Job Opportunity: Leeds Rhinos – Head Physiotherapist (Full-Time)

Leeds Rhinos – Head Physiotherapist (Full-Time)

Start Date: To Be Confirmed
Location: Leeds (Kirkstall) and various locations across the North of England
Salary: Dependant on Skills and Experience
Reports To: Sporting Director

Purpose of the Role

Leeds Rhinos are seeking an experienced and highly motivated Head Physiotherapist to lead the provision of world-class medical care and support for our players. The successful candidate will oversee the physiotherapy department and be responsible for the diagnosis, treatment, rehabilitation, and ongoing management of injuries across the club, ensuring players are supported to perform at their highest level.

Essential Requirements

• Proven ability to work collaboratively with the Head of Strength & Conditioning, Head of Medical Services, and Men’s and Women’s First Team Coaching Staff.
• Extensive knowledge and understanding of rugby league or other elite team sports environments.
• Significant experience in player assessment, treatment, rehabilitation, and injury management at a professional level.
• Advanced practical expertise in musculoskeletal assessment and soft tissue/manual therapy techniques.
• Minimum of three years’ full-time experience within a professional sporting environment.
• Strong understanding of applied sports science, athletic development, conditioning, and performance programming.
• Demonstrable experience designing and implementing individualised rehabilitation programmes.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
• Strong IT skills and experience using medical record management systems.

Key Responsibilities

• Clinical Leadership
• Lead and oversee all physiotherapy services across the club, ensuring the highest standards of player care.
• Conduct player medical clinics and treatment sessions, providing clear and timely written reports on player progress.
• Manage injury diagnosis, treatment planning, rehabilitation, and return-to-play protocols.
• Coordinate player preparation for training and competition, including strapping, taping, and other required interventions.
• Liaise with specialist consultants and attend referral appointments where required.

Player Health & Performance

• Work closely with coaching, sports science, and medical staff to optimise player health, availability, and performance.
• Provide medical input into team management meetings, contributing to decision-making regarding training loads, fitness testing, injury prevention strategies, and player welfare.
• Monitor agreed physical and medical markers to ensure players’ health needs are consistently met.
• Produce weekly medical reports highlighting player progress, injury status, and any emerging concerns.

Department Leadership & Development

• Lead, mentor, and support physiotherapy staff across the club.
• Promote continuous professional development (CPD) through the delivery of internal and external learning opportunities.
• Support the development of the medical provision and assist within Men’s Youth, Women’s 1st Team and Women’s Youth physiotherapy services when required.
• Foster a collaborative, high-performance culture within the medical department.

Governance & Administration

• Ensure all medical records, injury surveillance data, and treatment protocols are accurately maintained using the club’s centralised systems.
• Ensure compliance with club policies, RFL regulations, and relevant professional standards.
• Manage medical equipment and consumables budgets in conjunction with the Head of Medical Services.
• Ensure all player pre-participation screening, registration requirements, and pre-signing medical assessments are completed and documented.
• Escalate and report any player welfare concerns to the appropriate personnel.
• Build and maintain strong relationships with players, staff, healthcare providers, and external organisations.

Additional Requirements

• Flexibility to work evenings, weekends, and other unsocial hours as required within elite sport.
• Willingness and ability to travel throughout the UK and overseas, including occasional overnight stays.

Qualifications

• Postgraduate qualification (or equivalent) in Sports Physiotherapy, Sport and Exercise Medicine, or a related field.
• Membership of the Chartered Society of Physiotherapy (MCSP).
• Current registration with the Health and Care Professions Council (HCPC).
• Appropriate professional indemnity insurance, with evidence available upon request.
• Current RFL IMMOFP qualification (or recognised equivalent).

Personal Attributes

• Strong team player with excellent collaborative skills.
• Demonstrates high levels of drive, commitment, and professionalism.
• Resilient and proactive, with the ability to perform effectively under pressure.
• Passionate about delivering excellence within a high-performance sporting environment.
• Excellent interpersonal and relationship-building skills.
• Genuine commitment to the sport of rugby league and the values of Leeds Rhinos.

This is a full-time role working 40 hours a week, you will be expected to work match nights, weekends and work flexibly within the existing team.

If you would like to apply for this position, please forward a copy of your CV together with a covering letter advising why you feel you are a suitable candidate for the role to sarah.tate@therhinos.co.uk

The closing date for applications is 6pm on Wednesday 8th July 2026.