Clinical Expertise
Elite football physiotherapy, rehabilitation and athlete-care experience, with the credibility to operate effectively in a high-performance environment.
Norwich City FC
THE BRIEF
ICP Search was retained by Norwich City FC to appoint a Head of Physiotherapy at a pivotal point in the club’s calendar.
The assignment began at the end of the season, with a clear requirement to identify and appoint the right leader quickly enough to support planning and delivery ahead of the following campaign. The role sat within the Performance Department and reported into the Director of Performance, carrying responsibility for physiotherapy provision across the club’s men’s first team, women’s programme and academy.
This was a senior appointment requiring a clinician who could remain credible and hands-on in an elite football setting while leading a wider physiotherapy, soft-tissue therapy and rehabilitation function. The brief required a balance of clinical expertise, leadership capability, athlete-care experience and the ability to work effectively within a multidisciplinary high-performance environment.
The Challenge
Identify and appoint a senior physiotherapy leader quickly enough to support planning and preparation ahead of the new season – without compromising the quality or breadth of the search.
Norwich City FC
OUR APPROACH
01 Market mapping
Mapped relevant physiotherapy, medical and rehabilitation talent across the European football market.
02 Candidate engagement
Combined direct search with an advertised campaign to reach both active and passive candidates.
03 Assessment
Screened candidates against agreed technical, leadership and cultural criteria.
04 Shortlisting
Delivered a detailed longlist before conducting deeper assessment and presenting a final shortlist.
05 Selection
Prepared and coordinated interviews through to appointment, maintaining momentum throughout the process.
06 Appointment
Managed candidate communication and stakeholder engagement through to a successful conclusion.
What we assessed
Leadership & Performance
The ability to lead a multidisciplinary physiotherapy function while contributing strategically to the wider performance department.
Culture & Collaboration
Leadership style, communication and the ability to build strong relationships across medical, performance, coaching and wider football teams.
THE OUTCOME
SUCCESSFUL APPOINTMENT - AHEAD OF SCHEDULE
ICP Search successfully appointed the Head of Physiotherapy ahead of the agreed schedule, enabling the successful candidate to begin ahead of the new season.
The assignment demonstrated ICP Search’s ability to deliver senior, specialist appointments in elite football, combining market depth, clinical understanding and a highly managed search process within a time-sensitive environment.