Head Performance Coach

paper with the IUSCA; Oceanside, Northern (CA, KY); Hybrid; USD 85,000 - 95,000; Full time

Job summary

This role leads daily athletic performance provision for a professional basketball program within the IUSCA framework, focusing on autonomous design and implementation of performance programmes for individuals and teams. It requires CSCS certification, a relevant bachelor’s degree, and 3–5 years in high-performance environments.

The position involves monitoring workload and recovery, coordinating with medical and coaching staff, and supporting major events like training camps and combines.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Exercise Science, Kinesiology, Exercise Physiology, Sports Science or related field
• CSCS certification (Certified Strength and Conditioning Specialist)
• 3–5 years of experience in professional, collegiate, G League, or comparable high-performance environments
• IQF Level 6 alignment and autonomous program design
• Ability to monitor and adjust individualised and team-based performance programmes

Responsibilities

• Design and implement individualised and team-based performance programmes
• Lead day-to-day athletic performance, player preparation standards and monitoring
• Conduct performance testing, workload management and recovery strategies
• Collaborate with athletic training, medical, coaching, nutrition, and operations staff
• Support training camp, pre-draft workouts, NBA Combine and Summer League activities

Job description

This role leads daily athletic performance provision for the San Diego Clippers during the G League season, with additional support of the LA Clippers during the offseason. The post holder is responsible for designing and adjusting individualised and team-based performance programmes, leading player preparation standards, supporting performance testing and athlete monitoring, managing workload and recovery processes, and collaborating with athletic training, medical, coaching, nutrition, culinary, Basketball Operations, and Performance, Health and Wellness staff. The role also supports training camp, pre-draft workouts, the NBA Combine, Summer League, and other related initiatives.

This role appears to align most closely with IQF Level 6, as it involves autonomous design, implementation, monitoring, and adjustment of individualised and team-based performance programmes within a professional basketball environment. The role includes responsibility for strength and conditioning, movement preparation, performance testing, athlete monitoring, workload management, recovery, and collaboration on rehabilitation and return-to-play. It also requires performance data collection, analysis, and communication to players, coaches, medical staff, and Basketball Operations. There are some Level 7-facing elements, particularly because the post holder leads the day-to-day athletic performance programme and establishes standards for player preparation and physical development. However, the advert does not clearly describe primary responsibility for staff leadership, departmental strategy, budget ownership, or responsibility for the decision quality of other practitioners, so Level 6 appears the most proportionate classification.

Associated IUSCA IQF Certification

IUSCA IQF Level 6 Accredited International Strength and Conditioning Practitioner (aISCP)

Salary and Role Alignment

Green. The advertised salary appears appropriately aligned with a Level 6 professional basketball performance role. The role requires a bachelor’s degree in Exercise Science, Kinesiology, Exercise Physiology, Sports Science, or a related field, CSCS certification, and 3 to 5 years of experience in professional, collegiate, G League, or comparable high-performance environments. The salary range of $85,000 to $95,000 appears proportionate given the professional sport context, full-time year-round structure, frequent travel, unsociable hours, athlete monitoring responsibilities, return-to-play collaboration, and NBA/G League performance demands.

This role has been classified by IUSCA based on publicly available information. The classification is intended to support professional transparency and help practitioners and employers understand the relationship between role scope, responsibility, autonomy, qualification expectations, and salary alignment. Applicants should review the original advert before applying.