Sports Performance Coach - Academy

SUMMARY: 

The Sports Performance Coach is responsible for developing and implementing evidence-based training, monitoring, and recovery programs that support the well-being, performance, and long-term development of Academy athletes. The role applies sports science principles to optimize performance, reduce injury risk, and assist in the return-to-participation process for injured players. Additionally, the Sports Performance Coach supports the daily operation of the strength and conditioning facility and collaborates closely with coaching and medical staff to deliver an integrated performance program.

DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

1. Develop and implement athlete monitoring, training, recovery, and strength and conditioning programs to enhance performance and reduce injury risk.
2. Collaborate with the sports medicine staff  to modify training programs, execute return-to-participation sessions, and implement individualized training progressions for injured or rehabilitating athletes.
3. Conduct, analyze, document, and communicate performance assessments, workload monitoring, wellness metrics, and body composition testing.
4. Interpret athlete monitoring and sports science data and provide evidence-based recommendations.
5. Design, implement, and evaluate warm-up protocols, gym-based training, and periodized programming aligned with long-term athlete development.
6. Deliver education on nutrition, recovery, injury prevention, wellness, and off-season programming.
7. Comply with all MLS medical policies, protocols, Game Operations Manuals, and organizational standards.
8. Participate in interdisciplinary meetings and continuing education.
9. Special projects and assignments as business dictates.
10. Responsible for the maintenance, creation and control of all personally identifiable information or any other information protected by any Confidentiality or Privacy Standards or Company Policies that you have access or knowledge of, including but not limited to any state or federal regulations including HIPAA.

SUPERVISORY RESPONSIBILITIES

• N/A

SKILLS AND QUALIFICATIONS

• Bachelor of Science in Exercise Science, Kinesiology or related field.
• 2-4 years of experience in sports performance, strength and conditioning, or sports science, preferably within elite youth, collegiate, or professional athletics.
• Experience interpreting athlete monitoring, workload management, readiness, recovery, and performance data to support training decisions and reduce injury risk.
• Experience utilizing athlete monitoring and performance technologies, including Catapult GPS, VALD Performance systems, Excel, and Tableau.
• Knowledge of long-term athlete development (LTAD), periodization, strength training, Olympic lifting techniques, plyometrics, speed and agility development, conditioning, flexibility, recovery strategies, and injury prevention.
• Working knowledge of sports science principles, exercise physiology, biomechanics, and return-to-participation protocols.
• Ability to analyze performance data and effectively communicate findings and recommendations to athletes, coaches, sports medicine personnel, and other performance staff.
• Knowledge of medical terminology and the ability to collaborate effectively within a multidisciplinary high-performance environment.
• Strong organizational, analytical, interpersonal, and communication skills with the ability to exercise sound professional judgment and maintain confidentiality.
• Flexible work schedule with the ability to work evenings, nights, weekend, and holydays if required by team schedule
• Ability to speak Spanish (preferred)

PHYSICAL DEMANDS

• While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to sit and use hands to handle or feel
• The employee frequently is required to talk or hear
• The employee is occasionally required to reach with hands and arms, bend at the knees
• Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision and ability to adjust focus
• Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions

WORK ENVIRONMENT

• The noise level in the work environment is sometimes loud
• Will work in all types of weather, including extreme heat and cold

CERTIFICATES, LICENSES, REGISTRATIONS

• Certified Strength and Conditioning Specialist (CSCS) certification required (or must be sitting for exam within 3 months of hiring date).
• Current CPR/First Aid certification required.
• SafeSport Certification required.
• Certified Performance and Sport Scientist (CPSS) certification preferred.

OTHER DUTIES

Please note this job description is not designed to cover or contain a comprehensive listing of activities, duties or responsibilities that are required of the employee for this job. Duties, responsibilities and activities may change at any time with or without notice.

This company is an equal opportunity employer. We evaluate qualified applicants without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, veteran status, and other legally protected characteristics.

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