First Team Performance Nutritionist

First Team Performance Nutritionist

Location: Manchester

At Manchester United our aim is to Win the United Way – and the quality of our behind-the scenes team sets us apart from the competition.

Our people are as committed to the success of the company as the players are to winning trophies. We offer a unique and exciting working environment, excellent training, with recognition and rewards for the part each individual plays. Sounding good so far?

The Purpose:

The purpose of this position is to implement best practices in performance nutrition for Manchester United's First Team, with a focus on optimizing physical attributes, promoting performance readiness, and facilitating recovery. Working collaboratively with the multidisciplinary team and adhering to established protocols, the successful candidate will be responsible for developing, implementing, and evaluating evidence-based practices to maximize athletic growth, competition readiness, and injury prevention. This role requires a strong ability to apply cutting-edge nutritional strategies, work collaboratively with other professionals, and stay up-to-date with industry developments.

The Role:

• Develop and implement evidence-based performance nutrition practices to optimise physical attributes, readiness, and recovery for Manchester United's First Team
• Collaborate with multidisciplinary team members and adhere to established protocols to reduce injury risk, maximise athletic growth, and optimize competition readiness
• Proactively consult with players to review individual nutrition strategies in line with training and development goals, and provide daily reactive support
• Collaborate with the 1st team Head Chef and Catering Manager in setting weekly menus specific to 1st team requirements, but also developing the food culture and approach that runs throughout the club.
• Manage the administration of daily menu analysis via Nutritics, and presentation of key information at point of service. Working in partnership with other key stakeholders on further integration of this data within new technology innovations.
• Deliver individual and group education sessions to players, families, and support teams
• Co-ordinate provision of performance nutrition services in the 1st team program, including management and development of the nutrition assistant
• Manage and lead monitoring of body composition and nutritional biomarkers screening
• Implement and supervise performance-based investigations and projects
• Design and implement systems and methodologies to evaluate department impact and effectiveness
• Contribute to knowledge development, aggregation, and sharing across the department
• Play a key role in developing applied research streams in the MUFC setting

The Person:

Qualifications

• Registration with the BDA’s Sports & Exercise Nutrition register or equivalent.
• Hold post graduate level qualification in Sports Science / Nutrition.
• ISAK accreditation
• Level 2 Food Hygiene
• UKAD Accredited Adviser

Experience

• Substantial experience as a practicing registered sports and exercise nutritionist or equivalent
• Experience of working within a multi-disciplinary performance team in the delivery of services to elite athletes – Minimum 5 years
• Experience of supporting athletes at international training & competition
• Computer literacy essential with high level of expertise in Excel and Nutritics
• Significant experience of 1:1 consultancy with athletes
• Excellent communication skills with the ability to build meaningful, strong strategic relationships with club staff and players.

Knowledge & Skills

• Demonstrated experience of applying coaching skills and different behaviour change models to support players.
• Demonstrated ability to analyse a range of athletes in relation to their performance needs. To develop, implement and evaluate bespoke nutrition support.
• An understanding of the needs of elite athletes and coaches in a high performance environment.
• Ability to implement innovative ideas and influence athlete and coach support programmes
• Ability to communicate complex data in terms that are easily understood by a wide range of audiences.

If you would you like to join the team and be part of our mission, to win the United way, please submit your application by 21^st May 2023.

Manchester United endeavour to respond to all job application, however, please consider that we receive a high volume of applications and this may not always possible.

We recognise the importance of safeguarding children and adults at risk at Manchester United, as part of this commitment this post is required to have a Disclosure and Barring Service check at the appropriate level, as well as full reference history.

Manchester United is an equal-opportunity employer that is committed to inclusion and diversity. We take affirmative action to ensure equal opportunities to applicants and employees without regard to background, ethnicity, race, colour, religion, age, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity/expression, national origin, protected veteran status, disability status or other legally protected characteristics.

Manchester United Football Club are proud to be a signatory of the Armed Forces Covenant, supporting the armed forces community to transition into careers outside of the armed forces.

Manchester United is committed to working with and providing reasonable adjustments for applicants and employees. If you require any reasonable adjustments to support your application and perform at your best, please do not hesitate to contact us to make a request; we are here to help.

It is unlawful to employ a person in a UK-based job who does not have permission to live and work in the UK. You should make yourself aware of how immigration laws apply to you before applying for any of our roles. Your personal data will be processed on MU’s behalf by Morson.