s athlete management systems
• Ensure compliance with Club policies, governing bodystatutoryregulations(RFL)and professional standards
• Lead the planning, delivery and interpretation of the Club’s pre-season screening programme, working collaboratively with the performance team to translate findings into individualised injury risk reduction, rehabilitation and performance plans
• Support the management of departmental equipment, consumables and budgets
• Escalate and report player welfare concerns in accordance with safeguarding procedures
• Build and maintain effective working relationships with players, staff, consultants and external healthcare provider

ESSENTIAL REQUIREMENTS

• Proven ability and or track record working collaboratively within an integrated multidisciplinary performance team
• Significant experience in the assessment, diagnosis, treatment and rehabilitation of elite athletes
• Minimum of five years’ full-time experience within a professional sporting environment.
• Advanced practical expertise in musculoskeletal assessment, clinical reasoning and manual therapy techniques
• Strong understanding of applied sports science, athletic development, physical preparation and performance programming
• Demonstrable experience designing, implementing and progressing individualised rehabilitation and return-to-performance programmes
• Experience using objective athlete monitoring technologies (e.g. VALD systems) to inform rehabilitation planning and return-to-performance decision making
• Experience interpreting GPS and external load data to support rehabilitation progression, injury risk management and performance readiness
• Strong understanding of evidence-based practice and its application within elite sport
• Strong IT skills with experience using electronic medical record systems, athlete management systems and performance software