Director, Sports Performance

Santa Clara University; Santa Clara (CA); On-site; USD 85,000 - 102,000; Full time

Job summary

Santa Clara University is seeking a Director of Sports Performance to lead comprehensive strength and conditioning for assigned intercollegiate programs. You will design sport-specific training and guide student athletes in Olympic lifts, flexibility, speed, and conditioning.

Ideal candidates have CSCS, CPR/First Aid, and 3–5 years of college sports performance experience, with a focus on safety and collaboration with medical staff and coaches. A dynamic, athletic environment awaits.

Qualifications

• CSCS certification required.
• CPR, AED, and First Aid Certification required.
• Bachelor’s degree required; advanced degree preferred.
• 3–5 years of collegiate sports performance experience preferred.

Responsibilities

• Direct all sports performance efforts for assigned intercollegiate sport programs.
• Instruct student‑athletes on technique and conditioning.
• Develop strength, endurance, flexibility, and agility programs.
• Ensure safety and monitor injuries with sports medicine staff.
• Coordinate with the dietitian to implement nutrition education.

Skills

Basic computer skills

Communication skills

Program development

Olympic lifts knowledge

Education

Bachelor’s degree

Advanced degree preferred

Tools

USA Weightlifting Certification

CSCS certification

Job description

Position Title:

Director, Sports Performance

Position Type:

Regular

Hiring Range:

$85,400 - $102,487 annually, Compensation will be based on education, experience, skills relevant to the role, and internal equity.

Pay Frequency:

Annual

A. POSITION PURPOSE

The Director of Sports Performance is responsible for directing and implementing a comprehensive strength and conditioning program for assigned intercollegiate programs.

B. ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

1. Direct all sports performance efforts for assigned intercollegiate sport programs.

• Utilize self-discretion and advanced knowledge of physiology and sport performance to create, direct, and implement a custom and individualized sport-specific strength and conditioning program for student athletes.

• Instruct student‑athletes on proper technique and execution of Olympic lifts, free weight exercises, flexibility, plyometric training, agility movements, speed development, aerobic and anaerobic conditioning, and all other parameters of sport performance training.

• Develop strength, endurance, flexibility, and agility for student athletes at the Division I level.

• Work with assigned coaching staff to maximize intended results and minimize injuries.

• Develop and implement performance testing with objective measuring criteria.

• Maintain current knowledge of cutting‑edge techniques applicable to assigned intercollegiate programs.

• Work closely with the sports medicine staff to ensure student‑athlete safety, monitor status, and rehabilitation of athletic‑related injuries.

• Develop strength, endurance, flexibility, and agility programs for the additional intercollegiate sports assigned.

• If necessary, develop strength, endurance, flexibility, and agility programs in addition to those that are currently assigned.

• Assist the Associate Athletic Director of Sports Performance with assigned programs as needed.

1. Assist Nutrition Education Program

• Coordinate with the athletic department’s designated Registered Dietitian to implement a nutritional education program for all student athletes.
• Coordinate with the athletic department’s designated Registered Dietitian to create meal options for preseason, school break, and summer sessions.
• Coordinate with the athletic department’s designated Registered Dietitian on educational opportunities for all student‑athletes.

1. Ensure the safety and welfare of student athletes during strength and conditioning activities.

• Work closely with the sports medicine staff to ensure student safety, monitor status, and rehabilitation of athletic‑related injuries.
• Provide top‑quality direction and feedback to all strength and conditioning personnel to minimize the risk of accidents or injuries during strength and conditioning activities.

1. Contact and Liaison Responsibilities

• Maintain effective communication with athletic training staff regarding the medical status of respective athletes.

• Maintain effective communication and provide performance feedback to coaches and student-athletes.

• Maintain effective communication with all staff on the weight room policies and procedures.

• Develop and communicate the department’s quarterly weight room schedule for its 20 intercollegiate athletic programs.

• Coordinate the equipment replacement program and annual maintenance to ensure equipment safety.

• Assist with the supervision of all external strength and conditioning trainers to ensure compliance with established program standards.

1. Other duties as assigned

• Abide by and be aware of all conference and NCAA regulations to ensure departmental compliance.
• Attend continuing education symposiums as required to maintain CSCS certification.

C. PROVIDES WORK DIRECTION

May supervise volunteers or graduate students.

D. GENERAL GUIDELINES

• Recommends initiatives and implements changes to improve quality and services.
• Identifies and determines the causes of problems; develops and presents recommendations for improving established processes and practices.
• Maintains contact with student‑athletes and solicits feedback for improved services.
• Maximizes productivity through the use of appropriate tools; planned training and performance initiatives.
• Researches and develops resources to create a timely, efficient workflow.
• Prepares and submits reports as requested and required.
• Develops and implements guidelines to support the unit’s function.

E. QUALIFICATIONS

To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. The items below are representative of the knowledge, skills, abilities, education, and experience required or preferred.

This position requires the ability to effectively establish and maintain cooperative working relationships within a diverse multicultural environment.

Knowledge

• CSCS certification required.
• CPR, AED, and First Aid Certification required.
• USA Olympic Weightlifting Certification preferred.

Skills

• Basic computer skills required

Abilities

• Ability to effectively communicate with athletic trainers, coaches, and athletes.
• Experience creating and implementing sports performance programs.

Education

• Bachelor’s degree required, advanced degree in a related health field preferred.

Years of Experience

• 3-5 years of collegiate sports performance experience preferred.

F. PHYSICAL DEMANDS

The physical demands described below are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. In accordance with the Americans with Disabilities Act, as amended, the California Fair Employment & Housing Act, and all other applicable laws, SCU provides reasonable accommodations for qualified persons with disabilities. A qualified individual is a person who meets skill, experience, education, or other requirements of the position, and who can perform the essential functions of the position with or without reasonable accommodation.

• Considerable time is spent at a desk using a computer terminal.
• May be required to travel to other buildings on the campus.
• May be required to attend conference and training sessions within the Bay Area or in- or out-of-state locations.
• May be required to occasionally travel to outside customers, vendors, or suppliers.
• Considerable time may be spent outdoors attending practices or athletic events.
• Considerable time spent at athletic events with associated noise and crowds

G. WORK ENVIRONMENT

The work environment characteristics described below are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job.

• Typical office environment.
• Mostly indoor office environment.
• Offices with equipment noise.
• Offices with frequent interruptions.
• Athletic fields and events.
• Outdoor athletic events.

Telecommute

Santa Clara University is registered to do business in the following states: California, Nevada, Oregon, Washington, Arizona, and Illinois. Employees approved to telecommute are required to perform their work within one of these states.

EEO Statement

Equal Opportunity/Notice of Nondiscrimination

Santa Clara University is an equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants are encouraged to apply and will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, ethnicity, national origin, citizenship, ancestry, religion, age, sex, sexual orientation, gender, gender expression, gender identity, marital status, parental status, veteran or military status, physical or mental disability, medical conditions, pregnancy or related conditions, reproductive health decision making, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state, or local laws. For a complete copy of Santa Clara University’s equal opportunity and nondiscrimination policies, please visit the Office of Equal Opportunity and Title IX website at https://www.scu.edu/title-ix/.

Clery Notice of Availability

Santa Clara University annually collects information about campus crimes and other reportable incidents in accordance with the federal Jeanne Clery Disclosure of Campus Security Policy and Campus Crime Statistics Act. To view the Santa Clara University report, please visit the Campus Safety Services website. To request a paper copy please call Campus Safety at [phone]. The report includes the type of crime, venue, and number of occurrences.

Americans with Disabilities Act

Consistent with its obligations under the law, Santa Clara University will provide reasonable accommodations to applicants and employees with disabilities. Applicants who wish to request a reasonable accommodation for any part of the application or hiring process should contact the Department of Human Resources ADA Team at [e-mail] or by phone at [phone]. Please note : This contact information is intended for accommodation requests only. Resumes or inquiries about application status sent to this inbox will not be reviewed or forwarded. For resumes or questions regarding application status, please contact [e-mail].