West Ham United is seeking motivated and enthusiastic placement students to support the Men’s First Team, Women’s First Team and The Academy of Football during the 2027/28 season.

Gain hands-on experience working alongside experienced practitioners in a multidisciplinary environment, contributing to player preparation, physical development, rehabilitation and performance.

If you’re committed to learning, enjoy working as part of a team and want to develop your skills in elite sport, we’d love to hear from you!

⚽ Placement Opportunities

🔨 Men’s First Team Physical Performance
⚽ Women’s First Team Physical Performance
📊 Women’s First Team Performance Science
📈 Men’s Academy Performance Science
💪 Men’s Academy Physical Development
🌱 Women’s Academy Physical Development

📋 Key Details

Contract: University placement
Duration: June 2027 – May 2028
Hours: Full-time, including evenings and weekends
Locations: Chadwell Heath, Little Heath and Rush Green, depending on placement
Eligibility: The placement must form an approved part of your university degree programme
Safeguarding: Enhanced DBS check, including the Children’s Barred List, required

Applicants must be able to commit to the full placement period.

Position

💪 What You'll Be Doing

Working under the guidance of experienced practitioners, you’ll support the planning, delivery and review of physical performance provision. Coaching roles will focus on practical delivery, while performance science roles will emphasise monitoring, analysis and data interpretation.

Depending on your placement, you will:

🏋️ Gym and Pitch Delivery: Assist with planning, organising, delivering and reviewing gym and pitch sessions.
🏟️ Matchday Support: Contribute to matchday preparation and physical performance activities.
💧 Player Support: Assist with hydration, food and supplement strategies.
⚡ Physical Development: Support player preparation, physical development and rehabilitation alongside physical performance and medical staff.
📊 Performance Monitoring: Assist with player monitoring, data collection and physical profiling.
📈 Data Analysis: Analyse and interpret performance data, producing reports, visualisations and presentations to inform decisions.
🔬 Research and Innovation: Contribute to projects that help improve performance practice.
🤝 Multidisciplinary Collaboration: Work alongside physical performance coaches, performance scientists, physiotherapists, nutritionists,

psychologists and coaching staff.

You’ll receive ongoing supervision, mentoring and feedback to help develop your practical skills and professional knowledge.

Requirements

⭐ What We're Looking For

We’re looking for students eager to work in football with a genuine desire to learn and improve.

All applicants should demonstrate:

🎓 An approved university placement as part of their degree programme.
📚 An understanding of relevant physical performance and performance science principles.
🗣️ Effective communication and interpersonal skills.
📋 Good organisation, attention to detail and reliability.
🤝 A collaborative and professional approach.
💡 Initiative, willingness to take responsibility and openness to feedback.
⏰ Flexibility to work the required schedule, including evenings and weekends.
🚗 The ability to travel between required work locations.
🛡️ Willingness to complete all required safeguarding and DBS checks.

💪 Physical Performance and Physical Development

We’re looking for students who understand strength and conditioning principles, can adapt their coaching approach and are keen to develop their skills in gym and pitch delivery.

📊 Performance Science

We’re looking for students who are confident working with data and technology. Experience using Excel, Power BI and/or R to analyse and interpret performance data is desirable.

⚒️ What You'll Gain

📚 A personal development plan and access to the placement development programme.
🧑🏫 Supervision, mentoring and feedback from experienced practitioners.
⚽ Practical experience within a professional football environment.
🤝 Opportunities to learn across disciplines and build professional relationships.
💷 Monthly travel or accommodation expense support of up to £500.
👕 West Ham United club kit.
🍽️ Breakfast and lunch.

Our Values

We’re looking for placement students who reflect the values that define West Ham United:

Hardworking – Demonstrating commitment and a strong work ethic.
Exciting – Bringing energy and enthusiasm.
Attitude+ – Showing initiative and striving to improve.
Respect – Treating others with professionalism.
Togetherness – Working collaboratively towards shared goals.

📅 Recruitment Process – Key Dates

Please make a note of the following dates:

First-stage recruitment day: Sunday 29 November 2026 – Chadwell Heath.
Second-stage interviews: December 2026.
Placement start date: June 2027.

Please ensure you are available to attend the first-stage recruitment day before applying.

📩 Ready to Take the Next Step?

If you’re passionate about physical performance, eager to learn and ready to contribute to a professional football environment, this could be the opportunity for you.

Bring your knowledge, ambition and team spirit to West Ham United and take the next step towards your future in physical performance or performance science.

Other information

Benefits on offer (may vary based on contract type and location)

25 days annual leave plus your birthday off
Pension and life insurance
Healthcare cash scheme
Travel season ticket loan
Cycle to work scheme
Priority access to apply for match tickets
Discounted season tickets
Staff discounts in the club store, café and our official partners products and services
Discounted gym membership and onsite fitness room facilities
Family friendly leave policies
Company Social events

EDI Statement

The successful candidate must demonstrate a strong commitment to equity, diversity, and inclusion, aligning with the organisation’s business and tactical approach to eliminating barriers and addressing inequity. You agree to actively contribute to creating a discrimination-free and inclusive environment, ensuring equitable access to opportunities and benefits, while fostering a culture of dignity and respect that enables everyone to perform and achieve their potential.
Candidates must demonstrate their capability and willingness to uphold best practices and procedures, promoting lasting positive change while eliminating biases and barriers to attracting, achieving, and supporting talent from all communities, regardless of background, circumstances, or protected characteristics.

Safeguarding

The successful candidate must demonstrate a commitment to the safety and welfare of children, young people, and adults at risk of harm across all stakeholders. Everyone, including third parties who work with the Club or the West Ham Foundation, is responsible for ensuring the safety and well-being of vulnerable individuals. Successful candidates must undergo essential background checks before starting their employment, which may include screening of social media. The type of DBS check required will depend on the responsibilities of the position and may be basic, standard, or enhanced.
The successful candidate agrees to proactively identify and respond appropriately to any concerns, and follow the Club's Safeguarding reporting procedures to report allegations of abuse, poor practice, or anything that may impact the welfare of a child, young person, or adult at risk without delay, within 24 hours, or as otherwise directed by the Club’s or the West Ham Foundation Safeguarding Team.

Applications:

📝 To apply, please submit your application via our career’s portal: https://www.careers.whufc.com

📅 Deadline: 5pm Thursday 12th November 2026

📌 Please note: Due to the high volume of applications expected, only shortlisted candidates will be contacted.

Apply → Save ← Back to all jobs

This vacancy comes from the website of West Ham United. You apply directly with the club.