Professor in Football Performance

Shape the Future of Football Performance

Cardiff Metropolitan University is seeking an exceptional academic leader to join the Cardiff School of Sport and Health Sciences as Professor in Football Performance. This is a rare opportunity to lead the strategic development of football coaching, performance, applied sport psychology, and performance science within one of the UK's leading sport schools. The successful candidate will play a pivotal role in developing innovative programmes, advancing internationally recognised research, and building transformative partnerships across the global football industry. As Cardiff Met delivers its ambitious Strategic Plan 2030, this appointment will help establish a world-class football research and innovation ecosystem, supporting the development of a dedicated Football Research Centre or Hub and strengthening our international profile.

The Opportunity

The Professor of Football Performance will provide strategic leadership across teaching, research, enterprise, and external engagement, driving excellence in football coaching and performance education.

You will:

• Lead the growth and development of our new degree programmes. 
• Build and lead an internationally recognised research portfolio in football performance, coaching, coach learning, applied sport psychology, and professional development. 
• Secure significant external funding and develop impactful research partnerships. 
• Strengthen Cardiff Met's reputation as a leading destination for football education, research, and innovation. 
• Develop meaningful collaborations with professional clubs, governing bodies, and international partners. 
• Mentor colleagues and help foster a high-performance academic culture. 

Why Join Cardiff Met?

Cardiff Metropolitan University has an international reputation for excellence in sport education, research, and applied practice. This role offers the opportunity to shape the future of football performance education, influence practice across the professional game.

Join us and help create a leading centre for football performance, coaching innovation, and research excellence.

Applications

Applicants for the post of Professor must meet, and continue to meet, Cardiff Metropolitan University's criteria for professorial appointments. If you are interested in this opportunity, please apply via the portal by submitting your CV and a written expression of interest by Friday 10th July 2026 outlining how your previous experience, qualifications and skills fulfil the core requirements of the job description and person specification. Shortlisted candidates will be invited to a formal panel interview.

If you would like an informal discussion, please do not hesitate to contact Dr Huw Wiltshire (Dean (Acting): Cardiff School of Sport and Health Sciences). 

Be part of a university that is redefining football performance, research, and education for the next generation.

Applications may be submitted in Welsh, and an application submitted in Welsh will not be treated less favourably than an application submitted in English.

Should a high volume of applications be received, we may need to close this vacancy early. We therefore encourage you to apply as early as possible.

Cardiff Metropolitan University is proud to be a Disability Confident employer and a signatory of the Armed Forces Covenant.

All applicants with disabilities, or those who are part of the Armed Forces community who during the shortlisting process meet the essential criteria for the role will be progressed to the next stage.

The University is committed to creating a highly inclusive culture. We offer family friendly and flexible working arrangements and a range of staff networks, forums and events to support and develop our people. We warmly welcome applications from those traditionally underrepresented in the higher education sector.